4-Day Summer Self-Drive Tour in the Faroe Islands
Experience the raw beauty of the Faroe Islands in winter with this unforgettable 8-day self-drive adventure. This self-drive package is designed for travelers who want to explore the islands at their own pace, discovering both iconic sites and hidden gems, all set against the peaceful atmosphere of the off-season. With snow-capped mountains, dramatic coastlines, and cozy villages, winter in the Faroe Islands offers a truly unique escape far from the crowds.
Discover the quiet beauty of the Faroe Islands during the long days of summer. This 4-day self-drive tour offers you the freedom to explore the islands on your terms, following winding coastal roads, passing through peaceful valleys, and discovering small villages that seem untouched by time. This is the best way to experience the Faroes if you prefer independence and a deeper connection to the landscape.
The journey begins on Vágar Island, where the road leads you to the villages of Bøur and Gásadalur. From the cliffs above the sea, you’ll see the sharp outline of Tindhólmur rising from the Atlantic, while just beside Gásadalur, the waterfall at Múlafossur drops into the ocean with quiet power. It’s a scene we locals never tire of—raw, open, and peaceful.
In Tórshavn, the capital, you’ll find a unique mix of the old and the new. A walk through Tinganes, the old part of town, brings you along narrow stone alleys and turf-roofed buildings that have stood for centuries. Despite being one of the smallest capitals in the world, Tórshavn is rich in atmosphere, with a strong connection to both traditional and modern Faroese culture.
From there, you’ll head toward the northern villages of Eysturoy and Streymoy. The winding roads take you to places like Saksun, a quiet valley where a tidal lagoon meets a tiny stone church, and Tjørnuvík, where black sands and sea mist open up to a perfect view of the sea stacks Risin and Kellingin. Further along, the colorful village of Gjógv welcomes you with its natural gorge carved into the cliffs—a place where the sea moves in a slow rhythm, and the mountains rise all around you.
If time allows, you can also visit the bird cliffs near Vestmanna, where puffins and seabirds nest along towering rock faces. It’s a powerful reminder of how closely life here is tied to nature and the sea. All along your route, you’ll be treated to sweeping views of fjords, waterfalls tumbling down steep slopes, and small villages tucked into quiet coves—scenes that capture the essence of Faroese summer.
You’ll stay in a cozy, hand-picked hotel. Each morning begins with a proper breakfast, and each evening brings the calm of a northern sunset, often stretching past midnight.
Summer in the Faroes is the best time to explore! The weather is gentle, the roads are clear, and the light lingers long into the evening. It’s the season when everything opens up—quietly, without a rush. And that’s exactly how the islands are best experienced.
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Accommodation and car options
Take your time and experience the Faroe Islands on your terms with a self-drive tour designed for flexibility and comfort. Our car options are well-suited to the winding, weather-shaped roads across the islands, with both manual and automatic transmissions available depending on what suits you best.
Each night, you’ll stay in carefully selected 3-star hotels known for their warmth and local hospitality. All rooms include private bathrooms and a good breakfast to set you up for the day ahead. If you’re looking for something a bit more refined, it’s easy to upgrade to a more premium vehicle or accommodation. Just let us know what you have in mind—we’re happy to help you shape a journey that fits the way you like to travel, with the freedom to take the Faroes at your own pace.
Day 1: Arrival in the Faroe Islands – Gásadalur & Tórshavn
After landing at Vágar Airport, pick up your rental car and begin your journey into the heart of the Faroe Islands. Your first drive takes you through the village of Sørvágur, heading west toward Gásadalur, one of the most scenic and storied spots on Vágar Island. Along the way, the view opens up to the dramatic cliffs of Tindhólmur, a jagged islet rising steeply from the sea—something locals still stop to admire, no matter how many times they’ve seen it.
At the end of the road lies Gásadalur, a quiet village set against towering mountains and expansive ocean views. Its small collection of turf-roofed and wooden houses sits peacefully beside Múlafossur, the waterfall that tumbles straight from the cliffs into the Atlantic below. Until a tunnel was carved through the mountains in 2004, Gásadalur could only be reached on foot, by boat, or by helicopter—a fact that still shapes its quiet, untouched atmosphere today.
