A Complete Guide to Tórshavn, Faroe Islands: Things to Do + Practical Info

Despite Tórshavn’s “metropolitan” area being home to just over 23,000 people, the “city” (again, I have to use inverted commas here) punches well above its weight. With charming wooden houses, a beautiful harbor, great food, and clean air, the Faroese capital is well worth visiting as part of your trip to the Faroe Islands. In fact, I’d argue it’s worth a weekend trip in its own right. 

I’ve had the privilege of visiting Tórshavn twice so far. I based myself here on my first trip to the Faroe Islands in March 2024, and then, I had the opportunity to return for another adventure in April 2025. Across those trips, I’ve covered virtually every corner of the Faroes’ main city. 

Based on those experiences, I’m bringing you this comprehensive Tórshavn travel guide. You’ll discover all my top recommendations for places to eat and fun activities to do while you’re in the Faroese capital. I’ll also give you the practical information you need for your trip, such as how to get to to the city in the first place and how you can prepare for its notoriously fickle weather. 

What to Do in Tórshavn

Tórshavn has plenty of fun things to do, and based on my two visits so far, I’ve included all of my top recommendations below. 

1. Visit the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have a pretty impressive cultural scene for such a small country, and its stunning landscapes are unsurprisingly the source inspiration for many creatives. I really enjoyed my visit to the National Gallery (Listasavn Føroya) in Tórshavn. It’s close to the football stadium and features works of art from various Faroese artists throughout time. 

The park outside is also worth a stroll around, and I really liked the café there as well. The building is light and airy, and you can also check out the various statues when wandering outside. This gallery is the perfect place to spend a rainy day in Tórshavn, but it’s still worth visiting if you catch a rare glimpse of the sun.

Opening times vary throughout the year; during the winter, the museum is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tickets cost 90 DKK for adults, and you can purchase them at the front desk or online. 

Address: Gundadalsvegur 9, 100 Tórshavn

2. Visit Tinganes

Tinganes is one of the oldest meeting spots for parliament in the world. Politicians have been meeting there for well over 1,000 years, and you’ll walk past the Prime Minister’s office while wandering around here. It’s very unassuming, mind, and you can easily miss it if you aren’t looking for the building. 

Today, Tinganes is characterized by various beautiful red buildings. In my opinion, this is one of Tórshavn’s most picturesque corners—making it the perfect place to explore if you want to capture some great shots for your Instagram profile. 

While you can’t enter the buildings, you can walk around the area for free. You can get a nice view of Tórshavn from the edge of the peninsula, though you should note that it can get quite windy here. 

Besides wandering around Tinganes, you can get a great view of the buildings here from the nearby harbor. Tinganes is included as part of this Tórshavn walking tour, which is ideal if you want to learn more about the Faroese capital. 

3. Check Out Svartafoss

Though not as dramatic as some Faroese waterfalls (like Fossá), Svartafoss is still quite pleasant. The waterfall is located in a scenic valley outside the city center, and you can spot sheep when walking past the fenced-off land on either side of the public path. 

You don’t need to spend too long at the waterfall itself, but the walk here is quite rewarding. If you don’t want to walk, you can either drive here or take one of Tórshavn’s free red buses. 

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4. Go to Hoydalar

On the final day of my first trip to Tórshavn, I went for an aimless walk out of town and ended up at Hoydalar—a pleasant small valley between Tórshavn and Hoyvík. You’ll find some nice walking trails here, in addition to a stream and a nice view toward the island of Nólsoy. 

Uncharacteristically for the Faroe Islands, you can also walk through a forest here. The area can get very windy, so make sure that you prepare accordingly. You can access Hoydalar via the street Sanatoriivegur. 

5. Visit Kongaminnið

King Christian IX’s 1874 visit was the first time a Danish king had visited the Faroe Islands, and the Kongaminnið monument commemorates the occasion atop a hill just outside the city center. 

Visiting the monument is free, and you get a great view over Tórshavn and its surrounding areas. I’d recommend coming here a few times while you’re in town, as the lighting changes constantly. It can get quite windy here (as in the rest of the Faroe Islands), so keep that in mind.

Another thing worth noting is that the visibility sometimes isn’t the best up here when it’s raining heavily. Still, I think it’s well worth going to when you’re in the Faroese capital.

6. Check Out Tórshavn’s Cute Wooden Houses 

One of my favorite things about Tórshavn is how it has the cozy atmosphere of a small town, and its cute wooden houses are a huge reason why. Wandering around the city is one of the top things you can do in the Faroe Islands overall, in my opinion. Á Reyni is the best-known corner to see these for yourself, with plenty of postcard-perfect sod roof houses. 

Many of the houses in Á Reyni date back to the 14th century, and you’re free to walk around the area as long as you respect the residents’ privacy. You’ll find signs showing what you can and can’t do when wandering around the neighborhood. Flying drones is strictly forbidden.

