8-Day Winter Self-Drive Tour With Stunning Places 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.
Your journey begins with arrival at Vágar Airport, where you’ll pick up your rental car and head straight into the wild landscapes of the western islands. The nearby villages of Bøur and Gásadalur are among the most picturesque in the country, with turf-roof houses and sweeping ocean views. The highlight here is the Múlafossur waterfall, cascading directly into the Atlantic — a scene that perfectly captures the untouched beauty of the Faroes.
On your second day, you’ll leave Vágar and drive toward Eysturoy, crossing undersea tunnels and winding past fjords and cliffs. Your destination is the tranquil village of Gjógv, known for its dramatic sea gorge and peaceful setting. Along the way, small hamlets like Funningur and Eiði offer scenic photo stops and a glimpse into quiet Faroese life during winter.
The third day is dedicated to exploring the remote and visually stunning areas of Tjørnuvík and Saksun. Tjørnuvík, with its black sand beach and view of the sea stacks Risin og Kellingin, is surrounded by steep mountains that seem to rise straight out of the sea. Saksun is equally captivating, where a tidal lagoon meets the backdrop of towering cliffs, and silence reigns. You’ll return to Gjógv for another cozy night surrounded by nature.
Day four takes you to the northern islands, beginning with a ferry ride to Kalsoy — a narrow island famous for its winding roads, remote villages, and breathtaking views. If the weather allows, a short hike to the Kallur Lighthouse rewards you with one of the most iconic panoramas in the Faroe Islands. In the afternoon, explore the serene island of Kunoy, a quiet and often overlooked gem with majestic fjords and little sign of modern life.
From the north, you’ll head back south on day five, driving from Klaksvík — the second largest town in the Faroe Islands — to the capital, Tórshavn. This drive offers one of the most scenic coastal routes in the country. Once in Tórshavn, you’ll settle into the capital’s quiet winter rhythm, where modern life meets centuries of history.
Spend day six fully immersed in Tórshavn. Stroll through the old town of Tinganes, where traditional red timber houses with turf roofs line narrow lanes. Visit small art galleries, stop by local cafés, and enjoy the friendly, laid-back atmosphere that the Faroese people embrace during the winter. Despite the season, Tórshavn is full of warmth, character, and charm.
On day seven, take a short drive to Kirkjubøur, the island’s most important historical site. This small village is home to Roykstovan, one of the oldest inhabited wooden houses in the world, as well as the medieval ruins of the Magnus Cathedral. It’s a quiet, spiritual place that offers a deeper sense of Faroese heritage and connection to the land. You’ll return to Tórshavn for a final evening of good food and reflection.
On your final day, drive back to Vágar Airport and drop off your rental car. If your flight time allows, enjoy a relaxed morning and one last look at the dramatic landscapes that make the Faroe Islands so unforgettable.
This winter self-drive tour is ideal for those who want to slow down and fully appreciate the natural beauty and serene atmosphere of the Faroe Islands. With each hotel thoughtfully chosen for comfort and location and routes planned for scenery and simplicity, this itinerary brings you as close as possible to the soul of the islands—just as the locals like to experience them.
Book this tour
Accommodation and car options
Take the wheel and explore the Faroe Islands at your own pace with our flexible self-drive tour. Choose from reliable car options suited for Faroese roads. All vehicles are available with either a manual or automatic transmission, allowing you to have complete control over your driving experience.
You’ll stay in handpicked, cozy 3-star hotels that offer comfort, private bathrooms, and a hearty breakfast to start each day right. For those seeking a bit more comfort and style, both vehicle and accommodation upgrades to premium options are available. Get in touch with us to personalize your journey—we’re happy to help you create a trip that perfectly suits your travel style.
Day 1: Arrival in the Faroe Islands – Explore Bøur and Gásadalur, Overnight in Tórshavn
As soon as you land at Vágar Airport, you’ll pick up your rental car and head straight into the dramatic landscapes that define the Faroe Islands. Before making your way to the capital, take the time to explore two of the most beautiful and iconic villages on Vágar Island—Bøur and Gásadalur.
Bøur is a peaceful seaside village with turf-roofed houses and one of the most photographed views in the country: the sharp sea stacks of Drangarnir and the island of Tindhólmur rising from the Atlantic. Just a short drive away is Gásadalur, a remote valley community that gained road access only recently. Here, you’ll find Múlafossur, the famous waterfall that flows straight off the cliffs into the ocean. On quiet winter days, you’ll likely have these incredible views all to yourself—a moment only locals used to experience not so long ago.
