About how Tórshavn lives, and about how... Today I will focus on organizational issues of the trip: transport and visa, hotels and communications, movement around the islands.
Trip planning and routes
The Faroe Islands can be called an exclusive destination, because... neither the small number of flights, nor the small number of hotels, nor the short season make it possible to accommodate a large number of tourists here. Therefore, the Faroe Islands are hardly a destination for a spontaneous trip, so the sooner you start planning your trip, the better.
To plan routes and things to see, it's handy to use the Visit Faroe information site. You can get a card at the tourist office at the airport. Personally, my route included:
How much time to allocate:
As always, it all depends on what you want to see. To generalize, I will say that 2 days is definitely not enough, 10 is perhaps a lot. 4-5 days seem optimal to me.
How to get there
The most convenient way is through Copenhagen, from where Atlantic Airways operates 2 flights a day to the Faroe Islands. Travel time - 2 hours. Tickets cost from 400 euros return. The demand for the route is high, flights are full, especially during the season, you can’t expect significant discounts, because... This is the only airline that flies here.
The same Atlantic Airways connects the Faroe Islands with Iceland, Norway and Scotland, so it will be possible to organize a Denmark-Faree-Iceland tour, for example.
Visa
The Faroe Islands require a separate visa, which is issued at the Danish Consulate in Moscow. The documents and registration procedure are similar to Schengen; more about them. However, no one checked my visa either on the way there or on the way back - it remained outstanding.
Time to visit
The best time to travel is from May to early September. July 28-29 is the holiday of St. Olaf, for which Faroese from all over the world come to the Faroe Islands. If you want to see it, then you should buy tickets as early as possible, at least a year in advance, and start looking for a hotel the same time in advance.
Hotels and apartments
The Faroe Islands are not a destination where people go for designer hotels and excellent service. I lived in two hotels, Hafnia in the center of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroes, and in Foroyar, located a couple of kilometers from the center. The first one looks like a hotel in the Russian outback; Its advantages include the availability of hot water, internet and clean linen. The second one is much newer and nicer; it was where, for example, Bill Clinton stayed. The price, of course, is higher. You can check the prices using the links above.
Other accommodation options on the islands are small guesthouses (search on booking.com), as well as apartments and rooms for rent through. The selection is limited and prices are high. From a geographical point of view, it doesn’t really matter where you live in the Faroe Islands, because... Everywhere you will go by car, that is, there is no point in getting attached, for example, to Tórshavn.
Weather
The Faroe Islands are not very cold, quite damp, windy and cloudy all year round. I was in May, it was about +7, I was wearing a light down jacket. You will definitely need waterproof boots, a waterproof jacket with a hood, gloves, and a warm sweater or sweatshirt, even if you are traveling in the summer. The weather changes every 15 minutes, so you should dress in layers to be able to undress or warm up as needed. An umbrella and a raincoat are essential items.
Transport
Without a car there is not much to do in the Faroe Islands, although I know people who have traveled around the islands by bus or hitchhiking. There are several car rental counters at the airport. Also on the islands there is a selection of companies ready to make a tour for you with fishing, helicopter rides, and tracking. A short list of them. You can find out about other methods of transportation. Taxis on the islands are expensive, and it is not wise to use them for long trips around them. If you order, for example, a taxi to the airport, do it at least a day in advance - the taxi driver will gather several people from different hotels into one car and take everyone to the address, which will be much cheaper.
Money
In the Faroe Islands you can pay with cards of the main payment systems, Danish and Faroese kroner (1 to 1). If you pay in Danish kroner as change, you will receive Faroese kroner. When returning to Denmark, it makes sense to exchange them for Danish kroner, because... On the mainland you are unlikely to accept Faroese currency.
Connection
A SIM card can be purchased at the information desk in the arrivals area. For a limited number of calls and 1 GB of Internet, I paid 250 CZK (multiply by 7.5). Coverage in most places is quite decent, in most cases 3G, sometimes dropping to GPRS. There is wifi in cafes, restaurants and hotels, as well as at the airport itself.
Restaurants
Definitely not to miss KOKS at the Foroyar Hotel and Hafnia in the hotel of the same name - they both represent new northern cuisine. I also liked the sushi bar Etika and an excellent fish restaurant Barbara. All these places are in Tórshavn.
