The Faroe Islands don’t figure on most people’s bucket lists as a ‘must-see’ destination, although they’re only a short flight from the UK. Possibly because many haven’t heard of these autonomous islands that are a part of Denmark. That’s one reason why hotels in Faroe Islands are so few. You won’t find any five-star resorts here, but what you will find is plenty of family-run guesthouses and small hotels. However, in recent times there has been a growing interest in these islands which has resulted in two new big hotels opening up here.
This jigsaw of 18 islands has been around since ancient times, and despite its remoteness, has moved with the times. Unlike some of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, the Faroe Islands have quite a few modern additions. A series of tunnel roads now link hamlets which were once quite inaccessible, and mobile connectivity is also quite remarkable. While these islands are a haven for ornithologists, the dramatic scenery on some of the islands will make you catch your breath. You’ll be quite taken with some of the stunning things to do in the Faroe Islands.
Where To Stay In Faroe Islands
The capital, Tórshavn is the most popular destination because of its infrastructure and amenities. Situated on Streymoy Island, the biggest island of this group, you’ll find some of the most dramatic scenery here. It’s also home to the bird cliffs of Vestmanna. Another reason why Tórshavn is so popular is that almost all the hotels and restaurants of the Faroe Islands are located here. It’s a good choice if you’re here only for a few days but if you want to explore the other islands, it’s not a great option.
Klaksvik is a good option if you plan to explore the northern islands. However, there are no hotels in Klaksvik, Faroe Islands so you would be better of staying in Hotel Nord on Vidoy island.
However, you’ll find a smattering of hotels on Eystoruy island also but these are basic lodgings. Vagar island where the airport is located has only one 3-star hotel but has quite a few other accommodations. If you want to be close to the airport or want to head to Mykines island, staying here will be a good option.
If you plan to spend a few days on any other island, it would be a good idea to check out some B&Bs as hotels in these areas are in short supply. While we’ve listed out the best hotels in Faroe Islands, we’ve also included a few alternate accommodation options which are even better than a hotel.
The View
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If you want to experience solitude amidst some gorgeous scenery, The View should definitely be on your cards. This is not a traditional hotel by any stretch but is a cozy set of cottages on a hillside near the village of Bøur on Vagar Island. The old Faroese village only has 65 inhabitants who live in a number of close-knit houses with grass roofs.
The View draws inspiration from these traditional houses with its stone foundation, small windows, and a grass roof. These four cottages provide a stunning view of the bay and the hillsides. It’s 4km from the small village of Gásadalur where the gorgeous Múlafossur waterfall is located. The village only has 12 inhabitants. The airport is 6km away while Sørvágur is 5km from here.
Each cottage features two bedrooms on the top floor and a living area on the ground floor. There’s a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, refrigerator, and coffeemaker. You’ll also find a flat-screen TV, washing machine, and hairdryer. Towels and bed linen are also provided. Though you may feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, free WiFi will help you stay connected.
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62N Hotel
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One of the more modern-looking hotels in Faroe Islands is the 62N Hotel formerly the Havn hotel. Located a few minutes from Tórshavn’s downtown area, it’s a good place to begin your explorations of the capital. A few minutes away you’ll find The Irish Bar, one of the liveliest spots on the weekend. It’s also close to the eight-hour free car park near the harbor. Parking in other areas is restricted to 30 minutes or two hours.
This hotel is one of the brightest and more modern hotels in Faroe Islands. While the decor is minimalist, the rooms are comfortable. The black curtains on the windows are excellent especially during the summer months when darkness is limited. Like most hotels in Faroe Islands, you won’t find many amenities in the rooms and outside. However, there is free WiFi and a television in all rooms. You can choose from different room categories or even book a suite if you’re looking for extra space.
There’s a cafe on the ground floor where you can enjoy tea or coffee and a selection of beers and wines. Unfortunately, the cafe does not sell food. Breakfast is provided though and it’s a good continental spread.
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Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948
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Imagine waking up to the sea almost spilling onto your doorstep every morning! That’s what one of the newest boutique hotels in Faroe Islands, Havgrím Seaside Hotel 1948, has to offer. It’s located just outside Tórshavn on the main road Úti við Strond, overlooking the sea. The former Commodore’s House has been lovingly restored to preserve its original identity and connection to the sea.
Built three years after the Second World War, the house was the subject of everyone’s attention in its hey-dey. When the original owner went bankrupt the Danish Navy bought the house and it soon became a home for Commodore’s and their families. 21 Commodores subsequently called the house their home. You’ll find their names hanging in the reception area.
The hotel features 14 airy rooms with different categories to choose from. Some come with private terraces. All rooms are bright with a pleasant decor. Some rooms also have adjoining doors making it a convenient option for families. You’ll also find a few amenities in the rooms such as a minibar, television, and facilities for making tea/coffee, plus toiletries in the bathroom. The most scenic room is the Commodore Suite. A good breakfast is included in the stay.
