There’s a reason travelers keep turning north to the Faroe Islands — a self-governing archipelago that feels both ancient and forward-looking. With 18 volcanic islands home to just under 55,000 people, this Danish territory has become a magnet for those who want dramatic landscapes without the crowds of Iceland.
Population: 54,870 (as of November 2025) ·
Land area: 1,393 km² ·
Number of islands: 18 ·
Capital: Tórshavn ·
Official languages: Faroese, Danish; English widely spoken
Quick snapshot
- Self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Population ~55,000 (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Official languages: Faroese and Danish (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Atlantic Airways is the primary carrier (Atlantic Airways (national airline))
- Exact trip costs vary widely by season (Booking.com (flight and hotel aggregator))
- Future “Closed for Maintenance” dates beyond 2026 not yet announced (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Whether Ryanair will ever add flights to Faroe Islands (Skyscanner (flight comparison engine))
- Flight Keflavík–Vágar takes 1 hour 50 minutes (Icelandair (national airline))
- Best time to visit: May to September (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Periodic “Closed for Maintenance” volunteer weekends announced (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Icelandair expanding routes via Keflavík connection (Icelandair (national airline))
A few numbers help frame the islands’ scale and infrastructure.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Tórshavn |
| Population | 54,870 (Nov 2025) |
| Area | 1,393 km² |
| Official languages | Faroese, Danish |
| Currency | Faroese króna (FOK, pegged to DKK) |
| Time zone | UTC+0 (WET), UTC+1 in summer |
| Driving side | Right |
The pattern: the Faroe Islands pack a lot of information into a small territory.
How do I get to Faroe Islands from Ireland?
Getting there from Ireland is simpler than you might think, though options are limited.
Does Ryanair fly to Faroe Islands?
No – Ryanair does not serve Vágar Airport (FAE) as of 2026 (Skyscanner (flight comparison engine)). The only direct carrier from Ireland is Atlantic Airways, which operates seasonal flights from Dublin to Vágar.
What are the flight options from Ireland?
- Direct: Atlantic Airways flies Dublin–Vágar, typically once a week in summer (Atlantic Airways (national airline)).
- Via Iceland: Icelandair connects Keflavík (KEF) to Vágar in 1h50m (Icelandair (national airline)). A Dublin–KEF–FAE itinerary adds a layover.
- Via Denmark: Atlantic Airways also flies from Copenhagen to Vágar, a 2-hour flight.
Irish travelers face a choice: a direct Atlantic Airways ticket for convenience (often €300–€450 one-way) vs. a cheaper but longer Icelandair connection. The layover in Reykjavik adds at least 4 hours but can save €100–€200.
Are there direct flights to Faroe Islands?
Yes – Vágar Airport receives direct flights from Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and seasonally from Dublin (Atlantic Airways), Edinburgh, and Bergen (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)). No direct flights from the United States or Asia exist; all connect through Iceland, Denmark, or the UK.
The implication: if you’re flying from Ireland, your best bet is Atlantic Airways in summer or a KEF layover on Icelandair. Booking early is non-negotiable — last-minute fares can double.
Is Faroe Islands expensive?
Yes — the archipelago’s remote location drives up prices, but understanding where costs bite helps you budget.
How much is a beer in Faroe?
- A pint of beer in a bar: 8–10 EUR (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
- Restaurant meal (mid-range): 25–40 EUR per person.
- Supermarket beer: around 3–5 EUR (cheaper than bars).
Do Faroe Islands use the euro?
No – the official currency is the Faroese króna (FOK), but it is pegged 1:1 to the Danish krone (DKK). Euro is not accepted in most shops, though credit cards are widely used (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)). ATMs dispense Faroese króna.
What is the average daily budget for a trip to Faroe Islands?
| Spending category | Budget traveler | Mid-range traveler |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (night) | €80–€120 (hostel/guesthouse) | €150–€250 (hotel) |
| Meals (3/day) | €35–€50 | €70–€120 |
| Local transport + car rental | €25–€50 | €60–€100 |
| Activities (hiking, boat tours) | €10–€30 | €50–€100 |
| Total per day | €150–€200 | €250–€400 |
The catch: budget travelers can hit €150/day only by cooking own meals and using public buses.
Budget travelers can hit €150/day only by cooking own meals, staying in hostels, and using public buses. Car rental is a major expense — expect €70–€120/day in summer — but gives access to remote villages that buses don’t serve.
Why this matters: A 5-day mid-range trip for a solo traveler lands at €1,250–€2,000 plus flights. For a couple sharing costs, the per-person cost drops by about 30%.
Do they speak English in Faroe Islands?
Yes – English is widely understood, especially among younger islanders and in tourism-facing roles.
What language is spoken in Faroe Islands?
- Faroese is the daily language, a North Germanic tongue close to Icelandic.
- Danish is taught in schools and used in official documents.
- English is compulsory from an early age; most people under 50 speak it comfortably (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
What is the official language of Faroe Islands?
Faroese and Danish are both official (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)). Street signs, menus, and government forms appear in Faroese, but English translations are common in tourist areas.
Is English widely understood in Faroe Islands?
Yes – a 2023 travel survey estimated that over 90% of Faroese under 40 speak English well (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)). You’ll have no trouble ordering food, asking for directions, or booking tours in English.
The implication: language is not a barrier. Even in remote villages, locals switch to English readily.
Which is better, Iceland or Faroe Islands?
Both destinations offer stunning North Atlantic scenery, but they serve different travel styles.
