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Thinking of going on a vacation with your friends to kick off 2023? Doing a little research beforehand on the best place to go, when to visit, and key facts can help you adequately prepare and avoid any pre-travel stress!
The biggest town, Torshavn, is the ideal hub to find a hotel and begin to explore. And we have the perfect place in mind — the Faroe Islands.
These tiny islands located in the water between Scotland and Iceland are well-known for their incredible natural beauty, friendly locals, tasty food, and flora and fauna.
We’ll tell you the best time to visit, regardless of whether you are heading there to check out the puffins, complete all of the cliff walks, or catch a glimpse at the Northern Lights.
Check out our helpful travel tips that will make your holiday with your time marvelous and unforgettable. Let us be your guide!
Why You Should Visit the Faroe Islands
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There are tons of reasons why you should visit the Faroe Islands for your upcoming trip! One of the main perks of visiting the Faroe Islands is experiencing the breathtaking scenery and landscape.
The Islands are filled with dramatic cliffs, cute houses, bright buildings, blue water, and ever-changing weather. You can hike up one of the nearby mountains, kayak through the bright blue waters, and walk to a waterfall all within one day during your vacation!
During your day trip, keep an eye out for the indigenous mammals, seabirds, and natural vegetation. Next, we think that checking out the waterfalls is an absolute MUST during your visit.
Check out Mulafossur waterfall and the famous Fossa waterfall to get great pictures, get splashed with some water, and experience true Faroese life.
The geography and climate are conducive to spending most of your time outside during your trip, featuring very little rainfall, fog, and ice levels. Plus, we love how the air is crisp, clean, and clear on the Islands.
You can go hiking, take in a big breath of the clean air, and truly feel like you are one with nature. Not to mention, the Faroe Islands have tons of astonishing wildlife! Sheep are a massive part of the local culture.
There are sheep on every corner of the island, which can sometimes even cause traffic jams and traffic for tourists who are not used to driving by these four-legged creatures.
We recommend booking your trip in the winter to catch the Northern Lights on camera! The dramatic landscape, ever-changing light, and incredible cliffs make for the perfect photography spot.
You can walk to any part of the island, pick up your camera, set up your tripod, and get a few Insta-worthy shots in just seconds. Lastly, the food on the islands is unique, tasty, and filling!
Especially during the cold winter months, you need hot and filling dishes that are going to keep you warm all day long. We recommend trying some of the local cuisine, such as fermented mutton meat, dried cod, boiled sheep brain, and tons of root vegetables.
Overall Best Time to Visit the Faroe Islands
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The best time to visit the Faroe Islands is in the summer, between June and August.
If you are interested in being outside most of the time, taking part in outdoor sports, checking out the wildlife, taking photos, walking around the various towns, and avoiding freezing weather, the summer months are perfect.
We recommend heading to the Islands in the summer for those who do not care about spending more money during the high tourist season.
If you are simply interested in having pristine weather, long sunny days, and up to 20 hours of sunlight, then June, July, and August are the prime months.
However, if you are going to the Faroe Islands to avoid the crowds but still experience long days, warm weather, and the flora and fauna which make this country so idyllic, springtime is the best season to visit.
We recommend visiting in March and April if you don’t care about wearing an extra layer — the slightly colder temperatures are well-worth the cheaper prices, fewer tourists, 13 hours of daylight, bright wildflowers, and birds appearing all over the islands.
For tourists who want to avoid heavy rainfalls, take incredible photos, and still catch the end of the summer tourist season, the fall months could be the best time to visit the Faroe Islands.
Visit between September and November to experience fewer people, potentially see the infamous Northern Lights, and capture incredible photos and videos that are National Geographic-worthy.
Cheapest Time to Visit the Faroe Islands
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The least expensive time to visit the Faroe Islands is usually in the wintertime, since the weather makes it difficult to see animals, go hiking, or spend entire days outside in the cold.
This means that the period between December and February is the best for budget travelers who want to save money on their vacation.
One of the main perks of going to the Faroe Islands during the winter is that you have the highest likelihood of seeing the famous Northern Lights between December and February.
Although you will have to brave the cold temperatures and short daylight hours, the dramatic scenery, mountain cliffs, green-roofed houses, and bright water all come alive during the winter months.
