The Faroe Islands are a group of islands that are located in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Scotland.
Where are the Faroe Islands on the map
Geographically, they are located closer to island state Iceland is officially subordinate to the Kingdom of Denmark. In practice, the islands are governed independently; only a small part of issues, such as foreign policy and defense, are discussed with the Danish government.
Part Faroe Islands includes 18 large and many small islands, which form the so-called Faroe archipelago. The largest island of the archipelago is Boroy Island, with an area of about 95 km², on which there are 8 small towns. The capital of the Faroe Islands is the city of Tórshavn, which is home to about 20 thousand people, while being the most densely populated area. Located on the island of Streymoy, the first largest and most important port of the archipelago is located here.
Weather in the Faroe Islands
The weather in the Faroe Islands can hardly be called mild - it rains almost all year round, the wind does not subside at all, average temperature in summer it rarely exceeds +15 °C, and winter is wet and cold. Despite all this, the coastal waters do not freeze here, since the islands lie on the path of the Gulf Stream.
This climate has led to the fact that there are practically no trees on the islands, except for sparse stands of conifers, maples and ash trees. But almost the entire surface of the islands is covered with mosses and lichens, since the islands have all the conditions for these plants.
Fauna of the Faroe Islands
The fauna of the archipelago is quite diverse. The waters surrounding the islands are inhabited by a large variety of fish and sea animals; harp seals have established their rookeries on some islands; many colonies of northern birds live here, as well as a local breed of sheep.
Economy of the Faroe Islands
The economy of the Faroe Islands is based on: fishing, sheep farming, agriculture, and light industry. A separate point of the economy is tourism, which accounts for about 62% of GDP.
Each of the islands of the archipelago is a small, unusually beautiful world:
- Small houses under multi-colored roofs;
- wide meadows with flocks of sheep under a heavy blue sky;
- dark ocean waters, washing half a kilometer of coastal cliffs;
- fogs engulfing entire islands;
- Lutheran churches;
- deep caves;
- sand dunes;
- mountain lakes –
You can admire all this and much more once you find out where the Faroe Islands are.
If you are a fan of an elegant holiday in a five-star hotel with swimming pools and well-trained staff, a holiday in the Faroe Islands is not for you. But if you are a lover of real nature, genuine culture and history, then this vacation will be unforgettable for you, after which you will want to come back here again and again!
There are many different islands on the planet, some of them were previously the coastline of the mainland, some, due to their compactness, are called an archipelago for convenience. And there is nothing surprising in the fact that the larger islands, like Madagascar or Greenland, or the warm Hawaiian and Antilles islands, are better known. But few people know that the Faroe Islands exist in the world and that this is a European territory. Let's tell you more about them.
More about the islandsThe Faroe Islands are gradually becoming overgrown with tourists, tired of crowded resorts and noisy, polluted cities. These are rugged, secluded and very beautiful places that attract even experienced and sophisticated travelers. The islands have been repeatedly recognized as the most unusual and cleanest on the planet for their local beauty. The archipelago is of volcanic origin and includes 18 islands, of which only one is uninhabited, with a total area of 1399 sq km. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Voar, Sandoy, Bordoy.
The Faroe Islands are part of the islands, but have autonomous governance, except in matters of defense and foreign policy. Discussion of these points requires the approval of the country's leadership. The capital of the archipelago is the city of Tórshavn. According to archaeological finds, the Faroe Islands have been inhabited since about the 9th century, and modern inhabitants are real descendants of the ancient Vikings.
The autonomy is very dependent on the import of products and the quality of the transport network, but residents have been actively developing fishing and sheep farming for many centuries - these are two huge sources of income. Despite this bias in budget formation, the standard of living on the islands is very high compared to the rest of Europe.
Where are the Faroe Islands?
The little-known archipelago is located in the North Atlantic in the Norwegian Sea. The Faroe Islands lie roughly between Iceland and the Scottish Islands.
