The Faroe Islands are the one and only. Life of people on the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are a small territory within Denmark located in the North Sea. Faroese means sheep and is so called because until the 19th century the main occupation of the islanders was raising sheep. They were sheared en masse and the wool was sent for export to the metropolis. That is, Denmark. During the colonization of Iceland, Greenland and North America by the Vikings, these islands were a necessary intermediate base where the longships of settlers and traders entered.

Faroe Islands from satellite

The language of the islanders, of whom there are about 50 thousand people, dates back to Old Norse and differs from Danish approximately as Russian differs from Ukrainian. Residents of the Sheep Islands sincerely believe that their basalt volcanic homeland is the remains of the sunken Atlantis. This encourages the population to actively dive in the surrounding waters, although the cold, harsh ocean conditions are little conducive to this. As soon as someone finds a flat stone at the bottom, joyful excitement grows. Yep, they found Atlantis. However, geologists debunk it over and over again, wearily explaining that these are pieces of basalt and nothing more.

Sheep wool continues to be mined on the islands. There are 80 thousand sheep for 50 thousand people, but, of course, this is not the main income of this region. The Faroe Islands have an impressive fishing and merchant fleet; accordingly, they actively fish in the surrounding waters, and also trade fishing licenses. Many more foreign companies register offshore companies here. And in general, the islands have a very impressive income. 45 thousand dollars per capita.

An area undeservedly forgotten by Russian tourists, characterized by a harsh climate, is located at the very edge of the world, but vacationers who have been here admit that for the sake of amazing scenery it is worth dropping everything and going on an exciting journey.

A corner lost on the edge of the earth

However, not every person will show where the Faroe Islands are located on the world map. Even though they are part of Europe, most people won't find them on the globe. Such remoteness from civilization benefited the place, lost in the Atlantic Ocean, which has preserved its pristine nature and originality.

Finding the Faroe Islands on a world map is quite difficult, especially for those who have never heard anything about them. Located between Iceland and Great Britain, they are in the North Atlantic. Officially belonging to Denmark, the Faroe Islands are a small state with an area of ​​1,399 km2. The archipelago consists of 34 municipalities, and the islands are home to more than 100 towns and villages.

Green oasis on our planet

Repeatedly, the Faeroe Islands, which have virtually no trees, have been recognized as the cleanest on the planet. Emerald meadows and a unique landscape attract not only brave tourists, but also photographers who capture the amazing beauty that just begs to be featured on magazine covers.

The archipelago, recognized as the most picturesque in the North Atlantic, is a rocky area. The steep banks are steep and very high, but it is the numerous hills that attract travelers and collectors who photograph unusual landscapes.

Descendants of the Vikings

It is known that the first settlements appeared in the territory where the Faroe Islands are now located in the 8th century. Initially, the Scots lived here, but they soon left the region due to raids by Old Scandinavian warriors. For many centuries, the area served as a transit point for the Vikings, who considered that this region was very suitable for them and took root here. Modern inhabitants of the Sheep Islands (and this is how the name of the archipelago is translated) are the descendants of glorious heroes who inherited the will and strong character from their courageous ancestors. The Faroese cherish ancient traditions and lead a unique way of life. They are even proud of their old-fashioned style: instead of lawnmowers, they have sheep, and the men cover the roofs of their houses with turf with green grass.

The population of the Faroe Islands is almost 49 thousand people. These are people who have maintained a good relationship with nature and care about it.

Whose archipelago?

In the 19th century, the lost corner for which Denmark and Norway fought became Danish. After World War II, the islands wanted to gain independence, but the government of the southernmost Scandinavian country granted them partial sovereignty.

So who owns the Faroe Islands? No researcher will give a definite answer to this question. Formally, the Queen of Denmark is considered the head of the archipelago, but all processes taking place on the islands are led by the High Commissioner. In terms of international law, the Faroe Islands are not an independent entity. The local parliament (Løgting) consists of 33 deputies who are vested with special powers. Representatives of six political parties decided not to join the European Union.

The Kingdom of Denmark, in whose parliament two representatives from the archipelago sit, helps the islands financially, resolves issues of justice and defense, and the Faroese government independently deals with issues of public policy, except for foreign ones. To this day there is talk of gaining independence from Denmark.

Climate and weather

As noted earlier, not every person accustomed to comfortable holiday conditions can withstand the harsh nature of an exotic place. The weather in the Faroe Islands will not be to everyone's liking. The sun rarely shines here, it often rains heavily, but even in clear weather strong winds blow. Maximum precipitation falls between September and January, but snow is a very rare occurrence in the archipelago.

In summer, the temperature does not rise above 17 o C, and lovers of the sun and warmth will be disappointed with their vacation. Therefore, for those who prefer to soak up the snow-white beaches, it is better to go to the Maldives or the Bahamas. The water around the islands does not warm up above 10 o C, and fashionable swimsuits and sunglasses are not useful here.

In winter, the cold reigns, which penetrates to the bones due to high humidity, so at this time tourists do not visit the archipelago, where the weather changes so often.

Administrative center of the islands

Tórshavn, the main port of the archipelago, is the capital of the Faroe Islands, home to about 20 thousand inhabitants. Without visiting her, acquaintance with this amazing region will be incomplete. The Old Town is considered the most interesting place, and tourists admire the pretty colorful houses that transport you into a real fairy tale.

The administrative center, founded in the 10th century, is located on the island of Streymoy, and here you need to stay at least for a few days. Art galleries, a historical museum, cozy cafes and restaurants, fashion shops - all this will allow you to experience the amazing flavor of the capital of the Faroe Islands.

The luxurious and high Fossa waterfall is recognized as the most beautiful miraculous landmark of Tórshavn.

A unique lake on the edge of an abyss

The main attraction of this lost corner is considered to be its virgin nature, which is perfectly preserved due to the harsh climate and remoteness from the civilization of the Faroe Islands (Denmark). High cliffs, emerald fields, endless ocean, gray mists and lacy clouds almost touching the ground leave no one indifferent. Even the most discerning travelers speak with admiration of the landscapes of this wonderful region.

