Faroe Islands Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary by Car or Camper Van

The Faroe Islands are a true hidden gem for a road trip in Europe. Plan for 5 to 7 days for your journey to explore the most beautiful sights of the Faroe Islands. Here follows my itinerary suggestion for 7 days for your trip. Ideal as a stopover on the way to Iceland with your own car or camper van, or as a road trip with a rental car. I have done both and can recommend both.

For the most important sights, you should allocate at least 5 days in the Faroe Islands. 7 days is more relaxed, allowing you to easily visit the puffin island Mykines, enjoy hikes, and explore the island of Kalsoy. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Germany to Tórshavn, the island's capital.

Are you just making a brief stop in the Faroe Islands? Then you can explore the absolutely essential highlights in 3 days.

Here is our itinerary for 7 days with a rental car. In parentheses, you can see where we stayed.

As a short stopover on the way back from Iceland, three full days are sufficient for an initial impression. Many travelers have Iceland as their final destination. Nevertheless, a short stop is worthwhile. We wanted to spend 14 days on the way back. However, I enjoyed Iceland so much and had already made a week-long trip around the Faroe Islands that we rebooked. I will definitely come back.

NEW: My map of the Faroe Islands featuring the most beautiful places, attractions, campgrounds, and a food guide with all locations for your mobile, desktop, or tablet in Google Maps. With just one click, you can save all the places I visited in the Faroe Islands. Additionally, I will add tips in the notes so you can see where all the locations are. Check out the Faroe Island Guide for mobile here.

I hope that your stay becomes an unforgettable trip thanks to my tips!

If you are not traveling with your own car or camper van, you should definitely rent a car. The public transport system is well developed, but you can't just stop the bus when you discover a beautiful view (and you will constantly). With a car, you are more flexible and can explore the archipelago at your own pace.

The Faroe Islands are not very large; however, the roads are often narrow, sometimes single-lane, and you often need to plan much more time for driving than Google Maps shows. Allow time to explore the islands without stress.

You can best explore the main islands by renting a car or using your own camper van. Smaller islands can only be reached by ferry or helicopter. You can explore Mykines on foot, as there are no roads here. Instead, there are thousands of puffins!

Adventurers even explore the Faroe Islands by bicycle. Keep in mind that the winds can sometimes blow you right off the bike (a friend did this and showed me impressive videos).

Tip: Be sure to download the map of the Faroe Islands offline on Google Maps (see my guide here). Some places are so remote that you may have poor or no cellular signal.

If you choose to do a road trip with a rental car, you will pick it up directly after your arrival at the airport. When picking up the rental car at the airport, you will be asked if you want to pay the flat rate for the toll of 400 DKK. Alternatively, each tunnel crossing will be charged separately (100 DKK per crossing). The license plate will be recorded and billed after your trip.

Think about how often you will cross the tunnels and which payment option is more economical for you before you arrive. We chose the flat rate option. In the end, it was the better decision, as we traveled through the toll tunnels more than three times. With the camper on our next visit, we will pay the tunnels individually through the website tunnil.fo/english. It's super easy.

If you're traveling with your own car or camper van, you need to pay the tolls through the tunnil.fo website. It's also possible to purchase a subscription for a minimum of 400 DKK (approximately 54 EUR). The subscription covers all underwater tunnels. However, the remaining balance of the subscription will not be refunded at the end. Therefore, it makes sense to pay individually.

Since you can make a stop at no extra charge in the Faroe Islands, you should do this if you have plenty of time. We spent six weeks in Iceland and took three days to explore the Faroe Islands on the way back. The advantage is that you can take breaks along the way, cook meals in the camper, and if it rains, you can sit it out. In summer, the days are long, so you can do a lot of activities.

Since I had already been here, three days were okay. For many travelers to Iceland, this time is ideal to get a glimpse of the Faroe Islands and to plan a longer visit next time.

The downside: The campsites are not always as beautiful as one might expect from Scandinavia or Iceland. Often they are on gravel, which is due to the frequent rain and overall weather conditions.

Overnight stays are only allowed at designated campsites. Additionally, it is not permitted to park a camper along the road, in rest areas, or parking lots. Some campsites are only meant for tents.

After three days in Copenhagen (which is worth a longer stopover), we land at Vágar Airport early in the afternoon. Immediately after arrival, we pick up our rental car. You simply walk out of the small building, and the counters are to your left. We booked our rental car through Sunny Cars, and the local provider is 62° North Rental Cars. Everything goes quite quickly and is straightforward.

