7 days | Independent tour | May-Aug | Vágar
Adrift in the frothing swells of the North Atlantic, this mysterious 18-piece jigsaw puzzle of islands is at once ancient and very modern. The proud, long-suffering Faroese character has been forged from Viking blood, Christian piety, Scandinavian openness and an awe for the humbling nature that's all around.
When visiting the Faroes, you are never more than 5km (3 miles) away from the ocean. The countryside is dominated by steep mountains and there are about 80,000 sheep and some 2 million pairs of seabirds, including the largest colony of storm petrels in the world, puffins and gannets.
As a Certified B Corporation, 50 Degrees North has designed this tour using handpicked local hoteliers and suppliers who share our ethos of delivering services and activities of high social and environmental standards.
The CO2-e per person per day of all tours is carefully measured following each season. We fully offset all emissions of our tours on your behalf, and we constantly look at ways to reduce emissions where possible.
By car, ferry and on foot
Arrive at the Vágar Airport and pick up car. Drive into Tórshavn and settle into your hotel. When you are ready, head out on an old town tour to get your bearings and enjoy the history of this port village. Walk through the narrow cobbled streets, between traditional wooden houses with grass turf roofs, which date back many hundreds of years. You can also take in the the old fortress, the marina and the peninsular known as Tinganes, where you will walk through the iconic redwood, grass-roofed buidings of some the oldest parliament buidings in the world.
Tórshavn has a lively bar and restaurant scene - your reception staff can give you recommendations for your evening meals.
If you are arriving late, you can also stay in Hotel Vágar, close to the airport.
Discover the wild beauty of Mykines, the Faroe Islands' westernmost island, on a privately guided day excursion. Explore dramatic coastal landscapes, rich birdlife and picturesque village life while learning about the island's unique history and culture. Meet your private guide in Sørvágur at 09:00 before boarding the 09:30 ferry to Mykines. After a scenic 45-minute crossing, enjoy a guided exploration of the island with opportunities to see puffins and other seabirds in season. A packed lunch is included. Return by ferry to Sørvágur at 14:15.
After breakfast drive to the Suðuroy ferry via Torshavn. The car ferry is approximately 2 hours so sit back, grab a hot drink and enjoy your time with locals. On arrival, drive to your accommodation this evening, Heima i Stovu.
The boutique hotel is set in a family house built in 1912 and newly refurbished to resemble a great-grandparents’ home in the same village. It is a perfect place to enjoy a break from your everyday hustle. Immerse yourself in the laid-back atmosphere in Hvalba, hike in the beautiful mountains surrounding the village, and enjoy food made from local ingredients. Bring your own book or dive into the vintage collection in the cozy sitting room and be transported back to a timeless period.
This morning, you have a hiking tour included with a picnic lunch. Depending on the weather, your guide will escort you to their favourite spots along the cliff tops and valleys.
The highlight of your stay will be the included meals with a kitchen full of love and memories. Located on the ground floor, the kitchen has direct access to the kitchen garden and a short walk to the nearby shared village allotment where the locals experiment with the berries and vegetables their local climate can sustain.
This morning, ferry back to Tórshavn and take your time returning back to your hotel.
Please let us know if you wish to arrange any activities for this day.
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel for your private tour. Start the walking tour, past Mannafelsdalur, the site of a bloody Viking battle 700 years ago where mounds of grass still grow with a red hue, said to be the blood of the slain Viking rebels, while in the distance, the NATO radar listening station nestled high above the Faroese landscape reminds us of more modern conflict.
Hike to the panoramic and truly breathtaking views overlooking Vágoy and Trøllkonufingur....a photographer's dream! .... and a landscape that would grace a Tolkien legend. Then walk over the ridge to an open landscape with lake views at Vatnsdalur and down to Norðadalur, with spectacular views of the islands Hestoy and Koltur, where you will pause for Faroese delicacies and refreshments, before taking a short drive into the capital, Tórshavn.
Here you will take a historic tour of the ancient and narrow cobbled streets that wind in and out of the traditional wooden, grass-roofed houses that truly define the Faroe Islands and on to Tinganes, to explore the ancient site and traditional red wood, grass-roofed buildings of the oldest parliament in the world.
This evening from 7pm, join the locals for a special home cooked meal. More and more people in the Faroese are offering ‘heimablídni‘, translated as ‘home hospitality’, where they invite people into their own homes for a dinner and a chance to get to know the locals.
More than just a dining experience, this is a chance to hear personal stories, learn about everyday life in the Faroe Islands, and connect with the people who call these islands home. Often featuring recipes and ingredients not commonly found in restaurants, heimablídni offers a genuine taste of Faroese culture in a warm and intimate setting.
A unique and authentic cultural experience, where good food and local hospitality come together around the dinner table.
After breakfast, a private transfer will take you to the airport, where your Faroe Islands adventure comes to an end.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative. There is the option to stay in centrally located 3 star city hotel as a standard option.
Please note the weather conditions can be wild and unpredictable in the Faroe Islands. Your guide may change the itinerary at short notice to suit the local conditions. Ferries can be cancelled due to rough sea.
Due to the limited availability of automatic vehicles, this package is based on a manual vehicle. If you prefer an automatic vehicle, please let is know.
There are new guidelines for protecting the Puffin colony at Mykines which your guide will advise you on.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Weather conditions may occasionally affect certain activities, and as a result, the schedule may be adjusted to ensure the best possible experience for all guests. For multi-activity stays, often the order of the activities will be confirmed locally on arrival. Activities might vary slightly in their duration or location due to the weather and local conditions. Any activities that are unable to be re-scheduled due to weather conditions, will be refunded as a general practice, as determined by the activity provider.
Six Nordic journeys, from a Sámi reindeer herding ranch in Finnish Lapland to the ancient Viking landscapes of the Faroe Islands, designed for travellers who want to understand a place rather than simply visit it.
Our Nordic Leader, Satu offers her favourite scenic locations in the Faroe Islands. Unspoiled, Unexplored, Unbelievable - visit the Faroe Islands next summer and explore Europe's best kept secret.
In a world shaped by speed and constant connectivity, many travellers are seeking something quieter. Not isolation for its own sake, but space. Space to think, to walk without urgency, to sit beside a fjord or tundra and simply observe.
