Super Seven
Sørvágur Sørvágur is the first town you'll see once leaving the airport, so this will be the tourist start point during your visit. It's a picturesque colourful town, but one of many across the islands. The centre has a handful of shops and supermarkets, as well as Cafe Pollastova, which in my opinion, is the best coffee spot in the country. If you're a football fan, pass by 07 Vestur Stadium for a really beautiful backdrop. The Nix is a horse monument based on Faroese folklore and is also worth checking out. Final recommendation would be to take a slow drive along the main road towards Múlafossur, as it's typically one of the best spots to photograph Faroese cattle.
Múlafossur Waterfall
There's many waterfalls across the country that you'll simply just 'pass by' en route to the next town, but one of the very best is definitely Múlafossur Waterfall. Regarded as the most visited and photographed attraction in the Faroes and it's easy to see why. The cascading waterfall has a 30 meter drop that plunges directly into the ocean. The access is simple, with parking spots only a 2 minute walk from the waterfall, with plenty of vantage points. The village houses of Gásadalur offer a perfect backdrop behind the falls and is also a nice pit-stop for a local beer in Gasadalsgardur. Only 7 miles from Vagar Airport with no hiking required, so DO NOT miss this spot.
Trælanípan Cliff & Bøsdalafossur Waterfall
Regarded as the most perfect combo in the country is Trælanípan Cliff and Bøsdalafossur Waterfall. When researching the Faroes, you'll often hear about an optical illusion lake that looks like it joins the sea... well this is it! First thing to know is that there's a 200 kr hiking fee, which helps towards maintaining the trail. The hike is very straightforward with 3,500 meters of purpose-built footpath to follow. Once you reach Trælanípan Cliff, you can't help but be amazed at the 142 meter sharp drop into the sea. There's a handful of different viewpoints that are highlighted on the map that you'll be given at the ticket office. Interestingly, "Trælanípan" translates to "Slave Cliff" as it's where disobedient slaves were hauled to their death during the viking age.
For the whole trail, you're walking adjacent to the lake, so you can see the visual where the lake flows directly into the sea. If you want to see the waterfall, keep walking to the very end of the lake for Bøsdalafossur Waterfall that cascades into the sea.
Mykines Island
One major draw for your visit will be the puffins and Mykines Island is a great place to increase your chances. Mykines is the westernmost island and can be reached via boat from Sørvágur on a daily basis between May and August. You can view the boat schedule here. The unique thing about Mykines is that there's only 14 permanent residents, despite there being around 30 houses. It's compulsory to take a guided tour around the island, which is of course, operated by the 14 residents who are the approved guides. You'll be taken on a short walk around the picturesque village which is lined with traditional wooden houses combined with turf-roofs. Then onto the main attraction of the coastal walk heading in the direction of Mykines Lighthouse, with the full trail being a puffin nesting area. As with all wildlife, you can never predict nature, but this is definitely the best chance you'll get to see puffins in their natural environment. You can finish off your stay with a Faroese cider and fish soup in the local cafe (the only cafe).
Tórshavn
No trip to Faroes is complete without a visit to the capital city of Tórshavn. I'd definitely regard the city as the cultural hub of the country. The waterfront harbour is colourful and a good start point before walking up to Skansin, which is a fort/lighthouse combo originally built to protect the town against pirate raids. From here, you can walk to Tinganes, which is the oldest part of the capital and also home to Parliament House and Tórshavn Cathedral. On the outskirts of the city, you have The Nordic House, The National Gallery of The Faroe Islands, The Lutheran Church Vesturkirkjan, and Tórsvøllur Football Stadium. Note: If you like your souvenirs, check out Öström, which is a century old building, now high-end store.
Kalsoy Island
A really enjoyable half-day trip is a visit to Kalsoy Island, which is reachable via a 15 minute car ferry from Klaksvík (also a beautiful town, especially the horseshoe view from above). The island shape is long and thin with winding paved roads, making it easy to navigate. First stop would be driving the length of the island to reach Trøllanes at the northern tip. This is a secluded village with a peaceful vibe, but popular with tourist due to the trek to Kallur Lighthouse. It's an easy trek, but can be very slippy after frequent rainfall. The coastal views from the lighthouse are beautiful with green rolling hills full of sheep. For James Bond fans, this is one of the movie locations used in "No Time to Die" and also the iconic spot where Mr Bond dies, hence the gravestone dedicated to Britain's most famous spy.
Second spot to visit would be the picturesque village of Mikladalur, which is home to some of the most beautiful turf-roofed houses in the country. Main draw is the legendary Kópakonan Statue (Seal Woman) that has a typical Faroe landscape backdrop. There's also a waterfall at this locations that runs through the village, which further adds to the charm. If you have time before your return ferry, also pop into Syðradalur, which is the first village next to the ferry port and home to 7 residents.
Small Towns
One thing I definitely wouldn't disregard are the many small towns dotted around the islands. There's so many quaint photogenic spots that are often passed by, as they don't get as much attention as the larger towns. When heading from one tourist spot to the other, you can often pass through these towns without even knowing. A handful I'd recommend are the northernmost village of Tjørnuvík on Streymoy Island, which is a colourful town located in a secluded bay with a black sand beach. Your drive here will also take you past Fossá, which is the highest waterfall in the country. Next recommendation would be the unspoiled village of Eiði on Eysturoy Island, which has the Church of Eidi, the famous football stadium with Atlantic Ocean backdrop, and the photogenic Risin & Kellingin sea stacks just off the coast. Other notable mentions would be Miðvágur and Sandavágur.
Accommodation Advice
The Faroe conundrum is always whether to stay in different spots across the islands, or use one place as a base. I chose to use Tórshavn as the base for my whole stay and don't regret it. The capital has a central location to cover all the main tourist spots, as well as close proximity to ferry ports. Overall, I found booking accommodation a minefield due to the expensive costs and lack of options. I ended up booking via Airbnb into one of the many properties that are locally owned, where the owners depart for their own summer vacation and rent out their homes.
Food Factor
I was surprised at the standard of food on offer, especially with high-end restaurants in Tórshavn. My recommendation is Áarstova, which is located in the old town area. It's an authentic Nordic kitchen based on fresh local raw materials via a set menu. There's either a 3 or 4 course menu to choose from, which can be paired with wine of your choice. This place really does have the 'wow factor' with a warm wooden interior, friendly staff, and a very high standard of food. The salmon was amazing!
A special mention to Barbara Fish House located next door, which is also a great option for seafood lovers.
Note - All restaurants in the Faroes require a reservation with walk-ins seeming impossible.
Good Guide
Other than the compulsory tour guides in some areas of the country like Mykines, a guide isn't required. The country is very easy to navigate, but one thing that's absolutely essential is renting a car. FAE Car Rental Centre is directly outside Vagar Airport and handles reservations from all companies. Having researched all options, I can confirm that the local rental company 62°N were by far the best on price and offered great customer service. I'd recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle based on the roads, but this isn't essential.
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