Vagar Island attracts the attention of tourists with an amazing body of water, the beauty of which defies description. Located on a stone platform, it seems to float in the air without falling off the edge of a high cliff. Hanging Lake Sorvagsvatn (Faroe Islands), located above sea level, is a sight that is difficult to forget. Travelers who admire a natural monument only in photographs often think that this is a professional photomontage, and in fact the body of water lies on different planes with the Atlantic Ocean. And only after visiting the attractive region do many understand the uniqueness of this masterpiece.

The clear waters of the lake flow into the ocean through a waterfall hidden in the rocks with the unpronounceable name Bossdalsfossur.

Local Attractions

The Faroe Islands consist of 18 islands, one of which is completely uninhabited. There are no people living on Tindholmur, although scientists suggest that many centuries ago they did live here.

Streymoy Island, which is the largest, is loved by all fishing enthusiasts.

Nolsoy is famous for its huge number of seals.

Sandoy delights tourists with its luxurious landscape: there are beautiful sand dunes here.

Fugloy, whose name translates as “bird island,” is indeed a favorite of birds. Various representatives of birds settle on high cliffs.

Mycines Island is famous for the fact that only 13 people live on it. This is the quietest corner you can only dream of.

Esture is a picturesque place connected by a bridge to the island of Streymoy. Deep fjords create an unforgettable landscape. Mount Slattaratindur rises here with a height of about 900 meters.

On Rinkusteinar, the main natural attraction is two huge stones rocking on the waves. Local residents believe that the boulders are Viking longships, and that once upon a time an evil sorceress turned warships into boulders.

Kalsoy is an island whose coastline consists of rocky cliffs. All settlements here are connected by numerous underground tunnels. To the north is the famous Katlur Lighthouse.

Historical monuments

Munkastovan Monastery is the oldest architectural monument of the Faroe Islands. The landmark survived a terrible fire that raged in the city in the 17th century. Munskastovan survived only thanks to the stonework.

Local residents call the historical fortress Skansin the most peaceful on our planet. The defensive structure protected against pirate attacks, and now delights tourists with an excellent panorama that opens from the observation deck.

Diving and fishing

Divers flock here to explore the underwater world. Where the Faroe Islands are located, there are several dozen dive points, as well as the only diving center, and even beginners can test their strength here.

Fishing is a real passion of the indigenous population, and many tourists head to the water in the company of locals who offer valuable advice. This is an unforgettable experience and a unique opportunity to see magnificent landscapes. You can go out to sea on a fishing boat and cast a fishing rod where you can never reach from the shore. This is a real adventure that remains in the memory forever.

What else can tourists do?

You can go on a boat tour of the caves and attend a concert of local musicians in the underground kingdom.

Extreme sports enthusiasts who want to tickle their nerves choose scuba diving or kayaking.

Where the Faroe Islands are located, hiking trails are very popular. However, be careful, because in dense fogs you can get lost, falling behind the group, or fall off a steep cliff. There is even an old legend that says that lonely travelers are thrown off the cliff by the so-called hidden inhabitants - huldufolk. Mystical creatures in gray clothes that merge with the stones live in the rocks and are unkindly disposed towards the lost.

In summer, a large number of tourists come to the islands to watch the colorful event and take part in it. At the end of July, the cheerful Olafsöka festival takes place, coinciding with the archipelago's national holiday. Residents dressed in beautiful costumes take to the streets of Tórshavn (Faroe Islands), musicians give concerts, and there is a cheerful atmosphere everywhere.

Heaven's Gate of the Archipelago

In the 60s of the last century, the archipelago was occupied by Britain, and the airport built on the Faroe Islands was used for military purposes. For more than 40 years, the spacious building stood abandoned, and only at the beginning of this century it was modernized: the capacity of the heavenly gates is now 400 thousand passengers per year.

Located a few kilometers from the village of Sorvagur, on the island of Vágar (Voar), the airport operates both domestic and charter flights to Europe. In addition, it is connected by helicopter to the entire archipelago.

The building has a waiting room, a medical room, luggage storage, several cafes, and a duty-free shop. You can also rent a car here.

Faroe Islands: how to get there?

Russian tourists dreaming of enjoying the stunning scenery of untouched nature should know that there are no direct flights from Moscow to the archipelago. First you will have to fly with a transfer to Norway or Denmark, and only then get to the only airport on the islands. Despite the remoteness, it is very easy to get to the Faroe Islands from the megacities of Northern Europe: the flight takes only two hours. And there is a ferry between the islands, the services of which you can use, and a helicopter will help you get to the most remote places.

To visit the Faroe Islands, which is an autonomous region, Russians require a special island visa (Schengen is not suitable). Despite the fact that the exotic place officially belongs to Denmark, the islands live by their own laws. To ensure that your trip is not overshadowed by anything, you will have to take care of a visa in advance. Its processing is handled by authorized visa centers in Moscow, Vladivostok, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Samara and other large cities. The consular fee is approximately 1,500 rubles, but depending on the exchange rate of the Danish krone, its cost may increase. The visa processing time ranges from eight days to two months. If you use the services of a travel agency, its employees will prepare all the documents themselves.

Where to stay?

The Faroe Islands, where time flies unnoticed, provide tourists with comfortable conditions for relaxation. You can stay in three-star hotels offering comfortable rooms, or choose more budget options in hostels and guest houses. Those who like to live in tents will be able to settle in special campsites, but they will have to remove all garbage before leaving. In addition, there are convenient accommodation options for those who come for several days: bed and breakfast hotels.

Those who are planning to travel on their own should book rooms 2-3 months in advance. Prices depend on the tourist season, as well as the time of year. But don’t forget about warm clothes and special shoes for walking in the mountains.

The Faroe Islands are located in the north Atlantic, in the open ocean, significantly north of Scotland. Officially they belong to Denmark, but in fact life on the Faroe Islands is subject not so much to the Danish crown as to its own laws and rules. Tourists are not welcomed here by azure waters, luxury hotels and well-trained bartenders serving colorful cocktails to vacationers on the beach. The nearest inhabited coast is Icelandic, and it is located 450 km away. But if you're looking for a place to get away from it all, the Faroe Islands are perfect.

In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world. It seems that even their residents themselves more than agree with this characterization.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

By plane to Tórshavn with a transfer through Denmark (Copenhagen) or Norway (Bergen or Stavanger). The most popular local transport in the Faroe Islands is, naturally, water, and you need to travel between the islands by ferry. In summer, you can also take a ferry from Bergen to Tórshavn.