After a scenic afternoon, continue your drive to Tórshavn, the world’s smallest capital, where old-world charm meets relaxed Nordic living. Your accommodation here provides a cozy base for the night, with restaurants, harbor walks, and local culture right on your doorstep.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 2: From Vágar to Eysturoy – Scenic Drive to the Northern Cliffs of Gjógv
After a restful night in Tórshavn, your journey continues as you leave the volcanic beauty of Vágar behind and drive east toward the island of Eysturoy. This leg of the trip reveals some of the most rugged and untouched landscapes in the Faroes—where steep mountains meet narrow fjords and time feels slower.
We always recommend taking your time through this stretch. The drive itself is part of the experience, offering ever-changing views of towering peaks, windswept inlets, and quiet seaside villages. Stop at Funningur, one of the oldest settlements in the Faroe Islands, tucked between sharp ridges at the foot of Slættaratindur—the highest mountain in the country. Continue through Eiði, where dramatic coastlines and sea cliffs remind you just how close you are to nature out here.
Your destination is the small village of Gjógv, tucked into a natural gorge along the far northern coast of Eysturoy. It’s a peaceful, remote spot that locals love to visit when they want to get away from everything. In winter, the atmosphere here is something special—quiet, crisp, and deeply calming. Settle into your guesthouse and enjoy the simple beauty of Gjógv’s cliffs, ocean views, and timeless rhythm.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 3: Explore Tjørnuvík and Saksun – Remote Beauty and Timeless Landscapes, Overnight in Gjógv
Today, the road takes you deep into the quiet soul of the Faroe Islands. Leaving Gjógv in the morning, you’ll head toward two of the most atmospheric villages in the north—Tjørnuvík and Saksun. These are places where the land speaks for itself, where life moves slowly, and where, even as locals, we still find ourselves stopping to admire the silence.
The road to Tjørnuvík winds through steep valleys and past roaring waterfalls, especially striking in winter when the hills are brushed with snow, and the air feels fresh and untouched. Once you arrive, you’ll find a small, peaceful village cradled by tall mountains, with a striking black sand beach that looks out to the sea stacks Risin og Kellingin, standing like sentinels just off the coast. It’s a powerful view—one we never tire of, no matter how many times we visit.
From there, continue to Saksun, one of the Faroe Islands’ most photogenic and quietly majestic locations. Tucked into a natural amphitheater of cliffs, the village overlooks a tidal lagoon that shifts with the sea, giving the landscape an ever-changing, almost surreal quality. The turf-roofed houses and the stone church feel as though they’ve always been part of the land. In winter, with fewer visitors around, it’s possible to stand here in complete stillness.
As the afternoon fades, return to Gjógv, where the cliffs meet the ocean, and the village settles into its quiet rhythm. On clear nights, you may even catch a glimpse of the northern lights—faint green ribbons above the sea, dancing in the dark Faroese sky.
This is the Faroe Islands in winter: raw, beautiful, and deeply calming. Exactly how we like it.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 4: Northern Islands – Kalsoy and Kunoy, Overnight in Tórshavn
Today, you’ll venture into one of the most remote and soulful parts of the Faroe Islands—the northern islands. Start the morning by driving to Klaksvík. From here, take the short ferry across to Kalsoy, a narrow and winding island known for its deep valleys and quiet villages. Kalsoy feels like a world of its own. The road hugs the mountainside as you pass through tunnels carved into solid rock, eventually reaching the town of Trøllanes, where the famed Kallur Lighthouse hike begins.
If the winter conditions allow, the walk is nothing short of spectacular—sharp cliffs falling into the sea and a panoramic view that stretches across the North Atlantic.
After returning by ferry, continue your journey to Kunoy, a small island that feels untouched by time. It’s a place where locals go when they want to disconnect from everything—there are no shops, no distractions—just raw nature and the sound of the ocean. In winter, the mood is exceptionally peaceful, with snow-covered peaks rising above the narrow fjords.
Later in the day, begin your drive back to Tórshavn, where you’ll spend the night. The return route offers a different perspective on the landscapes you’ve passed—changing light, shifting clouds, and always the sea nearby. Once in the capital, take the evening to relax and enjoy a locally sourced meal in one of Tórshavn’s cozy restaurants. After a day in the wild north, the warmth and comfort of the city feel just right.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 5: Tórshavn to Klaksvík – A Day Among the Northern Fjords, Overnight in Tórshavn
Start your day early in Tórshavn and set out on a scenic drive north to Klaksvík, the Faroe Islands’ second-largest town and the cultural heart of the northern islands. Though just a few hours from the capital, this region has a different rhythm—slower, quieter, and more in tune with the dramatic nature that surrounds it.
