Faroe Islands is not exactly the first country that comes to mind when thinking vegan-friendly places, but you’d…
Times visited: 14
Islands visited: Streymoy, Eysturoy, Vágar, Mykines, Borðoy, Viðoy, Kalsoy, Kunoy, Svínoy, Fugloy, Nólsoy, Koltur, Hestur, Skúvoy, Sandoy, Stóra Dímun and Suðuroy
The Faroe Islands. Doesn’t it just sound beautiful? Believe me – it is. Ever since I first stepped foot on the archipelago in 2013, I’ve been in love. So in love that I’ve returned many times since then – and I still constantly dream about going back.
That first trip gave me just two half-days in the country, en route to and from Iceland on a cruise with my mum. It was only a taste, but it left me wanting more. In March 2015, I returned for a three-week solo trip – my first ever solo adventure – and that’s when the true love affair began. I vowed to visit every island, climb every mountain, and discover every abandoned settlement. That journey gave me a much deeper insight into the nature, the culture, and the people. I made friends and was invited into the homes of two wonderful families – connections I still treasure and keep in touch with to this day.
Over the next three years, I returned six more times, sharing the experience with different friends and even bringing my family along to show them why I love this country so much. In 2019, I finally went back on my own. I rented a house on Nólsoy and stayed there for six weeks, writing my Bachelor’s thesis and occasionally sailing to the mainland to visit friends and go on adventures. That was heaven.
Covid-19 cancelled my planned April 2020 trip, but luckily, I was able to reschedule for October – and extend it from 10 days to a whole month! I stayed in a budget hostel on Vágar and spent the month hiking nearly every corner of the island. I climbed 35 of its 41 mountains and walked most of its trails. In July 2021, I returned to finish what I started. I completed all the mountain climbs and hikes on Vágar and discovered a few new gems. I also spent three days on Nólsoy, climbing its four mountains, finding a puffin paradise, and revisiting some favourite spots.
Over a year later, in September 2022, I brought my family back again for a week of roadtripping across seven islands. We even saw dolphins – my first time in the Faroes! After they left, my friend joined me and we spent ten magical days hitchhiking and camping. Highlights included two days on remote Fugloy, a sailing trip to the Vestmanna bird cliffs, a hike to Eiðiskollur, and a mountain trek above Kaldbak with my younger brother and a friend.
In May 2023, I returned for my 14th visit – but this time, it wasn’t just for pleasure. I was there for a month to conduct fieldwork on eight abandoned villages for my Master’s dissertation! It was a perfect blend of my passions: the Faroe Islands, hiking, archaeology, and forgotten places.