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Gjáargarður Guesthouse
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An hour from the airport in Vagar and the capital you’ll find one of the northernmost settlements in the Faroes, Gjógv village. The picturesque village only has 50 inhabitants so if you want a taste of authentic village life, it’s where you should head. Gjáargarður Guesthouse is a family-run guesthouse that’s big on service. It’s a good base if you plan to go fishing or hiking.
Like a traditional Faroese house, this one also has a grass roof. The rest of the property is made from a light pine wood which adds to the level of coziness. Guest rooms are modern and spacious with charming decor. These range from single rooms to family rooms. You’ll find good WiFi signal here too so staying in touch is easy. Breakfast which is included in the rate is a Scandinavian fare with cold meats, cereals, cheeses, and fresh bread.
There’s also an onsite restaurant that is open for all meals from April to September and closed in December and January. It’s popular with locals too as the restaurant is licensed to serve alcohol. For dinner, there’s a set menu served from 6 pm to 8 pm. With its children’s playroom in the basement, this is a good option for families with children.
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Hilton Garden Inn
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Hilton Garden Inn is one of the newest and best hotels in Faroe Islands. Located in the capital, Torshavn, the hotel is just five minutes from the gorgeous Svartafoss Waterfall, Nordic House, and National Museum. You’ll also find plenty of shops and restaurants in the area. Just outside the hotel is a bus stop so getting around is pretty easy.
Hilton Garden Inn has the distinction of being the first international hotel in the Faroe Islands. This modern hotel is bright and stylish with its glass facade and pleasing interiors. In keeping with the architecture of the island, the hotel’s roof also features natural green grass. The 4-star hotel has 130 double rooms and junior suites. Guests can choose to add breakfast and dinner to their booking for an extra charge.
One of the standout features of the hotel is the indoor pool, a rarity in the Faroe Islands. There’s also a well-equipped fitness center and sauna and an onsite restaurant that is open for all meals. In addition to this, you’ll find five conference rooms that feature modern equipment.
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Hotel Runavik
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If you plan to explore the second largest island Eysturoy (East Island) in the Faroese archipelago, Hotel Runavik is a good base. Eysturoy boasts the highest mountains in the Faroe’s islands and ancient Viking settlements. It’s also where you’ll find one of the most unique music festivals in the world as well as the most spectacular sea stacks in the world. A bridge connects Eysturoy to the main island Streymoy while Klaksvik is connected via an undersea tunnel. By the end of December 2020, however, Eysturoy will also be connected to the capital Tórshavn via an undersea tunnel.
Runavík has the third biggest municipality in the Faroes and comprises a number of villages. It’s also home to the major fishing company Bakkafrost and has a large cultural event space. You’ll find many shops and cafes in the area.
Hotel Runavik features 12 double rooms, 6 single rooms, and 4 superior rooms. The accommodation is quite basic and not stylish like the bigger hotels in the Faroe Islands. That being said, it’s clean and comfortable and one of the best places to base yourself on the island as it’s in the main area close to the harbor and shopping. Whilst breakfast is included in the room rate the in-house restaurants serve delicious food and excellent coffee.
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Hotel Nord
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As its name suggests, Hotel Nord is the northern-most hotel on the Faroe Islands. Located in Viðareiði on Vidoy Island, the hotel enjoys a fantastic position looking out onto the sea. The village is an old settlement established in the 14th century and has about 350 inhabitants which is much more than many of the remote villages on the islands! Most people come to this remote corner to enjoy the challenging hike to the top of Villingadalsfjall. It’s only a one and a half-hour drive from Tórshavn and 25 minutes from Klaksvik.
Hotel Nord received a much-needed renovation in 2017-2018 resulting in a much brighter space with stylish elements. It now boasts a suite with a private terrace and soft tub. You can also choose from standard rooms or two studio apartments which are equipped with a kitchen. Apart from the single rooms all rooms face the mountains and are equipped with several amenities including free WiFi.
A highlight of the hotel is the restaurant and bar that overlooks the water. The hotel is a popular venue for weddings and other events because of its large party hall and meeting room.
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Gásadalsgarður
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With just 12 inhabitants in the tiny village of Gásadalur finding a place to stay here is like a dream. The newly opened Gásadalsgarður Guesthouse is located right in the middle of the village which is in proximity to the Mulafossur waterfall. It’s the only guesthouse in the picturesque village. If you’re looking to be close to the airport at Vagar, this is a good place to base yourself. It’s better than staying at any of the regular hotels in Faroe Islands. It’s just 15 minutes to the airport from here while Tórshavn is an hour’s drive.
