Must See’s in Tórshavn

Must see’s in Tórshavn

One of the great things about Tórshavn is its compact size. It’s easy to wander around town taking in the best of what the Faroese capital has to offer.

You should start down at the marina where yachts and boats of all sizes, shapes and colours are moored, overlooking the multi-coloured old warehouses which line the waterfront in this part of town. The view here is definitely one for your Instagram! From here take a stroll through the old town with its characterful wooden houses sporting real turf roofs on your way to the Tinganes peninsula, home to the Faroese home rule government housed in venerable age-old wooden warehouses which were once used to store goods landed in the harbour here. From here it’s a short distance to Skansin fort built in the late 1500s to protect Tórshavn from marauding pirates.

Why not head next to Viðarlundin park, perhaps for a picnic, as you head up towards the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands where you should expected to be wow-ed by the quality of art produced in the islands – it really is good! Have a look for yourself and see. Next the Nordic House awaits just a short distance away – both for a coffee and a cake and chance to nose around this exhibition and cultural centre – and, yes, it’s complete with a turf roof, too. As you’d expect!

Skansin

In 1580, the great Faroese adventurer Magnus Heinason ordered the construction of a fort to protect the trading centre of Tórshavn from a steadily increasing number of seaborne attacks across the North Atlantic – in many cases from pirate raids. The original fortification only lasted until 1677, when French pirates destroyed the fort after their final demand for 100 oxen, 200 sheep, 500 pairs of gloves, 1,200 pairs of stockings and 60 nightshirts wasn’t met by the people of Tórshavn within the 12-hour deadline.

The fort served as a British Royal Navy headquarters during the Second World War. The two guns which face out to sea from behind the fort were used to defend the islands against German attack. Skansin also includes four older brass cannons from the time of the Danish Trade Monopoly and a lighthouse.

Although not much remains of the fort today, Skansin still offers quite exceptional views out over the sea to neighbouring island Nólsoy. The grass lawn is a great spot for a packed picnic.

Tinganes & Old Town

Tórshavn’s old town, consisting of Reyn and Undir Ryggi, is home to two dozen or so small, black-tarred wooden houses with white-framed windows and grass roofs. People still call these 14th century houses their homes today. Stroll along charming narrow winding lanes and passageways and experience a wonderful mixture of old and new.

Families still live in these cute houses, so please respect the privacy of the residents. Do not take pictures through the windows and of people, without asking for permission first.

Tinganes

Tinganes is the historical core of the country’s capital.

Dividing two harbours, this flat rocky outcrop is dominated by delightfully muddled turf-roofed structures that, quite unassumingly, are home to the Faroese Home Rule government (Føroya Landsstýri).Tinganes is said to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, parliamentary meeting places in the world, along with Tynwald Hill in the Isle of Man and Þingvellir in Iceland. It was here, in around year 900, that the Viking parliament first began meeting every summer to discuss matters of national importance.

No armed security guards here, visitors are free to wander at will – who knows, you might even catch the Prime Minister on his way to lunch! Guides can explain the history of each structure, but random strolling is enough for many visitors.

The Nordic House

The Nordic House is a cultural institution under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The house was built in 1983 and has ever since been active as a Nordic cultural venue with a diverse programme which includes all art forms and engages all age and interest groups.

They have a program full of music and art events. Check it out here

The Old Cemetery

Take a walk in the old Cemetery in Tórshavn, among founders of the modern capital of Tórshavn, both ordinary and the extraordinary. It’s located where the shopping-street Dr. Jacobsensgøta meets Dalagøta

The City Park & National Art Gallery

One of the largest parks in the Faroe Islands is Viðarlundin also called Plantasjan in Tórshavn. In the christmas storm in 1988 many of the trees fell. Today the fallen trees create a fun natural playground where both children and adults can climb. Visit the pond inside the park, where ducks and swans live, or walk the many paths in the park, and enjoy the sound from the river and the trees.

The park is located between the streets Varðagøta, Hoydalsvegur and Gundadalsvegur.

In several locations you’ can see’ll find beautiful sculptures, among others there is the monument in memory of Faroese seamen, who lost their lives at sea during World War II.

National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery of the Faroe Islands is located in the northern part of the park. The National Gallery was founded in 1989 and showcases Faroese art. It holds around 2800 artworks, mainly paintings, along with graphics, sculptures, installations, and textiles, ranging from the 1830s to contemporary pieces.

A significant part of the museum is dedicated to a permanent exhibition depicting the Faroese landscape and nature. Highlights include a glass installation that gives the sensation of floating on the sea and unique artworks made from Faroese horsehair and wool. The museum also hosts rotating special exhibitions by Faroese artists.

Vaglið

In front of the Old Bookshop in Vaglið square, you’ll find the town hall, originally a school from 1894, made of basalt rock.

Across from it is the Faroese Parliament, Løgtingið, housed in a white wooden building.

Nearby, Kioskin hjá Astu, a vibrant red, white, and blue kiosk, has been a local staple since generations, refurbished in 2019.

Vaglið hosts various celebrations, notably the Faroese national holiday, Ólavsøka, on July 28th-29th. Festivities include speeches, choirs, and the traditional midnight song, drawing crowds from across the country for patriotic songs and the Faroese chain dance.

vaglið áin havnará kioskin hjá astu løgting

Vágsbotn

North of the marina, the area known as Vágsbotnur was once the bustling heart of Tórshavn’s sea-borne trade – today, you can still see key buildings from the time of the Trade Monopoly, notably the Poul Hansen warehouse , which is home today to the restaurant, TARV. The venerable old buildings at Vágsbotnur create a unique and historical atmosphere to this part of town. Local people love to meet up here for a chat and a cup of coffee, as there is a number of restaurants and cafés with outdoor seating which together make this an agreeable spot in central Tórshavn.

Tórshavn’s fresh foods market is also located here. Every first Sunday of the month, local farmers gather to sell a wide variety of meat, vegetables, and other homemade items. If you happen to be in Tórshavn, be sure to stop by!

Tórshavn Cathedral

The first church was built in 1609 at Reyni, the next in 1788 at Bryggjubakki. The same church still stands, but it was completely rebuilt in 1865.

In 1780, Rasmus Jørgen Winther became the pastor in Tórshavn. In 1782, a new cemetery was made at Svínaryggi and was consecrated on Ascension Day the same year. Around the same time, Pastor Winther gathered many good men in Tórshavn and persuaded them to donate money to build a new church.

A new church was then built and moved from Reyni to the location where it has since stood, at Bryggjubakki. The town of Tórshavn was not much larger than that at the time, so the church was built on the northern outskirts of the town.

The 1788 church was completely rebuilt in 1865. Work started early in the summer and was finished by December. The foreman was Gudmundur Sigurðsson from Iceland.

Kongaminnið (The King’s Monument)

The Kongaminnið memorial is a basalt obelisk erected in 1882 to commemorate the visit of Danish king Christian IX’s visit to the Faroe Islands in 1874. It was the first visit to the Faroe Islands by a Danish monarch. From up here, you have a splendid view of the town.

The king’s visit to Tórshavn certainly had its dramatic moments. Tragically, Tórshavn’s mayor fainted during the welcome speech and died on the spot in front of the King and the rest of the crowd. It is said that king Christian IX was greatly affected by this event and supported the Mayor’s widow financially for the rest of her life