The Perfect Day on Vágar, Faroe Islands

Of all the islands on the Faroe Islands, Vágar is one of my favorites. It’s home to some of the archipelago’s most popular photo spots and attractions, and you can have plenty of cool experiences. Like much of the Faroes, Vágar is dotted with plenty of pretty villages. Whether you’re staying in Tórshavn or visiting straight from Vágar airport, it has a lot to offer. 

On my first trip to the Faroe Islands, I got to spend a couple of hours touring Vágar. While this was a great introduction, I wanted to come back again. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to do so one year later—which also coincided with my 30th birthday. 

Based on those two trips, I’ve put together this useful guide to Vágar, which will help you spend a memorable day on the island. Besides giving you tips on what to do (plus a great lunch spot, you’ll also find out how to get here in the first place. 

I visited Vágar in March and April, but this guide will be useful throughout the year—though some things will be seasonal. 

Start With a Beautiful Viewpoint

Like everywhere else on the Faroe Islands, you’re never too far from beautiful viewpoints on Vágar. One of the best is very close to the initial entrance point after crossing the tunnel from Streymoy. A fantastic view of Trøllkonufingur, known as “The Witch’s Finger” in English, is where I recommend starting your adventure. 

Rising 300 meters above sea level, Trøllkonufingur is one of the best-known natural sights on the Faroe Islands. Legends say that the rock formation was previously a witch visiting from Iceland. She fell into the ocean, but her finger and head stayed above the surface. Regardless of why it exists, it’s worth a quick glance at when in the Faroes. 

To get to this viewpoint, you’ll need to go to the short hiking trail (it takes around 20 minutes; you can park your car in the designated parking lot). The trail is in the town of Sandavágur at the top of a hill; type “Trøllkonufingur Viewpoint” into Google Maps. 

After walking along a path, you’ll eventually see Trøllkonufingur. Note that while this land is private, there isn’t—at the time of writing in August 2025—a hiking fee. However, you should still be respectful while on the land. 

The trail can get quite muddy, especially if it’s been raining (which, as this is the Faroe Islands, is likely). Make sure you wear good outdoor clothing and a sturdy pair of shoes. This is one of the best places for landscape photography on the Faroe Islands.

Lunch at Fiskastykkið

Ready for some food? You’re in luck. The town of Sandavágur has one of my favorite places to eat anywhere on the Faroe Islands. I was introduced to Fiskastykkið by my tour guide when I took a “see-it-all” Faroe Islands tour in 2024. Despite revisiting the archipelago since then and exploring it in more detail, this cozy restaurant is still close to the top of my “must-eat” list. 

The fish soup here is really, really good. If you only get one thing on the menu, make it this. But if you’re in the mood for something else, which you probably will be, the cinnamon buns are also really nice. 

Booking a table in advance is a good idea. When we tried revisiting on Easter one time, it was fully booked. You can book a table on the website. 

Address: Úti á Bakka 12, Sandavágur 360, Faroe Islands

Drive to the Most Photographed Spot on the Faroe Islands

Of course, no visit to the Faroe Islands is complete without a visit tothe iconic and tiny village of Gásadalur. This is the home of *that* viewpoint of the village with the Múlafossur waterfall, dramatic cliffs, and its two nearby mountains—Árnafjall and Eysturtindur—which are some of the highest mountains on the island. I would happily spend hours here photographing Gásadalur in all of its glory, to be honest. 

Since Gásadalur is one of the furthest points on Vágar, I recommend driving here and then working your way back in the opposite direction. We’ll spend some more time in the town later in the day, so don’t worry about that. It’s roughly a 30-minute drive. 

As you approach Gásadalur, you’ll need to pass through a single-lane tunnel. There are lay-bys if needed to let transport pass. Try to visit outside peak hours; it wasn’t too crowded when we were there in April, but I can imagine there’d be more visitors during the summer months. 

