Exploring this alluring Mediterranean island
The tiny village of Gásadalur on Vágar island is known for its iconic waterfall, a natural wonder that has previously featured on Faroe Island stamps and plenty of postcards.
The capital and largest city of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn includes Tinganes (pictured), the historic location of the Faroese landsstýri (government). Parliament first met here during the Viking era, around 850 CE. In fact, Tinganes is one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world.
Located on the island of Suðuroy, Sunnbøur is the southernmost village of the Faroe Islands. Seen in this photograph is one of Faroe's characteristic sheep. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
Klaksvík, located on Borðoy, is the second largest town of the Faroe Islands. It's known for the Föroya Bjór brewery, founded in 1888, and Christianskirkjan (Christian's Church), the first church in modern times in Scandinavia to be built in Norse style.
The second-largest of the Faroe Islands, Eysturoy is another spectacular haven for birdlife. The country's two longest fjords, Skálafjørður and Funningsfjørður (pictured), almost split the island in two halves.
The historic village of Kirkjubøur on the main island of Streymoy is the destination's most important historical site. Spend time here exploring the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral, which dates from around 1300; Saint Olav's Church (Olavskirkjan), from the 12th century; and the 11th-century Kirkjubøargarður farmhouse (pictured)—one of the oldest still-inhabited wooden houses in the world.
Kalsoy, an island in the north-east of the Faroe Islands, is steeped in Norse myth and legend. Its name means "man island," but it is for the Selkie, or Seal-Woman of Mikladalur, that Kalsoy is known. A lighthouse is located at Kallur, the northern tip of Kalsoy, which served as a location for the James Bond movie 'No Time to Die.'
Some of Tórshavn's most attractive buildings are found lining the quayside overlooking Vestaravag Bay, near the historic Tinganes quarter.
Coming face to face with the Drangarnir, the collective name for two sea stacks set between Tindhólmur islet and the island Vágar, is a humbling experience.
Sørvágsvatn, sometimes known as Leitisvatn, is the largest lake in the Faroe Islands. Dramatically set on the island of Vágar, the lake is located very close to the ocean, but its surface is about 40 m (131 ft) above sea level. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)
The village of Saksun, located on the island of Streymoy, exemplifies the ancient style of stone and turf architecture seen across the archipelago.
The name of this village on the island of Kalsoy means "Troll peninsula," after a legend that in days of old the community would be visited mid-winter by Twelfth Night trolls from the surrounding mountains. The villagers had to flee and seek shelter for the night in a neighboring village. Spend a night in Trøllanes mid-winter and the fable has an eerie ring to it.
In fact, winter in the Faroe Islands can be very bleak. But with it comes a singular beauty as stark and compelling as this mid-October view over Funningsfjørður, seen from a point high above the village of Funningur on Eysturoy island. In the distance is Kalsoy island. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Look out for these delightful animals on your Faroe Islands' jaunt. Endemic to the archipelago, there are fewer than 80 Faroe ponies left living in the wild across the islands. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)
Several species of cetacea live in the waters around the Faroe Islands. The most common is the long-finned pilot whale. During the summer, whale watching tours are organized for sightseers.
Prime your binoculars! Nólsoy island has one of the world's largest colonies of European storm petrels, around 50,000 pairs. In fact, it's another island identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
See also: The world's most stunning archipelagos.
At an elevation of 880 m (2,624 ft), Slættaratindur, located in the northern part of Eysturoy, is the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. Its name in English means "flat summit," and it can be climbed in about four hours. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)
The most important cultural institution in the Faroes, Nordic House in the Faroe Islands supports and promotes Nordic and Faroese culture, locally and in the Nordic region. It's located at Tórshavn, on Streymoy. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.5 DK)
A highlight for many visitors is a boat tour around the Vestamanna bird cliffs in northwestern Streymoy. These cliffs and caves provide safe nesting places during the summer months for thousands of sea birds such as puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars. Tours depend on weather conditions and last approximately two hours.
Located on a hill beside the port of Tórshavn, Skansin fortress dates back to 1580 and was built to ward off pirate attacks. The stronghold, which is open to the public, now protects the Skanskin Lighthouse.
As you'd expect, lighthouses feature prominently across the archipelago. The landmark lighthouse on Mykines island was commissioned in 1909 and can be reached as part of an exhilarating coastal hike.
Saint Olav's Church at Kirkjubøur is pictured here framed by a collection of historic farmhouses and the weathered ruins of Magnus Cathedral.
This is the jaw-dropping view from the 469-m (1,538-ft) Beinisvørð sea cliff to the west coast of Suðuroy, the southernmost of the Faroe Islands. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Risin og Kellingin ("Risin and Kellingin") are two sea stacks set just off the northern coast of the island of Eysturoy. The name Risin og Kellingin means "The Giant and the Witch," named after a local legend.
Consecrated in 1963, Christianskirkja (Christian’s Church) is Klaksvík's main site and is one of the first major modern churches in Scandinavia that is inspired by the old Nordic style. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)
In winter when it's brushed with snow and ice, Leynavatn (Lake Leynar) on the island of Streymoy takes on a magical, fairy tale appearance. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Looming over Tinganes in central Tórshavn is the city's cathedral. The present building was consecrated in 1865; its bell is said to have been acquired in 1708 from the ship Norske Löve (Norwegian Lion), which went down in Lambavík on New Year's Eve, 1707. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
Originally a pragmatic solution for dwellings, the islands' grass-roofed houses have been built like this for over 1,000 years, providing thermal insulation and protection from rain.
Mykines is the westernmost of the 18 main islands of the Faroese Archipelago. Large numbers of puffins and gannets inhabit Mykines. In fact, the whole island has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International because of its significance as a breeding site for seabirds.
Located near Leynavatn is the world's most remote foodie destination, Koks restaurant. The upscale eatery currently holds two Michelin stars, but dinner here will cost upwards of an eye-watering 1700 Danish krone (US$270) a person. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)
Moored in the North Atlantic halfway between Norway and Iceland are the Faroe Islands. An often overlooked and mysterious autonomous territory of Denmark, this remote group of 18 islands is well off the tourist radar. But if you're of an adventurous spirit, love nature, and don't mind a sometimes wet, windy, cloudy, and cool environment, then this grandly stark and rugged destination is yours to explore.
Click through the following gallery and see how near the Faroe Islands are.
Look how near the Faroe Islands are!
Explore this remote North Atlantic archipelago
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Moored in the North Atlantic halfway between Norway and Iceland are the Faroe Islands. An often overlooked and mysterious autonomous territory of Denmark, this remote group of 18 islands is well off the tourist radar. But if you're of an adventurous spirit, love nature, and don't mind a sometimes wet, windy, cloudy, and cool environment, then this grandly stark and rugged destination is yours to explore.
Click through the following gallery and see how near the Faroe Islands are.