Weather in the Faroe Islands
The climate of the archipelago is directly related to the Gulf Stream, which is known to be warm. The islands are located in its very center, hence the constant off-season, which means about 280 rainy days a year. Time boundaries seem to be erased; there is no clear division into winter or summer. The climate is very mild: average summer temperatures are +11+17 degrees, and winter temperatures are from 0 to +4 degrees. The rainiest season lasts from September to January, after which comes the time of fog, when the archipelago is covered by a thick cap that practically does not let in the sun. Coastal waters are always the same temperature - +10 degrees, this has a positive effect on the development of fisheries.
Population of the Faroe Islands
The latest census showed that the Faroe Islands are home to about 48.5 thousand inhabitants, of which approximately 20 thousand live in the capital of the archipelago or its suburbs. Most residents of the autonomy in all areas communicate in the rare Faroese language - a mixture of Western Scandinavian dialects, but Danish is also considered the official language. The main religion is Lutheranism.
It is believed that about 98% of all residents are descendants of the first settlers.
Nature of the Faroe Islands
The local landscapes are simply fantastic: many waterfalls, lakes, gorges, fjords and silent cliffs. The islands and cliffs have a basalt base, as well as a classic glacial topography. Every photo taken here is a masterpiece. There are almost no trees on the islands; strong winds often rage here; only occasionally you can see maple, mountain ash or conifers. The islands are covered with peat bogs, meadows, and the snowy mountain peaks attract the eye. The highest mountain of the islands is Slattaratindur Peak, located on the island of Esturoy: its height is 882 meters above sea level.
The Faroe Islands are home to real colonies of seabirds, seals, dolphins and even whales. Animals from afar happily pose and show themselves to tourists.
Faroe Islands - attractions and entertainment
The influx of tourists usually occurs in the calendar summer, when, by rights, there is the least rainfall. The most popular excursion program is sightseeing in the capital Tórshavn. The city itself is beautiful, the main part of it juts out over the fjord, where there is an excellent view of the nearby mountains and wild steep cliffs. The capital's two main attractions are the 15th-century Munkastovan monastery and the royal warehouses of Leighubün. Curious tourists are welcome at Historical Museum, cultural heritage collected at the Art Museum, after which you can stroll through the peaceful Vidarlund Park.
The business card is a beautiful thing hanging over the ocean. If you wish, you can also visit small lonely villages or a bird market, take a walk along the water along the shore or admire the bird island of Fugloy, on the rocks of which a multimillion-dollar colony of sea birds has formed. North of the village of Skarvanes a sea cliff has formed with interesting name Tretlkonufingur, translated as “troll woman’s finger.”
One of the famous entertainments of the Faroe Islands is St. Olaf's Day, which is celebrated at the very end of July. It is dedicated to the Norwegian king who brought Christianity to Scandinavia. This is a major sports festival, which consists of horse racing and rowing competitions, residents organize dances and religious processions, and organize art exhibitions.
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Faroe Islands cuisine
A kind of reflection of the harsh climate, but still traditional dishes from a variety of fish and meat are incredibly tasty and interesting. Faroese delicacies include: whale fat, dried lamb or sheep's head - there is something for gourmets to see. A popular dish among tourists is puffins (small birds) stuffed with sweet dough and served with berries and potatoes. You will certainly find something new and unusual for yourself in the Koks restaurant at the Feroyar Hotel. Original Scandinavian dishes with incredible presentation and controversial desserts.
There is also traditional food on the archipelago; you can easily find fried lamb or grilled fish on the menu, as well as the cuisine of European countries, the Mediterranean, South America and even Asia. We recommend visiting Restaurant Hereford for an excellent selection of simple steaks, meat and fish in Klaksvik.
It is strict here with alcohol: strong drinks, as well as dark beer, can only be sold by state monopoly stores or licensed restaurants.
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Visitors are especially fond of the various capital hotels, usually three-star ones, which can offer rooms of different classes and comfort. All hotels have good area Wi-Fi coverage, breakfast and optional transfer from the airport and back.
