You know these locations which can be virtually too stunning to be actual? Well, the Faroe Islands is one in every of them.
Sandwiched between the Shetland Islands and Iceland, the Faroe Islands really feel like a complete world of their very own. Walking as much as the highest of the islands’ clifftops and looking to the wild North Atlantic swirling under you is the closest factor you’ll get to feeling such as you’re standing on the sting of the earth.
Although the Faroes are underneath the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, the archipelago is self-governing and has a novel historical past and tradition of its personal. From soul-stirring waterfalls and wealthy Viking historical past to among the quaintest villages you’ll ever see, listed here are among the explanation why the Faroe Islands deserve a spot in your bucket record.
1. It’s unbelievably stunningÂ
The Faroe Islands could be small, however they pack a punch. Exploring these distant islands may have you mountaineering up easy, undulating mountains or plunging sea cliffs, marvelling at ‘floating’ lakes and dramatic waterfalls, or kayaking by means of deep, inky fjords. There’s pure magnificence in every single place and also you’re solely ever a brief drive, stroll or head flip away from breathtaking views.
2. Marvel at waterfallsÂ
From watching the water tumble down the black basalt wall at Fossá waterfall to seeing the majestic Múlafossur fall plummet down an enormous sea cliff, majestic waterfalls are a part of the furnishings within the Faroes. One of the great issues in regards to the reliably moist climate is that you just’ll uncover heaps of short-term waterfalls that seem throughout a downpour.
3. You can see puffinsÂ
Puffins need to be one in every of the cutest birds. Hundreds of 1000’s of Atlantic puffins flock to the tiny island of Mykines yearly to breed and nest in cosy burrows alongside the clifftops. And you possibly can stand up near the native puffin residents on a ship tour between April and September. You may also see gannets, razorbills, cormorants, storm petrels, kittiwakes and fulmars when exploring different islands.
4. The air is tremendous recent
There’s nothing fairly like mountaineering as much as the highest of a mountain and filling your lungs with recent sea air. It hits in a different way. If you’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle of metropolis life, a visit to the Faroes could possibly be a breath of recent air, actually.Â
5. See conventional Faroese houses
There’s cute, after which there’s I feel that is the cutest factor I’ve ever seen kinda cute. Well, conventional dwellings within the Faroe Islands are like that. These vibrant picket dwellings have turf roofs to guard houses from all of the rain, and so they straight up seem like they belong in a fairy story.
6. Embrace the weatherÂ
When you’re in a distant archipelago in the midst of the North Atlantic, it comes as no shock that the climate is wild, windy and moist. It rains quite a bit within the Faroes – for a mean of 300 days per yr – so it is best to at all times be ready with waterproof gear. But right here’s the factor: you truly need the skies to be darkish and moody because it makes the landscapes much more mysterious.
7. Meet native sheep
You’re unlikely to expertise a automotive visitors jam on the Faroe Islands, however sheep are a special story. The phrase Føroyar comes from the outdated Norse phrase, ‘Færeyjar’ which accurately means Sheep Islands – a reputation that was given to the Faroe Islands by settlers in the course of the Viking Age. You’ll encounter loads of these shaggy, four-legged creatures when driving or mountaineering.
8. It’s a paradise for photographers
Need we are saying extra when the landscapes are this beautiful? There’s a lot magnificence, you gained’t be capable to put your digital camera down. The Faroes are nonetheless a little bit of a hidden journey gem, but it surely gained’t keep like that for an excessive amount of longer, so now’s the time to seize the unspoilt fantastic thing about this far-flung place.
9. Try the native meals
There are not any native bushes within the Faroes. Add this to the tough climate circumstances and the chances would possibly appear to be in opposition to the Faroes with regards to meals. But this isn’t the case. Faroese delicacies consists of a lot of fermented and smoked meat, seafood, and seasonal root greens – largely potatoes, turnips, kohlrabi and rhubarb. The conventional Faroese preservation strategy of salting meals with the ocean breeze dates again to the Viking period.
Traditional dishes to attempt embody s​​kerpikjøt (semi-fermented mutton meat) on toasted sourdough, ræst (dried cod and herring), and Seyðahøvd (boiled sheep mind served with mashed potatoes and root veggies).Â
If you need to deal with your self, e book a desk at Koks, the islands’ first Michelin Star restaurant, for a lavish 17-course tasting menu. Think sea urchin with pickled parsley stems, langoustine roll, and fermented lamb intestines topped with cheese. You’ll additionally discover loads of Danish meals and worldwide cuisines within the capital metropolis of Tórshavn.Â
10. It has a thriving music scene
Good issues are available in small packages within the Faroes, and also you could be shocked at how a distant place can have such a thriving music and humanities scene. Every summer season, 1000’s of festival-goers flock from throughout Europe to take pleasure in music festivals like G!, Summartónar and the Summer Festival to look at native and worldwide artists. All the extra purpose to plan a summer season journey.
Curious to find this Scandanavian gem for your self? Check out our Faroe Islands excursions.