Faroe Islands Landscape Photography: A Complete Guide

When I visited the Faroe Islands for the first time in 2024, I said with the utmost confidence that they were the most epic place I have ever visited. One year later, I was privileged enough to explore this stunning archipelago for a second time. I can safely say that I stand by my original thoughts. 

The Faroes are a landscape photographer’s dream. Moody skies, rolling fog, and mountains dropping hundreds of meters into the sea all contribute to a wonderful experience. While the Faroe Islands are small, you could easily spend a few weeks exploring their wonderful scenery and not get bored. 

To be totally honest, photography was the main reason I visited the Faroe Islands both times. There are few places I enjoy roaming with my camera as much, and the crosswinds trying to spin you about add to the experience rather than take away from it. 

Based on my comprehensive experiences, I’ve put together this complete Faroe Islands landscape photography guide. You’ll learn: 

• When to visit the Faroe Islands for landscape photography
• My favorite spots for landscape photography in the Faroe Islands 
• The best equipment to pack for your trip 

I’ve broken all of this down into multiple chapters to help you easily find the information you need. Without further ado, let’s get started. 

Why the Faroe Islands Are the Perfect Landscape Photography Destination

1. Ever-Changing Light

One of my favorite things about the Faroe Islands is how you’re watching nature in motion all the time. The light is constantly switching from bright to moody; sometimes it feels like you’re on a beach in Greece, while at other times it feels like—well—the Faroe Islands. 

Whereas many people view the Faroese weather as a hindrance, I love visiting because of the ever-changing weather. Watching the clouds block the sun before it makes a quick reappearance (and then disappears again) is perfect for interesting landscape photos. 

2. Lots of Textures

As soon as you arrive in the Faroe Islands, you’ll notice the unique textures in its mountains. Several years of harsh weather have shaped this archipelago into what it is today, and it makes the mountains here look cooler than in most places on the planet. 

While traveling around the archipelago, you’ll see textures everywhere else you go. The rough seas make for interesting composition opportunities, while the untamed landscapes are great for documenting your adventure. 

3. It’s Just Really Beautiful, to be Honest

You don’t need me to tell you this, but I’m going to anyway. One of the best things about landscape photography in the Faroe Islands is that EVERYWHERE is beautiful. As you point your camera around, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a Game of Thrones set. 

I always used to feel like I was somehow being a traitor to photography for not being passionate about capturing every place. Until I realized that was an utter lie. We all have our favorite places to capture images, and it definitely helps if they’re as beautiful as the Faroe Islands.

How I’ve Chosen These Landscapes

Across my two trips to the Faroe Islands, I’ve visited all the locations mentioned in this guide. I have also been to plenty more but have left them out because these are my absolute favorites. To be honest, picking the best ones was still challenging. 

How you reach these spots will depend. I recommend renting a car in the Faroe Islands, despite its public transport, so you can explore at your own pace. Doing so will also enable you to visit multiple places on the same day.  

In some cases, you’ll need to hike to reach these landscape photography spots. However, I’ve included hikes that are of moderate difficulty at most. When these appear, I’ll mention which times of year you can do them. 

Some of these landscape photography spots are even more remote, and you’ll need to join a boat tour. 

My Favorite Landscape Photography Locations in the Faroe Islands

Now we’ve covered the basics, I’ll share my top landscape photo spots in the Faroe Islands. For each one, I shall give you my best tips to help you take the best possible shots. You’ll also find maps showing you how to get there when applicable. 

Vágar

Few places on the Faroe Islands have so many amazing photo locations in such a short distance, which says a lot in and of itself. 

To visit Vágar from Tórshavn, you’ll pass through a sea tunnel (Vágatunnilin). You need to pay a fee of 100 DKK (return), which is typically paid to your rental company. 

Based on my two previous trips, these are my top recommendations for landscape photography locations on Vágar. 