Budget options are considered guest houses and hostels, but in the most popular establishments it is recommended to book rooms at least 2-3 months in advance. In case you do not plan to stay in one place for a long time, there are mini-hotels on the islands in the “bed and breakfast” format, but the prices here directly depend on tourist season and time of year.
For those who like to spend the night in a tent in nature, there are several campsites on the Faroe Islands, but a strict rule applies to all vacationers: keep clean and remove all rubbish before leaving.
Shopping in the Faroe Islands
When thinking, remember that here, due to the harsh weather, woolen clothing is at a premium. Hats, berets, gloves, fashionable sweaters and scarves made from natural wool can be bought cheaper than in similar European stores.
Fans of arts and crafts willingly make and serve trinkets made of wood or ceramics. The main condition: never bargain anywhere, this is bad manners here.
Transport The capital of the Faroe Islands has a well-established infrastructure. There are four red bus routes here, so you can easily get to almost any part of the city. On average, movement intervals are 30 minutes, which increase in the evening to an hour.
Ferries run between the islands, but there are also blue bus routes that also form transport network between the islands. Maps of stops and schedules of all transport in the Faroe Islands can be freely purchased.
How to get to the Faroe Islands?
On the territory of the Danish autonomy there is only one, located on the island of Vagar near the village of Sorvagur. Air travel is the fastest and most convenient way to get to little-known destinations northern islands. Regular flights operate from cities in Norway, Iceland and the UK. Further, to travel around the Faroe Islands themselves, tourists often rent a car.
You can get to this strange land by ferry from Denmark, from the city of Hirtshals, from the Scottish Islands, from Iceland, and in the summer even from Bergen, Norway. Of course, if you are the owner of your own yacht or vessel, you can use the coordinates yourself.
Tips for tourists - If you fly directly to Faroe Airport, you will need to provide a special visa rather than a Schengen one.
- Additional tips are not accepted here; all staff remuneration is already included in the bill, usually in the amount of 10%.
- To fish, you need to buy a license for a specific body of water or fishing in the sea, and if you take your fishing rod with you, it must be disinfected according to the instructions before visiting the islands.
- When leaving, you can return VAT on purchases, but only if the purchase was made in a store operating under the Tax Free system and the check amount exceeds $48.
- Be aware of the local climate: you will need warm clothing and spare shoes for walks in the mountains and the coast.
The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region and are an island group in the north Atlantic Ocean, located between and Scotland. Legally they belong, but since the second half of the 20th century they have been independent, transferring powers only in terms of defense, foreign policy, police and justice. Area 1,395 sq. km, population about 51 thousand people, capital Tórshavn.
The Faroe Islands are an island group 400 km north of Scotland and 420 km southeast of Iceland. There are a total of 18 islands in the archipelago, 17 of which are inhabited. The largest island is Streymoy (373.5 sq. km).
The economic zone from the coast is 200 nautical miles. The highest point of the island group of volcanic origin is the peak of Slattaratindur (Esturoy Island), whose height is 882 m. The coasts of the islands are rugged and consist of numerous fjords. The islands have constant strong winds, so there are no forests here, although there are plantations of coniferous trees, ash and maple.
The climate on the islands is temperate maritime - winter and summer are cool and humid. In the coldest January the temperature is around zero, in warm July - up to +17 °C. Precipitation, mainly rain, falls up to 2,000 mm per year. Thanks to warm currents, the temperature of coastal waters all year round It stays at +10 °C, providing conditions for the life of numerous species of fish and plankton.
The Faroe Islands have many natural attractions that every traveler should see. Here are the most interesting of them.
The Faroe Islands are not the most popular tourist destination. This land is sometimes also called “the end of the world”, because not every person is able to find the Faroe Islands on the map. But the Faroe archipelago can rightfully be called one of the most beautiful places on our planet. There are excellent conditions for hiking here. And the landscapes are striking in their diversity: from rocky cliffs to heather-covered heaths; from waterfalls with crystal clean water to snow-capped mountain peaks.