The route between Tórshavn and Klaksvík is a journey worth taking. You’ll pass fjords that stretch deep into the land, cross narrow mountain roads, and travel through undersea tunnels that link the islands together—an everyday part of life here but a novelty for visitors.
When you arrive in Klaksvík, take your time. This is a working town with a strong connection to the sea and a proud fishing heritage. Framed by towering mountains, it has a dramatic setting that feels both grounded and grand. The town is home to a modern Faroese church built with traditional design in mind and local cafés where you can sit with a coffee and watch the boats come and go from the harbor. Even on a quiet winter day, there’s something vibrant in Klaksvík’s air—something that speaks to the resilience of the Faroese way of life.
Back in Tórshavn for the night, where you can enjoy a relaxed evening.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 6: Discover the Spirit of Tórshavn – The Faroe Islands’ Capital at Your Own Pace
Today is all about slowing down and enjoying the capital city of the Faroe Islands—Tórshavn. Though small in size, Tórshavn is full of character and charm.
Begin your day in Tinganes, the city’s historic core, where narrow lanes wind between turf-roofed buildings that date back centuries. These old timber houses, still in use today, tell the story of a people deeply rooted in tradition. Just steps away, you’ll find the modern side of Tórshavn—local boutiques, art galleries, and warm cafés serving strong Faroese coffee and homemade pastries.
Tórshavn isn’t flashy, but that’s part of its charm. It’s a place where life moves at a gentle pace, especially in winter. In the afternoon, you might explore the marina or visit Skansin, the old fortress overlooking the sea. From here, you can look out across the North Atlantic and feel just how closely this city lives with the ocean. In the evening, enjoy a meal at one of Tórshavn’s highly regarded restaurants. Many use seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, such as fresh fish, Faroese lamb, or seaweed harvested from nearby shores.
Tórshavn is more than just a capital—it’s the cultural heart of the Faroes. It blends old and new, nature and creativity, solitude and community. And the best part? It never tries to impress. It simply invites you in and lets the feeling grow on you.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 7: Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur – A Walk Through Faroese History, Overnight in Tórshavn
Today’s journey takes you just a short drive—or a scenic coastal hike—from the heart of Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur, the most historically significant village in the Faroe Islands. Though the distance is small, the sense of time you experience here runs deep. This is where the past lives quietly beside the present in a way that we deeply respect and relate to.
Kirkjubøur is a tiny village perched on the edge of the sea, where stone ruins and turf-roofed houses have stood for centuries. The first thing you’ll notice is Magnus Cathedral, a 13th-century stone structure that was never completed but still commands attention with its weathered walls and windswept setting. Just beside it is Saint Olav’s Church, still in use today, and Roykstovan, the oldest inhabited wooden house in the Faroe Islands—home to the same Faroese family for over 17 generations.
Walking through Kirkjubøur feels like stepping into a quiet chapter of the islands’ history. The wind carries stories here. Locals often say something is grounding about the place, something you feel more than see. Whether you visit in soft morning light or under low-hanging clouds, the atmosphere remains rich and still.
After your visit, return to Tórshavn for your final evening. Enjoy your last night in the capital at your own pace—perhaps with a warm dinner at one of the city’s intimate restaurants or a quiet stroll through the harbor as the lights reflect off the sea.
Suggested driving itinerary for the day
Day 8: Departure Day – Farewell to the Faroe Islands
As your journey through the Faroe Islands comes to a close, it’s time to say goodbye to the quiet beauty and wide horizons that have accompanied you over the past few days. After breakfast in Tórshavn, enjoy a final slow morning.
When you’re ready, begin the drive back to Vágar Airport, where you return your rental car and prepare for departure. The process is simple and well-marked, with car rental drop-off located right by the terminal.
Love what you see but need something slightly different?
Do you have questions about this tour?
We understand that planning a tour is an exciting yet sometimes overwhelming experience, and we're here to help! Whether you have specific inquiries about the itinerary, accommodations, or any other details, feel free to reach out. Our team is ready to assist you with any information you need to ensure your trip is everything you imagined and more.
For your convenience, we've provided a contact form below where you can submit your questions directly to us. Simply fill out the form, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible with all the information you need.
Browse our frequently asked questions, or contact us for personalized support. Your perfect tour experience starts with getting the right answers—so ask away!