Visa

The Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen area. To visit these territories, it is necessary to obtain a national Danish visa, valid for entry into the Faroe Islands, in addition to the regular Danish Schengen visa. If the tourist already has a valid Schengen visa from another country, it is enough to apply for a national Danish visa with a note on entry to the Faroe Islands. The list of required documents and the process of obtaining a visa to the Faroe Islands is identical to the process of obtaining a Schengen visa to Denmark.

Search for flights to Copenhagen (the closest airport to the Faroe Islands)

A little history

In total, the Faroe Islands include 18 islands, and all but the last one, Little Dimun, are inhabited by people. The first inhabitants appeared on the islands around the 8th-9th centuries; Then the Vikings saw the islands and for some time served as a transit point on their sea expeditions. The Faroe Islands were once divided between Norway and Denmark, but at the beginning of the 19th century they were completely taken over by the Danes. During World War II, the islands were occupied by Great Britain in response to the German capture of Denmark (this did not affect the course of the war in any way). The next year after the end of the war, the Faroe Islands were about to secede from the Danish kingdom, but that was not the case: the most that the islanders achieved was partial sovereignty.

In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world (this is a consolidated expert assessment of half a thousand specialists in the tourism industry). It seems that even their residents themselves more than agree with this characterization. Despite the fact that the economy of the islands rests, figuratively speaking, on sheep and herring, the weather is gloomy, and fuel and other essential items have to be purchased on the mainland five hundred kilometers away, the standard of living in the Faroe Islands is one of the highest in the world. And almost all the islanders are ardent patriots who optimistically paint their houses in different colors in spite of the gloomy weather and gray skies.

Due to fishing taxes unacceptable to local residents, the Faroe Islands have not yet joined the European Union.

Faroese cuisine

Traditional Faroese dishes, dense and simple, are all quite interesting, but by modern standards they cannot be called healthy. Although local dishes, for obvious reasons, are often prepared from fish, the Faroese themselves prefer fatty and unsalted meat, in particular lamb, and potatoes from vegetables. However, recently more and more European establishments have been opening in large populated areas. So you need to look specifically for traditional restaurants to try smørrebrød (a sandwich with butter and meat, eaten with cutlery) for breakfast, dried cod soup and lamb kidneys for lunch, and puffin rhubarb pie for dinner and potatoes.

Weather in the Faroe Islands

The climate here cannot be called mild: in summer it usually does not get warmer than +15 °C, it rains about 280 days a year, and the winds blow almost constantly. Therefore, there are few trees on the islands - solid rocks and moss, but there are a lot of carved picturesque fjords, bays, bays and mountains.

In winter, the islands are very wet and particularly cold. But the Gulf Stream washing them prevents the coastal waters from freezing and even maintains their temperature at about +10 °C. This season, when there are no people around and the water is especially clear, is considered ideal for diving enthusiasts.

3 things to do in the Faroe Islands:

1. Buy and bring home to your grandmother several skeins of local first-class sheep wool for knitting. This can be done at almost any grocery store.
2. Get to the town of Skopun on Sandoy Island, where the largest mailbox in the world is located. This is a huge blue structure several human heights, against which you should definitely take a photo (alas, the box is non-functional).
3. Try local dried meat and fish snacks: whale meat and lamb in the Faroe Islands are dried in a dozen different ways, sometimes for a year.

Entertainment and attractions of the Faroe Islands

The main city of Faroe is Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy, and it is quite picturesque and specific. But, of course, those who travel to the Faroe Islands do not come to see the city's attractions. The main thing people come to the Faroe Islands for is amazing nature, solitude and the feeling that you are on the edge of the earth.

Tórshavn

The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, has a mixed atmosphere: partly port, partly metropolitan, partly even somewhat rural. Here it is worth visiting, first of all, the ancient monastery of Munkastovan, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. In the 17th century, a major fire raged in the city, but the monastery escaped destruction. Also interesting is the main museum on the islands - the historical one, where various examples of applied art and worship, traditional household utensils and household items of villagers, fishermen and sailors are collected. The main cultural center of Tórshavn is the Nordic House, where there is a conference hall, a concert hall, a library and an art gallery. On summer nights, special educational events are held here for tourists.

Faroe Islands: Fugloy, Kalsoy, Sandoy

Attractions Faroe is each island separately, each with its own special nature, cute rural houses under multi-colored roofs (and often covered with turf and grass), coastal cliffs in a foggy haze. In some you will find ancient Lutheran churches, in most - numerous flocks of sheep on green meadows, and in all - the cleanest air and cold blue sky, not polluted by industrial enterprises, which are not here.

Many of the islands have earned special fame due to the characteristics of the landscape, climate, flora or fauna. For example, on Fugloy Island (“Bird Island”) sea birds nest in large numbers. Here, high, more than half a kilometer cliffs cut into the water, favored by millions of birds. The even more mountainous Kalsoy (“Pipe Island”) is surprising, however, not for its mountains, but quite the opposite - for its underground passages and caves. And the “flat” of all, Sandoy, is famous for something else: here you can admire wide sand dunes near the shore, and on the hill there are two beautiful lakes.

Faroe islands

Leisure

The island of Vioj is home to one of the highest cliffs in Europe, Enniberg, which climbers have tried unsuccessfully to conquer for many decades. And north of Skarvanes on the island of Kalsoy, the cape ends with a sharp prong sticking up - Tretlkonufingur, “Trollwoman’s Finger”. Amateur fishermen should go to the island of Streymoy, where Lake Pollur, the most fertile lake in terms of fishing, is located: there you can catch not only ordinary salmon, but also large halibut and eels. Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it gushes over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean, and together with the rocky ridge in the background and the village in the middle, all this is a spectacle that is definitely worth see. And on the island of Nolsoy there are large seal rookeries - also an incredible picture.

Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean.