Faroe Islands - attractions
We have found 6 places and points of attraction, which will definitely be enough for your first visit to see the most interesting places Faroe Islands. And get your own impression of the grandeur and beauty of the archipelago, located in the ocean - somewhere halfway from Denmark to. By the way, the Faroe Islands and all their natural attractions are under the jurisdiction of Denmark.
1. Tindholmur Island
This small island, located between the larger islands of Vágar and Michenes. It is interesting because it has a pointed mountain peak that occupies almost the entire area of Tindholmur. A stunning view of this small piece of land opens from the settlement of Bour, which is located on neighboring island. But the best way to view Tindholmur is from a helicopter or ferry. You can visit the island itself, but excursions to Tindihölmur are only available in summer.
The pointed peak of the island of Tindhölmur - the symbol of the Faroe Islands
2. Gasadalur village
It is located next to Vagar airport. This is one of the most popular and interesting places in the Faroe Islands. Despite this, you will never meet more than three people here. The small houses of this village are located on the top of a cliff next to a waterfall, the waters of which fall directly into the ocean. This place will seem like a paradise for introverts and people who love silence and solitude.
Coast of the village of Gasadalur on the island of Vágar (Faroe Islands)
3. Lake Sørvågsvatn
It is impossible not to pay attention to another attraction of the Faroe Islands, also located in close proximity to Vagar Airport. Tourists can see this lake even during landing. Local residents also gave Sørvågsvatn another name - “hanging lake”. This is due to the fact that the lake is located almost above the ocean. And if you look at it from a certain angle, it creates the illusion that the lake is hanging above the ocean surface.
Lake Sørvågsvatn is one of the most interesting places in the Faroe Islands
4. Chednuvuk village
A small village located on the territory of the island of Streymoy. The village is located in a beautiful harbor, which is surrounded on all sides Mountain peaks. Here you can see another attraction of the Faroe archipelago - two sea cliffs, the name of which, translated into Russian, sounds like “The Giant and the Witch”. Against the backdrop of the mountains, these stones may seem just tiny, but if you get closer to them, you will find that their height reaches 70 meters! Now think about how high the neighboring rocks then reach.
On the way to this beautiful village you can also see the Fossa waterfall, which is the largest in the Faroe Islands.
What else to see in the Faroe Islands? Island life, in the village of Chednuvuk!
5. Fugloy Island
This is a place where you can experience and understand what Faroese life is like. The streets here are usually deserted. You may meet local residents only at those moments when a ferry approaches the pier, and almost the entire village comes out to meet it. The rest of the time, loneliness and tranquility reign here. It may seem that the surrounding houses are empty, and you are the only person on this earth. But this does not cause a feeling of fear, only peace and melancholy.
6. Mycines Island
Like other attractions of the Faroe Islands, it can be called a real pearl of the archipelago. In summer, photographers and simply nature lovers from all over flock here globe. Firstly, the island is attractive with its beautiful scenery. Numerous paths lead directly to high rocks and mountain cliffs. For many, this is already enough to visit the Faroe Islands. But there is another reason.
There are huge colonies of birds here. The most attractive of them are puffins, which absolutely everyone loves. There are so many of them here that nests can be seen at every step.
Bird colonies on Mycines Island - is it possible to pass by such beauty?
Another attraction of the island is very old lighthouse(see on the cover of the article), which was built a hundred years ago. Actually, the lighthouse is located on the island of Mychinesholm, but these days a bridge has been built between it and the main island. Before the lighthouse was automated, a keeper lived in it with his family. Now create a picture of their life in your imagination. They were cut off from the rest of the world, and food and news from big land They were brought only ships.
Stories like this add a little magic to places like this...
