Introduction
The Faroe Islands, located in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway, are a Danish territory. After being featured by National Geographic, the Faroe Islands have become a new hotspot for photographers. Their landscape and climate are very similar to those of Iceland, and if you're lucky, you might see the Northern Lights from October to March. There are daily flights to and from Copenhagen in Denmark and Reykjavik in Iceland, and during the peak season of July and August, there are also flights to European destinations such as Portugal, Spain, Norway, Scotland, and Greece.
This time, I visited the Faroe Islands in early April and stayed for 11 days. The weather there changes dramatically, which made exploring the sights more challenging, but seeing these magnificent landscapes left me in awe of nature’s wonders.
Without further ado, let’s start with a video.
Food Accommodation and Transportation
Like other Nordic countries, the Faroe Islands are relatively expensive. For example, eating out—having a plate of pasta with a cup of coffee for lunch costs around HK$200. A more affordable option is pizza or a burger, about HK$100 per person. The cheapest way is to cook your own meals by renting an apartment with a kitchen and cooking utensils, which is also cheaper than staying at a hotel, but you’ll need to spend time shopping for groceries.
↑ Cooking in your apartment can still be quite satisfying
For transportation, there are local buses, but renting a car and driving yourself is recommended. Except for the islands farther from the main island (where you take a ferry—yes, drive onto the ferry), other islands can be reached by car. The islands are connected by tunnels (subsea tunnels have tolls) and bridges, making travel very convenient. However, be extra cautious while driving as there are many sheep on the roads.
Mobile Network
Please, please, PLEASE—remember, remember, REMEMBER—not to use international roaming SIM cards purchased in Hong Kong or rent a Wi-Fi egg. My international roaming SIM card (Three – 3GB Data) didn’t work there (I only managed to use it for 4 days in Copenhagen). It’s better to buy a local SIM from a telecom provider in the Faroe Islands.
Photography Spot Highlights
Gasadalur Waterfalls are arguably the most iconic attractions in the Faroe Islands, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a rainbow.
↑ Gasadalur Waterfall
↑ Aerial view
Saksun It’s a peaceful village where the houses all have green roofs, and the soft glow of the sunset turns the grass golden yellow.
↑ Many houses on the island have these green roofs, which are said to provide insulation, filter air pollutants, and even boost happiness.
↑ Panoramic view of Saksun
↑ The small church in Saksun
The Faroe Islands feature many optical illusion-like terrains. Can you spot the deep valley that appears to be below sea level? Gjogv The small canyon in the town is also a must-visit attraction.
↑ Looks like a canyon below sea level
↑ You can walk down to the bottom of the small canyon
And another mind-bending sight is“The Lake Above the Sky” S
↑ It looks just like a lake on high ground.
To see the "sky lake" in the image above, you need to go up high—that’s where the tiny figures in the distance in the image below are standing. The Faroe Islands don’t have prominent mountain trails, but since there are no forests, it’s also hard to get lost.
↑ photo by Mozart Chan
A rainbow? They’re often seen in the Faroe Islands.
↑ After reaching the viewing spot, I met another traveler who turned out to be from Hong Kong as well—an expatriate language teacher stationed there—who had come specifically for the hike.
↑ The distant traveler was also there for photography.
The Faroe Islands feature numerous cliffs, all shaped by sea erosion, and their scenery is quite unique.
↑ Years of erosion have carved the cliffs and rocks into various shapes—wonder if these two rocks have any names?
↑ From Tj
When it comes to cliff views, one must visit Tr, then walk for another hour and a half to reach Kallur Lighthouse, you won’t see the slope you’ve been walking along until you reach the lighthouse — the back of it turns out to be a cliff. How amazing is that? Besides taking great photos, you should also soak in the atmosphere and listen to the sounds of nature.
↑ This is my favorite photo from the trip. The colors aren’t vivid, but the gloomy sky makes the cliff look especially majestic.
If you have enough time, consider visiting the South Island. It requires taking a ferry with a one-way trip of 3 hours. It’s recommended to depart in the morning and return in the afternoon.
↑ It’s highly recommended to explore the Faroe Islands by car. There are many Scenic Routes with stunning views. If you can’t drive, joining a local tour is your best option.
At the southernmost tip of the South Island, where sea meets sky, you can gaze at the endless Atlantic Ocean — but beware, the wind is very strong there.
↑ The southernmost point of the South Island is similar to Cape D’Aguilar in Hong Kong — cliffs and a lighthouse.
Returning to a more urban-like scenery, it still remains close to nature.
↑ Klaksvík is the second-largest city in the Faroe Islands and an important port.
Endless rainbows
The weather changes rapidly — rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine — in a constant cycle, so you’ll often see rainbows.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a beautiful city full of joyful vibes. If you have time, it’s worth staying a few days.
↑ Nyhavn harbor, which feels a lot like Amsterdam.
↑ Happiness is actually quite simple.
↑ Kastellet fortress.
↑ Copenhagen.
Epilogue
If you love landscape photography and nature, you’ll definitely enjoy the Faroe Islands. During my trip, I rarely encountered other travelers — most were photographers with tripods, drone operators, and a small number of hikers. Visit now before it becomes too famous.
Useful links
Faroe Islands flights: https://www.atlantic.fo/en/
Faroe Islands ferries: http://www.ssl.fo/en/
Original article: Click here for the original.
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