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The Faroe Islands are steep cliffs, fogs, waterfalls, wooden houses with grass on the roof, whales, langoustines, sheep and the harsh Atlantic. The geographical location of the Faroe Islands can most easily be described by the English expression "in the middle of nowhere".

An archipelago of eighteen small and many small islands is hidden in the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. The easiest way to get here is from Iceland - ferries run from the land of ice to the Faroe Islands.

In the photo: the coast of Eggjarnar in the village of Vagur on the island of Suvuroy

At the beginning of the ninth century, immigrants from Scotland settled here, then the Vikings sailed here, and until the nineteenth century, the territory of the islands was divided between Norway and Denmark. Now the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but since 1948 they have received autonomy and most issues can be resolved independently.

The name of the islands is translated as “sheep”, because with a population of 50,000 inhabitants, there are 70,000 sheep of a special Faroese breed. Few get to the Faroe Islands, but those who can will not be disappointed, because there is a harsh northern nature, traditional wooden architecture and a peculiar cuisine that includes raw seafood and fermented lamb.

HARBOR OF THORNE

Everything on the islands is very compact and rustic in a good way. The capital of the Faroe Islands, Toshavn, is located on the island of Streymoy. It is built up with low houses, there are only 3 traffic lights, and the Prime Minister's personal number can be found in the phone book.

Torshavn is a port city named after the god Thor, the main local attractions are the XV century monastery Munkastovan, the Historical Museum, the cultural center House of Northern Peoples and the old town with houses of the XIV century.

I want to talk about local architecture separately. In the old days, houses in the Faroe Islands were built of tarred dark wood, and the roofs were covered with turf and grass. Today, the government monitors the preservation of a single architectural style and new houses are built here exactly the same. Most of the historic churches on the islands date back to the nineteenth century, all made of wood and with original carvings.

Pictured: Norðragøta dark wood church with a turf roof

And even in the cities, at every step you will meet the honorary inhabitants of these lands - sheep. It is logical that lamb is the main dish of the local cuisine, and sheep wool products are the main Faroese souvenirs. You can buy just a traditional sweater, hat or mittens, but it is better to go to the fashion brand Guðrun&Guðrun. It was founded by two Faroese young ladies, and even the main character of the famous Danish TV series “Murder” walked in the sweater of their brand.

NATURE OBSERVATION

And yet, for the most part, travelers go to the Faroe Islands to admire the harsh beauty of the local nature. It is wild, northern, harsh, similar species can be observed in Iceland, because, like the Faroe Islands, they are treeless, like the country of ice. But there are rocky cliffs, fjords and waterfalls - the most famous Bosdalafossur is located on the island of Voar, which resembles a dog's head in its shape.

In the photo: Bosdalafossur waterfall on the island of Voar

It does not matter which islands you visit, everywhere you can see the impressive landscapes of the Atlantic, rocks and sheep. The largest islands of the archipelago are Streymoy, Esturoy, Voar, Suduroy, Sanda and Borda. We recommend hiking as the main entertainment - 23 spectacular routes have been developed here.

In the photo: lighthouse at Cape Akraberg, Suvuroy island

But no matter where you go, after 5 kilometers you will still find yourself at the Atlantic Ocean - this is the maximum distance to it from anywhere on any island.

Pictured: Puffins arrive in the Faroe Islands to nest

Add to this private fogs, lighthouses, concentrated sea air and bird trills - about 110 native species of birds live on the islands, plus the territory is a migratory place for birds, and the symbol of the Faroe Islands is the sandpiper.

MYSTERIES OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN

Be sure to go fishing. Fishing is the main industry for the Faroese, and 90% of local exports are seafood. Here they catch langoustines, mussels, sea urchins, cod, herring, halibut, flounder, catfish, squid, monk fish, whales and sharks. By the way, despite the low water temperature, diving in the Faroe Islands is not only possible, but every year it becomes more and more popular. And this is not surprising, because in the underwater depths near the islands you can observe starfish and urchins, sea cucumbers, hermit crab and huge mussels.