While Á Reyni is well worth visiting while you’re in Tórshavn, it’s not the only corner of the city with beautiful houses. You’ll find a handful of other ones at Undir Ryggi, which is close to where you can catch the ferry to Nólsoy. 

7. Visit Skansin

Skansin has been an important line of defence for the Faroe Islands over the centuries, but today, it’s a popular recreational area. You can walk around this fortress for free, and you’ll enjoy a nice view of the sea—along with parts of Tórshavn. 

The fortress can get very muddy when it’s been raining, so I don’t recommend wearing sneakers. I made that mistake, and let me just say this: The outcome wasn’t pretty. 

Skansin dates back to the 16th century, and it was used by the Brits during World War II. Today, you can still see some of the cannons used by the British Army to fend off Nazi intruders. 

8. Walk Along Yvri við Strond

Part of my first trip’s last-day aimless wander in Tórshavn took me down a long coastal stretch called Yvri Við Strond, which takes you out of the city center and into the suburbs. And if you want an example of how many sheep there are in the Faroe Islands, you can literally see them within 15 minutes of walking.

On a clear day, you get great views of Nólsoy. The city’s main campsite is also situated along this stretch if you want to stay here during the summer. 

If you keep following the street around, you’ll end up on one of the ring roads surrounding Downtown Tórshavn. It’s quite a long road, so you can always catch a bus back to the center.

9. Sample Tórshavn’s Beer Scene

Tórshavn has a small but lively nightlife scene, with a handful of bars close together. Though not Faroese, Mikkeller has a cool craft beer bar in the city center that’s worth checking out. If you want to try Faroese beer, you can do so at various establishments in Tórshavn. 

If you want to meet people, you can always join a tour—such as this 2.5-hour beer walk—instead of going solo. Alternatively, you can join a pub crawl in Tórshavn. 

Faroese beers are also available at Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins (also known as Rúsan). This is the national liquor store monopoly. It’s open from 10:00 – 17:30 Monday through Friday, and 10:00 – 14:00 on Saturdays (while being closed on Sundays).  

10. Wander Around the Waterfront

Tórshavn has a lovely marina and waterfront area with a handful of restaurants and bars, and you can also see fishermen with their daily catches if you come later in the day. One of my favorite things to do in Tórshavn was simply wandering along the waterfront areas and enjoying the views (while, of course, taking pictures of every colorful building along the way). 

There are two particular waterfront areas I recommend wandering along: The main marina, where you can see the church, and the other part near Tinganes. At the second one, you can even see a small Viking sundial. 

11. Photograph Tórshavn From Its Many Vantage Points

Photography was a huge motivator for both of my trips to the Faroe Islands, and Tórshavn is blessed with many scenic vantage points. Since I live in Copenhagen, where there are almost no hills, I welcomed this with open arms. 

All of the viewpoints are free. Besides Kongaminnið, you can enjoy a pleasant view of the Faroese capital from various spots in the Á Reyni neighborhood. Another nice view awaits from the street J.H. Schrøters Gøta. The views at sunrise are particularly mesmerizing if you’re lucky enough to have a sunny day or two. 

Restaurants and Cafés in Tórshavn

As the Faroe Islands’ main cultural center and a growing tourist hub, Tórshavn has a good selection of restaurants and cafés. 

1. Breyðvirkið

Breyðvirkið is a bakery that’s hugely popular with the locals. You can enjoy organic sourdough bread and pastries, and I particularly enjoyed the müsli bun with butter and cheese. I can also confirm that the cinnamon buns and coffee are pretty good.

The bakery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Address: 44 Jónas Broncksgøta, 100 Tórshavn

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2. Suppugarðurin

Did you expect to have great ramen on your trip to the Faroe Islands? If not, let Suppugarðurin surprise you. This was my favorite place that we ate at on our second trip to Tórshavn, and the only reason we didn’t visit more than once was because it was closed over Easter. 

Suppugarðurin has a handful of ramen dishes with varying levels of spiciness, and you can also get various side dishes. We had some Gyoza alongside our main dishes, which were pretty good. Prices were, in my opinion, pretty reasonable by Faroese standards. 

Besides eating in the restaurant, you can also order takeout. 

Address: Niels Finsens gøta 12, 100 Tórshavn 

Website: https://suppugardurin.fo/en/ 

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3. Katrina Christiansen

I’ve already written a blog post about my experiences at Katrina Christiansen, but this Faroese-style tapas restaurant is a must-visit. I had the seven-course meal here, which consisted of dishes like salmon and dill—plus lamb for the main course. 

You can also get five-course meals, vegan menus, and platters. Katrina Christiansen serves a traditional Faroese meal on Sundays consisting of lamb and potatoes. I highly recommend booking a table in advance, which you can do on the website. 