Skarðsáfossur

While Múlafossur gets all the attention for its beautiful backdrop, nearby Skarðsáfossur is also a gem. I actually think this waterfall is more impressive in and of itself than Múlafossur, though *that* photo of Gásadalur and Múlafossur is too good to ignore. 

You can hike to Skarðsáfossur, but the view I’m talking about is actually from the sea. Our boat went right up to the waterfall and beach, allowing for a wonderful view. It was also nice not to be going so quickly, allowing me to compose the shot. 

If you want to hike to Skarðsáfossur, this website has a helpful guide showing you how to do so. Otherwise, the view from the sea is available on this RIB boat tour, which departs from Sørvágur. 

Gásadalur/Múlafossur 

This is the all-time classic view—the postcard shot that you’ve almost certainly seen when Googling anything about the Faroe Islands. And let me be very clear: It’s even more stunning in real life. 

The viewpoint of Gásadalur with Árnafjall in the background and Múlafossur in the foreground is one of the most photographed spots on the Faroe Islands. When I first visited, it was one of those moments where I said “oh wow” out loud. I would happily admire this spot for multiple hours without getting tired. 

If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some Faroese sheep grazing on the cliffsides. 

My Best Photography Tips 

A wide-angle lens is your best friend for getting the best shots here. As for the scene itself, I’ve generally shot it at around f/8 before. The textures on Árnafjall are particularly interesting; consider playing around with your clarity slider in your editing software afterward. 

This scene looks much better on a cloudy day, in my opinion. If you come here on a windy day, you’ll notice the waterfall’s water blowing upwards. If possible, try getting both the mountains into your shot.

While many people take the postcard shot and leave, I recommend experimenting a bit. For example, you can include just Múlafossur. You’ll find plenty of fulmars flying around here, too; consider waiting for one to get into your photo. 

How to Get Here:

Gásadalur is the westernmost village on Vágar. To get here, you need to pass through a tunnel and go down a winding road that leads to the village. We parked our car in the village with no problems and then walked to the photo spot. 

Driving directly from Tórshavn would take around an hour. 

Very Important: 

When you get here, you must stick to the trail. It’s pretty well-marked, so you should have no problems. Parts can be quite muddy, so keep this in mind. 

Árnafjall From the Sea

Árnafjall is the mountain you see in the iconic photos from Gásadalur and Múlafossur. It’s 722 meters tall, and in my opinion, it’s one of the most stunning mountains on the Faroe Islands. 

While we’ve all seen the viewpoint from Gásadalur, not many people get to see Árnafjall from the sea. I found the mountain so interesting from this point; it looked like it had an extra dimension, and it was so cool to see. 

I was able to see this point thanks to the same RIB boat tour I took to find Skarðsáfossur. You’ll depart from the port in Sørvágur. Make sure you book in advance.

My Top Photography Tips

I spotted this view while we were riding quite quickly, so if I’m totally with you, this was my strategy: 

1. Put my camera into Aperture Priority Mode 
2. Turn on autofocus 
3. Hope for the best 

I recommend doing the same, while trying to keep your camera’s shutter speed as slow as possible to limit camera shake. For example, I had mine on around 1/1000s. 

If you’re lucky, you might even see some puffins at sea during the off-season. Puffins live at sea during the winter, coming to land when it’s breeding season. 

The Troll Finger Viewpoint From Near Sandavágur

Trøllkonufingur is one of the most famous landmarks on the Faroe Islands. You can see it in a couple of locations, but one of the best spots is near Sandavágur. There’s a designated parking lot just outside the village; from here, you will walk for around 20 minutes. 

It’s not a very difficult walk, and you don’t have to pay a hiking fee either. We actually did this as an afterthought, but I was really glad we visited in the end. 

My Top Photography Tips

If you want to photograph the finger up close, you’ll need something with a longer focal length. I zoomed all the way in on my 24-70mm lens for the picture below, for example. 

Still, you can get some nice shots with a shorter focal length. The cliff leading up to the finger is quite cool; consider incorporating this for leading lines. 

