Things to do in Faroe Islands
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Føroya Fornminnissavn
The excellent Føroya Fornminnissavn is split between two sites in the Hoyvík suburb, 3km north of centre. The main site at Brekkutún 6 beautifully displays Faroese artefacts from the Viking Age to the 19th-century with helpfully illustrative photos and notes. In the downstairs treasure room, the 15th-century Kirkjubøur pew-ends include a much-photographed carving of the Virgin Mary meeting Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist).
With their halos entwined, the saintly ladies appear to be snogging!
At a wonderfully peaceful second site (on Kúrdalsvegur) is a superbly preserved 1920s farmstead complete with bell telephone, chuntering grandfather clock, and a full set of…
reviewed
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Føroya Fornminissavn
The excellent Føroya Fornminnissavn (Historical Museum) is split between two sites in the Hoyvík suburb, 3km(1.86mi) north of central Tórshavn. The main site (Brekkutún 6) beautifully displays Faroese artefacts from the Viking Age to the 19th-century with helpfully illustrative photos and notes.
In the downstairs treasure room, the 15th-century Kirkjubøur pew-ends include a much-photographed carving of the Virgin Mary meeting Elisabeth (mother of John the Baptist).
At a wonderfully peaceful second site (Kúrdalsvegur) is a superbly preserved 1920s farmstead complete with bell telephone, chuntering grandfather clock, and a full set of turf-roofed outhouses. It's all…
reviewed
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Kirkjubøur
Kirkjubøur was the episcopal centre of the island in medieval times. Today it's just a scattering of chalet-like wood-and-stone houses. St Olav's Church, built in 1111, was dedicated to the king who had formulated Norway's Christian code during the previous century; the ruins of Magnus Cathedral are hidden behind it.
Roykstovan is a 900-year-old farmhouse with a turf roof, the timber for which came unintentionally from Norway. The ship that was carrying it to another destination sank, and its cargo was washed up at this natural collection point by the Gulf Stream. The building has been occupied by 18 generations of the same Faroese family, and the farmhouse museum is…
reviewed
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Listasavn Føroya
Viðarlundin, a wonderfully wild park where trees and sculptures mingle, leads to the bright and airy Listasavn Føroya. Its excellent collection of Faroese modern and contemporary art includes moving, death-haunted canvasses by the great Sámal Joensen-Mikines, allegorical cartoons by William Heinesen and Tita Vinther's entertainingly woolly Rain.
reviewed
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Vestmanna Bird Cliffs
The magnificent boat tours to the wild Vestmanna bird cliffs of northwestern Streymoy are probably the highlight of a visit to the Faroe Islands. When the weather's fine, you sail from Vestmanna along the west coast of Streymoy to towering cliffs and sea stacks that teem with fulmars, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and, occasionally, puffins.
reviewed
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Toscana
Frank Sinatra's mellow crooning caresses the Chianti-bottle candle-lamps in this cosy little Italian eatery. Toscana specialises in creative meat dishes with tastebud-tickling sauces and super rich pastas that approach heavenly perfection. Portions are generous: our steak-and-gorgonzola spaghetti contained nearly a whole cow. Bookings advised.
reviewed
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Nólsoy Island
On Nólsoy Island, carless Nólsoy village isn't especially picturesque but makes a strikingly peaceful contrast to bustling Tórshavn, whose Tinganes peninsula looks especially picturesque as you pass by on the ferry Ritan , 20 minutes, three to five daily). The village celebrates a big Ovastevnu festival in mid-August.
reviewed
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Tinganes
The city's tiny but charming historical core is Tinganes, a little peninsula delightfully jumbled with pretty turf-roofed cottages and historic red-painted stone-and-timber buildings. Most date from after the devastating 1673 fire. Guides can explain the history of each structure but random strolling is enough for most visitors.
reviewed
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Skansin Fort
Beyond the desert of asphalt that surrounds the modern transport terminal lie the turf-softened bastions of the ruined Skansin Fort. It's topped by a little lighthouse and four 18th-century cannons. Although rather underwhelming, a five-minute visit is justified by the patchily attractive views.
reviewed
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Café Natúr
The city's most atmospheric café pub is the hub of Tórshavn's raucous live scene at weekends. They serve a good range of brews and several great-value bar meals. The recommended if misnamed 'Tortilla' is actually a filling burrito-and-salad plate.
reviewed
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Gallari Jinx
Perched behind big picture windows overlooking the main road, this narrow, artfilled diner-café morphs into a hip youth barscene at night. The espressos are good while tsatziki or goats'-cheese and pesto sandwiches offer salvation for vegetarians.
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Storm Petrel Colony
Around an hour's walk from Nólsoy village, a storm petrel colony is claimed to be the world's biggest. They're best observed at dusk. Guided bird tours including basic accommodation are organised through the village hostel-café Kaffistovan.
reviewed
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Glitnir
Gastronomic treats that are nibbled at zinc-and-cream furniture, and washed down by wine in fish-bowl glasses, make Glitnir the intimidating summit of Tórshavn's modernist chic. Curiously, the pub downstairs is a lacklustre local affair.
reviewed
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Norðlýsið
Moored in the harbour are two beautiful antique wooden sloops, Westward Ho and Norðlýsið . On summer Tuesdays and Thursdays the Norðlýsið offers fishing trips and three hour cruises.
reviewed
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Norðurlandahúsið
This modern, architecturally interesting cultural centre has a turf roof and a mini-Stonehenge in the carpark. It frequently houses concerts, plays, exhibitions and conferences. There's a pleasant cafeteria.
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Café Karlsborg
Exposed beams, a whitewashed 'rock' wall and plenty of endearingly kitschy knick-knacks make this Tórshavn's most atmospheric harbourside café. Sadly the cappuccinos are half-hearted.
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Merlot
The highly esteemed chef flambées steaks in cognac and poaches salmon in Riesling. The somewhat staid décor comes much more to life in the evening candlelight.
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Havnarkirkja
The church Havnarkirkja has a distinctive clock tower that peeps above a photogenic row of colourful row of old wharf buildings (Undir Bryggjubakka).
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Náttúrugripasavn
The child-friendly Náttúrugripasavn has an informative geological section, a minuscule botanical garden and a gigantic whale's skull.
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Marco Polo
A notionally nautical theme puts the atmosphere slightly beyond that of a typical pub, but the real attraction is a superb-value lunch buffet.
reviewed
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Andreas í Vágsbotni
Several shops sell souvenirs from knitwear to cuddly puffin toys. Andreas í Vágsbotni also stocks T-shirts and costumed dolls.
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Sjónleikarhúsið
This community centre offers Faroese cultural evenings with chain-dancing, storytelling and a few local nibbles.
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Focus Gallery
Intimate private galleries, including Focus, are great places to peruse and potentially purchase Faroese art.
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Miklagarður
For supermarkets, Miklagarður is the best-stocked, though other supermarkets are marginally cheaper.
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Kliché
Creditable food and good harbour views undermined by simpering muzak and a slight lack of atmosphere.
reviewed