Address: Bringsnagøta 6, 100 Tórshavn 

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Website: https://en.katrina.fo/ 

4. Paname Café

I was disappointed that I couldn’t go to Paname Café the first time I was in Tórshavn as it was closed, but I made up for that on the second trip. My girlfriend and I stopped here for some quick food after a day trip in Faroese nature, and I can recommend coming here if you want some coffee, sweet treats, or sandwiches. 

The café is open until 23:00 daily (except Sundays, when it closes at 18:00). It’s close to the city hall and easy to find; you’ll see a freezing cold statue sitting on the bench outside. While it was quite busy when we were there, we could still find a seat—though I’d imagine it would be more challenging during the day. 

You’ll find a bookstore right next to Paname Café. 

Address: Vaglið 4, 100 Tórshavn 

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5. Fisk og Kips

This small fish and chip shop is right next to the city hall, and it’s a solid option if you want something quick and easy to eat. Dishes are cooked to order, and the food tasted fresh on both occasions that I visited. 

Besides fish and chips, you can also order burgers here. There isn’t any indoor seating, but you can sit outside if you want. Note that the door is sometimes hard to open, so you may need to try a little harder than normal. 

Address: Vaglið 5, 100 Tórshavn 

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6. HAPS Burger Bar

On the first evening of our second visit to Tórshavn, we were feeling quite hungry and ended up at HAPS Burger Bar. Though the building looks unassuming from the outside, this was quite a nice place for burgers. 

The pistachio smoothie was also great and doubled as dessert. While the menu was in Faroese, the staff were quite helpful; if you don’t know any Nordic languages, they’ll be able to help you determine what you should get. 

You can book a table in advance online.

Address: Tinghúsvegur 8, 100 Tórshavn

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Where to Stay in Tórshavn

Tórshavn has a very good range of hotels, and it’s the perfect launchpad for day trips around the Faroe Islands. I’ve stayed in two different hotels in the Faroese capital, and I can recommend both of them. I have also written an even deeper guide on where to stay in Tórshavn if you want to do more research on that particular topic.

Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn on our second trip to the Faroe Islands in 2025, and in my opinion, it was a great experience. The breakfast buffet was decent, and the rooms were also spacious. You get a pleasant view toward Hoyvík and the nearby mountains from some of the rooms, and complimentary parking is available. Note, however, that parking spots are limited and it can get busy on weekends. 

The hotel has a restaurant and bar, and we had a fridge in our rooms. We used this to store food for our day trips, which was an easy way to save money in a notoriously expensive country. The hotel staff were all very kind and helpful when we needed them.

Hilton Garden Inn is around 25 minutes on foot from the city center, and it was easy to go into Tórshavn whenever we wanted. Since the hotel opened in 2020, all of its rooms are modern.

Address: Staravegur 13, 100 Tórshavn  

Hotel Hafnia

I stayed at Hotel Hafnia on my first visit to the Faroe Islands in March 2024. It’s right in the center of Tórshavn, but despite that, it doesn’t feel noisy. My room was comfortable and cozy, albeit quite small. I was traveling alone, though, so I didn’t care—and you can book rooms better-suited for couples if needed. 

The lunch buffet at Hotel Hafnia was nice, and you can also get various food and drink discounts. Depending on when you visit, you can get some excellent room rates. 

Address: 4-10 Áarvegur, 100 Tórshavn

I recommend booking your room in advance, especially if you’re visiting Tórshavn during the peak tourist season. If you want to explore your options further, you can also browse the map below.

Getting Around Tórshavn

Tórshavn’s downtown area is compact and easily walkable. I do not recommend driving downtown if you can help it; the roads are quite narrow, and frankly, there’s no need.

If you’re staying just outside of the city center, you can always take the bus into town. Tórshavn’s red buses are completely free for residents and visitors alike. The bus network is comprehensive and pretty efficient, too. 

For the most part, though, walking is the best way to get around Tórshavn. Practically everything you need is within 30 minutes on foot. 

Parking in Tórshavn

When renting a car in the Faroe Islands, you’ll naturally need somewhere to park it while you’re in Tórshavn. Checking to see if your hotel has parking is a good idea, as you’ll only really need your car when exploring the Faroe Islands’ beautiful nature. 

Parking downtown is challenging, so you’re better off avoiding it if possible. Outside of the city center, though, you’ll find a decent number of parking spots.

If you’ve rented an EV for your Faroe Islands adventure, you’ll find some charging stations in Tórshavn. The one by the old harbor has faster charging times, but you may need to wait for others to finish their charging if you visit on the weekend.

How to Get to Tórshavn

Tórshavn is approximately 45 minutes from Vágar Airport, the only international airport on the Faroe Islands. The Faroese capital is well-signposted, and you can always enter your directions on Google Maps. 