How to Get Here: 

The viewpoint’s parking lot is above the town of Sandavágur. Type “Witches Finger Trail” in Google Maps to get directions here. Parking is free. 

The Northern Isles

The Northern Isles are some of the most photogenic parts of the Faroe Islands. Considering the high standards this archipelago sets, this is quite something. While I haven’t been to Kalsoy yet, I have been to Kunoy, Borðoy, and Viðoy.

Here are some of my favorite photo spots from the Northern Isles so far.  

The Views Leading Up to Klakkur 

I really enjoyed our time in Klaksvík, the second-biggest town on the Faroe Islands. I think it has the most scenic backdrop of all the towns and villages on the archipelago, with beautiful mountains weaving their way around the town center. Its setting actually reminded me a lot of Bergen in Norway.

I was quite unwell on the day we hiked Klakkur, and the trail was very snowy, but the views were worthwhile. You get excellent views of Klaksvík as you’re walking up the mountain, and the views of the surrounding fjords and islands are also great. 

You’ll get a cool panoramic view once you reach the top of the mountain, too. I didn’t go all the way to the edge as it was quite windy, but even then, there were plenty of photo opportunities. 

My Top Photography Tips

Any camera will get you decent photos here, to be honest—including your smartphone. Choosing a versatile lens, such as a zoom lens or a 35mm/50mm prime lens, will get you the best results. 

This hike is relatively easy (if you aren’t feeling as sick as I was), but it can be slippery and muddy in parts. Bring some good hiking shoes. I also recommend keeping your camera in your bag while you’re not taking photos, so you can focus on where you walk; if you see a nice scene, you can stop and bring it out.

How to Get Here: 

Klaksvík is around 50 minutes from Tórshavn when you drive via the Eysturoy Tunnel. You can also drive via Oyrarbakki, which will take around 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

The Eysturoy Tunnel costs 175 DKK one-way (350 DKK if you take a return trip). You then need to pay to use Norðoyatunnilin, which is an extra 100 DKK (return). Traveling via Oyrarbakki means you’ll avoid the Eysturoy Tunnel, which might be worthwhile if you want to save a bit of money. 

We parked further down in Klaksvík as the final road to the trailhead is a gravel road. However, there is a parking lot at the trailhead. 

Kunoy

Kunoy is very small, but the island’s namesake village has a wonderful mountainous backdrop. The textures here are particularly interesting; we were lucky enough to be greeted with a snow-capped mountain when we arrived, too. 

My favorite shot was from close to the small bridge going into the village. You’ll get a nice view across the fjord to Kalsoy, too. 

How to Get Here: 

You first need to drive over a small bridge from Borðoy, which will bring you to Haraldssund. Then, you have to drive through the Kunoy Tunnel. This is single-lane, and I must say it felt quite claustrophobic. 

The single-lane road then continues to Kunoy. While you’re here, I recommend wandering around the village; it’s very pretty. 

The Viðareiði Church Viewpoint, Viðoy

The Viðareiði church viewpoint is one of the Faroe Islands’ all-time classic photo spots. But while the village’s church backdrop is beautiful, it’s not the only thing worth photographing here. 

You will find plenty of landscape photography opportunities when you get here. I would argue that the view looking in the opposite direction is even more stunning, for example.

The views looking out to the sea are equally beautiful. Besides landscape photography, this is a great place to have a portrait photoshoot.

How to Get Here:

The viewpoint is at the end of Kirkjugøta. We parked our car at the start of the village and walked there. You’ll drive across a small bridge from Borðoy to get to Viðoy. 

It’s worth quickly stopping in Hvannasund on your way; the views from the harbor are excellent. 

Eysturoy

Eysturoy is, in my opinion, the coolest island in the archipelago. The landscape photography opportunities are off the scale; we spent two separate days exploring all that this island had to offer. It’s quite close to Tórshavn, too, which is a nice bonus. 

