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The Faroe Islands are an archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, halfway between Scotland, Iceland and Norway. A self-governing country within the Kingdom of Denmark, it has barely more inhabitants than a mid-sized town — and far more sheep. People come for landscapes that look invented: green cliffs dropping into the ocean, waterfalls plunging into it, villages of houses topped with grass.
An archipelago of cliffs in the middle of the ocean
The capital, Tórshavn, spreads across the island of Streymoy around an old quarter of black, turf-roofed houses, Tinganes, where the government sits. The main islands are linked by bridges, tunnels (several of them under the sea) and ferries, so getting from one fjord to the next is easy.
The best-known sights are all within an hour’s drive: the Múlafossur waterfall pouring into the ocean below the hamlet of Gásadalur, lake Sørvágsvatn that seems to hang above the sea, Saksun and its lagoon, Gjógv and the gorge that serves as its harbour, the Kallur lighthouse on the island of Kalsoy.
The climate is oceanic, cool and changeable: around 4 °C in January and 11 °C in July in Tórshavn, lots of wind, frequent fog and rain on more than half the days. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and some patience: the weather changes from one slope to the next.
Two opposite trips
From May to August the nights never get fully dark, and June days reach 20 hours of light. It is the season for hiking, festivals (G! in July, Ólavsøka on 28–29 July) and puffins, present from late April to late August with a peak in July, especially on the island of Mykines.
From October to March only five to seven hours of daylight remain and storms are frequent. The Faroes then become a destination for lovers of dramatic scenery, low light and villages without tourists, with a chance of northern lights on clear nights.
A direct flight, a car and paid trails
In season, Atlantic Airways flies direct from Paris-CDG to Vágar airport in about 2 h 40, two to three times a week (April to October in 2026). The rest of the year you connect via Copenhagen. You can also arrive by ferry from Denmark on Smyril Line’s Norröna, a day and a night at sea.
A car is the easiest way to see everything; the undersea tunnels are tolled. Several trails cross private land and charge a fee too (200 to 600 kroner depending on the site, with a guide compulsory on Mykines in summer), and a tourist tax of 20 kroner per night has applied since February 2026. Worth knowing before you set your budget.
Essentials & your questions
| Capital | Tórshavn |
|---|---|
| Area | about 1,400 km² |
| Language | Faroese and Danish (English widely spoken) |
| Currency | Faroese króna, at par with the Danish krone |
| Entry | Outside Schengen: valid ID card or passport for EU citizens |
| Best time | May–August for light and puffins |
Is there a direct flight from Paris?
Yes, in season: Atlantic Airways flies Paris-CDG to Vágar in about 2 h 40, two to three times a week from April to October. The rest of the year, connect via Copenhagen.
Do you have to pay to hike?
On several private trails, yes: 200 to 600 kroner depending on the site (Trælanípa, Kallur, Mykines…), paid online or on site.
When can you see puffins?
From late April to late August, peaking in July. Mykines is the best place, with a compulsory guided visit from 1 May to 31 August.
Photo: public domain (CC0), Wikimedia Commons