Faroe Islands- a group of 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Great Britain), from which they are almost 400 km north, and Iceland, which is 420 km northwest of the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. Since 1948, the islands have been independently managing almost all issues with the exception of defense and foreign policy.

The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Tórshavn, located on the southeast coast of the island of Streymoy.

The archipelago of the Faroe Islands consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Main islands: Streymoy, Esturoy, Suduroy, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordoy. The largest island is Streymoy (373.5 km²). The total area of ​​all the islands is 1395.74 km².

The distance to Iceland is 450 km, to Norway - 675 km, to Copenhagen - 1117 km. The economic maritime zone from the coast of the Faroe Islands is 200 nautical miles.

The highest point of the islands is the peak of Slattaratindur on the island of Esturoy - 882 m above sea level. The Faroe Islands are dotted with numerous fjords and have a rugged coastline. The islands, for the most part, due to constant strong winds, are treeless, although there are plantings of strong conifers, maple and mountain ash.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with cool winters and cool, wet summers. The coldest month is January, the temperature is from 0°C to +4°C, the warmest month is July, the temperature is from +11°C to +17°C. Annual precipitation is 1600-2000 mm, precipitation (mostly in the form of rain) occurs approximately 280 days a year, most of it falls from September to January, fogs are frequent.

Thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the water around the islands has a temperature of about + 10 ° C all year round, which softens the climatic conditions and provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.

Population of the Faroe Islands

The population is 48,856 people (2009), of which: 91.7% are Faroese; 5.8% - Danes; 0.4% - Icelanders; 0.2% - Norwegians; 0.2% - Poles.

Age structure of the population: 0-14 years old: 21.6%; 15-64 years: 64%; 65 years and older: 14.4%.

The population of the Faroes professes mainly Lutheranism (80%). Lutheranism is a Protestant branch of Christianity.

The official language of the islands is Faroese (a modified version of the Old Norse language), almost all residents understand Danish, and English is widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency of the Faroe Islands is the Faroese krone. 1 Faroese krone is equal to 100 era. The Faroese krone is equivalent to the Danish krone, meaning it has the same exchange rate. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 kroons, coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 kroons, 50 and 25 ore.

The islands' currency is issued by the National Bank of Denmark and is considered a variant of the Danish krone. Therefore, it does not have an official ISO code and is not convertible. In most cases, to avoid confusion, it is called the Danish krone (DKK), since the local currency is rigidly pegged to this particular unit. Formally, the Danish crowns themselves are not accepted in the Faroe Islands, only the local currency is used.

It is best to exchange currency at banks and exchange offices, commissions for exchange are small. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Thursday - until 18:00, banks are closed on weekends.

You can exchange money in banks or at the exchange office of the Vaugar airport (open from 10.00 to 2.00). Usually, banks charge fairly small commissions for the exchange, but for the most part they work only with the euro and the Danish krone.

Credit cards of the world's leading systems (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted.

Traveler's checks can be cashed at many banks and hotels, or used to pay at most restaurants and shops.

Communication and communications

International code: +298.

Internet domain: .fo.

In case of emergency call - 112. Reference information - 118.

How to call

In order to call the Faroe Islands, you need to dial: 8 - beep - 10 - 298 - the number of the called subscriber (you do not need to dial the area code).

mobile connection

Officially, there are two mobile communication standards in the Faroe Islands - NMT (analogue) and GSM (digital). However, in recent years, GSM has practically replaced the analog standard, and now the coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the islands.

SIM cards from Faroese operators can be purchased at Teleshops kiosks, petrol stations, post offices, hotels and tourist offices.

Fixed line

The telephone system of the Faroe Islands is at a high level and provides a full range of modern services. Foroya Tele's (Faroese Telecom) public payphones, located in many public places, operate with both coins and credit cards.