Culture and customs of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands' own culture developed far from European civilization and therefore has largely retained its exclusivity to this day. This is a bizarre interweaving of Danish and its own cultural heritage, which is well reflected in local folk festivals. For example, Faroese round dances are a very special phenomenon, without which not a single entertainment event is complete. You can see them, for example, at the festival of St. Olaf (Oulavsøk), who once baptized Norway, at the end of July, as well as at traditional rowing competitions between villages, horse competitions, and painting exhibitions. Oulavsöka embraces all the islands without exception, but in certain parts of the archipelago other festivals are held throughout the year - July Vestanstevna in the west, Noriyastevna in the north, Jouansöka in the south.

One of the specific traditions of the islanders, which causes at least ambivalence among guests of the Faroes, is the summer slaughter of whales.

Whaling

For more than a millennium, the inhabitants of Faroe have been largely fed by whaling. Having discovered a school of whales (or rather, dolphins) entering the bay, they are surrounded by boats, driven to the shore and there, literally, they are killed with knives, causing all the water near the shore to change color. The tradition has drawn outrage from animal rights activists, but it is as characteristic of the local culture as round dances, and at the same time much more vital for a region whose only sources of income are, in fact, fishing, sheep farming and agriculture. Whale meat, a traditional and much-loved dish on the islands, is neither exported nor sold: it is eaten by the miners themselves, as in prehistoric times.

March 31st, 2013

The Faroe Islands are considered part of Europe, but many do not even know exactly where they are. In Russia, the archipelago attracts attention on those rare occasions when the Russian national football team plays the Faroe Islands in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers.

Today, 50 thousand people live on the archipelago, consisting of 18 volcanic islands with a total area of ​​about 1,400 square kilometers. The indigenous inhabitants of the island, about 98% of the population, speak one of the rarest languages ​​in Europe - Faroese, related to Icelandic and Old Norse. The second official language in the Faroe Islands is Danish.

Until the end of the 19th century, sheep farming, which gave the islands their name, played a major role in the life of the Faroese, and sheep's wool was the main commodity in trade with Denmark. However, for more than a century, the main income for the inhabitants of the archipelago, located in the very center of the fish-rich Atlantic region, has been provided by fishing. Locally caught cod, salmon and halibut account for more than 99% of local exports.

This is not surprising if we remember that, according to the classic of Faroese literature William Heineson, the capital of Faroe, the city of Tórshavn, is, in fact, the famous “navel of the earth.” For the Faroese, Tórshavn is one of the most important places on earth, the very place where everything happens.

45 thousand Faroese believe that the archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic is the legendary Atlantis, which sank into the depths of the ocean many centuries ago. The exclusivity is evident.

Ancient history of the Faroe Islands

Modern Faroese are descendants of the Vikings, who at the end of the 9th century. they did not want to put up with the Zheto rule of King Harald Fairhair and sailed here, where previously brave sailors had visited only on visits. In the 11th century Christianity was brought here from Norway and for a short period the islands were subjugated to the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. After his death, Norway's power over the islands was purely nominal, and in 1380, when the Danish-Norwegian Union was concluded, the islands became dual subordinates. When Norway dissolved the union in 1814, the islands remained with Denmark, which became the sole owner of the islands. The inhabitants of the islands have Scandinavian roots, and the Faroese language is a descendant of the Old Norse language.

In the period between 700 and 800, people from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Starting from the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located in Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.

Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe Islands

The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to decide on April 11, 1940 to station the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during the Second World War, following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945. More than 8,000 British soldiers took part in the occupation.

Post-war history of the Faroe Islands

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Suduroy, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 1940 the Faroe Islands were occupied by the British fleet, and in 1948 the status quo was restored. An agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty; the Danish government continued to be in charge of the islands' foreign policy. 2 representatives of the islands permanently serve in the Danish Parliament. The Faroese, although they do not particularly feel the Danish “oppression”, do not let the metropolis forget about them. For example, the islands are not formally part of the European Union, having rejected this proposal in a referendum. National clothing and customs largely preserve the era of the sagas, when people believed in the stern Odin, the strong Thor and the gentle Freya. Monuments here often date back to the early Middle Ages. Tórshavn - in the capital of the Faroe Islands, it is worth taking a look at the Skansapakkusio building, the Munkastovan monastery, the Historical Museum and the Listaskalin art gallery.

Kirkuber - Among the town's attractions are Magnus Cathedral, St Olav's Church, the ruins of St Brendan's Church and Roykstovan Farm. Saksun is a small village in the vicinity of which there are lakes Pollur and Saksunarvatn, Saskun Church and the Duvuvarur farm.

The Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone since 1984, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.

To enter the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens require a visa issued by the consular department of the Danish Embassy.

The Faroes are a beautiful and rich country, with its own wonderful culture, in addition, the people here are closely connected with each other, now family and friendships mean a lot to the Faroese.

The difference between Danish and Faroese society is not obvious at first, but it is there. So, for example, in Denmark people value their employment first of all; there it is customary to call first, notifying you of your arrival, and even agree on the time of the visit. In the Faroes, friends and acquaintances easily, without ceremony, drop in to see each other just to say hello. So I think the main difference is that Faroese people make time for each other to be together.

In the Scandinavian countries there is the “Jante Lofven Code”: no one has the right to put themselves above society, the most important rule of the Code is “don’t think that you are anything of yourself. And everyone obeys this unwritten rule, from the monarch to the mere mortal. There is something similar in the Faroe Islands. In this regard, things with public morality here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Scandinavia.

At the end of 2006, Faroese society was gripped by debate over the rights of sexual minorities to protection from persecution. Most local politicians opposed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, considering it contrary to the Christian tenets on which Faroese society is based. Another significant event last year in the life of the Faroese was that the local ethics council banned the screening of the famous film “The Da Vinci Code”, considering the interpretation of the role of Christ blasphemous and contrary to the canons of Christianity.

The Faroe Islands are a very religious country, a religious society. But it should be borne in mind that in all religions there are radical movements, and there are such Christian extremists in the Faroe Islands. Of course, extremists are extremely negative about the law protecting people of non-traditional sexual orientation, but they do not express the opinion of the majority of the Faroese population. In Denmark, by the way, there are also ultra-Orthodox Christians, united in the Internal Mission organization; they are very similar to the Orthodox from the Faroe Islands, but in both cases we are not talking about the majority of the population. In fact, the Faroe Islands are a very open society; it may seem closed, closed in on itself, but in fact it is not. The people here are very friendly, generous and hospitable. And foreigners arriving in the Faroe Islands as tourists or moving here for permanent residence can confirm that they are received very kindly here. After all, the Faroese are sympathetic to everything new that comes into their lives.

