Tórshavn Itinerary: 36 Hours in the Tiny Faroese Capital

While one day is enough for visiting the main sights in Tórshavn, I recommend staying overnight in the Faroese capital. Doing so will let you explore the city at a relaxed pace, enjoy some great food, and really explore the place in more detail. For that reason, I’m putting together this 36-hour itinerary.

During my first trip to the Faroe Islands, I actually spent most of my five days in and around Tórshavn. Even by the end of the week, I was still finding ways to keep myself entertained. I was so happy when I had the opportunity to revisit a year later, and my thoughts remained the same after that second adventure.

This short Tórshavn itinerary will take you around the top sights, allow you to explore Faroese culture more deeply, and take you to some interesting food spots along the way. Let’s get started. 

Day 1

Coffee at Paname Café

Paname is arguably the most popular café in Tórshavn, and for good reasons. This is a great place to grab some coffee and ease into your day, and if the weather starts playing unfairly (which it probably will), this is a fantastic place to hang out for a while. 

In addition to coffee, you’ll find plenty of pastries and sandwiches. So, if you’re feeling hungry, you can always grab something to eat here as well. 

Seeing the Main Sights in Tórshavn

Ease yourself into Tórshavn’s laid-back vibe by exploring the city’s main sights. All of them are very close to each other; you could probably see them in an hour and a half, but I’d recommend slowing things down and exploring as much as possible. 

Á Reyni, one of Tórshavn’s oldest and most popular neighborhoods, is a logical starting point. Here, you’ll see those wooden houses with grass roofs that your Instagram has probably shown you. Wander the winding streets and inevitably find yourself searching for house prices soon after. I came back here multiple times on both my trips to the Faroes so far, and I didn’t get bored on either.

From Á Reyni, you can easily walk to Tinganes. The Faroese government is still based here, and during the Viking era, meetings used to take place once every summer. If it’s not too windy (which admittedly is sometimes a big ask 😛), check out the view of Tórshavn’s harbor from the edges. 

Getting a good city view is always, in my opinion, a must on your first day visiting. The best view of Tórshavn is from Kongaminnið, perched atop a hill just outside the center. Kongaminnið is a monument commemorating the King of Denmark’s visit to the Faroe Islands in 1874. Besides getting a cool view of the city, you might even see some sheep nearby if you’re lucky 🐏. 

Visit the National Gallery

After enjoying the main sights in Tórshavn, it’s time for some culture. The National Gallery is a small but impressive building with artworks from various parts of the Faroe Islands. It’s a very cozy way to spend an afternoon, and I especially recommend it if you’re visiting with kids. 

The gallery is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For the rest of the week, it’s open from 11:00 – 16:00. You can buy tickets at the service desk when you visit; there’s also a nice café if you’re feeling peckish. 

You can buy your tickets to the National Gallery in advance here.

Dinner at Katrine Christiansen

I’ve been a strong advocate of Katrine Christiansen ever since I visited; it was a fantastic restaurant and an absolute must-visit in Tórshavn. I took the seven-course meal, which included a Faroese take on tapas. However, there are plenty of other dishes and menus to choose from.

The restaurant is close to Hotel Hafnia (which, as a side note, is where I stayed and would also recommend). If you want to read about my experiences eating at Katrina Christiansen, check out this article. And if you’d like to book a table, head to the website. 

Day 2

Breakfast at Breyðvirkið

Breyðvirkið specializes in organic sourdough bread and pastries, and it’s one of the most famous bakeries in Tórshavn. It opens at 07:30 Wednesday through Friday and 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday, and I’d recommend getting here as early as possible. 

Basically everything is good here, but I’d recommend the cinnamon buns and some coffee if you aren’t sure where to start. 

Walk Around the Harbour Area

After enjoying some breakfast, stroll back towards the waterfront and wander around the harbor area. Part of it is close to Tinganes, and the area near the main church is also worth exploring. If you’ve ever been to Copenhagen before, it’ll remind you of Nyhavn somewhat. 

The other part of the harbor behind the Á Reyni neighborhood is also worth exploring. I actually like this part even more.

Lunch at Suppugarðurin

Suppugarðurin is a ramen place right in the heart of Tórshavn, and it’s one of my favorite restaurants in the Faroe Islands. It’s a great place to stop for some lunch before continuing your adventure; there’s a decent amount of seating available, so you should be able to find somewhere. 

Besides being delicious, the food is reasonably priced for the Faroe Islands. Suppugarðurin is open from 11:30 to 20:00 on weekdays and 16:00 to 20:00 on weekends. 

Visit Skansin

Close to the harbour area is Skansin, so it makes sense to come here after you’ve had a wander. This fort dates back to the 16th century and was a base for the British Army during the Second World War. Today, it’s a popular place to walk around—and that’s the main activity worth doing here. 

While at Skansin, you’ll still see remnants of the Second World War. Moreover, you can enjoy a great view toward the nearby island of Nólsoy. The fort is open round-the-clock, and entry is free. 

Admire Tórshavn From Multiple Vantage Points

We’ve already mentioned Kongaminnið, which is the most famous spot to get a view of Tórshavn. However, since this is a city tantalizingly close to the mountains, that isn’t your only option. On my first and last day in Tórshavn, I aimlessly wandered around the city and its outskirts and found multiple viewing spots. 

Once you’ve finished in Á Reyni, you’ll get a glimpse of the harbor as you’re heading back to street level. And if you walk in the hills around the city, you’ll find a number of interesting photography spots. 

Once You’re Done: Head Out and Begin Your Faroe Islands Adventure

At the end of your 36 hours in Tórshavn, you’ll have sampled some of the Faroe Islands’ rich culture and be ready to explore this beautiful archipelago further. The direction you go is up to you; Vágar is particularly beautiful (especially for landscape photography), and you should also go all the way north and make your way back south. I really liked Borðoy and Kunoy, for example.

On your way out of town, you can take in the views of Nólsoy—and see some sheep—along Yvri Við Strond. In the summer, there are also camping spots here if you want to spend another night around Tórshavn. If you’re visiting without a car, don’t worry; Tórshavn is a popular pickup spot for many tours around the Faroe Islands.

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