The Faroe Islands: The Perfect 24 Hours
Start with breakfast at Paname Café
Paname Café is a lovely, turf-roof restaurant located in an old bookshop in central Tórshavn. It is the perfect, cozy place to start your day. Their homemade pastries, breads and organic coffees are some of the best in the city.
Be sure to order the carrot cake. It is seriously so so good.
If you don’t have an opportunity to go here for breakfast, they are open for lunch and dinner as well.
Location: 4 Vaglið, 2 Vaglið, Tórshavn 100, Faroe Islands
Website: www.facebook.com/paname.fo
Visit the historical village of Kirkjubøur
Kirkjubøur is a village in the southern part of Streymoy Island and is known as one of the most important historical site in the Faroe Islands.
There are a few great places that make this village so special:
Saint Olav’s Church- This gorgeous medieval church is the oldest, still in use church in the Faroe Islands. It was built in the 12th century! Anyone can attend a mass here so check out their website if that interests you.
Magnus Cathedral- This is the largest medieval building in ruins in the Faroe Islands. It is truly a spectacular sight to see.
Black painted and turf- roof cottages- These homes are seriously so stunning and something to admire. Just be mindful that people are living in these homes so have respect for their private property.
Kirkjubøur is only a 15 minute drive from Tórshavn.
There are also free public restrooms on site, which is super rare to find when visiting these tiny Faroe Island towns.
Go on an exhilarating Sea Cave Boat Tour
The Faroe Islands are known for their rugged cliffs, wild landscapes, and many, many waterfalls. They are also known for having spectacular sea caves!
A sea cave boat tour with RIB62 should 100% be on your list. The tour consisted of an hour and a half boat ride around the island and through some really amazing caves. The tour was a combo of speeding through the wild ocean and slowly gliding through to admire the scenery around us. It was a great mix of adventure and ease. We even saw a few puffins and dolphins during our tour!
I typically get pretty nervous/seasick on boat rides (and I was more nervous after I saw what they were dressing us in- see the pic haha). However, our RIB62 captains made us feel super safe and comfortable the whole time. They also had us jamming to really fun music during the ride.
I couldn’t recommend this tour more.
Book it here: https://guidetofaroeislands.fo/book-holiday-trips/caving-tour-hestur/
Location: Tour departs from the Gamlarætt Ferry Port
Have lunch at Bitin
Bitin is a lovely Scandinavian style restaurant in central Torshavn. They serve up some of the best smørrebrød in the capital.
A smørrebrød is an open faced sandwich typically made from a base of buttered rye bread and topped with a variety of different foods ranging from meats, to seafood, to veggies. It is a super popular food to eat for lunch in Scandinavian countries.
What to order:
Smoked salmon salad with asparagus, pickled onion & rye bread crunch
OY Klikkhaze Beer (OY is a local brewery in Torshavn)
Rocky Road for a sweet after meal treat
Website: https://bbitin.fo/en/
Location: 12 Niels Finsens gøta, Tórshavn 100, Faroe Islands
Hike to Bøsdalafossur Waterfall
The hike to Bøsdalafossur Waterfall is a must do on your visit to the Faroe Islands. There are so many awesome attractions you see on this hike such as Lake Sørvágsvatn (The Lake Above the Ocean) and Trælanípa.
Here are some facts about the hike:
First things first, I would call this more of a slightly elevated walk than a hike. It is definitely one of the easier physical activities in the Faroe Islands.
The hike is not free. It is 200DKK per person (about $30USD). You will pay in a little office/cafe at the start of the trail.
The hike from the entrance to the waterfall is a little under 2 miles. We made it to the waterfall in about 35-40 minutes.
Make sure you wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. The trail can be super muddy and uneven at times.
The trail is easy to follow and it is very difficult to get lost or make a wrong turn. As long as Lake Sørvágsvatn is on your right, you are going the right direction! It is also a popular hiking area so you will likely see other people as well so if all else fails, follow their lead!
A few options you have once you get closer to the Bøsdalafossur Waterfall:
Make sure you take a quick stop at the base of Trælanípa. The view into the ocean at this site is truly spectacular.
You also have the option to hike to the top of Trælanípa and view down at Lake Sørvágsvatn. From this angle, it will look like the lake is floating over the ocean. We didn’t do this because the hike looked really steep and I was just not feeling it lol.
DISCLAIMER: Be really careful if you do either of these options, especially if the weather is windy or foggy. The ground is not very sturdy/can be muddy so do not get close to the edge. The photo is not worth your safety!
Parking lot location: Search for “Miðvágurt to Bøsdalafossur Trail Head” on Google Maps or use these coordinates: 62°02'30.9"N 7°11'58.5"W
Grab dinner at Áarstova
The Faroe Islands are known for two specific foods: lamb and seafood, and Áarstova serves up both incredibly.
Not only is the food delicious, the restaurant is located in one of the oldest buildings in Tórshavn making it cozy, welcoming, and an all-around wonderful establishment.
They offer either a 3 or 5-course menu. I went with their 3-course option and chose the Cured Salmon for my starter, Monkfish for my entree, and the Lemon Mousse for dessert. Everything was absolutely AMAZING.
We went to the restaurant to celebrate my birthday dinner. Our server was so unbelievably kind and made me feel so special (she even added a candle to my dessert).
Be sure to book a reservation since this is a very popular restaurant (as it should be!).
Location: 1 Gongin, Tórshavn 100, Faroe Islands
Reservations: https://aarstova.fo/aarstova/
End the day with a local beer at Mikkeller
Mikkeller is a cozy, craft beer bar located in one of the oldest buildings in Tórshavn. Between the nice selection of local and international beers, snacks, board games, and friendly bartenders, this is the most charming place to end your night.
I was really digging the beers from the local brewery OY this trip so I had the Klikkhaze on draft. It is really nice and refreshing.
Location: Gongin 2 Tórshavn, 100, Faroe Islands
Website: https://www.mikkeller.com/locations/mikkeller-torshavn
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