Vestmanna and Kvívik: Family time, mountain roads and a Viking settlement

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Back in March 2015, I stayed with Rigmor and Jens and their beautiful family for three days in Skála on Eysturoy after getting rescued from a storm while sleeping in my tent on the side of a mountain.

I’ve since visited them every time I’ve returned to the Faroe Islands in their new home in Vestmanna, but I hadn’t stayed with them since. This time would be different. They had invited Katrine and I to stay with them for a few days, so that was what we decided to do during our first week on the islands. We arrived after the sheep gathering on Vágar, and after hitchhiking to Vestmanna. That first evening, we had a large dinner and cake for dessert, and talked about old times. They feel like family to me, so it was really good to be back there.

Vestmanna

My Faroese family (minus Jens)!

Their cute dog, Alex!

The next day, we had arranged to meet up with Sheena and Michelle from Shinimichi.com (check out their blog and get inspired to visit the Nordics!). They were in the Faroe Islands for a few days, and for the first time in two years, our travels finally overlapped, so we could meet up. I’ve known them ever since my first solo trip to the Faroe Islands in March 2015, where we became insta-friends. They were also in the Faroe Islands for the eclipse, but we never met each other, but they found me on Instagram and we soon discovered how similar we are in how and where we like to travel.

Sheena and Michelle picked us up in Vestmanna for a day of adventure together. First, we went to the neighbour village of Kvívik, which is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. It’s well known for its remains of a Viking settlement from the 9th-10th century. The foundations of the longhouses have been reconstructed and can be seen in the middle of the village, free of charge. This was my 6^th time on the Faroe Islands, but I still hadn’t seen them yet – and I study archaeology, so that’s pretty bad 😛

Kvívik

The Viking settlement!

Geodesic eco-friendly houses near Kvívik!

Afterwards, we decided to head back to Vestmanna, where we drove far up into the mountains. The road went on and on, to the top of Streymoy, and we didn’t stop until it finally came to an end. We found quite a few amazing spots, including some that Sheena and Michelle exclaimed they want to make insta-famous like the cute little red fishing house below! I have no doubt that they’ll succeed.

The weird thing is that the road didn’t actually lead to anywhere, so eventually, we had to just go back the same way. The mountains above Vestmanna are spectacular and I’m sure there’d be some killer hikes in the area, so I’m definitely going back up there next time I set foot on the islands!

The rest of the day was spent exploring the southern tip of Eysturoy, which deserves a post for itself (stay tuned for that!), before returning back “home” to Vestmanna for another lovely evening spent in the company of my beautiful Faroese family.

We spent the next day exploring the “city” of Vestmanna, which I still hadn’t yet done despite visiting Rigmor and Jens there three times before… They live in the outskirts of the city, and I’d never actually had time to go into the center, but I wanted this trip to be different. I wanted to see what Vestmanna had to offer, apart from their magnificent bird cliffs, which I have yet to see (because it’s so damn expensive…).

Katrine and I took Alex along for the walk and spent some hours downtown, looking at a few shops and exploring the harbour. There isn’t much to see in Vestmanna, despite it being the fifth largest town on the islands, but it’s a nice place that has more of a village-y feeling to it. I can definitely understand the appeal.

When we got back to the house, we watched a Disney movie with Rigmor and Karstin Otto, and then, unfortunately, it was time to say our goodbyes and head back to Hoyvík by hitchhiking. It had been lovely to spend time with Rigmor, Jens, the boys and Alex, and I already can’t wait to see them again. Hopefully next time I’ll be able to spend even more time there!

Interested in a unique tour of Kvívík?

Including coffee, fresh pastries and an introduction to traditional hymn singing? Then click here to read more!