A Guide to Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands' Quirky Capital
Looking for what to do in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands’ quirky capital? Discover the best things to do, Tórshavn’s hidden attractions, the most delicious local food, and where to stay in the city, with our guide!
Let’s be honest, if you’re planning a trip to the Faroe Islands, you’re probably most interested in the archipelago’s spectacular landscapes.
Off-the-beaten-track islands, unique wildlife and some of the world’s best photography opportunities; the rugged and wild scenery is some of the most stunning we’ve ever seen.
But a day exploring the country’s small and quirky capital, Tórshavn, is well worth your time.
Tórshavn is located on the south-east coast of the island of Streymoy, and home to around 20,000 inhabitants, all of whom seem very proud to live in one of the smallest capitals in the world!
While it might not be the most buzzing capital in Europe - we actually think this is part of its appeal - there’s a great mix of cultural heritage, hipster-cafes, photogenic harbours and fun day-tours to enjoy.
What’s more, its culinary scene is modern and progressive, leading to an exceptional array of restaurants.
Whether you’re basing your Faroes adventures from here, or making a quick pit-stop, here’s our guide to Tórshavn, including our personal recommendations on what to see, eat and do, and where to stay.
WHAT TO DO IN TÓRSHAVN, FAROE ISLANDS
TÓRSHAVN QUICK FACTS | THE SHORT OF IT
Tórshavn population | around 20,000
Tórshavn sightseeing highlights | Tinganes, Nolsoy, Vestaragág, KOKS
How long should you spend in Tórshavn? | 1 day, or base yourself here while exploring
Best time to visit Tórshavn | Summer (June - August)
Currency | The Faroese Króna and the Danish Krone
Language | Faroese (English is very widely spoken!)
WHERE TO STAY IN TÓRSHAVN
Given its size (or lack thereof), Tórshavn isn’t blessed with a huge array of accommodation options. However, there are a couple of well-appointed hotels located right in the thick of the action.
We recommend staying downtown, just off the harbour and exploring the best things to do in Tórshavn from there.
HOTELS IN TÓRSHAVN
We based ourselves in Tórshavn for most of our time in the Faroes, in two separate locations, and can highly recommend both:
Hotel Tórshavn, right in the centre of town - a clean, basic hotel and good base for exploring, best for those on a tighter budget.
BOOK | Hotel Tórshavn
Havgrim Seaside Hotel - a beautiful little boutique hotel that's been around since 1948 but recently refurbished. It's just past the harbour, with some pretty epic sea views. And a deliciously tasty breakfast buffet (excuse us while we drool a little!).
BOOK | Havgrim Seaside Hotel
You can also search alternative hotels and prices on Booking.com
HOSTELS IN TÓRSHAVN
Hostels are few and far between in the Faroes, and there’s pretty much only one in Tórshavn itself.
In our opinion, what you get for what you pay (normally £75+!) isn’t necessarily worth it. That said, we recommend 62N Guesthouse if you’d like
BOOK | 62N Guesthouse
AIRBNB
Airbnbs are a better alternative if you're looking to live in a traditional Faroese cottage, or have your own kitchen in which to cook your meals and keep costs down!
Airbnbs tend to also be better value here than hostels, with a private room around the £25-45 mark, and an entire apartment £50-80+ per night
BOOK | Search for your perfect Faroese airbnb here, and use our code for £30 off your first Airbnb booking here
READ | We’ve written a super comprehensive guide to the best Faroe Islands airbnbs, including our personal recommendations for where to stay and things to know, which you can read here.
THINGS TO DO IN TÓRSHAVN
EXPLORE THE HISTORIC TINGANES DISTRICT OF TÓRSHAVN
No trip to Tórshavn (and indeed the Faroes) is complete without a visit to Tinganes, the city's historic old town dating all the way back to the 1400s.
Postcard-perfect, but thoroughly different to your usual European ‘old town’, we recommend taking a stroll through the narrow, winding lanes and passageways filled with quintessential Faroese houses - charming grass-roofed, black-timber and stone buildings still used by locals today.
Tinganes is also home to one of the oldest parliamentary meeting locations in the world, where the Viking parliament first met in the 900s, and is still home to the Prime Minister’s office today.
It’s possible to take a tour of the Parliament building which can be organised at the centrally located Visitors Centre (located at Niels Finsens gøta).
A short walk from Parliament Point is Vestaravág, the colourful harbour area of Tórshavn, and home to a number of great restaurants, including Skeiva Pakkhus, which serves super modern Faroese cuisine in a tapas-like format. Make sure you try the smoked salmon, which in this part of the world, is absolutely incredible.
It’s also worth checking out the historic Tórshavn Cathedral (Dómkirkjan), which was constructed in 1609, and Skansin, Tórshavn's old fort which dates back to 1580.