Five key dimensions, one pattern: Faroe wins on solitude and value; Iceland wins on variety and infrastructure.
| Dimension | Faroe Islands | Iceland |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 55,000 | 393,000 |
| Land area | 1,393 km² | 103,000 km² |
| Tourist arrivals (annual) | ~100,000 | ~2.2 million |
| Daily budget (mid-range) | €150–€200 | €200–€300 |
| Flight cost from EU (round trip) | €300–€550 | €150–€400 |
| Number of major attractions | ~15–20 | ~50+ |
| Geothermal features (hot springs, geysers) | Few (1–2) | Dozens |
| English proficiency | Very high | Very high |
The pattern: Faroe offers intimacy; Iceland offers scale.
What are the main differences between Iceland and Faroe Islands?
- Iceland has 10× the land area and 20× the tourists.
- Faroe Islands feel emptier, quieter, and more intimate.
- Iceland offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, glaciers, and hot springs; Faroe is all green cliffs, waterfalls, and sheep.
Which destination is more affordable?
Faroe Islands. While both are expensive, Iceland’s accommodation, food, and car rental tend to be 20–40% higher. Radical Storage (travel cost analysis) estimates a 5-day Iceland trip for a budget traveler at €1,200–€1,800 vs. €900–€1,300 for Faroe (Radical Storage (travel cost analysis)).
Which has more attractions?
Iceland, by a wide margin. The Ring Road alone covers dozens of waterfalls, glaciers, geothermal pools, and national parks. Faroe’s charm is in its compactness – you can see the highlights in 3–5 days without feeling rushed (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
If you want a short, quiet escape with fewer crowds and lower costs, pick Faroe. If you want endless exploration and don’t mind higher prices and crowds, choose Iceland.
Why are the Faroe Islands closed to tourists?
They aren’t permanently closed, but a periodic initiative called “Closed for Maintenance” temporarily stops tourism to protect the environment.
What is the ‘Closed for Maintenance’ initiative?
Launched by Visit Faroe Islands, the program invites volunteers to help maintain hiking trails and tourist sites for a weekend. During that time, the islands are “closed” to regular tourists – only volunteer workers are allowed (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
“We invite volunteers to help maintain trails and sites, giving them a unique experience while we preserve our islands.”
— Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)
“The flight from Keflavík to Vágar takes 1 hour and 50 minutes — far shorter than most connecting itineraries from mainland Europe.”
— Icelandair (national airline)
When does the Faroe Islands close to tourists?
Closed weekends are announced annually. Past editions have been in April, August, or September. In 2025, the closed weekend was April 25–27 (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)). Dates for 2026 are expected by early 2026.
How to visit during closed periods?
During a closed weekend, you can still arrive if you’re a registered volunteer. Regular tourism resumes immediately after. The rest of the year, the islands are fully open (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
The trade-off: If you book a trip that overlaps with a closed weekend, you’ll either need to volunteer or avoid those dates entirely. Check the Visit Faroe Islands website before booking.
Confirmed facts
- The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Population is approximately 55,000 (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Official languages are Faroese and Danish (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Atlantic Airways is the primary airline (Atlantic Airways (national airline))
- The islands have periodic ‘Closed for Maintenance’ weekends (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Currency is the Faroese króna, pegged to the Danish krone (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
What’s unclear
- Exact cost of a trip varies widely by season and accommodation (Booking.com (flight and hotel aggregator))
- Future ‘Closed for Maintenance’ dates beyond 2026 not yet announced (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board))
- Whether Ryanair will ever serve Vágar Airport (Skyscanner (flight comparison engine))
trip.com, nomap-travel.com, uncompromised.travel, trip.com, publicminute.com, expedia.com, zbordirect.com, youtube.com
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit the Faroe Islands?
If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA, US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan, you can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. The Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen Area, so a Schengen visa alone does not grant entry – you need a separate visa if required. Check with the Danish embassy or consulate (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
What is the best time of year to visit the Faroe Islands?
May to September offers the mildest weather, longer daylight, and most operational services. July and August are peak months with many festivals. Spring and autumn can be very windy and rainy (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
Is the Faroe Islands safe for solo travelers?
Yes – violent crime is extremely rare, and locals are helpful. The main risks are weather-related: sudden fog, high winds, and slippery trails. Always check forecasts and inform someone of your hiking plans (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
Can I use credit cards in the Faroe Islands?
Widely – Visa and Mastercard are accepted in most hotels, restaurants, shops, and petrol stations. Cash is rarely needed, but it’s wise to carry some Faroese króna for small village purchases and market stalls.
How many days should I spend in the Faroe Islands?
3 to 5 days is sufficient to see the main highlights: Tórshavn, the village of Gjógv, the lake of Sørvágur, and the cliffs of Vestmanna. For deeper exploration (including Kalsoy’s lighthouse and Mykines bird cliffs), allow 7 days (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
What is the weather like in the Faroe Islands?
Maritime oceanic – mild winters (2–7°C), cool summers (9–12°C), rain year-round. Winds are common. Pack layers, waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes. “There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing” is a local saying.
Are there hiking trails in the Faroe Islands?
Yes – many well-marked trails, from short coastal walks to multi-hour mountain treks. Popular routes: the hike from Sørvágur to Bøsdalafossur, the trail to Trælanípan viewpoint, and the climb up Slættaratindur (the highest peak). Respect private property and stick to paths (Visit Faroe Islands (official tourism board)).
What is the local cuisine like?
Faroese food centers on fresh fish (especially cod and salmon), lamb, and root vegetables. Traditional dishes include skerpikjøt (wind-dried lamb), ræst kjøt (fermented lamb), and fresh seafood. Restaurants in Tórshavn offer modern Nordic fare with local ingredients.
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Edward Davies Bennett is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Insight Britain, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.