Must See’s in the Region

Kirkjubøur, near Tórshavn, showcases the Faroe Islands’ history with the 14th-century St. Magnus Cathedral, the heart of medieval cultural and ecclesiastical life. A quick ferry from Tórshavn takes you to Nólsoy, known for its birdlife, scenic cliffs, and notable residents like Ove Joensen, who famously rowed solo to Copenhagen.

From Gamlarætt, a ferry brings you to Hestur, where you can enjoy its scenery and unique summer grotto concerts. Koltur, an open-air museum, preserves traditional Faroese life with restored settlements and a nature reserve.

Kaldbak is a charming village with a historic 1835 wooden church. Finally, a drive to Norðadalur offers stunning views overlooking Kaldbaksbotn and the island of Koltur.

Kirkjubøur

Located only half an hour from the capital is Kirkjubøur, the islands’ most significant historical site. Here you find the St. Magnus Cathedral, built in the 1300s and the effective seat of power over several centuries. In medieval times, this small village was the cultural and episcopal centre of the Faroe Islands.

Nólsoy

Board the ferry Teistin at Tórshavn harbour for a 20-minute ride to Nólsoy, a slender island east of Tórshavn that protects the capital from ocean waves. The village on Eiðinum is so narrow that waves crash from side to side during storms. The island has grassy western shores and eastern cliffs teeming with birdlife and deep caverns. Borðan, the old lighthouse keeper’s residence, is found on the southern side.

Nólsoy is famous for notable residents like Nólsoyar Páll and Ove Joensen, who rowed solo to Copenhagen in 1986, and its competitive rowing team, Nólsoyingur. The eastern side hosts a large colony of European storm petrels, offering summer excursions. Celebrated for its natural beauty, wildlife, and talented musicians, Nólsoy is a must-visit.

Hestur

From Gamlarætt in Streymoy, a ferry ride takes you to Hestur Island. The island, which shares its name with its only village, is home to 17 inhabitants. Known for its elongated, narrow form, Hestur aptly means ‘Horse’ in the local language.

Visitors are often drawn to Hestur for boat tours that showcase its majestic cliffs and vibrant seabird populations. During the summer, the music label TUTL organizes unique grotto concerts in Klæmintsjógv aboard the historic schooner, Norðlýsið.

Koltur

Koltur, once home to a single farm and later divided into four, housed around fifty residents until the late 1980s. Now consolidated into an open-air museum, it features two settlements, Heima í Húsi and Norðri í Gerð, managed by a caretaker at Norðri í Gerði.

Known for its cultural preservation, Koltur showcases traditional Faroese life through Heima í Húsi’s restoration, supported by the Koltur Foundation since 1993. Incorporated into Tórshavn Municipality in 2005, Koltur also serves as a nature reserve and research station.

Kaldbak

Kaldbak is a charming farming village located on the north side of Kaldbaksfjørður with a population of 251 as of 2023.

The village spans 40 merkur of land shared by seven tenants, including one in Kaldbaksbotnur, and features a herd of 976 sheep.

Historically, Kaldbak was accessible only by sea until a road connection was established in 1980, leading to the development of new residential areas, particularly for those working in nearby Tórshavn.

From Kaldbak you are also able to hike to the centre of the Faroe Islands called “Miðdepil Føroya” – discover the heart of the Faroe Islands with BÖNDUR, a unique partnership of local farmers offering unforgettable mountain tours. Experience an extraordinary journey to the islands’ center point, enriched with engaging storytelling and a cozy farm-to-table meal in a serene valley.

Church of Kaldbak

In a small cemetery westward in the old village on a point towards Kaldbaksfjørður lies the beautiful, well-preserved church built in 1835.

The church follows the typical design of most Faroese churches from that period, standing on a low whitewashed stone foundation. Made of timber with a shingled roof, it is tarred on the outside.

The church is well crafted, with woodwork in the choir wall more varied than in many other churches, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship.

Eight workers from Kaldbak, Kollafjørður, Sund, and Glyvrar built the church using materials purchased from the Royal Trade Monopoly in Tórshavn. The construction took three months. The church is currently closed to visitors, allowing for exterior viewing only.

Norðradalur & Norðradalsskarð

Just a 20-minute drive from central Tórshavn, the high valley of Norðradalur offers some of the most stunning views in the Faroe Islands.

The valley, home to only 10 inhabitants, is not accessible by public transport. Instead, to reach Norðradalur, take the old mountain road towards the airport, where you’ll be treated to expansive views out over Kaldbaksbotn. As you turn towards Norðradalur, the winding road and the village with the backdrop of the island of Koltur will come into view.

With no public transport available, consider renting a car or a bike to get here. You could even hike from Tórshavn to Norðradalur

Sornfelli

Depart from Tórshavn on Oyggjarvegur towards Vágar airport. Stop at Norðradalsskarð to enjoy the beautiful view over Koltur.

Above the Kaldbaks-tunnel, you’ll pass buildings with grass-covered roofs that were once a military base and are now a prison.

Drive 2 kilometers further and turn left onto a narrow, steep road with many switchbacks. This road leads to the top of Sornfelli mountain, where there is a large parking lot at 630 meters, the highest road in the Faroe Islands.

On clear days, enjoy spectacular views of several islands. Even on foggy days, the mountain tops peeking through the fog are stunning.