Although not a lot remains today, it does provide a nice view out to Nolsoy, and back panoramic views towards Tinganes and the rest of Tórshavn.
THE DETAILS
Where | Tinganes, Tórshavn
read more | what to know before visiting the faroe islands
TAKE A BOAT TOUR OF TÓRSHAVN HARBOUR
If you’re keen to explore Tórshavn from a different perspective, we suggest jumping aboard Egholm, a traditional Faroese boat, and exploring the colourful harbour and surrounds.
Leaving from Bryggjubakka in Vestaravág harbour, the tour takes in a lot of the Tórshavn main attractions from the water, including pretty red buildings of Tinganes.
From here, the tour heads south towards Sandagerð beach and the undisturbed coastline south of the Argir district.
It’s a great way to get see more of the capital, and learn more about the Faroe Islands’ long seafaring heritage.
Additionally, the tour is sustainable and eco-friendly; the traditional boat has been converted to electricity, meaning there is little noise and pollution. Winning.
THE DETAILS
Where | Departs from Vestaravág harbour
Cost | £24 (200 DKK)
Availability | June - October
BOOK | Tórshavn Harbour Roundtrip
SHOP FOR TRADITIONAL FAROESE WOOLLEN JUMPERS
On the Faroe Islands, wool is gold.
At least that’s what the Faroese proverb, "Ull er Føroya gull” states, and after seeing sheep-covered islands and wool-wearing locals across the country, we’d tend to agree.
Inspired by the traditional patterns of the Faroese fisherman's jumper, we set about finding ourselves a beautiful woollen jumper to take home as a memento of our times on the Islands.
Tórshavn is the epicentre of all wool products, where boutiques sell these famous exports by the dozen, and travellers like us come in search of a bargain.
The best, and most popular store is Guðrun & Guðrun, located in downtown Tórshavn, who specialise in sustainable fashion made from locally sourced wool. Their designs are, without question, to die for.
Unfortunately, as we discovered, the cost of their garments is somewhat prohibitive (most are in excess of £250), especially on our miserly budget - much to Mim’s chagrin!
For those after a cheaper alternative, take a walk around the smaller stores near Tinganes, where prices are somewhat more manageable!
THE DETAILS
Where | Guðrun & Guðrun
EAT AT THE WORLD FAMOUS KOKS RESTAURANT
Including the ridiculously popular but oh-so-incredible KOKS Restaurant on a list of things to do in Torshavn might be a little amiss - the restaurant is located around 20kms outside the city proper.
However. You simply can’t visit the Faroe Islands and not enjoy an evening here.
Helmed by young head chef/prodigy Poul Andrias Ziska, KOKS Restaurant is the Faroe Islands' first Michelin-starred restaurant.
It’s a definite gourmet splurge, but oh guys… it is so worth every cent.
Located right in the heart of nature in a picturesque hidden valley, the restaurant perfectly encapsulates what the Faroes are known for; isolation, natural beauty, and unique experiences.
The dining experience starts with a bumpy Land Rover ride around a lake’s edge to a quaint Faroese cabin, before the 18-course meal (yes, you read that number right!) with paired wines (paired juice available for non-drinkers) commences.
With a focus on locally-sourced and foraged ingredients, the menu is a celebration of traditional Faroese food with a modern twist.
Expect delicious seafood and vegetables along with some more uncommon, sometimes controversial, additions like whale blubber (we missed this course), and fermented lamb and fish for the meat-eaters. Vegetarians are well-allocated for, but make sure you let the team know in advance.
In a world where unique experiences are becoming harder and harder to find, our meal at KOKs was truly one of the most wonderful, authentic, and unique travel experiences we've had in a long, long time.
In fact, keep an eye out for our dedicated KOKS post coming soon!
THE DETAILS
Where | Frammi við Gjónna, Leynavatn, Faroe Islands
Book | Book your place here (note: reservations need to be made months in advance).
Tip | Take a cab to the restaurant (about 30min from Tórshavn); alcohol limits for driving in the Faroes are 0.
KAYAK THE NORTH ATLANTIC, NORTH OF TÓRSHAVN
We’re outdoorsy folk through and through, and while Torshavn isn’t your typical capital city, getting out and exploring the beautiful Streymoy coastline just north of the city was still one of the highlights of our trip.
Led by our trusty guide Hans, our half-day kayaking expedition with North Atlantic Xperience (NAX) started in Hoyvik, a small village just north of Tórshavn, where we hugged the coastline and made our way south towards Torshavn harbour.
We stopped off at various coves, including one with a small waterfall, and various kelp fields before slowly making our way back - stopping only to admire the incredible scenery and nature on what was the best weather day we had in the Faroe Islands.
Our guide Hans was a wealth of information, giving us a wonderful overview of the local area and its sometimes turbulent history, and kept us safe among the crazy tidal patterns of the north Atlantic.