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The site is an expert in travel matters. And not only where to go, but also how to get there? Sophisticated travelers are most concerned about the question “how”, because the “where” category includes places that are not in mass demand. This means the number one problem on the way to the intended dream is transport. How to get to Faroe Islands?.
The Faroe Islands live in the Atlantic between Scotland and Iceland and they have no idea how much effort it takes to get to them. What is so attractive about this small piece of land in the endless waters of the ocean?
According to the authoritative publication National Geographic Traveler, the Faroe Islands are the most unique islands in the world. Of the 18 islands of the archipelago, 17 are inhabited. If their name is literally translated, it sounds like “Sheep Islands”. Despite its northern location, the climate here is unique. Winters are warm, and in the coldest January the temperature ranges from 0 to +4 degrees. Summer, on the contrary, is cold and humid, in July the thermometers range from +11 to +17 degrees. It rains 280 days a year, and the density of fog in the Faroe Islands can compete with London. The tropical Gulf Stream is like manna from heaven for local residents: the temperature in the ocean is always about +10 degrees, which provides ideal conditions for the life of various fish.
Despite the vagaries of the weather, the Faroe Islands can be classified as an exotic island, even if not tropical. There are quite a lot of attractions here, but the main trump card is the landscapes. Even a person who doesn’t understand anything about landscape painting will confidently say: “The Creator worked on this “panel” with special inspiration. It is rare to see such rich colors. Fields, cliffs, rocks, waterfalls, fjords and the ocean play in millions of shades of green, blue, and white. This is what they come here for.
There are two ways to get to the Faroe Islands: by air or by water. Much depends on the starting point.
By air
From Moscow or St. Petersburg you need to fly to Copenhagen, make a transfer and get to Vagar Airport. This is the only airport in the Faroe Islands, and an international one. Annual passenger traffic is about 180 thousand. Vagar Island is associated with largest island Streymoy archipelago underwater tunnel.
In addition, you can fly to Vagar Airport from Norway, Iceland, Denmark and the UK.
You can easily get to the Faroe Islands by Smyril Line ferry from Denmark (from Hanstholm or Esbjerg) or Iceland (Seydisfjörður), as well as from Norway (Bergen).
Not everyone will be able to quickly show where exactly the Faroe Islands are on the map. At the same time, more and more tourists are going there. They are mainly attracted by the opportunity to take a break from noisy resorts, vibrant cities and city dust.
Located in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and the Scottish Islands, the archipelago consists of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The population is 48 thousand. It is noteworthy that almost half of these people live in the capital or its suburbs. The Faroe region is considered bilingual. The official languages are Danish and Faroese, which combines different West Scandinavian dialects.
To date, there are no direct air flights from Russia to the islands. Therefore, tourists have to change planes in Denmark or Norway. You can pre-book your flight ticket using the Internet. You can get from one island to another by several means of transport, including by ferry. For some tourists, it is most convenient to travel around the islands on a boat hired for an additional fee.
Although the Faroe Islands belong to Denmark, you cannot enter their territory with a Schengen visa. The refusal to join the European Union was deliberate and was associated with taxes on fishing. Therefore, to get to the archipelago, you need to apply for a visa, which will have a special note. Special visa centers where you can follow this, there are many big cities. However most of travelers prefer the services of travel agencies. All Required documents are transferred to the agency, and subsequently the employees transfer the finished visas to clients.
Climatic and weather conditions
The islands are located in the central part of a warm sea current known as the Gulf Stream. Therefore, this place has a constant off-season. Throughout the year, the number of sunny days does not exceed 80, and the rest of the time it rains. In addition, even in sunny weather strong winds blow. The most comfortable time to visit the archipelago will be the summer months, when precipitation is rare.
The Faroe Islands have a fairly mild climate. Average temperatures for winter range from approximately 0˚C to +4˚C. Summer temperature is 11-17˚C. The rainy season lasts from September to January on the islands. Further, the archipelago is plunged into fog, which does not allow the rays of the sun to pass through.
Another feature: the water near the islands is perfectly clear, and its temperature, even in winter, does not drop below +10˚C. This creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving in winter.