To start your road trip, it's ideal to begin directly on Vágar Island. Within close proximity, you'll find several of the most famous attractions in the Faroe Islands. If the weather is sunny and pleasantly warm, you should take the chance and get started right away. Your luggage will be safe in the car.

You can find accommodation on Vágar Island, or, as we did, stay in Tórshavn, the capital. See tips for accommodations at the end of the article.

The "Slave Rock" Trælanípa with its impressive cliffs and the view from the 142-meter-high land tip. The name comes from the fact that slaves were once thrown into the sea here.

A few meters further: Bøsdalafossur Waterfall, which cascades down 30 meters into the North Atlantic. Always beside us, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands: Sørvágsvatn (also known as Leitisvatn). The location of this 40-meter-high lake overlooking the sea is another indescribable sight! A natural wonder like we've never seen before.

Here you can find information about hiking in the Faroe Islands.

On your way to Gásadalur, you pass through this idyllic village. Bøur is considered one of the most beautiful places on the island due to its wooden houses and grass roofs.

Perhaps it is also due to the view of the striking cliffs of Tindhólmur and Dragarnir. On a clear day - and we hit such a day - you can see all the way to Mykines. We leave the car and walk through the little lanes of Bøur. Along the small brook and the quaint church. Always in sight: the sea! Locals are lying on the beach enjoying a swim in the 9-degree cold water. A summer day at 24 degrees is above average!

One of the most famous photo spots (thanks to Instagram) is the Múlafossur Waterfall in Gásadalur on Vágar Island.

Initially, a hike from Bøur over the old post way to Gásadalur was planned. This hike would have taken about 2.5 to 3 hours. Due to time constraints, we decided to drive instead. This way, you also have more time for the puffins, which are also present here in summer.

The waterfall plunges down the cliffs into the sea. This place is particularly mystical when clouds are present, and the typical fog for the islands blankets the surroundings. We had pure sunshine and enjoy a little coffee break on the stairs leading down. Unfortunately, even on the second visit, we had wonderful summer weather. Very unusual for the Faroe Islands, but we gladly accepted it.

Behind the village stands Vágars highest mountain, Árnafjall (722 m). On a beautiful day like today, you have a clear view.

By the way, the small village of Gásadalur has only been connected to the road network since 2006. Before that, the village was only accessible by helicopter, boat, or walking the Old Post Way. The tunnel has quickly brought tourists, revealing the beauty of this idyllic little village.

Here you can find information about hiking the old post route.

Today, we are taking a day trip to Nólsoy after exploring Tórshavn, the capital, in the morning. In the evening, we will have dinner at a local home as part of Heimablídni - an experience we highly recommend (and it is delicious too).

In the morning, after a substantial breakfast, you have time to explore the small capital, Tórshavn. Highlights include the old town with its wooden houses and the Tinganes Parliament, the little cafés around the colorful harbor, great bookstores, and street art. Everything is cozy and compact, and you really can't get lost. Just let yourself be carried away.

Take the ferry around noon to Nólsoy Island and first head to the café for lunch. Afterward, you will be recharged to explore the island. There is a small museum, great viewpoints from the cliffs, and a longer hiking trail to the lighthouse. If you wish to hike this, you need to allot plenty of time. Time that we did not have since we had an appointment in the evening. Therefore, we will take the ferry back to Tórshavn just before 5 PM.

You can find information about hiking to the lighthouse here.

One of the best culinary experiences for us was "Heimablídni." With Anna and Óli, we got to experience the Faroese tradition of 'hospitality at home.' Together with other guests (and even neighbors), the couple prepared regional dishes in their beautifully located home in Velbastaður.

This way, we learned a lot about traditions, the archipelago, and of course, the food in the Faroe Islands. If you enjoy meeting people from all over the world, this is the right place for you.

A fun tradition is the welcome schnapps. A full glass is offered to every guest. You drink as much as you want. You can but don't have to drink the whole glass.

After breakfast in our apartment, we drove early to Sørvágur to take the 10:20 AM ferry to the bird island Mykines. Here you will quickly learn why the Faroe Islands are also called "Land of Maybe." "Do you think the ferry will go to Mykines tomorrow?" - "Maybe." "Will the weather be sunny tomorrow?" - "Maybe." The weather is unpredictable and can change rapidly. The locals have gotten used to it, but we haven't, and we are very happy that the ferry to Mykines really does go. Tickets are in high demand during the summer months, so you should book early.

You can easily explore the bird island on your own, although it's much better to do this with a local guide. That's why we booked a tour with Oda through Go Local. There are 5 of us, and the price is completely justified.