Internet

Although the Faroe Islands are a major intermediate point for many telecommunications systems linking Europe and North America, the level of network services is relatively low. Only large business centers, hotels and post offices are provided with stable high-speed communication.

The public Internet cafe Telecentre (Teledepilin) ​​can only be found in the capital (Niels Finsensgota, 10). However, it is also possible to take advantage of the numerous hotspots located at the tourist information offices.

shopping

Most shops open at 09:00 or 10:00 and stay open until 17:30. On Fridays, some close only at 19:00. On Saturdays, shops open at 09:00 and are open until 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. On Sundays all shops are closed. Kiosks, shops at gas stations close at 23:00.

Travelers can receive a partial VAT refund (25%) when leaving the country. If any store displaying "Tax-free for Tourists" on display sells for more than US$48, a check must be taken for a refund of approximately 15% of the value of the goods at customs at the airport.

The price level on the islands is slightly higher than on the mainland and comparable to Norwegian ones, so traveling to the Faroe Islands cannot be called a cheap event.

Almost all manufactured goods are imported and therefore not cheap, but food (especially fish), wool and leather products, and some alcoholic beverages are quite inexpensive.

Fresh vegetables are available throughout the year, as many islanders get them from their gardens, and most of them also go to stores. The assortment of fruits is somewhat lower, but also meets all international standards.

There are enough shops in Torshavn, whose assortment differs little from the goods sold in some small town in Europe.

Where to stay

There is no "star" classification of hotels in the Faroe Islands, the following classification is used: "Deluxe", "Superior", "Standard", which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3-star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity of local hotels located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing, you should carefully read the specific list of services provided by a particular hotel.

Most local hotels are small private pensions, there are no super-expensive rooms at all, and you can always find accommodation at quite reasonable prices ($10-15 per night). Mid-level hotels charge $20-70 per day for their services, higher-class hotels - from $70 and more.

Sea and beaches

The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months when rainfall is unlikely and the weather is warm and comfortable.

On the coast at the foot of Mount Tindur there are beaches consisting of black basalt sands.

Excellent beaches of dark volcanic sand are also located near the town of Skalavig.

History of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have been known to Irish monks since around 500. Between 700 and 800, immigrants from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Since the 9th century, the Faroe Islands have become a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located on the territory of Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.

From the 11th century until 1380, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway, during this reign the local population converted to Christianity. When Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, 2 powers began to manage the islands, and in 1814, after Norway left the union, Denmark became the sole owner of the islands.

The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on April 11, 1940 to decide to place the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during World War II, following the German invasion of Denmark. The British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945.

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Parliament of the Faroe Islands announced the withdrawal of the islands from Denmark. The decision was ratified by Parliament, which voted 12 in favor and 11 against. The island of Suduryo, the third largest in the entire group, has announced that it will remain part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the work of the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight preponderance of supporters of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 1948, an agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty, the foreign policy of the islands was still in charge of the Danish government. Two representatives of the islands are permanent members of the Danish Parliament.

Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone by the Løgting, but a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex are located on the islands.

It is absolutely unacceptable to bargain, and in any institution, regardless of size and form of ownership.

Alcoholic drinks are sold only to persons over 18 years of age. Light beer can be bought in shops, restaurants and cafes. Strong beer, wine and other types of alcohol can only be purchased in specialized stores in large towns (indicated by the Government Monopoly sign) and in licensed restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, etc.

Fishing is allowed only in some waters and only on the basis of a fishing license, which can be purchased at all tourist offices. All equipment and equipment, including fishing rods, floats, fishing lines and baits, must be disinfected before arriving in the Faroe Islands (previously this parameter was carefully controlled at customs, now the Faroese leave this rule on the conscience of the tourist). Instructions and rules for fishing in local lakes (the islanders call them in the Scottish manner - "loch") are printed in all tourist booklets and brochures and must be strictly observed. The fishing season in streams and streams lasts from May 1 to August 31. Sea fishing is allowed all year round.