Nature
For those who prefer a holiday surrounded by pristine nature, the Faroe Islands are an ideal option. Most of the territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows and mountain ranges. Numerous lakes and fjords, gorges, cliffs and waterfalls will not leave anyone indifferent.
There are few trees on the islands, only occasionally you can see conifers, maples or mountain ash trees. Fauna connoisseurs can devote their free time on the archipelago to watching dolphins, seabirds, whales and seals. There are also incredibly large numbers of sheep grazing on the hills of these islands.
Sights of the archipelago
Of course, many tourists consider the main attractions in the Faroe Islands beautiful mountains and slopes with flocks of sheep, as well as compact towns and colorful roofs on houses.
Lovers of natural attractions will also appreciate the unique features of the different islands. For example, Streymoy is a paradise for fishing lovers. Here you can catch halibut, eels and even representatives of the salmon family. Nolsoy attracts tourists with its seal rookeries, and Fugloy with the fact that it is loved by millions of birds. And the northern settlement of Skarvanes is famous for a beautiful sea cliff called Tretlkonufingur, which translated means “troll woman’s finger.”
The archipelago also has a large selection of excursion programs. For example, this could be a visit to the capital and small villages or boat trips.
The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, is located in an incredibly picturesque area. Much of the village juts out over the fjord, offering stunning views of the mountains and steep cliffs. Tórshavn is very quiet city. It is noisy only in the central square and on the piers.
The main attraction of the capital is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century. It is noteworthy that the monastery, surrounded by a stone wall, is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire that raged in the 17th century.
Many will be interested in visiting Historical Museum. Among its exhibits are ship models, fishing gear and agricultural implements, ranging from Viking times to the present day. Also here you can see items that local residents used in everyday life. There are also exhibits that are valuable from a religious point of view.
The House of Server Countries is also definitely worth a visit. There is an art gallery and a concert hall, and on summer evenings educational events are held for guests of the archipelago.
After a walk through Vidarlund Park, it is worth going to the Art Museum to see delightful examples of painting and sculpture.
If your trip to the archipelago is in July, you should plan your vacation so that you are sure to be on the islands on the 28th-29th. During this period, local people nationally celebrate St. Olaf's Day. According to tradition, celebrations include ceremonial religious and dance processions, art exhibitions, and rowing and equestrian competitions.
Gastronomic nuances
National cuisine has a close relationship with the climate of the archipelago. The two main ingredients that are used in preparing various dishes are lamb and fish. Gourmets visiting the Faroe Islands should definitely try local delicacies such as sheep's head and whale meat. No less interesting is ruyskjet (meat that has been dried for several months) and skärpiket – meat that has been dried for more than a year and is consumed without any processing. Often the same cooking method is used for drying fish.
Those tourists who prefer traditional cuisine should order fried lamb at the restaurant. You can also try puffins (this is the name of small birds), stuffed with sweet dough, served with potatoes and sweet berries.
It may surprise many that rhubarb is added to food everywhere here. Another one interesting feature– There are practically no fish shops on the islands. If the islanders want to cook fish, they catch it themselves, and after cooking they serve it with a side dish of rice or potatoes.
It is worth noting that the most popular drinks on the islands are coffee and tea. Locals often add herbs that grow on mountain slopes to tea. Alcoholic drinks are officially permitted from the age of 18. However, if light beer can be purchased everywhere, then low-alcohol drinks, strong dark beer and wine can only be purchased in government stores and in restaurants that have a special license.
Lunch at a regular restaurant will cost approximately $30. In establishments more high level– it will already be 45-50 $. Most a budget option snacks can be found in local cafes.
Where to stay?
After arriving in the capital, you can check into a three-star hotel. For example, it could be "Streim" or "Tórshavn". For those who like more comfortable conditions, “Hafniya” and “Feroyar” are suitable. It is worth noting that all hotels offer tourists rooms with private amenities. Also provided is transfer from the airport and back, free access to Wi-Fi. Hotel rates start from $120. Although you can get a seasonal discount.
