Discover the Faeroe Islands: Coastlines, Birdlife and Ballads

The landscape of the Faeroe Islands features slanting basalt formations, mountains, rocky cliffs and sea stacks rising from the ocean. On the Faroe Islands, you can experience nature on foot, by bike and on the water. The perspective you choose depends on whether hiking trails, birdlife, coastal activities or cultural interests are central to your trip.

Cliffs, Birdlife and Island Nature

Around 50 bird species regularly breed on the Faroe Islands, and many more stop there during migration. On cliff tours in summer, from May to August, travellers can get close to thousands of breeding seabirds. These include puffins, common guillemots and northern fulmars. Mykines, Skúvoy and Nólsoy are designated Ramsar sites.

Hiking and Cycling

More than 300 kilometres of marked hiking trails are available on the Faroe Islands. These include the climb to Slættaratindur, the islands’ highest peak. Cycling routes range from the challenging stretch between Eiði and Funningsfjørður to easier rides along the coast. Check your route and road conditions before setting out by bike.

On the Water: Kayaking, Boating and Fishing

While kayaking, you can paddle past rock towers, enter caves and glide along steep cliffs. Guided kayak tours depart from places including Leynar on the west coast of Streymoy. The specific routes depend on the provider and the weather; kayaking is highly weather-dependent, and the provider will advise you about the conditions. Boat tours pass beneath the sea cliffs of Vestmanna or follow the west coast of Súðuroy, offering views of the landscape from the water. Routes and availability may vary.

There are also different ways to go fishing: you can fish from the shores of many fjords, or join a guided deep-sea fishing trip for species such as cod, haddock and pollack. Fishing from the shore on your own and planning a guided boat trip involve different locations and settings for the activity. Tjørnuvík beach has a surf spot for cold-water surfers, with surf lessons and board rentals available on site. Check their current availability if you plan to use them.

Ballads and Cultural Experiences

Faroese ballads have been passed down orally since the 13th century. For centuries, people sang them while dancing and in everyday life, for example while doing evening handicrafts such as knitting or working with wool. The ballads were first written down in the early 19th century. Their history therefore includes both a long oral tradition and a much later written record. Other cultural attractions on the Faroe Islands include old churches and art galleries.

Connections and Trip Planning

Most of the Faroe Islands are connected by roads, bridges and undersea tunnels. A multi-day pass can be used on buses and ferries; Mykines is excluded. Check the current ticket terms before travelling. When choosing a hotel, it helps to first identify the experiences that matter to you and decide which islands you want to include. As you continue planning, take connections and ticket terms into account. This lets you consider your activities together with the islands relevant to them, without combining hikes, water tours and cultural interests into a single, uniform itinerary.

Discover more destinations: Tórshavn, Gjógv, Sandoy, Vágar, Eysturoy, Streymoy.

Return to the main travel guide: Faroe Islands.