When driving from the airport to Tórshavn, you’ll pass through the undersea tunnel connecting Vágar and Streymoy. The tunnel costs 100 DKK; you’ll normally pay the fee to your car rental provider, but double-check in case you need to pay it on your own. 

If you’re arriving in the Faroe Islands by sea, the ferry from Denmark to Iceland—which also stops in the Faroe Islands—will drop you off in Tórshavn. 

Entry Requirements

The Faroe Islands are not in the EU or the Schengen Area. EU, Nordic, and EEA citizens can visit with a passport or national ID card. People from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, as long as you’ve got a valid passport (I recommend having at least six months remaining). 

Some nationalities will need a visa, and you need a specific visa for the Faroe Islands; having one for Denmark is not enough. This page on the Denmark Immigration Portal outlines the details for a short-term visa for the Faroe Islands. Meanwhile, the full list of nationalities requiring a visa is here.

You can apply for a visa at a Danish consulate or embassy if you need one. Find your closest one here.  

My Top Day Trips From Tórshavn

While Tórshavn is worth visiting in and of itself, the Faroe Islands have a lot to offer without you needing to venture far. Many day tours, such as the “see it all” day tour, depart from the Faroese capital—and you can also take your own day trips if you’d prefer. 

Based on my comprehensive experiences traveling around the Faroe Islands, I’ve listed some of my favorite day trips from Tórshavn below. You can also check out my Faroe Islands itinerary, which I designed for people visiting for 5-10 days, if you want more inspiration.

1. Kirkjubøur

Kirkjubøur is one of the most famous villages in the Faroe Islands, and it’s just 10 minutes from Tórshavn by car. The village has several grass-roof houses, along with stunning nearby scenery. Here, you’ll also find the ruins of Magnus Cathedral—a medieval cathedral. It’s free to wander around. 

To get to Kirkjubøur, you can either drive or do the iconic Tórshavn – Kirkjubøur hike—the latter of which takes around 2 hours. Since the hike is public, you don’t need to pay for it. In addition to doing the hike yourself, you can join a local guide and enjoy some Faroese beers along the way. 

Some buses from Tórshavn also run to Kirkjubøur, but the schedule is infrequent. Make sure you double-check before traveling.

2. Leynar and Vestmanna

Leynar was one of the coolest villages I visited on my second trip to the Faroe Islands, and I was surprised that not too many people talk about it. The village has a wonderful fjordside location, with a decent-sized beach. The scenery reminded me a lot of towns in Devon that I went to when I was younger.

Leynar is just over 25 minutes from Tórshavn. It’s close to Vestmanna, too, which is the starting point for various tours—such as trips to the iconic Vestmanna Sea Cliffs. We toured the Faer Isles Distillery, too; consider adding this to your itinerary if you’re already visiting Leynar and Vestmanna on a day trip from Tórshavn.   

3. Sandoy

Though not as dramatic as other parts of the Faroe Islands, Sandoy is quite pleasant. We had a great time walking around Skopun and driving around this peaceful island, which felt far off the beaten path. 

Since the Sandoy Tunnel opened in December 2023, it has become much easier to visit the island. You can enter the tunnel from close to Kirkjubøur; the total driving time from Tórshavn takes 40-50 minutes. The tunnel costs 350 DKK (return). 

Sandoy has plenty of hiking trails, but I didn’t do any of these because I was sick on the day we visited. Besides making the journey yourself, you can take a day tour to Sandoy from Tórshavn. 

4. Vágar

Vágar is one of my favorite islands on the Faroe Islands, and it’s much more interesting than just being home to the country’s main airport. On this island, you’ll find some of the Faroes’ most iconic spots—such as *that* photo spot of Gásadalur and Múlafossur waterfall. 

On Vágar, you can also see Sandavágur church, which—in my opinion—is the most beautiful church on the Faroe Islands. While on the island, we also took an amazing RIB boat tour to the Drangarnir Sea Stacks from Sørvágur (which I wrote about in a separate article). I also saw my first puffin, which was a nice bonus 🙂. 

5. Tjørnuvík

Tjørnuvík is one of my favorite villages on the Faroe Islands, and it’s known for having an excellent view of the Risin and Kellingin sea stacks. The village itself is welcoming, with some great walking opportunities along the waterfront and beach. You can start the hike to nearby Saksun from here, too. 

Close to Tjørnuvík, you’ll find the beautiful Fossá waterfall. I recommend stopping here for a bit while you visit the village. 

Tjørnuvík is just under an hour from Tórshavn. Note that the final stretch to and from Tjørnuvík is a single-lane road; there are places for you to pull over and let other cars pass. You’ll find a parking lot close to the beach when you arrive.

More Practical information

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