The Faroe Islands (Faeroerne, Faroe Islands) are a possession of Denmark, occupying over 20 islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea. The total area of ​​ownership is 1.4 thousand sq. km. 48.2 thousand people live on the islands, mainly Faroese. They have their own language, which is the official language here along with Danish. The Faroes have their own coat of arms and flag and enjoy internal autonomy, although they are subordinate to Denmark. The administrative center of the Faroe Islands is the city of Tórshavn with a population of 15.6 thousand people. The islands are divided into 8 regions.
The Faroe Islands are of volcanic origin, up to 882 m high. The shores of the islands are heavily indented by fjords. The Faroese landscape is characterized by meadows, peat bogs, and heathlands. The Faroe cliffs are a favorite place for bird colonies.
The economic potential of the Faroe Islands is based on 260 fishing vessels. The fishing industry employs the majority of able-bodied Faroese. The second most important sector of the economy is livestock farming, specializing in raising sheep and producing milk. Local transportation is carried out by road and sea transport. In terms of living standards, the Faroe Islands are among the most prosperous countries in the world; they are reluctant to welcome visitors here, but tourists are shown hospitality..

The name means "Sheep Islands" in the local dialect. Sheep farming is very important for local residents, and wonderful blankets, sweaters and other products are made here from high-quality wool. The tourist season is during the warm summer months from June to September. The Faroe Islands calendar has about two dozen official holidays. On June 28 and 29, the country celebrates National Olavsok Day, named after St. Olav, who preached Christianity in ancient Scandinavia. Over the course of two holidays, the capital of the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn, hosts exhibitions, sports competitions, horse races, festive masses and noisy folk performances. Around the same time, the Westanstevna festival, which is almost identical in program, takes place in the Western Faroe Islands.

Mainly eco-tourists come here. Skalafjörður, a picturesque fjord considered the best harbor in the Faroe Islands, will be of interest to lovers of hiking. Mykines is a tiny island in the northwest of the archipelago. Knukur Peak, Steyiskogurin Rock Garden and Holmgyogv Canyon are located here.

The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although conifers, maple, and mountain ash are sometimes found. Mosses and lichens are common.

Vegetation mainly consists of meadows, peat bogs and heathland.

On the Faroe Islands, the climate is similar to the south of South America and Tierra del Fuego, from there several species of Nothophagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maytenus Magellanicus were introduced.

Hatchet(lat. Lunda cirrhata), or Long-crested puffins (lat. Fratercula cirrhata) is a bird of the auk family. It has a bright appearance - a powerful red-orange beak, flattened on the sides, white cheeks, and tufts of long yellowish feathers behind the eyes. The color of the plumage is monotonous, black and brown. Paws are red.

They live on the Asian and American coasts of the North Pacific Ocean, south to California. They are most often seen flying along the shoreline close to the surface of the water in search of food for their young.

The fauna of the Faroe Islands is quite diverse. Of primary interest are the colonies of Arctic birds and the waters rich in fish (herring, halibut, cod) and sea animals that wash the Faroe Islands. The island is also home to the Faroese breed of sheep.

Colonies of guillemots settle on the Faroese cliffs.

There are harp seal rookeries on the Faroe Islands.

In the Faroes, the Faroese crown (FrK) and the Danish crown (DKK) are in circulation. Faroese banknotes, like Danish ones, are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroner. The islands do not mint their own coins. There are Danish coins in denominations of 25 and 50 øre (1 øre = 1/100 kroner), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner.

The exchange rate of the Danish krone to the US dollar was - 5.560 (2008), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002).

Up to 15% of Faroese GDP comes from subsidies to the metropolis.

The main sectors of the Faroese economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. The main products exported are fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. About 2% of the land is cultivated.

Until the mid-19th century, sheep farming was the main source of income for the Faroes. Currently, the sheep population numbers about 80 thousand heads.

These are the interesting facts Klara Kulikova writes about the Faroe Islands:

I've been to the Faroe Islands probably ten times. I have many acquaintances there, whom I am glad to see, regardless of the presence or absence of business. Acquaintances who, over the years of communication, have turned into friends.

I really like this place. First of all, I like my people. Contrary to the hysterics of whale defenders, the people there are very open, pure and virginal in many matters.

1. In the Faroe Islands, houses are not generally locked. The last time, instead of a hotel, we rented the top floor of a house: the owners lived on the ground floor, their daughter on the first floor, we took the top floor with three bedrooms, a separate bathroom and toilet. "Will we get the key?" – I asked the hostess. "No!" – she was quite surprised, why do you need him?

“You really don’t lock houses?” – I asked my old friend Birgir. “Why lock them?” - he, in turn, was surprised, - “I have five children, they always lose their keys, so we don’t lock our house!”

2. There is virtually no crime in the Faroe Islands. During the Cold War, the United States established a military base on the islands. In recent years it has been mothballed: only a few people were constantly there. Now, on the territory of the base there is a prison where local violators are placed for a short period of time, usually for drunk driving. At the time of our arrival, there were already four people in the “prison”, the names of all four are known to all the islands. If you throw a bicycle on the side of the road, no one will touch it. If you drop your wallet on the road, it will be returned to you with a 99.9% probability, or it will be left in the nearest cafe/shop/shopping center.

3. On the question of whale hunting: the Faroese continue to live the same way they lived five hundred years ago. Civilization has changed them little. In addition to whale hunting, the Faroese slaughter their own sheep (a lot of people keep sheep). It's hard for a European to believe, but Faroese schools teach some pretty shocking science lessons.

A week before our arrival, Birgir’s twelve-year-old daughter brought a live sheep to class, killed it right in the classroom with a special air pistol, and gutted it in the classroom. The rest of the children helped her as best they could: in the Faroes this would not shock anyone.

“But why, Birgir?”– I asked in bewilderment. "What do you mean why? Not all children know how to do this now, she just taught them!”

4. Sheep's head is an exquisite delicacy in the Faroes. “What’s in it?” – I asked another friend of mine. "Like what? Eyes, brains, cheeks! Yes all!"
Frozen sheep's heads can be bought in the central supermarket of Torshavn (called SMS) and also in some small shops. For convenience, the head is sawn lengthwise, frozen and packed in a vacuum bag.