Eysturoy is where I’ve spent the most time on the Faroe Islands in general, having explored it quite extensively on my first trip in 2024 as well. Based on those experiences, I’ve added all my favorite landscape photo locations on Eysturoy below. 

The Gorge at Gjógv

Gjógv itself is pretty, but the gorge is the main reason to visit. A small walking trail leads above the village, offering a fantastic view of Gjógv, its nearby mountains, and the sea coming into the gorge. 

The first part of the trail is free, though you need to pay a hiking fee to continue further into the mountain. We didn’t feel like we were missing out by skipping that part, personally, but we stayed a long time in the free section below. Note that the trail can be quite muddy and slippery.

Further down, the gorge is also stunning from ground level. You’ll see plenty of fulmars nesting on its edges, along with a great view of the trailhead from further down. I wouldn’t feel comfortable coming down here on a stormy day, but it was quite cool when the weather was playing fair. 

My Top Photography Tips

The viewpoint of Gjógv looks much cooler when it’s cloudy, in my opinion. I came to Gjógv for the first time and it was sunny the whole time, which I must say was kind of annoying. 

On the second occasion, though, I waited for ages until the clouds covered part of the mountains. I didn’t get the *exact* shot I first wanted, but I was nonetheless happy with the results. Maybe the idea was better in my head than in practicality 🤷🏾‍♂️. 

A wide-angle lens will work best here. I took many of my photos of the gorge from above at around 26mm. At the bottom, I zoomed in a bit more—though I think an ordinary wide-angle lens could also work here.

How to Get Here:

Gjógv is just over 50 minutes from Tórshavn when driving via the Eysturoy Tunnel. You can also drive via the bridge at Oyrarbakki instead, which—unlike the tunnel—you don’t need to pay for. We did this, and the journey time was only around 10 minutes longer. 

The final stretch to Gjógv is a single-lane road. Though it can look scary at first, you’ll be fine as long as you aren’t trying to channel your inner Lewis Hamilton. There are a number of pullover spots to let oncoming traffic pass. You have to pull over if the spot is on your right-hand side (i.e., the passenger’s side). 

We parked our car in the village’s main car park before exploring further. It was quite relaxed, but I went during the off-season. Gjógv is quite popular, so keep this in mind if you visit in the summer.  

The Viewpoint Near Elduvík

Visiting Elduvík was another last-minute decision, but I’m glad we came here. While the village itself is nice, the viewpoint leading into it really steals the headlines. 

From here, you get a nice view across the sea toward Funningur, with its surrounding mountains also in shot. 

This viewpoint has a great view of the road going toward Elduvík, too. Moreover, it’s a solid spot for birdwatching. I saw a skua, and thankfully, it didn’t declare Open Season on me since it was outside of the nesting season. 

Try to come here on a cloudy day if possible. The scenery is quintessentially Faroese, with fog rolling over barren mountains.  

How to Get Here:

The viewpoint is just under 45 minutes from Tórshavn. Part of the road close to Elduvík isn’t in great condition; it was basically the only Faroese road we drove on that felt like it wasn’t maintained so well. This is understandable, though, because Elduvík is quite remote—even by Faroese standards. 

Regardless, the road is still passable. You’ll see a small parking lot in the viewpoint’s location. 

We first went to Elduvík and then stopped at this viewpoint on the way back. Personally, I think that makes more sense, but it doesn’t matter too much which way you do it. 

Looking Toward Kalsoy from Gjógv

I would go to the waterfront if I lived in Gjógv every day without getting bored. The view of Kalsoy is another fantastic landscape photography spot, especially on a moody day. It can be a bit hazy, which can ruin your photos a bit, but the view is really nice on a clear day. 

Besides landscape photography, this is a solid spot for portraits and wildlife photography. Bringing a longer focal length is wise. 

The Funningur Viewpoint and Winding Road

As you head to Gjógv, you’ll pass one of the Faroe Islands’ coolest mountain roads. As you drive higher into the mountains, you’ll see it cut through the landscape, with Funningur sitting pretty by to the water. 