This homely guesthouse gives you an authentic taste of the legendary Scandinavian ‘hygge.’ It’s cozy and inviting, yet stylishly decorated. You can choose from four double rooms that have a good view of the surroundings. Though the rooms are on the smaller side, they’re comfortable. The kitchen is shared but there are two living rooms and two bathrooms. You’ll also find a cafe adjacent to the guesthouse that is run by the same family. The cafe is open until late August as it also doubles up as the slaughterhouse of the sheep farm. It’s a great place to dig into authentic Faroese food. Breakfast is included in the rate.
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Hotel Hafnia
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A warm alluring lobby with soft sheepskins covering large couches is a precursor of what to expect at Hotel Hafnia. With its position in the heart of the capital, it’s undoubtedly one of the best-located hotels in Faroe Islands. Sitting a hundred feet from the harbor, the hotel puts you in proximity to most of the attractions. Faroese Parliament buildings and the wharf are just a few steps away, as are several shops and restaurants.
You’ll find large murals of Faroese sea birds on each floor and in some bedrooms too. However, the guest rooms and most areas of the hotel are quite dated but comfortable. While children are welcome to stay at the hotel, a better option would be to rent one of the three-self contained cottages that belong to the hotel.
As with most hotels in Faroe Islands, breakfast is included in the room rate. For lunch, you can try out the hotel’s first-floor restaurant which is popular with the local crowd too. Kafe Kaspar and Katrina Christiansen are the other onsite dining options. One thing to note with this hotel is that it does not have parking facilities. The public spaces outside the hotel are limited to 30 minutes on weekdays.
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Hotel Streym
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Most hotels in Tórshavn lie minutes away from the harbor putting you in proximity to restaurants, bars, and supermarkets. Hotel Streym is a stone’s throw away from the city but because it lies on the east side of town you’re closer to the ocean than most other hotels here. Although the location offers some great views it can get a tad noisy during the arrival and departures of ferries.
Again, like most hotels in Faroe Islands, there’s nothing too flashy or extravagant about the exterior nor the interiors of the hotel. It’s more about comfort than style. The guest rooms, however, are one of the most modern of the islands. Breakfast is included in the rate and there’s also an onsite restaurant for lunch or evening meals. Apart from the good breakfast spread, guests can also enjoy complimentary tea and coffee throughout the day in the breakfast room. One advantage of staying at this hotel is the onsite parking. Very few hotels in the capital have this facility.
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Hotel Brandan
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Named after the Saint Brendan an Irish monk, Hotel Brandan is undoubtedly one of the most stylish hotels in Faroe Islands that features a gamut of amenities. This eco-friendly hotel in Tórshavn has definitely raised the bar for the other hotels in the region. With its location just a few minutes’ walk from the town square and main shopping center, it’s an excellent base if you want to explore the capital.
What strikes you about the hotel is not just its commitment to the environment but also the unique art experience. You’ll find many striking pieces created by local artist, Edward Fuglø, adorning many of the public spaces of the hotel, starting with the large Landmark painting in the reception. This bright and funky artwork also dresses up the comfortable guest rooms. The hotel features 116 double/twin rooms and 6 superior rooms which are ideal for guests with limited mobility. There are also two large, stylishly furnished suites.
Breakfast included in the stay is a healthy mix of local and eco-friendly ingredients. The hotel bakes its own bread and rolls and is big on organic produce. Freshly ground organic coffee is brewed at Kafe Landmark. You can also enjoy new takes on cafe dishes, beverages, and cocktails in the evening. The hotel’s wine cellar also features a wide selection of wines from all over the world. Other amenities that you can expect at the hotel are three hot tubs, sauna and fitness facilities, a charging station for electric cars, four meeting rooms, and onsite parking.
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Recommended Restaurants / Bars in Faroe Islands:
- KOKS – The first Michelin-starred restaurant in the Faroe Islands, has a gorgeous, isolated location near the lake Leynavatn. It offers one of the best fine dining experiences in the Faroes. It’s a big draw for foodies from all over the world and table booking can be made a year in advance.
- Áarstova – If you like lamb this is the place to head to for an evening out in the old part of Tórshavn. Housed in charming grass-roofed houses, the restaurant tries to recreate the magic of old Faroese dining. It’s a favorite with locals.
Recommended Activities In Faroe Islands:
- One-Day Six Islands Highlights of the North Tour – If you’re in Faroe Islands for a limited time this guided tour of six different islands is a good option. Take in some breathtaking sights on this tour which also includes a ride through two subsea tunnels.
- Full-Day Tour to Mykines “Puffin Island” – Walk among birds in one of the largest puffin colonies in the world and explore the famous white lighthouse in the westernmost point of the Faroe Islands.