For those wanting to kayak, NAX offers kayaking tours in various areas of the Faroe Islands including Tórshavn, Bøur, Klaksvik, Kalsoy, Sundalagið and Funningsfjørður.
NAX also provides all the necessary equipment, including kayak, dry bags, and drysuits able to withstand the ice cold waters of the North Atlantic, which are well below 10c!
THE DETAILS
What | North Atlantic Xperience
Where | Various places on the Faroe Islands, including Tórshavn, Bøur, Klaksvik, Kalsoy, Sundalagið and Funningsfjørður
Cost | DKK 400 per person
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO QUIRKY NOLSOY
Located off the coast of Tórshavn is Nólsoy, a delightfully quirky, artsy, and liberal island.
Our visit coincided with some famously thick Faroese fog, so our plans to hike to the island’s lighthouse and enjoy the natural beauty were largely thwarted.
Instead, we spent the majority of the day curled up inside the cosy wooden cabin of the Nólsoy Visitor's Centre, enjoying their delicious homemade food (the steamed cod and potatoes are amazing, and you simply must try the homemade waffles with rhubarb jam and cream), and relishing in being toasty warm while the fog danced over the sea outside.
The centre also has a sauna which visitors are welcome to use.
Although there's not a huge amount to see and do in a town of 250 inhabitants, a visit to the church is worthwhile and there are a number of photogenic homes and boat sheds.
The Nólsoy community is quite bohemian and extremely creatively-minded, and there’s stacks of artwork dotted throughout the village. The port, in particular, had a number of beautiful murals, and is outrageously photogenic.
Alternatively, for those visiting on a clearer day than us, the hike to the Nólsoy lighthouse is highly recommended (14kms or 5 hours, starting in Nólsoy).
For us, the beauty of our day on Nólsoy was meeting the liberally-minded locals, and enjoying the chilled lifestyle which makes this island a haven for Torshavn locals on weekends and holidays.
The ferry to Nólsoy takes around 20 mins and leaves from Tórshavn harbour up to six times a day.
THE DETAILS
Where | Nólsoy
How to get to Nolsoy | Catch the 90 ferry from Tórshavn harbour. Depending on the day, the ferry runs up to 6 times. Check out the departure times here.
Cost | Ferries start at DKK15 per person
ENJOY ÓLAVSØKA, THE FAROESE NATIONAL DAY IN JULY
If possible, we recommend planning your visit to the Faroe Islands to coincide with Ólavsøka, the national day of the Faroe Islands.
A true Faroese cultural experience, Ólavsøka has origins in Norway and began as a memorial feast for the Norwegian King Olav the Holy, who was killed in the battle of Stiklestad, in Norway, on 29 July, 1030.
It's believed his death contributed to the subsequent Christianisation of Norway and the Faroe Islands.
Each year, locals from all corners of the Faroe Islands archipelago and beyond descend on Tórshavn dressed in their traditional Faroese costumes, ready for a weekend of fun and frivolity.
The main festivities including cultural, musical, and sporting activities, like the hotly contested national rowing race. For the millennials, there’s many a party to be had.
We spent the weekend joining in the festivities, walking the streets of Tórshavn, eating local food, listening to traditional folk music, and enjoying a beer or two in the main square. We even briefly got to meet the Prime Minister as he scurried past after a group photo!
It was wonderful to see the local traditions alive and well and that everyone old and young was in the festive spirit.
The celebrations conclude at midnight on the Sunday, when crowds gather in the town square to sing traditional Faroese ballads and take part in the traditional Faroese chain dance (otherwise known as Midnight Song).
It really is an incredible sight (watch this video for an idea).
THE DETAILS
What | Ólavsøka, Tórshavn
When | Each year in July
Tip | Accommodation for the festival books up months in advance, so if you're planning to visit at this time, keep this in mind!
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN TÓRSHAVN
SIRKUS FÖROYAR
Even in somewhere as remote as the Faroe Islands, hipster hang outs exist and thrive. And Sirkus is that place in Torshavn.
Set above a craft beer bar (which you should also spend time in), the atmosphere at Sirkus is unbeatable; the walls are adorned with art, there's a free-for-all piano, and there’s just a friendly, welcoming vibe amongst the patrons.
The food is pretty standard, we enjoyed an Indian vegetarian curry, washed down with an Icelandic beer, and the prices are affordable for the Faroes.
All in all, if you’re looking for somewhere unpretentious to chill and eat, Sirkus is your place.
SKEIVA PAKKHÚS
A fairly new addition to the Torshavn dining scene, Skeiva Pakkhús serves super modern Italian-inspired dishes made with the freshest of local Faroese produce. It’s the best of both worlds, served up in a too-cool tapas-like format.
The location on Vestaravág harbour is stunning, as is the Scandi-inspired interior.