5. To your great surprise, the Faroe Islands have a pretty good selection of products (unlike “hungry” Norway, whose supermarkets make you cry). Most of the products are frozen (and made in Denmark), but they are available. On sale there is delicious venison, a lot of seafood, as well as fresh locally caught fish. Smoked salmon is also locally produced and is also absolutely incomparable: I can say with full responsibility that neither in Ukraine nor in Russia they know how to make such fish.

6. In the Faroe Islands (unlike Denmark, to which the Faroe Islands de jure belong) there are very strict requirements for the sale of alcohol. There is only one store in Torshavn that sells beer of “regular” strength, as well as wine and vodka. Everything is very expensive. For some inexplicable reason, beer is only sold in multiples of six. That is, six, twelve, eighteen and so on cans or bottles. The limit applies to both packages (which actually contain six cans or bottles) and individual cans/bottles.

The question “if there are only five bottles left, won’t you sell them?” puts store workers into a specific stupor. Nobody seems to think about it there.

All other stores (including the largest supermarket in the Faroe Islands) sell light beer with an alcohol content of no more than 0.2%&

A similar situation with alcohol in the Faroe Islands was initiated back in the thirties of the last century. Alcohol was sold uncontrollably, many fishermen drank themselves to death, but in the thirties, men carelessly gave women the right to vote in elections.
The first (!) thing the women did after receiving their license was to push through a ban on the sale of alcohol on the islands. Complete ban.
The men tried to protest, but it was too late: the fisherwomen grabbed their husbands tightly by the balls.

The return of alcohol to any kind of sale continued for decades. And it continues to this day.

7. At the same time, the Faroe Islands produce a very good and very specific aqua vitamin, which is called HAVIÐ, with a strength of as much as 50.1 degrees. Such a fortress is the result of a marketing strategy, the essence of which is unknown to me.

8. Also, despite the prohibitions and restrictions, the Faroe Islands produce very good beer, and the “Black Sheep” variety is generally beyond praise.

9. One of my acquaintances in the Faroe Islands created an ideal business: he collected waste from fish processing plants (mainly pollock heads), then dried it, pressed it and sold it to poor countries in Africa. Why an ideal business? The raw materials are free, the market is huge, the idea is super, what can I say.

10. The Danish krone is in use in the Faroe Islands, but the piquancy of the situation is that the Faroe Islands have their own Danish krone, with a very special design. From my own experience, I can say that I have never held more beautiful money in my hands.

Tindholmur Island- one of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. Area - 6500 sq.m. The highest point is 262 m. Each of the small peaks has its own name: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði, and Bogdi.

The island is uninhabited, but archaeological evidence suggests that people once lived on it.

Every year, the Faroe Islands catch and kill whales and pilot whales (black dolphins) in a traditional hunt known as "Grindadrap". The sea in the Faroe Islands becomes as bloody and creepy as the cruel ritual itself.

Faroese men often say that being involved in whaling makes them feel like real Faroese. Despite criticism from animal rights groups and the International Whaling Commission, the Faroe Islands population continues to kill thousands of whales year after year.

A mob of hunters drive whales and dolphins into a bay and then snap their spines, leaving the animals to slowly bleed to death. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some whales struggle in agony for several hours. “Whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures and they are capable of feeling pain and fear, just like us. They are forced to watch their relatives die in the blood-red water, awaiting their own death.”

Hundreds of pilot whales or black dolphins, as they are sometimes called, become victims of the Faroese every year. I don’t even know what definition to give to this bloody process... Some say, killing whales for the population of the Faroe Islands - a national pastime, others - a tradition, others - a vital necessity. I’ll probably focus on the tradition - don’t judge, as they say, lest you be judged. This event is on a national scale. On a certain day, I don’t know which one, apparently, when the supply of meat runs out, Faroese men slaughter pilot whales, and women and children gather with pleasure on the shore and look at this picture. In short, the entire population is involved - no one is indifferent.

Whaling has existed on the “remains of Atlantis” since at least the tenth century, and it is not regulated by the International Whale Commission, but by the Faroese authorities, due to - quoting Wikipedia - “the presence of disagreements over the competence of the commission in relation to small cetaceans.” I don’t know how to put it easier, because I didn’t really understand the meaning myself. It turns out that traditional, with a centuries-old history pilot whale massacre in the Faroe Islands gradually grew into some kind of public holiday. At least, according to eyewitness accounts, this is exactly what it looks like.

I don't know how to judge all this. On the one hand, it’s scary, creepy, disgusting, low and vile, and on the other hand, surely somewhere in Africa there are tribes in which people devour each other, but no one condemns them: well, there is, and there is, what can you do if This is their way of life.

Here's what eyewitnesses write:

Killing whales is a national pastime

In order to feel like men and breadwinners, the Faroese carried out mass slaughter of whales. The entire population took part in this. Men catch, and women and children watch and support.

Unfortunately, this cruel tradition continues to this day. But now whale hunting has become something of a national holiday on the islands. Not for the sake of food, but for the sake of blood, thirst for profit and satisfaction of their barbaric instincts.

They hunt here for pilot whales or, as they are also called, black dolphins. Pilot whales swim in a flock that blindly follows the leader. Once you lure him alone, everyone else will follow him to certain death. The whales are driven into shallow waters in special bays. They surround them with boats and drive them to the shore with stones, sticks, and harpoons.

The first time I learned about this “holiday” was soon after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Once I came to pick up my children from kindergarten and saw the excited faces of the teachers. Happiness and satisfaction were written on them. Gesturing excitedly, they said that today they went to watch how dolphins were slaughtered and took all the children there. They liked everything very much, and the children were absolutely delighted.

After that, the children in the kindergarten spent the whole week drawing pictures about how dolphins are slaughtered, how they are pulled out, killed, and pools of blood. The more terrible the picture, the more honorable place it was on the wall. The exhibition of children's works hung for a long time and was frightening in its appearance.
My children suffered deep psychological stress. One day they grew up and realized that death exists and walks nearby in the form of a Faroese man with a harpoon and a spear.