At several locations, you can see puffins - both species can be found - in the Faroe Islands. The majority of them are on the island of Mykines, which can only be reached by ferry or helicopter. The "Island of Birds" is famous for these sweet birds. I have visited many places in Iceland, Ireland, and the Faroe Islands where puffins live. Nowhere else have I seen as many as here.

On the island, there is a small village with only 15 inhabitants and an estimated 40 houses. With Oda, we hike up to the lighthouse, passing hundreds of sheep and at least 100 times as many puffins. We see seals from a distance (mostly we smell them), see the only gannet colony in the Faroe Islands, and other bird species. The latter do not interest us, for nothing is sweeter than these puffins.

During the tour, we take a lunch break - a packed lunch is included. Oda tells us about animal protection and the rapidly growing tourism in the Faroe Islands and Mykines. Problems arise when people step off the paths, destroying the caves and thus the eggs of the nesting puffins. This is a huge problem, as puffins are becoming increasingly rare in this world. I can recently confirm this from my own experience.

The perfect day ended at Oda's charmingly restored house with snacks and beer. Truly hospitable indeed.

The landscape on Mykines is just as stunning as the birds. You will find plenty of great landscape shots. Mykines is definitely one of the absolute highlights in the Faroe Islands. However, always keep in mind that the ferry (and helicopter) does not operate during stormy weather. And it is known that this can happen regularly at the western end of the islands.

Tip: The best view of the birds can be reached via a pedestrian bridge to the small adjacent island of Mykineshólmur. In addition to puffins, gannets also nest here, which are only found here in the Faroe Islands.

This morning, it's time to leave our apartment in Tórshavn. We drive about 15 minutes to the port at Gomlurætt to take the ferry to Sandoy Island. This island is often overlooked by tourists. However, now that the underwater tunnel is finally completed (during my second visit), it is super easy to reach for a day trip.

Still, I recommend staying a night here. The sunsets are magical, and the residents are super friendly and helpful.

After a brunch/lunch at Kafe Breiðateig in Sandur (currently unfortunately closed), we are ready to explore the island's nature with our local guide Hanna.

The "path" near Eggjar leads over a farmer's field and was set up for public use as part of the "Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism" program. Watch for the signs and do not leave the designated path.

This way, we come to an incredible view of the steep bird cliffs. With a bit of luck, you might see seals on the beach at Søltuvík ("Salty Bay").

After the impressive hike, we have dinner reservations at the Caféin á Mølini, which is famous for its roasted lamb.

After checking out and having breakfast, it's time to explore the northern islands.

On the return from Sandoy, we first took a small detour to visit the village of Kirkjubøur (= Church Village) in the southwest. We were a bit discouraged by the buses, but it's no wonder since there are three of the main attractions of the country here. In hindsight, we think you don't have to go out of your way to visit here (I went back a second time anyway).

The photo motif here is - as everywhere - the wooden houses covered with grass. A popular visit is to one of the oldest houses from the Viking era as well as the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral and the Olav Church from the 13th century. It is the oldest church in the Faroe Islands and is still in use today.

We are driving to Klaksvík, the second-largest town in the Faroe Islands (with around 4,600 inhabitants), to meet our guide.

Today's plan: The hike on Villingadalsfjall and Cape Enniberg, a vertical sea cliff at 754 meters high and thus the highest vertical sea cliff in the world. Enniberg is located on Viðoy Island. The starting point is the small village of Viðareiði. There is ample parking, and a guide is highly recommended for the hike. The hike to Cape Enniberg is not only quite strenuous; you should also not be afraid of heights and especially not go alone. If fog rolls in (which happened to us), you can quickly lose your orientation without a guide.

Read my detailed report about the hike to Cape Enniberg and Villingadalsfjall here. If you are not sure about heights, fit, or have a fear of heights? You can book this boat tour to Enniberg from Klaksvik to view the cliff from the water.

To explore the northern regions, we spend the last nights in the second-largest town. Despite having 4,600 inhabitants, there are hardly any cafés and restaurants here. There is a Fish & Chips shop (okay), Reyðleyk Klaksvík for pizza (order and eat in the apartment), with the Roykstovan a bar and the famous Føroya Bjór brewery where you can taste and buy beer (even in Iceland we reached for Faroese beer). For breakfast or coffee and cake (there are also burgers in the evening), you can't go wrong at Fríða Kaffihús.

Otherwise, Klaksvík doesn't have much to offer. However, it is ideal for exploring the region by car. For campers, there are prettier options (see below for campsites).