ETIKA
Sushi lovers unite - Etika is the place to get your seafood fix in Tórshavn. They serve super fresh and well prepared sushi daily (straight from the North Atlantic!), and it’s possible to both eat in or take away.
Other locally recommended restaurants in Torshavn include:
Áarstova
Barbara Fish House
Ræst
Kaffihúsið
Hvonn
Café Umami
A MAP OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN TÓRSHAVN
We’ve created a detailed map of the best places to visit in Tórshavn, as well as where to eat, which you can download for your visit.
To save our map, click the star the right of the map title while will download the map to: your places - maps in your Google account.
Easy!
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO TÓRSHAVN
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT TÓRSHAVN?
We'd recommend visiting the Faroe Islands in Summer, between July and August, when the weather is slightly more stable and the days long, allowing for more exploration, perfect for any packed Faroe Islands itinerary.
For Torshavn specifically, try to plan your visit during Ólavsøka, the Faroese national day in late July.
For those more intrepid travellers, the winter can provide incredible scenery, but with two-four hours of sunlight a day, we just don't think it's worth it.
HOW TO GET TO AND AROUND TÓRSHAVN
While the Faroe Islands are remote, getting to them really isn't as difficult as you might think at first glance of your Google Maps.
Here are some of the ways you can get to the Tórshavn yourself:
BY AIR
These days, the Faroes national carrier, Atlantic Airways, fly from London (just announced!), Edinburgh (this is how we got there!), Copenhagen (Denmark), Bergen (Norway), Reykjavik (Iceland) to Vagar airport year-round, with a flight time between 1-2 hours for each.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) also fly a route from Copenhagen too.
Prices are also pretty reasonable for the adventure of a lifetime; between £100-150 return from Edinburgh with Atlantic!
It’s important to note that you don’t fly directly to Tórshavn, rather Vagar airport which is located on the island of Vagar. Taxi’s and local buses service the Vagar - Tórshavn route and can be arranged on arrival.
BY FERRY
If you have the time, the taste for adventure, and a love for slow travel, you can also take a ferry to the Faroe Islands.
The Smyril Line operates services between Denmark (Hirtshals), the Faroes, and Iceland twice a week in summer, and once during winter.
Each trip takes about 37 hours and you can take your car on board too!
Getting around Torshavn is super easy, with the best things to do in Torshavn located within walking distance of the city centre.
Alternatively, take one of the local Tórshavn buses which are free to everyone.
PARKING IN TÓRSHAVN
If you’re planning to road trip through the Faroes (which we totally recommend), parking in the capital city of Tórshavn can be a real pain.
Parking spaces are difficult to come by in the town itself, often they're restricted to just a couple of hours each between 9am - 6pm.
This means you’ll either risk a parking fine (which we risked a couple of times without consequence - but if you get caught, it's not on us!), or park at the free parking space down near the harbour, if you manage to snag one. A little annoying, but it is what it is.
Note: all cars need to display the time they parked on the little meter disc on the front windshield. If your rental car doesn't already have one, you can pick one up from the info centre.
CAR RENTAL | Details and prices for car rental in the Faroes can be found here
TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE FAROE ISLANDS
We firmly believe that if you can't afford travel insurance, you really can't afford to travel. As the 2020/2021 pandemic has taught many; things can go wrong anywhere in the world and insurance is often the only way of mitigating any issues with minimal expense or stress for you.
In a place like the Faroes, where inclement weather and cancellations are aplenty, it’s even more vital.
For all travellers | HeyMondo - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel + medical insurance, an app with 24-hour medical support, and no out of pocket fees. *Get 5% off your policy by booking through our link here.
For digital nomads | SafetyWing - COVID-19 coverage, comprehensive travel & medical, and policies can be purchased while already abroad.
Car Insurance | Insurance4CarHire - a great annual car insurance policy
*In normal times, we recommend using World Nomads travel insurance, but unfortunately they're not currently covering COVID-19 related claims.
READ | Our ultimate guide to travel insurance
PLANNING TO VISIT THE FAROE ISLANDS SOON?
We have a heap of essential reading before visiting the Faroe Islands:
FAROE ISLANDS INSPIRATION | Our complete Faroe Islands itinerary and road trip guide, Our guide to the best things to see and do in the Faroe Islands, What to know about visiting the Faroe Islands,
FAROESE ATTRACTIONS | Our guide to Lake Sørvágsvatn, A day trip guide to Mykines island, and the ultimate guide to Kalsoy and the Kallur Lighthouse, A guide to the Faroe Islands’ quirky capital city
ACCOMMODATION IN THE FAROES | Our guide to the best airbnbs in the Faroe Islands
FAROE ISLANDS PHOTOGRAPHY | The beauty of the Faroe Islands in photos
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO-FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
PLAN YOUR FAROE ISLANDS TRAVELS WITH OUR GUIDES
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