The Faroe Islands are a cluster of 18 windswept islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, about midway between Iceland and Norway. The islands are an autonomous territory of Denmark, though their population of 50,000 speak their own language and practises their unique culture.
Fast Facts about Faroe Islands
Official Name: Faroe Islands
Capital: Torshavn
Population of Faroe Islands: 46,345
Languages: Faeroese, Danish
Currency: Danish Krone
Religions: Lutheran
Size: 1,399 sq km (540 sq miles)
Region: Europe
When to visit Faroe Islands
The summer month is the best time to go, between July to late August, for the most hospitable weather. The weather can be quite unpredictable, and can change from one extreme to another, alternative between moments of brilliant sunshine with mist and fog. The temperature ranges from 3°C in wintertime to 11°C in summer.
What to wear in Faroe Islands
Medium weight clothing for the summer time, heavy clothing for winter.
Getting into Faroe Islands
The airport service Faroe Islands is Vága Floghavn on the island of Vágar. The only airline flying there is Atlantic Airways, which flies to Aalborg, Aberdeen, Billund, Copenhagen, London, Narsarsuaq, Oslo, Reykjavík and Stavanger. An undersea tunnel connects Vágar to Eysturoy, the second largest of the Faroe Islands, which in turn is connected via a bridge to Tórshavn, the largest island. A bus service connect the airport to Tórshavn, and the fare is €14.
Faroe Islands Entry Requirements
Similar to Denmark, nationals of Britain and EU countries may enter Denmark without a visa. Nationals of US, Australia and Canada do not require a visa for visits of up to 3 months.
Budget Travel within in Faroe Islands
The easiest way to explore is by rented car. There are excellent roads, bridges and tunnels connecting the islands, though most require toll. Contact the following car rental companies:
Avis Føroyar, tel: 358800/212765
Hertz Flogfelag Føroya, tel: 340036/213546, email: hertzl@ff.fo
Unicar, tel: 332527, email: unicar@post.olivant.fo
Things to see and do in Faroe Islands
Visit the Slættaratindur, 882m, the highest mountain in Faroe Island.
Lake Taftavatn, south of Eysturoy, for its panoramic views
Rinkusteinar (The Rocking Stones): These are two rather pecular boulders, located in the ocean at Oyndarfjørður, that have been rocking for as long as time could tell.
Risin og Kellingin (The Giant and his Wife): two massive basalt sea stacks near the village of Eiði, tied to a legend of two giants who were trying to tow the Faroes back to Iceland.
Money matters in Faroe Islands
The currency is the Danish Krone (DKK, symbol kr). kr1 = 100 øre. Since Faroe Islands are self-governing, the Faroese government prints its own banknotes, although the Danish coins are in use. Banknotes come in denominations of kr50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 while coins in denominations of 25øre, 50øre, kr1, 2, 5, 10 and 20. Danish notes are acceptable at a 1:1 parity.
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