Early in the morning, we took the first ferry to Syðradalur on the island of Kalsoy ("Men's Island"). To guarantee a spot on board, we arrived early and were the first car in line. The crossing takes 20 minutes, and you remain in your car; there is space for only 12 cars. Kalsoy is one of the six northern islands of the Faroe Islands and is classified as an "outer island" (Útoyggjar). Only the east coast of Kalsoy is habitable; the west is too rocky and steep. On the east side, there are four locations with a total of around 120 inhabitants. Trøllanes, Mikladalur, Húsar, and Syðradalur.

The anticipation for the island is great. The hike to the lighthouse at Kallur is one of the shorter but most beautiful hikes in the Faroe Islands and takes only one hour round trip. To avoid the crowds, I also advise you to take the first ferry. If you are traveling with a camper, you can stay at the campsite in Mikladalur, not dependent on the ferry, and go on the hike in the early evening.

The parking lot is small. The trail is on private property, so you should not leave the visible paths. Don't forget your rain jacket and pants, as weather can change from fog to light drizzle. Unfortunately, the signage is lacking, but you cannot miss the path. I recommend downloading an offline map (All Trails app).

Information about the hike:

Hannah wanted to visit the 2.60 m tall sculpture of the Seal Woman in Mikladalur. In stormy weather, waves breach over the statue (there are YouTube videos). For us: Everything was calm, which is hard to picture.

The legend of the seal woman is one of the most famous tales in the Faroe Islands. It was believed that seals were once humans who voluntarily sought death in the sea.

Once a year, the seals were allowed to come ashore and shed their skin. They could then enjoy themselves as humans and dance. A young farmer from Mikladalur wondered if the story was true and waited on the shore every 13th night of the year.

When the seals came ashore to shed their skins, he stole the skin of a young lady. When the seals climbed into their skins at the end of the night, the seal girl could not find her skin any longer. Despite her pleas, he did not give her skin back and took her to his farm. She became his wife, and the two had some children. However, she never got back her skin to return to the sea.

Eventually, he forgot the key to the trunk containing her skin, and she escaped into the ocean. When the men went seal hunting again, she appeared to him in his dreams. She warns him not to kill her new husband and their two seal babies. He does not take the dream seriously. When they return from the hunt and prepare their catch, she appears with thunder and lightning. She swears vengeance, and to this day, men from Mikladalur drown in the sea.

To reach Kalsoy Island, you have to cross the Kalsoyarfjørður fjord by ferry. The ferry departs from Klaksvík, the second-largest town in the Faroe Islands. It arrives at the southernmost village of the island, Syðradalur. This is the only ferry connection. The SAM ferry operates several times a day.

Be sure to book your ticket in advance on this website (Route 56 Klaksvík - Kalsoy)

The price includes the vehicle and the driver. You must indicate additional passengers, and they will incur an extra charge. A normal car with a driver costs 160 DKK, a camper under 7 meters is already 370 DKK. You can view prices here.

In the afternoon, we take the ferry back to explore the rest of the day's highlights on the neighboring island of Eysturoy. With around 10,000 inhabitants and an area of 286 km², Eysturoy is the second largest Faroese island. The first highlight is the football field in Eiði, which has a camping site (with poor sanitary facilities) in the summer. A great photo spot but otherwise completely overrated. Dear campers, skip this site.

From Eiði, you get very close to the rock pinnacles Risin and Kellingin, which we had already seen impressively from the bay in Tjørnuvik.

Via the scenic route, we continue to Gjógv. Here you should plan a little time for a short hike, as you will find some puffins in summer. Gjógv, translated as "Gorge", is the northernmost village on Eysturoy, where there is a natural harbor from a deep gorge.

Between the towns of Eiði and Gjógv lies Slættaratindur, with 882 meters the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands (see image above). You can climb this. We wasted a lot of time with the puffins - no time for hiking.

Before our return to Klaksvík, we passed through Funningur. We were particularly impressed by the winding roads here. Funningur is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands, with its signature cute, colorful houses often found in all smaller villages. Also known is the paved wooden church from 1847. We are not so into churches, so we did not take a photo. You can also start a hike on the mentioned Slættaratindur from here.

We focused on the cool winding roads and then drove back to Klaksvík to our apartment.

On the last day, we visit the final highlights of Streymoy Island before we have to return to the airport and say goodbye.

Highlights include the highest waterfall in the Faroe Islands: Fossá. During summer after five days without rain, it was unfortunately only a trickle twice. It cascades down over 140 meters in two levels.