No one asked permission if it was possible to take the children to look at this horror. They were simply taken away because it was cool. Because many Faroese sincerely believe that the slaughter of whales is one of the most beautiful spectacles. And in the future, children were taken to this slaughterhouse more than once, although they were warned that they could not be taken there. But the teachers forgot everything at the moment of excitement from the upcoming action.

Through the eyes of an eyewitness

I do not know of a more barbaric spectacle that occurs with the approval of the government and with the participation of almost all people, young and old. This is real horror.

As soon as a pod of whales approaches the island, the Faroese drop everything and run to fish. People find out on the radio, on mobile phones and simply from each other - today whales are being beaten.
They run as fast as they can, just to be on time, just not to be late. They run with crazy eyes. Everyone is running, even pregnant women and young mothers, who grab their children, put them in strollers and also rush to the shore. Other children are dangling underfoot, they are being knocked down, now there is no time for children - whales are being beaten. Kindergartens and schools are brought there so that everyone can participate in the process and look at the bloody mess. How innocent animals are killed.

Just a couple of hours ago, kind and sweet Faroese people become wild animals. They make sure that the whales cannot escape from the shallow waters. With wild faces they throw stones at them, hit them with spears and knock them into a chaotic mass. Wounded animals become frantic and rush around in search of freedom. People rush towards them from the shore and finish them off right in the water. The whales, which are still alive, are stuck with hooks and sticks and dragged to the shore, where their throats are cut.

Women and children support the men, running through pools of blood. There is blood all around. The Sea of ​​Blood is completely red. The entire coast is covered in the blood of innocent victims of Faroese cruelty. People's faces, hands, clothes - everything is covered in blood. Satisfaction on faces, smiles, joy, pleasure, buzz - this whole range of feelings can be read on all faces.

Thirst for blood plus thirst for freebies. After all the whales are dead, the cutting of prey begins right on the shore. Children are very often involved in the process. They are allowed to tinker with the intestines and entrails. Shops in the Faroes are filled with various types of meat, but whale meat is not sold there. Because it is given out for free at this slaughterhouse. Lists of those interested are created in advance on a special website. Why go to the store and pay money when you can get meat and satisfy your barbaric instincts.

At the moment there is no need to slaughter whales. Faroese people do not die of hunger. The supply of food to the islands is well established, but, as the Faroese themselves explain, this is their sport. Yes, that’s exactly what they call this nightmare with pride and approval.

Photographs of the killing of whales are placed in newspapers, in advertising brochures for tourists, devoting entire spreads to this and publishing the most horrific scenes. They make videos about the killing of whales and then watch them with pleasure on long winter evenings, eating whale meat and lard at the same time. There is no regret, only delight that everything will happen again soon.

I would like to mention that this is not the only murder in which children are involved in the Faroes. Sheep farming is very common on the islands, and the slaughter of sheep is a family event in which all family members also participate. In front of the children, the sheep is cut and butchered, and the children then fiddle with the guts with a smile on their faces. They take video and photographs of the process. For a long time, a book with a detailed photo report about this was very popular in the Faroe Islands. It happens that they do similar things in kindergartens. Probably so that those children whose parents do not have sheep do not feel deprived. They bring a sheep or some kind of sea animal to the kindergarten and butcher it together with the children. The children are given trophies - guts and so on. Once on the embankment, sailors set up a small open aquarium. Various sea animals swam in containers filled with water - crabs, starfish, fish, octopuses and others. They could be taken out and touched. Some children watched the animals with interest, while others simply picked them up and tore off their limbs, enjoying how they writhed and tried to escape. Parents looked at their children with approval and smiles, without making any comments to them and fully supporting these tortures. My children clung to me in horror and asked: “Mom, is this really possible?” Why don’t parents tell their children not to torture animals?” What could they answer to this?

Dolphins have long been considered the patrons of shipping and sailors. All sailors know the sign - before a storm, dolphins try to go to the depths and not appear on the surface, which sailors regard as a warning of an impending storm.

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Where does such unimaginable inquisitorial cruelty towards these creatures come from among the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands?

In fairness, it must be said that in the modern world not everyone shares the romantic point of view of dolphins, considering them dangerous wild animals.

However, the final point in dolphin research has not yet been reached, and no matter what conclusion scientists come to, people have no right to the bloody barbarity occurring in the Faroe Islands.

Many centuries ago, during the times of the Vikings, the ancestors of the islanders lived in completely different conditions and different customs - these were cruel times of wars, deprivation, lack of food, and the terrible custom that arose in those days may have been a forced way for their survival.

But now, in modern conditions, with supermarkets littered with food, this barbaric “diet” of the Faroese is blasphemous.

“True Faroese” should remember that “cruelty cannot be the companion of valor” (Cervantes).

As the descendants of the brave Normans, it does not suit the Faroese to assert themselves through the bloody massacre of defenseless animals; a much more courageous act would be to decide to stop this bloody massacre as historically outdated and immoral. What do you think?

InfoGlaz.rf Link to the article from which this copy was made -

Holidays in the Faroe Islands 2019: how to get there, what to see and what to eat. Visa, accommodation and good hotels in the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands are a group of islands surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and located between Iceland and Scotland. The capital of Faroe is the city of Tórshavn, which is one of the smallest cities with the status of the main city of the state. The national currency is the Faroese krone. The Faroe archipelago includes 18 islands, but people live on only 17 of them. The number of people living in the Faroe Islands almost reaches 50,000 people.

The name of the archipelago comes from the Faroese word “Føroyar”, which translates into Russian as “Sheep Islands”. You shouldn’t be surprised by this name, because there are many more sheep here than people! If you go deep into one of the islands, even there, among the rocks, there is a great opportunity to see a cute sheep.

How to get to the Faroe Islands

There are two options for getting to the Faroe Islands:

• The first is to fly on one of the planes Faroese national airline Atlantic Airways. This is the only company that operates regular flights to the Faroe Islands. The cheapest and most popular flight: Copenhagen - Vágar. It takes place several times a day, the flight lasts about 2 hours. The Faroe Islands can also be reached from the UK and Norway. There are also flights from these countries to the Faroe Islands.

• The second option is to get there by water, for example, by ferry from Copenhagen. Such a trip will cost less than a plane ticket, but you should be prepared for the fact that the journey can take up to two days.