A more economical accommodation option is a hostel or guest house. The most popular are “Bládýpi” and “Skansin”, but you should book rooms in them several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels on the islands where you can spend the night and have breakfast. Accommodation prices depend on the time of year and start from $80.
For tourists who prefer relaxing close to nature, campsites are available. Locals They value order very much, so campers in tents are required to maintain cleanliness and thoroughly clean before leaving.
Main types of entertainment
There are many varieties of fish in coastal waters. Therefore, not only local residents, but also tourists are fond of fishing. By the way, according to the laws, any fish can be exported from this country if its length exceeds 30 cm.
The Faroe Islands are extremely interesting for wreck divers. After all, you can find sunken ships here. And near Nolsoy Island, divers like to watch how seals live underwater.
Those who cannot imagine a proper holiday without nightclubs should visit the capital’s “Rex” and “Eclipse”. However, it is worth considering that only young people aged 18-25 are allowed into the second club.
What to buy?
The most popular souvenirs are items made of wool, wood and ceramics. Due to the climate, the islanders cannot imagine their life without woolen clothes and accessories. Therefore, here you can always buy a stylish sweater, hat or gloves at an attractive price.
It is worth considering that from Monday to Thursday, most stores are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday, the working day is often extended by another hour. But on Saturday everything closes earlier, and Sunday is a day off.
1. The most optimal transport for getting to the archipelago is an airplane. But there's only one here international Airport– Vagar, located near the village of Sorvagur.
2. To travel around the islands, you can rent a car. It will cost at least $60 per day. To register for a rental, you must be over 20 years old and have credit card and an international driver's license.
3. Tourists who give preference public transport, can purchase maps with routes and timetables at Steinatún kiosks.
4. Traveling to the Faroe Islands is quite expensive. But when leaving the country, if you have a receipt from stores operating under the Tax Free system, you can return VAT. But only if the purchase amount in the receipt exceeds $48.
5. It is not customary to leave a tip on this archipelago. Staff remuneration is most often immediately included in the bill.
6. You can fish if you have a license, which is sold at tourist offices. If a tourist wants to take his fishing gear, he must sanitize it in advance.
7. The climate in the Faroe Islands is very changeable, so you must take warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes with you on the road.
Visa information
To obtain a visa in Moscow, you can contact the Danish Embassy. You must have with you:
- 2 photographs;
- completed application form;
- foreign passport (its expiration date must expire at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa) and its copy;
- national passport and its copy;
- insurance policy (coverage amount cannot be less than 30 thousand €);
- bank account statement;
- confirmation that the hotel has been booked;
- certificate from place of work or study.
Faroe Islands translated from Faroese means “Sheep Islands”. In English they are called Faroe Islands. They represent a separate island group and are not known to many tourists. Not everyone will immediately answer the question of where the Faroe Islands are on the world map. But nevertheless, they are of interest to travelers, as they represent a corner of untouched nature and peace.
In contact with
Classmates
Faroese Parliament and Government
About the Faroe Islands, Wikipedia reports that they are located in the northern part of the Atlantic between Iceland and Shetland Islands related to Scotland. It is impossible to give a clear answer to the question of which country the Faroe Islands belong to. On the one hand, they are part of, on the other hand, since 1948, they have independently resolved almost all issues of state policy, except for foreign and defense.
The Faroes have their own legislative body - parliament (Løgting), in which 6 political parties are represented. It has 33 members. And also the executive body is the Landsstüyri and the only court. There are two representatives from the Faroes in the Danish Parliament.
The Faroe Islands, although related to Europe, are not part of the European Union. They are not an independent entity in terms of international law and sign treaties jointly with Denmark. Representatives of individual parties advocate complete independence of the Faroe Islands from Denmark.
Capital, population
The main port of the Faroe Islands, the city of Tórshavn is the capital of the country. It is located on the island of Stromoy (area 373.5 sq. kilometers), in its southeastern part. About 20 thousand people live in the capital.
The entire population of the country has about 50 thousand people. The main language is Faroese, the vast majority of residents are Faroese (about 90%). Behind them come the Danes, Icelanders and the British. Surprisingly, Russians also live here. In 2011 there were 55 people.
Culture, traditions of the Faroe Islands
The main religion is Lutheranism, but there are also Christians. There are many architecturally interesting churches from the Middle Ages.
