Trip highlights and travel notes
There are some trips where everything goes exactly according to plan. Ours in the Faroe Islands certainly didn’t, but the unexpected changes ended up making the adventure even more memorable.
We visited the islands in September 2026, travelling as a group of eight. The journey tested our planning but created lasting memories. We discovered unexpected viewpoints and learned how the weather can change plans quickly.
We stayed in Strendur and hired a 9-seater van so that we could explore the islands at our own pace. Staying in Strendur gave us easy access to local cafes and scenic routes along the coast.
With four full days to explore, we aimed to see as much as possible. The weather in the Faroe Islands quickly proved unpredictable, meaning we had to stay flexible with our plans. Additionally, that is probably my biggest piece of advice if you are planning a similar trip. Have an itinerary, but be prepared to change it.
September in the Faroes can bring sunshine, mist, rain and strong winds, sometimes within a very short period. The official tourism board describes the September weather as changeable, with temperatures generally around 7 to 12°C.
So, this is what we actually did.
4-day Faroe Islands itinerary
Our final itinerary looked like this:
| Day | Where we went | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Streymoy & Eysturoy | Saksun, Tjørnuvík, Eiði, Gjógv & Elduvík |
| Day 2 | Vágar | Trælanípa, Sørvágsvatn, Bøur, Múlafossur & Gásadalur |
| Day 3 | Kirkjubøur & Tórshavn | Historic sites, viewpoints, harbour & Tinganes |
| Day 4 | Northern Islands | Klaksvík, Klakkur, Viðareiði & Kunoy |
But there is an important point about Days 3 and 4.
We had originally planned to visit the Northern Islands on Day 3 and Tórshavn and Kirkjubøur on Day 4. After looking at the weather forecast, we decided to swap the two days around. It turned out to be a very good decision.
Rather than stubbornly following our original plan, we chose the day that looked better for each area. This is something I would strongly recommend to anyone visiting the Faroes.
Where we stayed in the Faroe Islands
Our base was Strendur in the Faroe Islands, where we stayed in two mobile homes. For our group of eight, this arrangement worked well. We had separate bedrooms, kitchens and washing facilities. These were especially useful when we spent most days outdoors.
We deliberately chose somewhere that would work well for exploring by road. Rather than focusing on staying in the capital, we preferred routes around the islands.
With hindsight, I think Strendur was a good choice as it gave us a practical base for reaching different parts of the islands without having to move accommodation every night.
Getting around the Faroe Islands
For a group of eight, hiring a large vehicle made a huge difference. We hired a 9-seater van from Unicar and used it throughout the trip.
Having everyone together meant that we did not have to split the group between two cars. Moreover, we could stop whenever we wanted to take photographs or enjoy a view.
Unicar is a local Faroese car rental company with more than 30 years of experience. They also offer airport pick-up and delivery options, unlimited mileage and a second driver included with their rentals. For us, the van was one of the best decisions we made.
Day 1: Saksun, Tjørnuvík, Eiði, Gjógv and Elduvík
Our first full day was a big one. We left Strendur and headed towards Saksun, one of the places I had been particularly keen to see. The tiny settlement is surrounded by mountains and has an incredible setting. It was a great introduction to the Faroese landscape.
From Saksun we continued to Fossá and then Tjørnuvík, where we stopped at the beach and enjoyed the views towards the famous sea stacks of Risin and Kellingin.
We continued through Eiði and stopped at the viewpoint overlooking Risin and Kellingin. From there we travelled towards Funningur before reaching Gjógv.
Gjógv was one of my favourite stops of the day. The village is famous for its natural harbour and dramatic gorge, and it is one of those places where photographs really do not tell the whole story. We also visited Crown Princess Mary’s Bench before continuing to Elduvík.
By the time we returned to Strendur, we had covered a huge amount of ground. It was an excellent first day and gave us a real taste of just how spectacular the Faroe Islands can be.
Day 2: Trælanípa, Sørvágsvatn, Bøur and Múlafossur
Day two took us to Vágar, where we visited some of the most famous sights in the Faroe Islands. We did the walk to the viewpoint overlooking Sørvágsvatn, with the lake appearing dramatically above the Atlantic Ocean. We continued towards Bøsdalafossur Waterfall and explored the area around Sørvágsvatn.