Divination in the footsteps of the Norns is common in the Faroe Islands. Norn marks are spots that appear on the nails. They are interpreted according to their shape, color and the place where they appeared.

These islands are also famous for their hand-knitted shawls made from the wool of local sheep. They have an unusual butterfly shape and, unlike other types of shawls and scarves, thanks to their design, they lie firmly on the shoulders, even if they are not tied.

Since the weather on the islands is very unpredictable, special requirements are placed on clothing. A waterproof and windproof jacket is a must here at any time of the year. It is also recommended to have a warm sweater and vest, a sturdy pair of boots with thick soles and good ankle support, light scarves, hats and gloves, especially when traveling to the sea (and it is everywhere here). Light boots or sports shoes for moving around populated areas will also be useful.

Sunglasses with glass filters should also be included in the mandatory kit, since the level of ultraviolet radiation is quite high here.

When moving around the islands, you should have a small backpack with a set of clothes and linen, a small supply of drinking water or a hot drink (coffee, tea, cocoa), as well as high-calorie foods (chocolate, dried fruits, etc.).

Be sure to take a detailed map of the area with you and inform the local tourist office about the route and the time of its passage. In case of frequent fogs here, you should not look for your own way - it is recommended to stop in the place where he found him and wait for help. Particular care must be taken when moving along the coastline and coastal cliffs.

Any journey longer than 3 km should only be undertaken with a local guide and communication equipment (cell phone or walkie-talkie). Also, GPS receivers will be quite useful - despite the small size of the islands, the terrain here is so complicated that it is simply impossible to orient yourself without knowing local signs.

A detailed booklet describing the most interesting routes can be purchased at any of the local tourist offices for 10 crowns.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

The easiest way to get from Moscow to the Faroe Islands is by SAS airline with a change in Copenhagen (Denmark). Aeroflot and SAS have daily flights from Moscow to Copenhagen (2 hours). SAS also flies six times a week from St. Petersburg (2 hours).

The island-based Atlantic Airways (part of SAS) flies from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the UK to Vagar Airport in the Faroe Islands. The same directions are served by several other small companies.

Daily flights to the Faroe Islands are carried out only from Danish Copenhagen - usually 2-3 times a day, from other countries, flights are operated once every few days, and for the winter period they may stop altogether.

In addition to the plane, the islands can also be reached by the Smyril Line ferry. It runs once a week from Tórshavn to Huntsholm in Denmark, to the British Shetland Islands and to Seyðisfjordur in Iceland. In summer, he also comes to the Norwegian Bergen.

Not everyone will be able to quickly show exactly where the Faroe Islands are on the map. At the same time, more and more tourists go there. They are mainly attracted by the opportunity to take a break from noisy resorts, vibrant cities and city dust.

Located in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and the Scottish Isles, the archipelago consists of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The population is 48 thousand. It is noteworthy that almost half of these people live in the capital or in its suburbs. The Faroe region is considered bilingual. The official languages ​​are Danish and Faroese, which combines various Western Scandinavian dialects.

To date, there are no direct flights from Russia to the islands. Therefore, tourists have to make a change in Denmark or Norway. The air ticket can be pre-booked using the Internet. From one island to another can be reached by several means of transport, including by ferry. For some tourists, it is most convenient to travel around the islands on a boat hired for an additional fee.

Although the Faroe Islands belong to Denmark, however, you cannot enter their territory with a Schengen visa. Refusal to join the European Union was deliberate and it is associated with taxes on fishing. Therefore, in order to get to the archipelago, you need to apply for a visa, in which there will be a special note. There are special visa centers where you can follow this in many large cities. However, most travelers prefer the services of travel agencies. All the necessary documents are transferred to the agency, and then the employees pass the ready-made visas to the clients.

