After coming out of the last year and being used to isolation and rediscovering the remote beauty that exists in the U.S., some travelers might be feeling ready to explore what the rest of the world has to offer in that same regard. Why would anyone want to visit a remote set of islands where sheep far outnumber people, though? And, even more so, why would anyone spend a week in a place where tree groves don't grow, and where seabirds are considered a dinner delicacy? And, the one question that overrules them all: why would anyone not want to visit these islands?
In a land where juniper bushes cover the mountainsides, pastures and meadows are greener than any green a person could imagine, villages that look like they haven't changed in hundreds of years, and a culture that is so deeply rooted in the traditions and history of these islands, whether or not it's worth visiting is a no-brainer. Travelers make the trek to the Faroe Islands to experience practically untouched beauty and to explore a unique environment that's home to species (both animal and plant) that are equally unique. Despite their remoteness, these islands are teeming with life around every corner and it's far easier and more doable than people might realize.
How Much Time Is Needed To See The Faroe Islands?
In short, travelers probably don't even need a full week in order to see the most popular and picturesque aspects of the Faroe Islands. A time frame of four days, minimum, is recommended for a short trip while a max of nine days is really all that's needed to see most of the islands and their features. Therefore, an average of five to seven days is preferable in order to get the full experience and not feel as though the trip is rushed. Any extra days added to this timeline just mean that travelers can take their time and enjoy a leisurely trip as opposed to one that might be a little busier as they try to fit everything into their schedule.
Travelers will want to start their trip on Streymoy Island which is the largest in the archipelago, and this is where much of the sightseeing excursions will be done. It's recommended that tour groups be considered for first-timers but if that's not an option or not something a traveler is interested in, then renting a car is the next best thing. This also allows travelers to drive between places at their own leisure which can be a lot more relaxing - just be sure to drive carefully as many of the roads around the island are narrow. This also allows travelers to leave at their own will which means fitting multiple things into one day or spreading things out over the space of several days. With such a small population and no traffic to deal with (aside from sheep crossings), this is a relatively stress-free way to travel around the Faroe Islands.
How Expensive Is It To Visit The Faroe Islands?
Normally, travelers would be able to determine some type of median cost of a destination based on the surrounding areas... but in the case of the Faroe Islands, there are none. Iceland, Norway, and Scotland are the closest countries to it but they all feature wildly different costs, accommodations, transportation methods, and attractions. Most people will reach them by plane (as opposed to a 19 or 38-hour hour ferry ride) and the reason this is so costly is that Atlantic Airways is the only airline flying in and out of the islands. These planes leave from Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Bergen, Reykjavik, and Paris, each being roughly one to two-hour flights. Copenhagen also offers flights via Scandinavian Airlines. Therefore, airfare is the first big expense so it's helpful to spend some time doing research here as many from North America will first need to fly to the U.K. before flying to the islands.
The next biggest expense is the accommodations and there aren't many ways around this. While airfare will range, with flights from the U.K. and surrounding areas being as much as $200 round-trip, a traveler's best option is to try Airbnb before anything else. There are discounts available for first-time users and through various blogging sites, so check these out! Outside of rentals, a hotel room could cost up to £80 per night, which is roughly $110 USD. Therefore, the difference of £40 is quite a lot when considering an Airbnb rental over a hotel.