The distinctive culture of the islands - literature, music, dance - is based on closely intertwined local and Danish traditions. Folklore and jazz festivals are often held in the Faroe Islands.
Oulavsjoka
The main holiday is Oulavsöka, which takes place July 28-29. It is named after Olaf, the saint who introduced Christianity to Norway.
The festival program includes:
Slaughter grind
An integral part of Faroese social culture is the slaughter of black pilot whales. This event mainly takes place in the summer, is not of a commercial nature and organized by communities. Anyone can take part in it, but mostly men do it, and women only watch.
This fishery has historical roots. It is due to the fact that due to climatic conditions Vegetables and grains grow poorly on the islands, so for centuries the population had to meat and fat are needed, including pilot whales. About 950 heads are harvested annually, which provides 500 tons of meat and fat and accounts for 30% of the total amount of meat products produced on the islands. These products are not exported, are not sold in stores, they are consumed by families.
The fishery has faced criticism and radical action from animal rights and marine conservation groups. They consider it cruel and not caused by a vital necessity. At the same time, local whalers talk about its economic importance.
Butterfly shawls
Sheep farming is developed in the Faroe Islands. They are also famous for the fact that hand-knitting shawls from the wool of local sheep is common here. These products differ from other types of shawls and scarves in a very unusual shape, similar to the shape of a butterfly. This design has practical significance. Thanks to it, the shawl remains on the shoulders while moving, even if it is not tied.
Faroe Islands Climate
Wikipedia says that the climate in the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime. Winters are warm and summers are cool and humid. The warmest month is July with a temperature of 0–4 °C, and the coldest month is January with a temperature of 11–17 °C. Up to 2 thousand mm of precipitation falls per year. It mainly rains, which occurs for about 9 months a year from September to January, and there is frequent fog on the islands.
The archipelago is washed by the Gulf Stream, a warm sea current, due to which the coastal waters have a temperature of +10°C throughout the year. This factor significantly softens the climate and helps create optimal living conditions for marine life, including fish and plankton.
Geography of the Faroe Islands
The area of all Faroe Islands is 1395.74 square meters. kilometers.
They are located at a distance:
- to Copenhagen – 1117 km;
- up to – 675 km;
- to Iceland – 450 km.
In total, the Faroe Islands archipelago consists of 18 large islands, a large number of small and isolated rocks. The largest from the group of northern islands is Bora, which is quite densely populated (about 5 thousand people), and has an area of 95 square meters. kilometers. It is home to the second largest city in the Faroe Islands, Klaksvik.
On the island of Esturoy there is the most high point Faroe - Slattaratindur peak, whose height is 882 meters above sea level. There are fjords along all the islands, so their coastline heavily cut. The land surface is mostly rocky, consisting of basalt. Here high slopes alternate with plateaus. They are separated by deep gorges.
Fauna and flora of the Faroe Islands
Due to strong winds that blow constantly, there are few forests here. But strong conifers, maple and ash still grow, and lichens and moss, and heather are also very common.
The fauna of the Faroe Islands is represented by large colonies of Arctic birds – guillemots, harp seal rookeries, and it is also rich in fish - cod, herring, halibut.
A breed of sheep called Faroese lives here, hence the name of the island. Sheep of this breed appeared in the 9th century and became an integral part of the local tradition. Their image is on the Faroese coat of arms. The breed is mainly raised for meat, but, as mentioned above, wool is also used for the production of shawls.
Facts from the history of the Faroe Islands
- Until the 14th century, the Faroe Islands belonged to Norway, then Norway and Denmark owned them jointly. And since 1814 the islands became Danish. Their inhabitants are descended from Scandinavian peoples, and their language is from ancient Norwegian dialects.
- During World War II, the Faroe Islands were taken under British military control. This happened in 1940 after Nazi troops invaded Denmark. After this, the island's elected body Logting achieved the power to pass laws, and the flag of the Faroe Islands received official recognition. In September 1945, the occupation regime was lifted.