Climatic and weather conditions

The islands are located in the central part of the warm sea current, known as the Gulf Stream. Therefore, in this place there is a constant off-season. Throughout the year, the number of sunny days does not exceed 80, and the rest of the time it rains. In addition, even in sunny weather, strong winds blow. The most comfortable for visiting the archipelago will be the summer months, when precipitation is rare.

In the Faroe Islands, the climate is quite mild. Average temperatures for winter are approximately 0˚C to +4˚C. Summer temperature is 11-17˚C. From September to January, the rainy season lasts on the islands. Further, the archipelago plunges into fog, which does not let the rays of the sun through.

Another feature: the water near the islands is perfectly clear, and its temperature does not drop below +10˚C even in winter. This creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving in the winter.

Nature

For those who prefer to relax in the bosom of pristine nature, the Faroe Islands is an ideal option. Most of the territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows and mountain ranges. Numerous lakes and fjords, gorges, rocks and waterfalls will not leave anyone indifferent.

There are few trees on the islands, only occasionally you can see conifers, maples or mountain ash trees. Fauna connoisseurs can devote their free time in the archipelago to watching dolphins, sea birds, whales and seals. Also, an incredibly large number of sheep graze on the hills of these islands.

Attractions of the archipelago

Of course, many tourists consider the main attractions in the Faroe Islands to be beautiful mountains and slopes with flocks of sheep, as well as compact towns and multi-colored roofs on houses.

Lovers of natural attractions will also appreciate the features of different islands. For example, Streymoy is a paradise for fishing lovers. Here you can catch halibuts, eels and even representatives of the salmon family. Nolsoy attracts tourists with seal rookeries, and Fugloy attracts tourists with millions of birds. And the northern settlement of Skarvanes is famous for the beautiful sea rock called Tretlekonufingur, which means “finger of a troll woman”.

There is a large selection of excursion programs in the archipelago. For example, it can be a visit to the capital and small villages or boat trips.

The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, is located in an incredibly picturesque area. Much of the village juts out from the fjord, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and steep cliffs. Tórshavn is a very quiet city. Noisy only in the central square and on the piers.

The main attraction of the capital is the Munkastovan monastery built in the 15th century. It is noteworthy that the monastery, surrounded by a stone wall, is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire that raged in the 17th century.

Many will be interested in visiting the Historical Museum. Among its exhibits are ship models, fishing tackle and agricultural implements, ranging from Viking times to our days. Also here you can see items that were used by local residents in everyday life. There are exhibits that are valuable from a religious point of view.

You should definitely visit the House of Northern Countries. There is an art gallery and a concert hall, and in the summer evenings, familiarization events are held for guests of the archipelago.

After walking through the Vidarlund Park, it is worth going to the Museum of Art to see amazing examples of painting and sculpture.

If the trip to the archipelago is in July, it is worth planning your vacation so that you are sure to be on the islands on the 28th-29th. During this period, locals nationally celebrate St. Olaf's Day. According to tradition, the celebrations include solemn religious and dance processions, art exhibitions, as well as rowing and equestrian competitions.

Gastronomic nuances

National cuisine has a close relationship with the climate in the archipelago. The two main ingredients that are used in the preparation of various dishes are lamb and fish. Gourmets who come to the Faroe Islands should definitely try local delicacies such as sheep's head and whale meat. No less interesting is ruyskjet (meat cured for several months) and skerpicket - meat that has been cured for more than a year and is consumed without any processing. Often the same cooking method is used for dried fish.

Those tourists who prefer traditional cuisine should order roast lamb at the restaurant. You can also try puffins (this is the name of small birds) stuffed with sweet dough and served with potatoes and sweet berries.

It may surprise many that rhubarb is added to food everywhere. Another interesting feature is that there are practically no fish shops on the islands. If the islanders want to cook fish, they catch it themselves, and after cooking it is served on the table with a side dish in the form of rice or potatoes.