After taking in the views and the silence, return the same way you came, passing the airport once more and continuing east. The drive to Tórshavn brings you through small, colorful villages where waterfalls thread down green hillsides and sheep graze near the roadside. You’ll cross under the sea through one of the Faroes’ famous submarine tunnels before arriving in the capital.
Tórshavn, though modest in size, is full of charm and character. From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel the shift from remote island roads to the rhythm of city life—still slow by most standards but full of Faroese warmth.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 2: From Tórshavn to Saksun, Gjógv & Tjørnuvík
Today’s journey brings you to some of the most captivating and naturally rich areas of the Faroe Islands—places that hold a deep connection to Faroese heritage, landscape, and folklore.
Begin your day by heading northwest toward Saksun, one of the most atmospheric villages on Streymoy. Nestled beneath steep mountains, Saksun sits at the edge of a tidal lagoon, once a natural harbor until a storm centuries ago filled it with sand. The old turf-roofed church and the Dúvugarður farm, now a small museum, speak to the simple, resilient way of life that has shaped this quiet valley for generations. Locals often come here just to breathe in the stillness—it’s one of those places where time seems to stretch out.
From there, make your way to Gjógv, the northernmost village on the island of Eysturoy. Known for its colorful turf-roofed cottages and dramatic setting, Gjógv takes its name from the 200-meter-long sea-filled gorge that cuts into the cliffs at the village’s edge. On a calm day, the water flows gently into the narrow inlet. When the sea swells, it crashes against the rocks with incredible force—a reminder of how close the village sits to nature’s edge.
As you continue toward Eiði, the scenery shifts again. From the road, you’ll see the towering sea stacks Risin og Kellingin—the Giant and the Witch—rising 75 meters from the sea below the cliffs of Eiðiskollur. These rock formations are tied to Faroese legend and remain one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the country. The drive also offers views of Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands, standing at 880 meters tall.
Later, visit Tjørnuvík, the northernmost village on Streymoy and one of the oldest settlements in the Faroes, with roots tracing back to the Viking Age. High peaks surround this small village, facing a wide, black-sand beach. From here, you’ll once again see the Giant and the Witch far on the horizon. The sound of waves, the fresh ocean air, and the history beneath your feet make Tjørnuvík a place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
In the late afternoon, return to Tórshavn for the night, passing through narrow mountain roads and open coastal views that reflect the rugged beauty of the islands in summer. It’s a day filled with contrast—between land and sea, history and nature.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 3: From Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur
Today, you have the opportunity to explore two distinct and contrasting aspects of the Faroe Islands—its dramatic coastal landscape and its rich cultural heritage.
In the morning, you can take a scenic drive to Vestmanna, a village known for its access to some of the most awe-inspiring sea cliffs in the country. From the harbor, you have the option to join a two-hour boat tour to the famous Vestmanna bird cliffs. This experience takes you through deep grottoes and along towering cliffs that rise straight from the Atlantic. Thousands of seabirds nest along these vertical walls—puffins, guillemots, and fulmars among them. It’s a place where the sea and sky are alive with movement, and the power of nature is felt at every turn.
Later in the day, take a short drive from Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur, the southernmost village on Streymoy. The route itself offers beautiful views of the nearby islands of Hestur and Koltur, often cloaked in mist or shining in the evening light, depending on the weather. Once you arrive, you’ll find a site rich in Faroese history and spiritual significance. The ruins of Magnus Cathedral, dating back to around 1300, still stand tall against the wind, while the 12th-century Saint Olav’s Church remains in active use today. Just beside it, you can visit Roykstovan, the old timber farmhouse believed to date back to the 11th century, which is still home to the same Faroese family after generations. Walking among these historic buildings, with the sea steps away, gives you a strong sense of how life here has endured over the centuries.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 4: Departure
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