This small village is very popular with surfers. However, there was no wind for us, so no surfers could be seen in the water. The small town lies beautifully in a bay looking over Risin and Kellingin. Unfortunately, visibility was poor due to fog during our visit.

Note: There is a small café (not the one at the beach) where you can enjoy delicious waffles. You cannot pay by credit card here, only in cash. Do you have Danish or Faroese crowns? You can also pay in euros, but the prices will be quite high.

The "Instagram hotspot" Saksun is hidden away. Just getting there is a feat: a one-lane road. There's a steep drop on either side. The road winds through fantastic landscapes to Saksun.

Here you will find the Instagram-famous houses with moss and grass-covered roofs. But beware: the residents are quite tired of tourists and express this with signs.

For the Faroe Islands with a rental car, you might consider whether to take day trips from a centrally located position, or, as we did, book various accommodations during the trip. We preferred the latter as it allowed us to stay in Sandoy and the north to avoid losing time traveling back and forth.

For Tórshavn, we recommend a vacation apartment. We stayed in a house since we needed three bedrooms. Unfortunately, it was a private house that is no longer rented out. Alternatively, I recommend this vacation apartment, located in the same neighborhood: Modern Apartment With City & Oceanside View. Perfect for 2 people, with Wi-Fi and everything a traveler needs. From this apartment, you have a wonderful view of the sea, access to public transportation, and the free public transport in the city. The neighborhood is quieter as it is located outside the center. It's ideal since Scandinavians like to party on weekends, which can get loud.

Alternative: Hotel Djurhuus, just minutes from downtown. The advantage of the hotel is that breakfast is included. However, since there are good breakfast options in Tórshavn, or one might prefer to stay in the vacation apartment for budget reasons, I don't believe a hotel is necessary. They are also more expensive than an apartment and do not offer the comfort factor of a whole apartment (think rainy days).

Another highly recommended hotel is the Eco Boutique Hotel Hafnia located directly at the harbor in the center on Áarvegur across from the Etika Sushi restaurant.

The Hotel Hafnia offers rooms and vacation homes. The cool thing is children under twelve stay free as long as they share a room with their parents. The rooms are super modern and stylishly furnished. Even though it is the largest hotel in the Faroe Islands, you never feel its size. Highly recommended if you prefer to stay in a hotel.

The modern and very cozy guesthouse in Skálavík is right next to the only restaurant on Sandoy Island (currently). So, it's perfect. The vacation home in Sandur, which we rented on the first trip, is no longer available.

Check out Mølin Guesthouse on booking.com

In Klaksvík, we stayed in this large and cozy apartment (3 bedrooms, as there were 5 of us). Since you likely don't need that much space, I can recommend this vacation apartment on the same street. Friends of mine stayed here and were very satisfied.

The ideal months for a road trip are from May to the end of August. If you want to observe puffins, the best time to visit is between April and the end of August. After the end of August, the days get shorter, and the chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase.

Due to the location of the Faroe Islands, the Gulf Stream has an impact on the climate. Surprisingly, there are no significant temperature fluctuations despite the northern latitude.

The weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for four seasons in one day. This can happen.

In summer, temperatures average around 11 - 15 degrees Celsius. We were incredibly lucky twice. At the end of July/beginning of August, the temperatures rose to 20 - 24 degrees, with little cloud in the sky, and only on the last day did it rain and fog over. We were honestly surprised that our rain pants remained unused.

Generally, the months of May, June, July, and August are ideal for an optimal climate in the Faroe Islands.

For a trip to the Faroe Islands by car, there are a few things to consider that I have listed here.

To use the underwater tunnels in the Faroe Islands, you must pay a fee. A few years ago, you had to pay for each crossing at gas stations, but now you can do this conveniently online.

Upon your arrival in the Faroe Islands, you can register your travel credit card on the website www.tunnil.fo. A photo of your license plate will be recorded at each crossing. Payments will then be automatically deducted from your credit card. If you do not want to register your credit card and license plate, you need to pay the toll within one week; otherwise, there's a surcharge for unpaid tolls within a week.

I completely forgot and sent an email. At the same time, I transferred the amount. Just a few hours later, I received a very friendly reply with understanding. I had to pay no penalty and even got money back since I had transferred too much.

Toll-required tunnels:

The Buttercup Routes are scenic roads marked with a green sign and yellow flower. They take you through the most beautiful routes across the islands, passing all the highlights and some of the most stunning viewpoints in the Faroe Islands.

I have written more tips for your trip to the Faroe Islands here.

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