Scandinavian Travel - our suggestions for great reads
Before departure, or while dreaming of a Scandinavian adventure, get your fill of inspiring travel books here.
Our staff will respond to your query promptly and provide detailed information to your questions.
6 days - Family Adventure tour with local and authentic experiences
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.
This family tour of the Faroes takes you to the bird cliffs of Mykines, the beautiful village of Saksun with its natural amphitheatre of cliffs and the village of Gjógv. You will meet the Faroe Island ponies for a horse riding tour, meeting this one-of-a-kind breed close to nature. Head off for an adventurous rib boating experience or enjoy family hiking to a bloody Viking battle ground from 700 years ago.
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, day tour by minivan and on foot.
Tunnel fees where applicable, activities and ferry rides between islands.
If you wish to hire an automatic car, these are 'on request' and can be difficult to obtain. Please seek further advice with us.
Arrive at the Vágar Airport and pick up car. Dinner can be at the cafe close by at the fjords end or head to Faroe Fish Dinner, a 15 minute drive back to Sandavágur.
If you are wanting to stretch your legs this afternoon, hiking to Slave Cliff (Lake Above the Ocean) is a 6.5 km hike, taking an hour to walk out at a leisurely pace, small hiking fee applies at entrance to this private land.
Meet your private guide in Sørvágur, ready to take the ferry to the Mykines island at 10:20. After ca. 45min ferry journey and on arrival at Mykines, you will go on a guided tour of the village with some refreshments.
After then continue on a guided walk to Mykineshólmur, which is connected to the main island by a wooden footbridge over a 35 meter deep gorge and ends with spectacular views from the lighthouse. You will be walking directly through the Puffin colony, so expect "close encounters of the bird kind" and many photo opportunities. Return ferry to Sørvágur at 17:05.
Travel into Tórshavn, check into your hotel and settle in. When you are ready, walk through the narrow cobbled streets, between traditional wooden houses with grass turf roofs, which date back many hundreds of years. Visit 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 buildings in the world.
After breakfast, you will be met at your hotel and driven to the historic village of Kirkjubøur, the southernmost village on Streymoy. Here is the country's most important historical site with the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral from around 1300 and the Saint Olav's Church from 12th century. Visit the old farmhouse Kirkjubøargarður from 11th century, which is still occupied by the same family for 17 generations.
Then drive to the beautiful village of Saksun with its natural amphitheatre of cliffs and stunning nature. During low tides it is also possible to walk along the sandy beach to the ocean.
After exploring Saksun, your next stop is the village of Tjørnuvík, the most northerly village on Streymoy and now popular with surfers...yes you heard correctly...surfers!
Tjørnuvík also has one of the oldest Viking burial grounds where you can see the original burial stones. Take time here to enjoy your packed lunch whilst admiring the view of the "Giant and Hag" rock formations on the headland and learn about the legend behind the rocks.
Drive to the highest point on the Faroe Islands and descend into the beautiful and picturesque village of Gjógv. Here you may also get the opportunity to take coffee and cake with the locals. Return to Tórshavn in the late afternoon.
After breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel and join a group hiking 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.
After breakfast, drive to the small village of Gamlarætt. Here you will start a round trip from Gamlarætt in Streymoy to the island of Hestur, sightseeing around the island. Slowly your rib boat will move as near as possible to the birds under the cliff, Loftið, which vertical wall measures some 1,200 feet.
Hestur Island harbours guillemots, puffins, black guillemots, shags, fulmars and eiders. A couple of seal caves are there as well.
If the weather is good, you will also sail into the caves, Álvagjógv and Klæmintsgjógv, depending on current and wind directions.
This afternoon is free for your final night in Tórshavn.
Drive to the airport, return your rental car and depart.
All prices listed are per person, based on two people sharing a room. Prices are indicative due to the current uncertainty across Europe with increasing energy and volatile fuel costs. There is the option to upgrade to a seaside, newly renovated, boutique hotel Hotel Havgrim 1948. We can custom make and price this itinerary for you.
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.
There are new guidelines for protecting the Puffin colony at Mykines which your guide will advise you on.
Before departure, or while dreaming of a Scandinavian adventure, get your fill of inspiring travel books here.
Discover the allure of remote travel destinations in today's fast-paced world, where the quest for authenticity, tranquillity, and a deeper connection with nature has never been more profound. So venture beyond the ordinary and embark on a transformative journey that enriches the soul and expands horizons.
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.