- In 1946, a vote was held among the island population, as a result of which parliament announced secession from the Kingdom of Denmark. However, the Danish government did not recognize this decision and temporarily suspended the work of the Faroese parliament. As a result of the parliamentary struggle, an agreement was signed in April 1948, according to which the islands were given sovereignty, with restrictions on the conduct of foreign policy. Two delegates to the Danish Parliament were elected from the local parliament.
- In 1984, the Faroe Islands were declared nuclear weapon free zone. Today it houses a NATO radar complex and a Danish naval base.
Transport in the Faroe Islands
There is sea, road transport and aviation with one airport - Vagar.
Aviation
The national air carrier, Atlantic Airways, provides regular service to:
- Norway – Stavanger and Oslo;
- Denmark - Billun, Aalborg, Copenhagen;
- Iceland - ;
- Great Britain - London, Aberdeen, Shetland.
There is regular helicopter service between Tórshavn and outlying islands with small populations.
Sea communication
Due to its island location, the main mode of transport is sea. Ferries run between the islands. The national sea carrier is Smyril Line. The marine terminal is located in Tórshavn.
Motor transport
In total, the islands have about 500 kilometers of roads. Most of them are mountain serpentine. Since the second half of the twentieth century, large tunnels have been built here, which connect individual settlements with each other. The longest road tunnel is the Noroya tunnel.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
The best way to get to the Faroe Islands is by plane to the capital Tórshavn with a transfer:
- via Denmark from Copenhagen or
- via Norway from Bergen or Stavanger.
In summer, you can travel from Bergen, Norway, to Tórshavn by ferry.
Note! In order to get to the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens will need a visa, which is issued by the Danish Embassy in the consular section. It must be marked “valid for Faroe Islands”.
Sights of the capital Faroe Islands
The city of Tórshavn was founded in the 10th century and named after the god of thunder and lightning - Thor. Tórshavn is a picturesque, thriving city. It is unlike other capitals. His dignity is not majestic buildings, and the untouched surrounding nature of amazing beauty and a sense of solitude and peace.
Here it is Main Cathedral , which, like most churches on the islands, belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. It was built in 1788 and then rebuilt. It became a cathedral and the bishop's residence in 1990. It preserves such unique items as a baptismal font dating back to the end of the 16th century, and a crucifix from the beginning of the 18th century.
And also in the capital there is a Lutheran Western Church. It is 40.5 meters high and is the tallest building in the entire archipelago. The year of its construction is 1975. The base of the church building is made of basalt stone, on which there is a dome in the form of a pyramid made of glass and copper. In front of the entrance to the church there is a monument to Sigmundur Brestisson, who began the Christianization of the population of the islands, for which he was killed in 1005.
It is also worth paying attention to the ancient monastery Munkastovan, built in the 15th century and surrounded by stone walls. It was completely preserved despite the fire in the 17th century.
Another attraction of the capital is the main island Historical Museum. It presents examples of applied art, objects of worship, rural life, and household utensils that have been preserved since the times of the Vikings. And also marine accessories: fishing gear, navigation tools and ship models.
Main cultural center Tórshavn is House Nordic countries . Its roof is covered with peat. It houses a concert hall, a conference hall, an art gallery, and a library. Here, on summer nights, so-called Faroese evenings are held for tourists.
Faroe Islands attractions
The most mountainous of all the islands Faroe is Kalsa. Its western coast is continuous with steep cliffs. There are four small settlements on the island, which communicate with each other through a system of tunnels. There are many caves and underground galleries here, for which Kalsa is also called Flut, that is, “flute”. In the north of the island there is the Katlur lighthouse, near which you can see picturesque cliffs and a naturally formed sea arch.
To the north of the village of Skarvanes there is a sea rock of original shape Trötlkonufingur, which means "Troll Woman's Finger". It really resembles a graceful long finger.
The least mountainous of the Faroe Islands is Sandoy, on which sand dunes are located. There are two lakes with clear water here. A colony of guillemots has settled in the west. There is a church on the island. A view of Sandøy is featured on the Faroe Islands 1000 kroner note.
On the island Fugloy, or Bird Island, there are cliffs with a height of 450 to 620 meters. They descend from plateaus located on picturesque mountain ranges, and are completely covered with a carpet of Arctic grasses and mosses. These cliffs are home to numerous colonies of seabirds, numbering many millions.