It is worth noting that the most popular drinks on the islands are coffee and tea. In tea, locals often add herbs that grow on mountain slopes. Alcoholic drinks are officially allowed from the age of 18. However, if light beer can be purchased everywhere, then low-alcohol drinks, strong dark beer and wine can be bought only in state-owned stores and restaurants that have a special license.

Lunch at a regular restaurant will cost about $30. In institutions of a higher level - it will already be $ 45-50. The most budgetary snack option can be found in local cafes.

Where to stay?

After arriving in the capital, you can check into a three-star hotel. For example, it could be Stream or Torshavn. For those who like more comfortable conditions, Khafnia and Feroyar are suitable. It should be noted that in all hotels tourists are offered rooms with private facilities. There is also a shuttle service from the airport and back, free access to Wi-Fi. The cost of living in hotels starts from $120. Although you can get a seasonal discount.

A more economical accommodation option is a hostel or guest house. The most popular are "Bládýpi" and "Skansin", but it is worth booking a room in them a few months before arrival. There are also mini-hotels on the islands where you can spend the night and have breakfast. Prices for accommodation depend on the time of the year and start from $80.

For tourists who prefer to relax in the bosom of nature, campsites are equipped. Locals value order very much, so tent campers are required to maintain cleanliness and thorough cleaning before departure.

Main types of entertainment

 There are many varieties of fish in coastal waters. Therefore, not only indigenous people, but also tourists are fond of fishing. By the way, according to the laws, any fish can be taken out of this country if its length exceeds 30 cm.

 The Faroe Islands are extremely interesting for wreck divers. After all, here you can find sunken ships. And near Nolsoy Island, divers like to watch how seals live underwater.

 For those who cannot imagine a good rest without nightclubs, it is worth visiting the capital's "Rex" and "Eclipse". However, it should be borne in mind that only young people aged 18-25 are allowed into the second club.

What to buy?

The most popular souvenirs are wool products, wood crafts and ceramics. Due to the peculiarities of the climate, the islanders cannot imagine their life without woolen clothes and accessories. Therefore, here you can always buy a stylish sweater, hat or gloves at an attractive price.

It should be borne in mind that from Monday to Thursday most of the shops are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday, the working day is often extended by one more hour. But on Saturday, everything closes earlier, and Sunday is a day off.

1.​ The most optimal transport to get to the archipelago is by plane. But there is only one international airport here - Vagar, located near the village of Sorvagur.

2. You can rent a car to get around the islands. It will cost at least $60 per day. To rent, you must be over 20 years old, have a credit card and an international driver's license.

3. Tourists who prefer public transport can purchase maps with routes and timetables from Steinatún kiosks.

4. Traveling to the Faroe Islands is quite expensive. But when leaving the country, if you have a receipt from stores operating under the Tax Free system, you can return VAT. But only if the purchase amount in the check exceeds $48.

5. It is not customary to leave a tip in this archipelago. Staff remuneration is most often immediately included in the bill.

6. You can fish with a license, which is sold at tourist offices. If a tourist wants to take his fishing tackle, he must sanitize it in advance.

7. The climate in the Faroe Islands is very changeable, so it is necessary to take warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes with you on the road.

Visa information

To obtain a visa in Moscow, you can contact the Embassy of Denmark. You must have with you:

•  2 photographs;
•  a completed application form;
• ​ foreign passport (its expiration date must end at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa) and its copy;
•  national passport and its copy;
• ​ insurance policy (the amount of coverage cannot be less than 30 thousand €);
•  an extract from a bank account;
•  Confirmation that the hotel has been booked;
•  A certificate from the place of work or study.

The Faroe Islands are located in the north of the Atlantic, in the open ocean, significantly north of Scotland. Officially, they belong to Denmark, but in fact life in the Faroe Islands is subject not so much to the Danish crown as to its own laws and rules. Tourists are not waiting here for azure waters, chic hotels and well-trained bartenders serving colorful cocktails to vacationers on the beach. The nearest inhabited coast is Icelandic, and it is located 450 km. But if you are looking for a place to escape from everything, then the Faroe Islands are the perfect place for this.

