No shortage of elbow room

Photo: Kirstin Vang

Play in the unspoiled nature

Young or old – there’s space for everyone.

Take a deep breath, open your senses and embark on a voyage of discovery! You’ll be amazed that somewhere so special and unspoilt still exists. Organised, civilised and totally manageable, the Faroe Islands are a perfect leave-your-stress-at-home destination: travel is easy, people are friendly and the scenery is off-the-scale amazing. There are few places in Europe where the pace of life is as chilled as in the Faroe Islands. For the people who make these islands home, quality of life is important – time to share with friends, time to appreciate the natural surroundings and the long summer days, time to stop and think are all important to the Faroese. Take a leaf out of their book and allow yourself the time and pleasure to reconnect with the world around you. We guarantee you’ll feel all the better for it. The Faroe Islands are a place without crime, a place full of endless natural pleasures as well as a place with enough space for everyone to experience life as it should be lived. There are no dangerous or caged animals here. Instead, the islands are teeming with birdlife and the seas are full of seals and whales swimming free.

Wildlife and diving

With a good book about Faroese wildlife to hand, it can be fun to learn more about the birds and animals that live in the Faroe Islands: puffins, razorbills, cormorants, black guillemots and gannets, for instance, all nest on the islands. Did you know that the tiny Faroese mouse, hare, sheep and Faroese horse are recognized as official sub-species having adapted to the rigours of the climate over hundreds of years? If you’re a fan of the big blue, why not don a wetsuit and plunge into the North Atlantic where diving and snorkelling will reveal a unique and exotic world beneath the waves.

Catch your own fish for dinner!

We guarantee you won’t find fish fresher than this! Either from the shore or from a boat, cast your line and, with luck, you’ll land an ocean-fresh saithe or pollock, which you can then reel in, still wriggling, with deserved satisfaction. Forget fish that you buy packaged-up in the supermarket back home. You haven’t tasted fish until you’ve had one straight out of the sea in the Faroe Islands. Imagine how good that tastes!

Outdoor playgrounds

Most larger villages have a football pitch that’s free to use. Many are covered with artificial grass and are suitable for various ball games as well as jogging, a game of ‘catch’, sack races, gymnastics or remembering how good it feels to somersault in the open air! There are kindergartens, too, with purpose-built playgrounds that can be used after regular closing hours. Grasagarður is a large outdoor playground in the centre of Tórshavn. There’s free access all year round, with plenty of fun activities for children of all ages. There are trampolines and climbing towers, plus benches where you can sit and enjoy a picnic. There are also free outdoor fitness areas in the town.

Every cloud has a silver lining

Even on a grey, rainy day there’s plenty to see and do. Why not take yourself off to sample the architectural delights of the Nordic House on the outskirts of Tórshavn, where you can sit in the café and indulge yourself, too? Visit one of the shopping centres, SMS in Tórshavn being the largest. Alternatively, visit one of the museums the islands have to offer, the aquarium in Tórshavn, or why not take in a film at one of the satisfyingly traditional, old cinemas in Tórshavn or Klaksvík? Waterparks and swimming pools

There are leisure centres in Tórshavn, Klaksvík and Vágur, where you can burn off excess energy in the swimming pool or steam to your heart’s content in the sauna and wellness area. Across the islands, you’ll find other swimming pools located in village schools. Make sure you read and follow the rules and regulations of each pool.

DRIVING IN THE FAROE ISLANDS

Always remember to check the latest weather forecast and driving conditions on www.landsverk.fo Road signs with a buttercup indicate tourist routes with breathtaking views. For good advice about driving in the Faroes check out the video on our website.