Where to stay in the Faroe Islands
So, where is the best place to book a hotel to make it convenient to go on excursions, visit and photograph the sights of Faroe Islands? Oddly enough, the most convenient place is in the capital - from there you can buy tickets for ferries in all directions. Therefore, all the hotels that we have selected for you are located in Tórshavn:
- Hotel Føroyar 4*. A designer hotel designed by the Danish bureau Friis & Moltke in an incredibly picturesque location - on the shores of the Faroe fjord. Beautifully decorated modern rooms, Koks restaurant with dishes national cuisine, various lounge areas. The center of Tórshavn is 2 km from here. But each room has a view of Nolsoy Bay.
Four-star hotels in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands - Hotel Føroyar
- Hotel Havn. Modern inexpensive hotel in the area of the picturesque bay - the main harbor of Tórshavn. It’s a 20-minute walk from here to the center—scenic walks—even early in the morning, even under the moon—are guaranteed to you. But next to Hotel Havn There is also a public transport stop.
Inexpensive but high-quality hotel in the Faroe Islands - Hotel Havn
- Hotel Hafnia 4*. The coolest four star hotel we have found. The price is not bad, and the location on the main street of Tórshavn is hard to imagine better! The rooms are very comfortable with all imaginable amenities and bells and whistles. I was pleased with the restaurant where you will have breakfast - the view of the harbor is simply superb.
- The Atlantic Swan. Apartments in Tórshavn for a company of 6 people (3 bedrooms). There is a common room, a kitchen, and parking spaces. This is a great option if you can book it. These apartments are in demand and have a rating of 9.8 out of 10 on booking.com. It's worth hurrying!
Independent apartments in the Faroe Islands
Video: the most interesting places in Faroe
Video journey from Alex Stead to the most famous attractions of the Faroe Islands.
As a summary
The Faroe Islands are a whole world away from civilization. Her crazy pace of life. Here you are surrounded only high mountains, vast open spaces and the ocean. Nothing is holding you back: neither city high-rises, nor traffic lights, nor traffic. You can go where your heart wants. This is why people in the Faroes have a kind and big heart, because this is what helps them live in these wild places surrounded only by rocks and the raging ocean.
- and routes
Faroe Islands- a group of 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Great Britain), from which they are located almost 400 km north, and Iceland, which is 420 km northwest of the Faroe Islands.
The Faroe Islands are an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. Since 1948, the islands have independently managed almost all matters except defense and foreign policy.
The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn, located on the south-eastern coast of the island of Streymoy.
The Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordoy. Largest island- Streymoy (373.5 km²). The total area of all islands is 1395.74 km².
The distance to Iceland is 450 km, to Norway - 675 km, to Copenhagen - 1117 km. The economic maritime zone off the coast of the Faroe Islands is 200 nautical miles.
Most high point islands is the peak of Slattaratindur on the island of Esturoy - 882 m above sea level. The Faroe Islands are dotted with numerous fjords and have rugged coastline. The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although there are plantations of strong conifers, maple and mountain ash.
Climate
The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with cool winters and cool, humid summers. The coldest month is January, temperature from 0°C to +4°C, the warmest month is July, temperature from +11°C to +17°C. The annual precipitation is 1600-2000 mm, precipitation (mainly in the form of rain) occurs approximately 280 days a year, most of it falls from September to January, fog is frequent.
Thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the water around the islands has a temperature of about +10°C all year round, which softens climatic conditions and provides ideal living conditions for fish and plankton.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Population of the Faroe Islands
The population is 48,856 people (2009), of which: 91.7% are Faroese; 5.8% - Danes; 0.4% - Icelanders; 0.2% - Norwegians; 0.2% are Poles.
Age structure of the population: 0-14 years: 21.6%; 15-64 years: 64%; 65 years and older: 14.4%.
The Faroese population professes mainly Lutheranism (80%). Lutheranism is a Protestant movement in Christianity.
The official language of the islands is Faroese (a modified version of Old Norse), almost all residents understand Danish, and English is widely spoken.
Currency
Official currency Faroe Islands - Faroese krone. 1 Faroese crown is equal to 100 øre. The Faroese krone is equivalent to the Danish krone, meaning the exchange rate is the same. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 crowns, coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 crown, 50 and 25 öre.