You’ll actually be driving up the side of the Faroe Islands’ highest mountain: Slættaratindur. Since this road is single-lane, I recommend doing part of the Hvítahamar hike to get a better photo, rather than stopping in the middle of the street. Alternatively, you can capture a shot while someone else is driving. 

Hvítahamar

Hvítahamar is very close to Gjógv, and it’s a simple hike with stunning views. You’ll get an excellent view of the winding road, Funningur, and Kalsoy. Moreover, you’ll be able to photograph some of the surrounding parts of Eysturoy. 

As you head further up the mountain, you’ll see a designated viewpoint. You can go higher up the mountain, which is a bit steeper and more challenging, but similarly has amazing views. Part of the trail was closed when we went up there, so we couldn’t do it all, but I’m still glad we went as far as we could.

Parts of this area are steep, and paying attention to the signs is important.

My Top Photography Tips

The lighting can be quite tricky on this trail; we visited late afternoon in April, but I felt like I was shooting into the sun. While the photos were still good, this made everything more challenging. 

You may want to come here early in the morning instead. An overcast day can also be wise for this reason. If you do come here on a sunny day, try to capture the shadows on the mountains as the clouds pass over. 

How to Get Here:

Hvítahamar is less than 10 minutes by car from Gjógv. Head back up the single-lane road until you see the parking lot. Once you’ve entered the space, you’ll also see a sign marking the start of the trailhead.

Streymoy

Streymoy is the island where you’ll find Tórshavn, and I actually think it’s quite underrated. While I still prefer Eysturoy, Streymoy has a number of cool landscape photo spots. Below are my two favorites. 

Kvivík Viewpoint

Not many people tend to visit this part of Streymoy unless they’re doing a tour to the Vestmanna sea cliffs or something similar. On the way to visit the Faer Isles Distillery, we noticed this spot looking down on the scenic village of Kvivík. 

At the viewpoint, you’ll see a parking lot. It’s a great spot to have a packed lunch, and the view is mesmerizing. Kvivík itself was a lovely village, I thought, so I recommend driving down there later. 

How to Get Here: 

The viewpoint is just under 30 minutes from Tórshavn. While you will drive along a mountain as you approach the viewpoint, the road is double-lane. 

The View From Tjornuvík Toward the Sea

Tjørnuvík is a must-visit on your trip to the Faroe Islands, and it has a beautiful beach. From here, you can get a great view of the Risin & Kellingin sea stacks. 

In addition to visiting the beach, I suggest taking a walk along the shoreline. You’ll get some cool views of the mountains surrounding Tjørnuvík, and if you’re lucky enough, you may even see a rainbow if the weather plays fair. 

From Tjørnuvík, you can start the famous hike to Saksun. We didn’t do this, but at the start of the trail, you’ll find a lovely view of the village with the sea. 

My Top Photography Tips

I used a polarizing filter in Tjørnuvík, and the results were pretty good. A zoom lens is worth packing, and if possible, consider adding someone with a bright jacket to any pictures you take of the beach. Thankfully, some people were wearing these when I visited the second time around. 

In the winter, the sun doesn’t rise above the mountains at Tjørnuvík. Keep this in mind, as there are no streetlights on the road leading into the village. 

How to Get Here: 

Tjørnuvík is at the top of Streymoy and takes just under an hour to reach. The final stretch to the village is a one-lane street, and it can get quite busy at peak times. Therefore, I suggest visiting when there are fewer people. 

From personal experience, the sheep just before the village are *very* curious. Both times I’ve been, they’ve stood staring at our car for at least a few minutes. On the most recent trip, they did this while going to the Tjørnuvík and while leaving 😄. You basically just have to wait for them to move in their own time. 

Landscape Photography Rules in the Faroe Islands

While I’m here to help you get beautiful landscape photos of the Faroe Islands, I also think it’s wise to share some of the most important rules and ethics.  

