Hello Faroe Islands

A Family Adventure Off the Beaten Path

Tucked away in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands are a dream for families craving nature, quiet, and a bit of magic.

With dramatic cliffs, puffin-filled skies, and winding roads that lead to tiny villages, this archipelago offers a unique kind of adventure—one that’s both wild and wonderfully kid-friendly.

Why the Faroe Islands Work for Families?

Safety and serenity are the name of the game here. With virtually no crime and a warm, welcoming culture, parents can relax while kids roam freely. English is widely spoken, and the islands’ compact size means you’re never far from your next stop—even if it feels like you’re at the edge of the world.

Village-Hopping by Car: With several islands connected by tunnels, road-tripping is easy and fun. Expect sheep traffic jams and spontaneous photo ops.

Our Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Vagar Airport

We arrived late afternoon, picked up a rental car and drove to our hotel in Torshavn. Upon check-in, we headed out to the city center for a quick bite and a pit stop at Mylnan to pick up some snacks and water.

Day 2: Tjørnuvik and Saksun

Since Tórshavn sits on the Faroe Islands’ largest island, Streymoy, we made it our mission to explore as much of it as we could. After a cozy hotel breakfast, we hit the road and headed north to the village of Tjørnuvík—about an hour’s drive, including a few scenic stops at roadside waterfalls that were too beautiful to pass up.

Upon arriving in Tjørnuvík, we made a beeline for the coast near the surf shop. The kids were instantly in their element—scaling rocks and splashing through a stream that met the ocean, their laughter echoing between the cliffs.

Next came a spontaneous hike. There wasn’t a marked path, but that made it even more exciting. We picked our own route up toward the top of the waterfall, enjoying the sense of discovery along the way.

A friend had raved about the village waffles and coffee, so we went in search of the famed “waffle man.” Parking was simple and we found him right in the center of town inside a shop. Only a couple of other travelers were there when we arrived, and by the time we left, just two more had joined—quiet, peaceful, and perfectly local. He does not accept credit cards though.

From there, we continued on to the village of Saksun. We turned left after entering and found parking right away, though there’s a larger lot if you go further in. From there, we wandered down to Lake Pollurin. While many travelers hike the full route between Saksun and Tjørnuvík, we decided it was too much for kids.

We ate dinner at our hotel and the  headed to the city center to try out Paname Café. Their rhubarb cheesecake was a hit and went well with a chai latte. The texture and flavor was unique and delicious!

Day 3: Chasing Horizons in the Faroe Islands: Viðoy, Gjógv, Oyggjarvegur scenic route

“We woke up to the promise of wide-open roads, remote cliffs, and unexpected trails—all within arm’s reach of each other in the Faroe Islands…”

We kicked off the day early, road-tripping across several islands to reach Viðoy—the easternmost island accessible without a ferry. Our destination: the village of Viðareiði, perched at the northernmost tip of the Faroe Islands. Despite being as far as you can drive from Tórshavn, the journey only took about 90 minutes.

We’d heard rave reviews of the Viðareiði hike from other travelers, so we had to check it out. After a few detours courtesy of Google Maps, we eventually found the trailhead. (Pro tip: drive through the village, take a right just past the soccer field, continue to the end of the road, and you’re there.) The trail began with soft grassy and muddy terrain before transitioning into steeper, rockier ground—challenging for younger kids, but totally worth it. We climbed just past where the serious scrambling starts and were rewarded with sweeping views.

Next, we made our way back across the islands to Eysturoy and the postcard-perfect village of Gjógv. As we wandered through town, we noticed a steady stream of hikers heading up a mountain trail that begins near the small café. While the trail didn’t seem to have an official name, it was easy to find—just head northeast and look for the gate with the honesty payment box. This hike turned out to be one of the kids’ favorites. The path was manageable, the views were incredible, and the sense of open adventure made it truly memorable.

After return to Torshavn, we ate dinner at Hamsa. It was easily the best food we ate in a long time. Since the sun was still up, we decided to hit Oyggjarvegur scenic route before we head back to our hotel. We did not know the exact location so we just entered Oyggjarvegur as the destination on our GPS and when we reached, there was a road on the left going upwards. We took that road to reach the viewpoint and then decided to drive down the other side of the mountain through several hairpin turns. The clouds were settling on the mountains and it was easily one of the most scenic drives.

Day 4: Gásadalur, Múlafossur Waterfall, Bøur Village, Lake Leitisvatn and Trælanípa Cliff.

• Hike to Mulafossur Waterfall: A short, scenic walk leads to this iconic waterfall cascading into the ocean. It’s a great intro to Faroese landscapes for little legs.
• Bøur Village: Tucked along the western edge of Vágar Island, Bøur is a quaint village nestled in the dramatic landscapes of the Faroe Islands. From its shores, you’re treated to a stunning panorama of the jagged islet Tindhólmur and the towering sea stacks known as Drangarnir. Just a brief drive from Vágar Airport, Bøur feels wonderfully remote yet remarkably accessible.
• Lake Leitisvatn and Trælanípa Cliff: Often referenced as the “Lake Above the Ocean,” Lake Leitisvatn offers one of the most surreal natural illusions in the Faroe Islands. Perched high above dramatic sea cliffs, this stunning lake appears to hover above the Atlantic, making it one of the region’s most awe-inspiring sights. The viewpoint from Trælanípa Cliff, ensures hikers are rewarded with breathtaking views of the optical illusion—with the lake appearing to float high above the ocean below. It’s one of the Faroe Islands’ most striking visual marvels.

Day 5: Sandur Island : Sandoy, Bartalstrøð, and Skopun

With steady rain in the forecast and hiking trails too slick to tackle, we opted for a different kind of adventure—one shaped by clouds, curves, and curiosity. The mist added an air of mystery as we meandered along the famed Buttercup Routes, letting the weather guide us rather than hold us back.

We crossed the impressive Sandoyartunnilin—an undersea engineering wonder—and emerged on Sandoy Island. Our destination: the remote bay of Søltuvík. A quick GPS pin and a rugged, rocky drive later, we found ourselves at a dramatic black-sand beach, framed by cliffs and crashing waves. It was easily one of the most cinematic landscapes we’d encountered—raw, windswept, and entirely our own.

On the way back, we stopped at Bartalstrøð, the whimsical yarn-bombed rock rooted in local folklore. Legend has it the nearby cave belonged to a troll woman—and whether or not she was home, the place definitely had a magical vibe.

Then we drove through Skopun. On a good day, people hike the Liraberg Cliff from here. It was pouring when we reached and we decided to drive around instead.

Tips for Traveling with Kids

• Pack for all seasons—in one day. Weather changes fast, so layers are your best friend.
• Rent a car for flexibility. Public transport exists, but having your own wheels makes spontaneous detours and snack stops a breeze.
• Plan downtime. The islands’ slow pace is part of the charm. Let the kids explore a village playground or watch the fog roll in from your guesthouse window.
• Pack a snack. We made pit stops are nearby grocery stores to buy snacks, fruit and munchables to keep kids busy during long drives.
• Rest up before the hike. It can easily get tiring, so we often took power naps in the car before the next hike. That kept the kids well rejuvenated.