Least Busy Time to Visit the Faroe Islands
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The least busy time to visit the Faroe Islands is the winter, between December and February. Although this is a great time to come to the islands if you are interested in great photos, fewer crowds, and lower prices, you will also experience some downsides.
For instance, some tourist attractions will be closed, the sunlight hours will be shorter, and some outdoor activities are impossible during the wintertime.
However, if you are interested in taking dramatic photos, experiencing the incredible scenery, and taking part in winter sports (i.e., snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, etc.), then you will love this season.
We recommend heading to the Faroe Islands in the winter if you want to get to know the locals on a deeper level, with fewer tourists roaming around.
Worst Time to Visit the Faroe Islands
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The worst time to visit the Faroe Islands is arguably in the winter. The only perk of visiting at this time is that you will have a high probability of seeing the Northern Lights.
However, the very short daytime hours (as low as 5 hours in the height of winter), cold temperatures, heavy snowfall, strong winds, and lack of tourist attractions make December, January, and February the least desirable for tourists wanting to see the islands.
Things to Consider
There are a few things to consider before heading to the Faroe Islands for an upcoming vacation:
- Driving in the Faroe Islands is fun, but you must be vigilant as you whizz around the small roads. Since other tourists are driving during the height of the season, you will have to be careful with others who may not be paying attention. Plus, the roads drive around the sides of cliffs, the seasides, and the mountains, so paying attention while driving is critical.
- Cyclists will love the extensive network of flat and paved highway roads and town roads, which can make it easy to cycle around the entire main island on their vacation.
- The Faroe Islands average 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the summertime and 38 degrees in the wintertime. The average daylight hours in the winter months are as low as 5 hours, whereas the summertime can be bright for 20 hours per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Before you buy your flight ticket to the Faroe Islands, check out these commonly asked questions to see why you will love visiting this popular vacay spot.
What is the best time of year to go to the Faroe Islands?
The best time of year to go to the Faroe Islands is in the summer months, between May and August. You can experience fewer people in the springtime, so if you visit in May, you can avoid crowds and attain lower prices.
In the summer months, you will be able to take part in all of the outdoor activities, go hiking all day long, experience hours and hours of bright daylight, and enjoy warmer temperatures.
How many days do you need in the Faroe Islands?
Although the Faroe Islands are small, there is so much to do! We recommend going for as long as you can. However, suppose you are short on time.
In that case, we recommend spending at least 4-5 days on the Islands so you can pack in a few must-do activities, such as puffin watching, hiking, photography, whale watching, boating, and shopping.
Can you see the Northern Lights in the Faroe Islands?
The Faroe Islands are located significantly north, situated between Scotland and Iceland. Featuring over 750 islands, the main 18 islands are north enough in the world to offer an excellent viewpoint to see the infamous Northern Lights.
We recommend going to the Faroe Islands in the winter if you are interested in seeing the lights since the daylight hours are shorter and the potential of seeing the aurora borealis is the highest.
Is Faroe Island cheap?
The Faroe Islands are not a cheap or budget destination. If you are used to Scandinavian prices, the cost of items on the islands are comparable (eg: the Faroe Islands are more affordable than Iceland).
However, suppose you want to save money during your trip. In that case, we recommend going in the off-season (wintertime) to avoid high levels of tourists and steep hotel prices.
Are the Faroe Islands worth visiting?
In short, yes — the Faroe Islands are a beautiful destination spot that is easy to get to, features incredible nature, contains different types of flora and fauna, and has a unique way of life.
The geography and scenery are similar to that of Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Scotland, but pack a punch in a much smaller geographical area. You can head there any time of the year to view wildlife, take photos, go hiking, taste local food, and visit the dramatic waterfalls.
So, When Should You Visit the Faroe Islands?
In short, summer is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands if you are interested in spending the entire day outside going hiking, taking photos, partaking in activities and visiting tourist attractions, and experiencing bad weather.
If you want to save money, see the Northern Lights, and take part in snow sports, the winter is a brilliant time to go.
For those who want fewer people, but still want to be able to go hiking, the shoulder seasons could be the best time to visit the Faroe Islands. So, with so much to see and do, and technically no bad time to go, what are you waiting for — book your trip today!