In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine called the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world. It seems that even their inhabitants themselves more than agree with this characterization.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

By plane to Torshavn with a transfer through Denmark (Copenhagen) or Norway (Bergen or Stavanger). The most popular local transport in the Faroe Islands is, of course, water, and you need to travel between the islands by ferry. In the summer, you can also take a ferry from Bergen to Tórshavn.

Visa

The Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen area. To visit these territories, it is necessary to obtain a national Danish visa, valid for entry into the Faroe Islands, in addition to the regular Danish Schengen visa. If the tourist already has a valid Schengen visa of another country, it is enough to apply for a national Danish visa with a note about entering the Faroe Islands. The list of required documents and the process of obtaining a visa to the Faroe Islands is identical to the process of obtaining a Schengen visa to Denmark.

Search for flights to Copenhagen (nearest airport to Faroe Islands)

A bit of history

In total, the Faroe Islands include 18 islands, and people live on all but the last, Small Dimun. The first inhabitants appeared on the islands around the 8th-9th centuries; then the islands saw the Vikings and for some time served as a staging post in their sea expeditions. Once the Faroe Islands were divided between Norway and Denmark, but at the beginning of the 19th century they were completely taken over by the Danes. During the Second World War, the islands were occupied by Great Britain in response to the capture of Denmark by the Germans (this did not affect the course of the war in any way). The next year after the end of the war, the Faroe Islands were about to secede from the Danish kingdom, but it was not there: the maximum that the islanders achieved was partial sovereignty.

In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world (this is a consolidated expert assessment of half a thousand specialists in the tourism industry). It seems that even their inhabitants themselves more than agree with this characterization. Despite the fact that the economy of the islands rests, figuratively speaking, on sheep and herring, the weather is gloomy, and fuel and other essential items have to be purchased on the mainland for five hundred kilometers, the standard of living in the Faroe Islands is one of the highest in the world. And almost all the islanders are ardent patriots who optimistically paint their houses in different colors in spite of gloomy weather and gray skies.

Due to unacceptable fishing taxes for local residents, the Faroe Islands have not yet entered the European Union.

Faroese cuisine

The traditional dishes of the Faroe Islands, dense and simple, are all rather curious, but by modern standards they cannot be called healthy. Although local dishes, for obvious reasons, are often prepared from fish, the Faroese themselves prefer fatty and unsalted meat, in particular lamb, and potatoes from vegetables. However, more and more European establishments have recently been opened in large settlements. So you need to look specifically for traditional restaurants to try smorrebrod (a sandwich with butter and meat eaten with cutlery) for breakfast, dried cod and lamb kidney soup for lunch, and puffin rhubarb pie for dinner. and potatoes.

Weather in the Faroe Islands

The climate here cannot be called mild: in summer it usually does not get warmer than +15 ° C, it rains about 280 days a year, and the winds blow almost constantly. Therefore, there are few trees on the islands - solid rocks and moss, but there are a lot of carved picturesque fjords, bays, bays and mountains.

In winter, the islands are very wet and particularly cold. But the Gulf Stream washing them does not allow coastal waters to freeze and even maintains their temperature at about +10 ° C. This season, when there are no people around, and the water is especially clear, is considered ideal for diving enthusiasts.

3 things to do in the Faroe Islands:

1. Buy and bring home to your grandmother a few hanks of local first-class sheep's wool for knitting. This can be done in almost any grocery store.
2. Get to the town of Skopun on the island of Sandoy, where the largest mailbox in the world is located. This is a huge blue building of several human heights, against which you should definitely take a picture (alas, the box is non-functional).
3. Try local meat and fish dried-cured snacks: whale meat and lamb in the Faroe Islands are dried in a dozen different ways, sometimes for a year.

