Faroe Islands: The epic islands going viral on TikTok that you can now get to from London

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free journey e mail for skilled recommendation and money-saving reductions

Get Simon Calder’s Travel e mail

The Faroe Islands will welcome extra UK guests than ever earlier than this 12 months as a brand new London to Vagar route opens.

The vacation spot has seen a rise in curiosity thanks partly to TikTok movies celebrating its views and epic landscapes.

The self-governing nation throughout the Danish kingdom has a inhabitants of beneath 50,000 – and 70,000 sheep. Whether such an remoted archipelago of volcanic rock within the North Atlantic Ocean – centred between Scotland, Norway and Iceland, in a spot the place it rains 300 days a 12 months and is mostly windy for longer – can deal with many extra guests stays to be seen. But if you do fancy a go to, right here’s how to benefit from it.

Atlantic Airways will fly from London Gatwick to the capital Vagar beginning on 1 June 2024. Flights are simply over two hours.

Out of season, the principle hyperlinks with Vagar are from Copenhagen and Berlin.

Here Ben West reveals what you want to learn about holidays on the Faroe Islands.

Best issues to do on The Faroe Islands

Bird’s eye view

Your aeroplane touchdown at little Vágar Airport provides a hanging introduction to what’s in retailer on this dramatic archipelago: a descent over spectacular Sørvágsvatn Lake, towering knife-sharp mountains jutting from gloriously lush inexperienced grass, with no timber or buildings wherever.

Conquer the capital

The compact and cosy capital, Tórshavn, on the most important island, Streymoy, is a beautiful distinction to the rugged landscapes. Just a bit larger than it was 150 years in the past, it has dinky little grass-roofed picket homes, a vibrant, fairly harbour, and you can dip into the National Gallery.

Puffin safari

The wild mountains, deep valleys and dramatic cliffs imply that climbing, biking, fishing, browsing, diving and horse using are all well-liked. They’re particularly a magnet for bird-watchers, and a ship journey to Vestmanna on northern Streymoy, or the secluded island of Mykines, to spot seabirds comparable to puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes, fulmars and Arctic terns nesting in excessive cliffs, swooping down and gliding previous you, is exhilarating.

Foodie heaven

Two Michelin-star Koks, located within the unprepossessing village of Kirkjubøur, serves outrageously revolutionary seasonal dishes. Though the meals is distinctly up to date, each effort is put into exploring conventional methods within the making of it: drying, fermenting, salting and smoking.

Head chef Poul Andrias Ziska distils the tastes and smells of the Faroese panorama, with dishes comparable to poached basket crab on an elderflower buckweed mattress, or grass granite with angelica mousse and sorrel ice cream; you can really style and scent the grass.

Curiously this groundbreaking restaurant is located inside a village consisting of only a handful of homes, a church and a farm. Koks appears to be like like several peculiar Faroese home, however the inside has giant home windows searching to an enormous expanse of sea, the place seals and whales can typically be seen.

Get excessive

There’s a superb infrastructure, making it simple to get round. Ferries, buses, causeways and pristine, delightfully empty roads with bridges and tunnels join the islands. There’s even a daily helicopter service, subsidised by the federal government as a result of it represents a lifeline for inhabitants of the smaller islands.

Where to keep

A glass-walled, turf-topped Hilton Garden Inn is a mile from Tórshavn. Other lodging choices embrace cheap Airbnbs, snug Hotel Hafnia in central Tórshavn, and Klaksvik’s Hotel Klaksvik. Gásadalsgarður Guesthouse, on the western aspect of Vágar Island, is shut to the Mulafossur waterfall, which descends straight into the ocean, and made well-known by Instagrammers.

Where to eat

Restaurants had been uncommon within the Faroes till about 15 years in the past, partly as a result of it was unlawful to serve alcohol in eating places till 1992. Now there are locations for all budgets, and an indication that issues are altering within the Faroes (although maybe not at all times for the higher) is the arrival of Burger King. Cosy, candle-lit, turf-roofed Áarstova Restaurant is known for its slow-cooked Faroese lamb. For excellent fish, attempt Barbara Fish House.

The Faroese food regimen developed from the meagre alternative of substances obtainable – therefore objects comparable to puffin, guillemot and gannet seem on menus, alongside valuable few greens.

Where to drink

For such a small group, it’s shocking how heaving the bars in Tórshavn are every night time. During summer season, days are very lengthy, and it’s common for them to nonetheless be in full movement nicely into the small hours. Try craft brewery Mikkeller’s faucet room in slightly low-beamed previous fishing home by the harbour, vigorous Sirkus, and atmospheric Essabarr.

Where to store

Tórshavn has a smattering of boutique outlets with Faroese foodstuffs and garments: followers of The Killing will little question head for Gudrun & Gudrun on the harbourfront, which sells handmade knitwear together with Sarah Lund’s well-known jumper.

Architectural spotlight

Modernist cultural centre The Nordic House blends quite a few Scandinavian influences to gorgeous impact.

Best view

Walking close to Klaksvik rewards guests with panoramic views of fierce seas, towering vertical cliffs and dramatic mountains clad in inexperienced.

Insider tip

Be positive to base your self in Tórshavn the vast majority of the time as the most important alternative of inns, eating places, cafes, bars and excursions are right here.

Further data

Faroe Islands vacationer board (visitfaroeislands.com)