Once you pass the tunnel, you’ll pass a winding road. The village has a parking lot once you reach the end of the main road into it. Allocate a good few hours to enjoy the view. While in Gásadalur, you’ll also see Mykines island from afar and get sweeping vistas of the North Atlantic Ocean. 

If you want to stay a little longer in the village, you can rent cottages.

Spend Some Time in the Village of Bøur

Bøur is the village next to Gásadalur and another popular spot. It’s just as pretty, and the views as you approach Bøur from Gásadalur are wonderful. The turf-roofed houses are particularly picturesque, and if you’re lucky, you may even see a sheep eating from one of the roofs 🙂. 

When you’re in Bøur, you’ll see a dramatic view of the island Tindhólmur. You’ll need to park your car outside the village; driving in the village itself is for residents only. You also aren’t allowed to fly drones. 

Back in the day, the local postman would have to hike between Bøur and Gásadalur to deliver mail. That was no longer necessary after the two villages became connected by road and tunnel. However, you can still do the hike today; if you’re inexperienced, I suggest getting a local guide. 

Bøur is nice for a walk around, and I recommend spending 15-30 minutes here. Remember to be respectful of the people living in the houses and their privacy. 

See Vágar From the Sea on a RiB Boat

Taking a RiB boat tour was the highlight of my second trip to the Faroe Islands. We got to see the shores of Vágar from the water, and it was so cool to see this island from a different angle. We were also lucky enough to see some puffins out on the water. 

The boat sailed to the Drangarnir sea stacks, and we also saw Tindhólmur and plenty of other birds—including fulmars. From the sea, we got a fantastic view of Bøur and its beach, in addition to Árnafjall from a unique angle. 

The tour departs from the port in Sørvágur. Be sure to book in advance. You need to be comfortable with the boat going at high speeds, but in my opinion, it was really fun.

If you want something slightly different, you can take this boat tour instead. Either way, seeing Vágar from the water is an absolute must and something many tourists don’t get to experience. 

Finish the Day With a Walk Around Sandavágur

To end your memorable day on Vágar, I recommend finishing the day with a walk around Sandavágur. In my opinion, this is one of the most pleasant towns on the Faroe Islands. In particular, I love the church here. 

The beach next to the church is small but nice, and you can get some great views of the church itself from multiple vantage points. Parking spaces are plentiful, and a good hour or so is sufficient to enjoy Sandavágur. 

If possible, time your visit around sunset. The lighting at this time of the day is particularly beautiful. I also recommend exploring a bit of Streymoy if you still have some energy and daylight hours; Kvivík is a nice town on just the other side of the tunnel. 

Getting to Vágar

Vágar is incredibly easy to reach from Tórshavn. You’ll need to take the tunnel between Streymoy and the island; the toll fee costs 100 DKK for a return journey. From Tórshavn, Vágar itself is around 35 minutes away. To drive back from Gásadalur, the journey will take around an hour. 

If you’re just arriving in the Faroe Islands, the airport is located on Vágar island. So, if you have energy and have picked up your rental car, you can explore before heading to other parts of the archipelago. I would, however, recommend coming back on another day with a fresh head; you’ll enjoy the experience much more. 

It’s also possible to see some of the main sights on Vágar without a car. To do this, you can join this tour; in my opinion, it’s one of the best day tours anywhere on the Faroes. Besides seeing the likes of Gásadalur, you’ll visit sights on other islands, such as Tjørnuvík and Gjógv. When I took this tour on my first visit to the Faroe Islands, I was picked up from my hotel in Tórshavn. 

Final Thoughts

Vágar is one of the coolest islands in the Faroe Islands, and it’ll probably be up there with the highlights of your trip. It’s very close to Tórshavn, and the main sights can be explored in a day. However, you can always stay a bit longer if you want to go at an even slower pace. 

From boat tours to scenic villages, Vágar has a little bit of something for everyone. You’ll get fresh air, creative inspiration for days, and an unshakable feeling that you’re in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Now you’ve read this guide, you should have the information you need to spend a lovely day touring the island. 

Pin for Later 📌