Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are the autonomous Denmark territory situated in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. The archipelago includes 18 islands and one of them is uninhabited. The major islands are the Streymoy, the Eysturoy, the Suduroy, the Vagar Island, the Sandoy, and the Borden. The capital city is Torshavn on the Streymoy island.

The climate on the islands is a temperate marine. The average temperature in winter is +0 - +5℃, in summer, the temperature varies from +10 °C to +17 °C. The tourists prefer to come here in summer.

The majority of the population are the Lutherans (about 80%).

The official language is Faroese, but people equally use Danish.

The beauty of the islands attracts the tourists. The archipelago is truly considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world and the air here is the most transparent.

The Faroe Islands is a great place for the lovers of hiking. They will enjoy the fjords and mountain streams and rivers which fall into the lakes or form the waterfalls. The tourists can see the nesting places of birds, watch the puffins and other birds in their natural habitat.

On the Streymoy island, one will find the ruins of the Medieval cathedral and an old monastery.

The fans of fishing can try their hand at catching the shark under the guidance of an experienced instructor. The fishing on the Faroe Islands is allowed only in the ocean. To fish in the streams and lakes a special permit is required.

The climbers can try and conquer one of the highest European picks, the Enniberg.

In the waters near the islands, there are many sunken ships.

Get in

By Plane

The CIS tourists will have to take a transit flight. The citizens of some European countries can take direct flights to the Faroe Islands. There are direct flights from Denmark, Iceland, Norway, and Scotland.

By Ferry

There are regular ferry routes which arrive at the port in Torshavn. This is a good way of travelling if you like boat trips. If you do not mind visiting several countries, you can take a cruise and also visit Iceland.

Visa

Although the Faroe Islands is an autonomous territory of Denmark, it is not a participant of the Schengen Agreement and the tourists must obtain a visa of this country. However, the EU citizens can stay on the islands for 90 days visa-free. The citizens of Moldova who have a biometric passport can visit the islands without a visa. The tourists from other CIS countries must submit the documents for a visa at the Embassy of Denmark or a visa centre.

The documents can be submitted personally, through a trusted person or a travel agency.

It usually takes from five to ten working days to get the visa.

Customs

One can import and export national and foreign currency without any restrictions. If the imported money exceeds 10.000 Euro, it must be indicated on the declaration form.

The tourists can import the following things duty-free:

• some alcohol and cigarettes;
• perfume;
• some tea and coffee;
• canned food and pastry;
• personal belongings.

It is prohibited to import:

• plants;
• non-canned food.

The tourists are not allowed to export the items having artistic or historical value.

Cuisine

The foodies will be satisfied with what the local chefs can offer to them. The staple food on the Faroe Islands is mutton and seafood.

The tourists should probably start with air-dried whale meat which is served with boiled potatoes, whale fat and dried fish.

Treat yourself to fish, crab and mackerel soup or a soup with whale meat.

Even those tourists who prefer traditional European cuisine will like a stew with puffins and boiled potatoes.

Do not miss a chance to treat yourself to the freshest seafood. Local langoustine is a true delight.

In the restaurants and eateries, there is a great choice of the typical European desserts. One can try a dessert made of cottage cheese, sour cream, cucumbers, radish and champagne or a rhubarb dessert with custard.

Tea and coffee are extremely popular on the Faroe Islands. The locals like to add herbs to tea.

The alcoholic drinks are imported from other countries.

Money

The official currency is the Faroese Krona or Danish Krona which is divided into 100 ere. In circulation are the banknotes from 50 to 1.000 kronas, 25 and 50 ere coins and 2, 5, 10, and 20 krona coins.

Faroese Krona is not convertible currency and it cannot be exchanged outside the islands. So of some money left at the end of your travel, do not forget to exchange them on the islands.

The tourists can exchange the currency at banks.

Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Virtually in every city, there are ATMs. However, make sure that you have some cash to pay for the products and services in remote villages and towns.

You can cash traveller’s checks at banks and in hotels. Besides, the checks are accepted in large restaurants and stores.

On the Faroe Islands, there are over 200 tax-free shops. The tourists can refund VAT at the airport or in the port in Torshavn. It is necessary to provide a sales receipt to the Customer officer.

Details of interest

Sightseeing on the Faroe Islands

The life on the Faroe Islands is slow without any fuss and the tourists immediately acquire this way of life when they come here. There are many places to visit and many things to see.

• In the city of Torshavn, the tourists can visit the National Museum of the Faroe Islands. In the museum, there is a collection of models of ships, household items of the Vikings, and religious items.
• The Faroe Island Art Museum is an interesting place to visit.
• The lovers of historical and architectural monuments should go to the Munkastovan Monstery built in the 16th century. This is one of the few buildings survived the fire in 1673.
• It is very interesting to see the architecture of the Norurlandahyusi.
• Kirkjubour is one of the key historical and architectural monuments on the archipelago. Here the tourists can see the oldest wooden house on the islands, Roykstovan. It is 900 years old. Part of the house is occupied by the museum now and the other part is a residence place of the descendants of the people who built it. In Kirkjubour, there are the ruins of the Saint Magnus Cathedral.
• A famous “Birds’ Island” or Fugloy offers good hiking routes. This picturesque area is covered with green plants and the cliffs are a habitat for million of birds’ colonies.
• One of the most fantastic lakes on the planet is a hanging lake Sorvagsvatn. It is situated on the largest Vagar Island, 30 meters above the ocean. The lake is so close to the ocean that its waters flow into the ocean and form the Bossdalsfossur falls.
• The Kalsoy Island is known for its caves and underground galleries. There is a beautiful legend about the selkies or whale people. The tourists can walk to the lighthouse.
• On the Sandoy Island, there is the largest mail box in the world.

Souvenirs on the Faroe Islands

To remember a trip to the Faroe Islands, the tourists usually buy:

• sheep knitting wool;
• fine woollen wraps and shawls;
• scarves and mittens with traditional patterns;
• pictures by local artists depicting the nature of the Faroe Islands.