Entertainment and attractions of the Faroe Islands

The main city of the Faroe Islands is Torshavn on the island of Streymoy, and it is quite picturesque and specific. But, of course, those who travel to the Faroe Islands do not come for city sightseeing. The main thing for which people come to the Faroe Islands is the amazing nature, solitude and the feeling that you are on the edge of the earth.

Torshavn

The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, has a mixed atmosphere: part port, part metropolitan, part even some kind of rural. Here it is worth visiting, first of all, the ancient Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. In the 17th century, a major fire raged in the city, but the monastery escaped destruction. The main museum on the islands is also curious - the historical one, which contains various examples of applied art and worship, traditional household utensils and household items of villagers, fishermen and sailors. The main cultural center of Tórshavn is the Nordic House, where a conference hall, a concert hall, a library and an art gallery are open. On summer nights, special introductory events for tourists are organized here.

Faroe Islands: Fugloy, Kalsoy, Sandoy

The sights of the Faroe Islands are each island separately, each with its own special nature, pretty rural houses under colorful roofs (and often covered with turf and grass), coastal cliffs in a foggy haze. On some you will find old Lutheran churches, on most - numerous flocks of sheep in green meadows, and on all - the purest air and cold blue skies, not polluted by industrial enterprises, which are not here.

Many of the islands have earned special fame due to the peculiarities of the landscape, climate, flora or fauna. So, for example, on the island of Fugloy (“Bird Island”), sea birds nest in huge numbers. Here, high, more than half a kilometer cliffs, favored by millions of birds, crash into the water. The even more mountainous Kalsoy (“pipe-island”) is surprising, however, not with mountains, but quite the contrary - with underground passages and caves. And the most “flat” of all Sandoy is famous for others: here you can admire wide sand dunes near the coast, and two beautiful lakes are located on a hill.

Faroe islands

Leisure

On the island of Vioy is one of the highest cliffs in Europe, Enniberg, which for many decades climbers have unsuccessfully tried to conquer. And to the north of Skarvanes, on the island of Kalsoy, the cape ends with a sharp prong sticking up - Tretlkonufingur, "Troll's Finger". Amateur fishermen should go to the island of Streymoy, where the most fertile lake Pollur in terms of fishing is located: there you can fish not only banal salmon, but also large halibut and eels. Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and breaks straight into the ocean, and together with a rocky ridge in the background and a village in the middle, all this is such a sight that is certainly worth see. And on the island of Nolsoy there are large seal rookeries - also an incredible picture.

Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and breaks straight into the ocean.

Culture and customs of the Faroe Islands

The own culture of the Faroe Islands developed far from European civilization and therefore has largely retained its exclusivity to this day. This is a bizarre interweaving of Danish and its own cultural heritage, which is well reflected in local folk festivals. For example, Faroese round dances are a very special phenomenon, without which not a single entertainment event can do. You can look at them, for example, at the festival of St. Olaf (Olafsek), who once baptized Norway, at the end of July, as well as at traditional rowing competitions between villages, equestrian competitions, and painting exhibitions. Oulavsöka embraces all the islands with fun, without exception, but other parts of the archipelago also host other festivals throughout the year - July Vestanstevna in the west, Noriyastevna in the north, Jouansjoka in the south.

One of the specific traditions of the islanders, which causes at least an ambivalent attitude among the guests of the Faroes, is the summer slaughter of whales.

Whaling

For more than a millennium, the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands have been fed to a fair extent by whaling. Having found a flock of whales (or rather, dolphins) that have entered the bay, they are surrounded by boats, driven to the shore and there, in the literal sense of the word, they are slaughtered with knives, which is why all the water near the shore changes color. The tradition is resented by animal rights activists, but it is as characteristic of the local culture as dances, and at the same time much more urgent for the region, whose only sources of income are in fact fishing, sheep breeding and agriculture. Whale meat - a traditional and very favorite dish on the islands - is neither exported nor sold: it is eaten by the miners themselves, as in prehistoric times.