Visa to the Faroe Islands - how to open

There are many legends surrounding obtaining a visa to travel to the Faroe Archipelago, but in reality everything is much simpler. Yes, you will need a separate visa to travel to the Faroe Islands. But it's very easy to do. The set of documents is no different from the one required to obtain a Schengen visa. A visa application must be submitted at the consulate; if desired, you can also obtain a Danish Schengen visa. They will simply note to you that with this visa you can freely visit the Faroe Islands.

Faroe Islands - accommodation and hotels

The most popular Faroe Islands hotels are located on the largest islands of the archipelago, which include Vágar, Streymoy and Esturoy. In the rest of the Faroe Islands the housing situation is much worse, but this problem can be easily solved.

On booking.com or the same roomguru.ru there are good hotels on the largest Faroe Islands that can be booked in advance. What, by the way, will the Danish consulate expect from you before it issues you a visa.

You can rent a hotel room on one of the main islands, and from there go on excursions to other parts of the archipelago. The journey to even the most distant places will take only a few hours.

Which hotel to choose in the Faroe Islands?

You can browse all the offers on the Internet yourself, but to save time, we have found 6 housing options. Location, price, authenticity are our main criteria.

• Hotel Hafnia 4*. This is the best accommodation option in the center of Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. Oarvegur street, where it is located Hotel Hafnia- central in the city. To the port - 5 minutes. Modern rooms with comfortable beds, rich Scandinavian breakfasts in the restaurant overlooking the harbor. There is free parking. Please note that the airport bus stop is located right next to the hotel.

  Hotel Hafnia 4 stars, main street of Tórshavn

• Hotel Streym 3*. This hotel is wonderfully located if you have a large excursion program in the Faroe Islands. It is located near the Tórshavn ferry terminal - wall to wall 🙂 From here you can sail to anywhere in the archipelago. The hotel itself is a good “three”, with a plus. The rooms have everything, including heated floors and wi-fi.

  

  Hotel Streym 3 stars near the ferry crossing

• Hotel Vagar 3*. This hotel is located in the village of Sørvágur, which is included in the list of Faroese attractions. But the main advantage of the Vagar hotel is its location - only 2 minutes walk (!) to the airport. This is why they choose him. It’s hard to find fault with the quality of the rooms and service - everything corresponds to 3 stars. In Scandinavia this means a lot!

  

  Faroe Islands - airport hotel

• Hotel Torshavn 3*. This is an ordinary three star hotel, but we couldn't ignore it as it is located right on the Tórshavn waterfront. One of the most picturesque places in the capital! This is a bed & breakfast, there is a good restaurant where even locals come in the evenings.
• Guesthouse Hugo. Inexpensive guest house in the village of Sørvágur. There is an airport nearby. It is convenient to go on excursions, especially if you rent a car on the islands. According to reviews - good, hospitable hosts. But the main thing is the price!

  

  An inexpensive guest house is an alternative to a hotel

• Gjaargardur Guesthouse Gjogv 2*. If you want a Scandinavian atmosphere and the feeling that the Faroe Islands are the harsh north and stunning nature, then the village of Gjogv is best suited! A quality bed & breakfast style hotel with a moss-covered roof and great reviews on booking.com - 8.7 points from 150 reviews, 9.4 points for its super location.

  

  One of the best hotels in the Faroe Islands surrounded by nature!

Other accommodation options

Firstly, you can find accommodation for the night in the farthest corners of the archipelago using the website of the island you want to go to. There are various accommodation options for tourists on display there. In this case, confirmation of the reservation will be guaranteed only by your verbal agreements with the hosts. This will require fluency in English and experience communicating with local residents.

Secondly, There is another option - to sleep in a tent, but this is only possible in special places intended specifically for camping.

Transport in the Faroe Islands

This is a fairly simple task. All the islands of the archipelago are located next to each other, and the distances between the cities and attractions of Faroe Islands are very short. In addition, the transport infrastructure is very well developed here. Buses run quite often and take you to almost all important places. Tickets for them are inexpensive.

Ferry from Copenhagen to the capital of Faroe Islands

There is a ferry service between the islands. In the Faroe Islands, this type of transport is not considered something special and is equivalent to ordinary buses. Therefore, ferries run regularly and tickets are cheap.

Another type of transport for moving around the archipelago is a helicopter. If you think it's expensive, you're wrong. Flying by helicopter from one island to another costs less than taking a taxi to the airport. So this is a great opportunity to fly this type of transport at least once in your life. Just remember to reserve your seat on the helicopter in advance.

What and where to eat in the Faroe Islands

If your route lies in some sparsely populated part of the Faroe Islands, then it is better to take food with you. Of course, even on the outskirts there are shops, but they are open only a couple of hours a day. In larger towns, you can easily buy something tasty in supermarkets or sit in local cafes. Well, in the capital there will be no problems with food at all; there are restaurants and cafes here literally at every step.

The capital of the Faroe Islands is Tórshavn

So, where can you eat beautifully, tasty and inexpensively in the Faroe Islands:

• If you are in Tórshavn, be sure to visit Koks Restaurant. People in the Faroes love and appreciate nature very much. This connection can be felt even in such establishments. All dishes are prepared only from products that grow on the archipelago or are mined in the ocean.

• If you want to sit in some cozy place, you can go to fish restaurant Barbara. It is located in the historical part of Tórshavn. This place is stylized as a traditional Faroese house, the roof of which is made of thatch. The dishes here are always fresh, as they are prepared from fish caught on the same day.

Video tour of the Faroe Archipelago

Climate of the Faroe Islands

Despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are located in the north, the local climate is characterized by its mildness thanks to the Gulf Stream. The average temperature in summer is around +13º, and can rise to +20º. In winter it stays above 0º, and there is practically no frost here. In the summer months at these latitudes you can observe “white nights”, and in winter - the northern lights.

The positive features of the local climate end there. Most of the time in the Faroe Islands it rains and the wind is cold. So pack a raincoat and good quality waterproof boots in your suitcase. The weather is very changeable and can change literally every few minutes. Although in winter the temperature does not drop to below zero, it is still very cold here, since the air humidity is quite high. This is the seemingly inhospitable climate on the Faroe Islands.

Where to stay