There are two main things you need to remember, both of which are listed below. 

Drone Photography Laws

You don’t need a drone certificate if it weighs less than 250 grams. However, you do need to understand where you can and cannot fly it. 

First and foremost, you are not allowed to fly your drone within five kilometers of Vágar Airport. This covers much of the island, so it’s important you keep this in mind. Moreover, you aren’t allowed to fly your drone on Mykines at all. 

You’re only allowed to fly your drone 100 meters above the ground at most. Moreover, you cannot fly it within 150 meters of urban areas (including villages and towns) or 150 meters of bridges that connect villages. 

When visiting the Faroe Islands, you need to insure your drone if you plan to fly it. There are also various rules associated with not disturbing wildlife. This helpful page gives you all the information you need, including a map of the radius at Vágar Airport.

If you don’t follow the rules associated with flying a drone in the Faroe Islands, you risk a fine of up to 5,000 DKK (c. 755 USD / 565 GBP / 670 EUR). 

Don’t Stop in the Middle of the Road

This one is really important. As beautiful as the Faroe Islands are, you should never stop in the middle of the road for a photo. Even if you don’t see anyone coming, this can quickly change. At best, it’s annoying; at worst, stopping like this is dangerous.

Similarly, you should only use pass-by spots for that. They are not parking lots and shouldn’t be treated as such. Instead, stop where you find designated parking lots. 

Will this mean you miss out on some photos? Probably, yes. But it will also mean you’re not guilty of tomfoolery and annoying locals. 

The Best Equipment for Faroe Islands Landscape Photography

I’ve used two separate cameras on my different trips to the Faroe Islands. On my first visit, I had the Fujifilm XS-10 with a 16-80mm lens. This gave me great versatility, and it also meant I didn’t have to fill my bag with lots of lenses. You can read my XF 16-80mm (f/4) review here.

The only annoyance with this combination was the lack of weather-sealing. In the Faroe Islands, that can be a death sentence for your gear. I actually damaged my camera in Iceland a month later, which prompted me to upgrade. 

On my second trip to the Faroes, I returned with the Nikon Z6 II and NIKKOR Z 24-70mm (f/2.8) S lens. I really put this to the test, and it held up pretty well. This combination is bulkier than the previously mentioned one, but it’s still quite compact. 

While I had some polarizing filters, you don’t need these. I also didn’t take a tripod with me, but this would be more useful if you visit in the winter. 

If you aren’t going to buy my specific combo, I suggest taking the following: 

• A weather-sealed camera (or a camera with a camera cover) 
• A versatile lens 
• An extra SD card and battery 

You don’t need to overcomplicate this; I’ve always found it pointless and stressful to bring like five lenses, personally. 

How I Edited My Faroe Islands Landscape Photos

I used Adobe Lightroom to edit my Faroe Islands photo landscape photos. While I have Photoshop, I only used this for a couple of basic adjustments that I couldn’t do in Lightroom. It’s not necessary to edit amazing pictures, in my opinion. 

I also edited my files in RAW so I could keep maximum control. Other than that, I experimented with different color profiles; I sometimes used the Nikon-specific ones, while Adobe’s were better in other situations, and the artistic ones were sometimes more solid. 

As for actually editing the photos, I honestly messed around with the sliders until I was happy with the result. This meant moving some sliders very far to either side. I didn’t use presets, for the most part, with the Nikon ones; I had some styles that were useful for Fujifilm that I adjusted, though. 

I really don’t think you need to overcomplicate the editing, to be honest. My mantra is always “try everything and see what you like”. It’ll depend on the lighting, colors, and more. 

Everything You Need to Know About Landscape Photography in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are an absolute dream for landscape photography, but preparing for a trip here can be a bit challenging. Besides the classic spots, it’s also nice to find some more unique locations. Having said that, you can still find unique angles even in the most popular places. 

Having read this guide, you should now have all the information you need to plan the perfect landscape photography trip to the Faroe Islands. 

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