The islands' currency is issued by the National Bank of Denmark and is considered a variant of the Danish krone. Therefore, it does not have an official ISO code and is not convertible. In most cases, to avoid confusion, it is called the Danish krone (DKK), since the local currency is strictly tied to this unit. Formally, the Danish kroner itself is not accepted in the Faroe Islands; only the local currency is used.
The best place to exchange currency is at banks and exchange offices; exchange fees are small. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Thursday - until 18:00, and banks are closed on weekends.
You can exchange money in banks or exchange office Vaugar Airport (open from 10.00 to 2.00). Typically, banks charge fairly small commissions for exchanges, but for the most part they only work with euros and Danish krone.
Credit cards from the world's leading systems (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted.
Travel checks can be cashed at many banks and hotels or used to pay at most restaurants and stores.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Communications
International code: +298.
Internet domain: .fo.
In case of emergency, call 112. For information, call 118.
How to call
In order to call the Faroe Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 298 - number of the called subscriber (no need to dial the area code).
mobile connection
Officially, there are two standards in force in the Faroe Islands mobile communications- NMT (analog) and GSM (digital). However, in recent years, GSM has practically replaced the analog standard, and now the coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the islands.
SIM cards from Faroese operators can be purchased at Teleshops kiosks, petrol stations, post offices, hotels and tourist offices.
Landline communications
The Faroe Islands telephone system is located on high level and provides a full modern range of services. Foroya Tele's (Faroese Telecom) public payphones, located in many public places, operate using both coin and credit cards.
Internet
Although the Faroe Islands are a major hub for many telecommunications systems linking Europe and North America, the level of network services here is relatively poor. Only large business centers, hotels and post offices are provided with stable high-speed communications.
The public Internet cafe Telecentre (Teledepilin) can only be found in the capital (Niels Finsensgota, 10). However, it is also possible to take advantage of the numerous access points located at the tourist information offices.
Shopping
Most shops open at 09:00 or 10:00 and are open until 17:30. On Fridays, some close only at 19:00. On Saturdays, shops open at 09:00 and are open until 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. On Sundays all shops are closed. Kiosks and shops at gas stations close at 23:00.
Travelers can receive a partial VAT refund (25%) when leaving the country. If in any store that has the announcement “Tax-free for Tourists” on the window, the purchase amount exceeds US$48, you must take a receipt, which will reimburse approximately 15% of the cost of the goods at customs at the airport.
The price level on the islands is slightly higher than on the mainland and is comparable to Norway, so traveling to the Faroe Islands cannot be called a cheap event.
Almost all industrial goods are imported and therefore are not cheap, but food (especially fish), wool and leather goods, and some alcoholic drinks are quite inexpensive.
Fresh vegetables are available all year round, as many islanders get them from their gardens, and most of them also go to store shelves. The assortment of fruits is somewhat lower, but also meets all international standards.
There are enough shops in Tórshavn, whose assortment differs little from the goods sold in some small town in Europe.
Last changes: 10/23/2009Where to stay
In the Faroe Islands there is no “star” classification of hotels; the following classification is used: “Deluxe”, “Superior”, “Standard”, which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3 star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity local hotels, located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing, you should carefully read the specific list of services provided by a particular hotel.
Most local hotels are small private guesthouses; there are no super-expensive rooms at all, and you can always find accommodation at very reasonable prices ($10-15 per night). Mid-level hotels ask for their services $20-70 per day, higher-class hotels - from $70 and above.
Sea and beaches
The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when precipitation is unlikely and the weather is warm and comfortable.
On the coast at the foot of Mount Tindur there are beaches consisting of black basalt sands.
Excellent beaches of dark volcanic sand are also found near the town of Scalavig.
Last changes: 09/01/2010History of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands were known to Irish monks from about 500. In the period between 700 and 800, people from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Starting from the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located in Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.
From the 11th century until 1380, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway; during this reign, the local population converted to Christianity. When Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, two powers began to govern the islands, and in 1814, after Norway left the union, Denmark became the sole owner of the islands.