The weather and wind were something we had to take seriously here. The cliffs are exposed, and this is definitely not a place where you want to get too close to the edge just for a photograph.
From there we drove towards Bøur. This tiny village was another highlight, with its traditional houses and spectacular setting.
We then continued towards the viewpoint for Múlafossur Waterfall and Gásadalur. Múlafossur was probably one of the most recognisable views of our entire trip. Standing there and seeing the waterfall dropping directly towards the Atlantic was quite something.
We also had the opportunity to experience a boat trip, which gave us a completely different perspective of the Faroese landscape. Seeing the cliffs and coastline from the water was one of the memorable experiences of the day.
Day 3: Kirkjubøur and Tórshavn
This was the day we changed around because of the weather. Our original plan had been to visit the Northern Islands, but the forecast looked better for Tórshavn and Kirkjubøur, so we swapped the days.
We started at Kirkjubøur, one of the most historically important places in the Faroe Islands. We explored the church and historic buildings before heading towards Tórshavn.
After two days dominated by mountains, waterfalls and tiny villages, Tórshavn gave us a completely different experience.
Tinganes was one of my favourite areas of Tórshavn, with its traditional red buildings and narrow streets. We also had time to look around some of the shops and pick up souvenirs. It was a more relaxed day than the first two, which was actually quite welcome after all the driving.
Day 4: Klaksvík, Klakkur, Viðareiði and Kunoy
Our final full day took us to the Northern Islands, and once again the weather played a part in our plans.
We headed north towards the spectacular scenery around Klaksvík, Viðareiði and Kunoy. One of our stops was Klakkur, although we did not do the hike to the summit. Instead, we drove up to the Klakkur trailhead to enjoy the views and take some photographs.
From there we continued towards Viðareiði. The drive itself was spectacular, with mountains rising dramatically around the road.
From there we continued to Kunoy, where we stopped at the waterfall and took some time to enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Interestingly, we left Klaksvík until the end of the day rather than visiting it at the beginning. After completing our other stops, we returned to Klaksvík, where we had time to explore the town and look around some of the local shops.
It was a fantastic way to finish our sightseeing in the Faroe Islands, with a mixture of mountain scenery, waterfalls, small villages and the lively town of Klaksvík.
Why we changed our itinerary
If there is one thing I would emphasise about planning a Faroe Islands road trip, it is this: Do not become too attached to your itinerary. We had carefully planned our four days, but the weather made us swap Days 3 and 4. And that was the right decision.
The Faroese weather can change extremely quickly. Sunshine can give way to mist, rain or strong winds, and conditions can vary considerably between different parts of the islands. Having a list of places you want to visit is much better than having a rigid timetable. Check the forecast each evening and decide which route makes the most sense for the following day.
Was four days enough?
Yes and no!
Four full days gave us enough time to see a lot of the Faroe Islands, and we covered far more than I initially expected. But there were still plenty of places we did not have time to explore properly.
If I were planning the trip again, I would probably allow five or six full days. That would give more time for hiking, exploring smaller villages and, most importantly, having some flexibility when the weather does not cooperate.
What I loved most
The obvious answer is the scenery. But what I really enjoyed was the variety. One moment you are looking at a tiny village surrounded by mountains. A few minutes later you are driving through a tunnel and emerging beside the sea. Then you turn a corner and find a waterfall cascading down a mountainside.
The roads themselves become part of the sightseeing experience. And because we were driving ourselves, we could stop whenever we wanted.
Would I recommend hiring a car?
Absolutely. For our group, having our own 9-seater van made the trip much easier. It gave us freedom and flexibility, which was particularly important because we changed our itinerary according to the weather.
If you are travelling with a larger group, I would definitely consider a van rather than hiring several smaller cars.
Check Unicar’s Faroe Islands rental options
Just remember that driving in the Faroes requires concentration. Some roads are narrow, some routes are steep or winding and weather conditions can change quickly.
Our four days in the Faroe Islands: the verdict
Four days went incredibly quickly. We saw dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, mountains, tiny villages, historic buildings and some of the most beautiful scenery we have encountered on our travels.
We also learnt that the Faroe Islands are not somewhere you should try to control completely. Let the weather guide you. Slow down. Stop for the views. And be prepared to change your plans. For us, that flexibility helped turn a good itinerary into a great trip.
Would I go back? Absolutely. And next time, I would stay longer.