Strategic position of the Faroe Islands in North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to decide on April 11, 1940 to place the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during the Second World War, following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945.
In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Sudurø, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.
In 1948, an agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty; the Danish government continued to be in charge of the islands' foreign policy. Two representatives of the islands serve permanently in the Danish Parliament.
Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons-free zone by Løgting, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.
Last changes: 04/28/2013It is completely unacceptable to bargain, and in any establishment, regardless of size and form of ownership.
Alcoholic drinks are sold only to persons over 18 years of age. Light beer can be bought in shops, restaurants and cafes. Strong beer, wine and other types of alcohol can only be purchased in specialized stores in large villages (indicated by the Government Monopoly sign) and in licensed restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, etc.
Fishing is only permitted in some waters and only on the basis of a fishing license, which can be purchased at all tourist offices. All gear and equipment, including fishing rods, floats, lines and baits, must be disinfected before arriving in the Faroe Islands (previously this parameter was carefully monitored at customs; currently the Faroese leave this rule to the conscience of the tourist). Instructions and rules for fishing in local lakes (the islanders call them in the Scottish manner - “loch”) are printed in all tourist booklets and prospectuses and must be strictly followed. The fishing season in streams and streams lasts from May 1 to August 31. Sea fishing is permitted all year round.
In the Faroe Islands, fortune-telling based on the footsteps of the Norns is common. Norn marks are spots that appear on the nails. They are interpreted according to their shape, color and the place where they appeared.
These islands are also famous for their hand-knitted shawls made from the wool of local sheep. They have an unusual butterfly shape and, unlike other types of shawls and scarves, due to their design they lie firmly on the shoulders, even if they are not tied.
Since the weather on the islands is very unpredictable, special requirements are placed on clothing. A waterproof and windproof jacket is a must here at any time of the year. It is also recommended to have a warm sweater and vest, a strong pair of boots with thick soles and good ankle support, light scarves, hats and gloves, especially when traveling to the sea (which is everywhere here). Light boots or sports shoes for moving around populated areas will also be useful.
Also, the mandatory kit should include sunglasses with glass filters, since the level of ultraviolet radiation here is quite high.
When moving around the islands, you should take with you a small backpack with a set of clothes and linen, a small supply of drinking water or a hot drink (coffee, tea, cocoa), as well as high-calorie food (chocolate, dried fruits, etc.).
Be sure to take a detailed map of the area with you and inform the local tourist office about the route and time of its passage. In case of frequent fogs here, you should not look for the road on your own - it is recommended to stop in the place where you find it and wait for help. Particular care must be taken when moving along the coastline and coastal cliffs.
Any journey longer than 3 km should only be undertaken with a local guide and with means of communication (cell phone or walkie-talkie). GPS receivers will also be quite useful - despite the small size of the islands, the terrain here is so complex that it is simply impossible to navigate yourself without knowing the local signs.
A detailed booklet describing the most interesting routes can be purchased at any of the local tourist offices for 10 CZK.
Last changes: 01/20/2013How to get to the Faroe Islands
The easiest way to get from Moscow to the Faroe Islands is by SAS airline with a transfer in Copenhagen (Denmark). Aeroflot and SAS have daily flights from Moscow to Copenhagen (2 hours). SAS also flies six times a week from St. Petersburg (2 hours).
Island-based airline Atlantic Airways (part of the SAS airline system) flies from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the UK to Vágar Airport in the Faroe Islands. Several other small companies serve these same areas.
Daily flights to the Faroe Islands are operated only from Danish Copenhagen - usually 2-3 times a day; from other countries, flights are performed once every few days, and may be stopped altogether in the winter.
In addition to the plane, you can also get to the islands by Smyril Line ferry. It runs once a week from Tórshavn to Huntsholm in Denmark, the British Shetland Islands and Seyðisfjörður in Iceland. In summer it also visits Bergen, Norway.
Last changes: 04/28/2013
