Which country are the Faroe Islands? History of the Faroe Islands. Communications

Basic moments

The Faroe Region is an internal autonomy of the Kingdom of Denmark, independently managing almost all issues, excluding the topic of defense and foreign policy. The archipelago includes 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. Of the 48 thousand local residents, about 20 thousand live in the capital or in the suburbs.

There are two official languages ​​on the islands - Faroese and Danish. Moreover, the vast majority of residents are native speakers of the Faroese language, which is a mixture of Western Scandinavian dialects and is widely used in almost all spheres of life.

Climate and weather

The Faroe Islands are located at the very center of the warm Gulf Stream, which causes a constant off-season: there are 280 rainy days per year. Despite the fact that the islands seem to have no boundaries to the seasons, the climate is quite mild. In winter, the average monthly temperature ranges from 0 °C to + 4 °C, and in summer - from +11 °C to +17 °C. The rainy season falls in September - January, and then the archipelago is covered with fog, preventing the sun's rays from reaching the surface.

Thanks to the warm sea current, the water on the islands has almost the same temperature - +10 ° C - all year round, which creates all the conditions for the development of fishing.

Nature

Holidays in the Faroe Islands are a holiday in the lap of nature in its original form. Due to frequent strong winds, the islands are mostly treeless; sometimes you can find mountain ash, maple, and conifers. A significant part of the islands' territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows, and mountain ranges.

In their free time, fauna lovers can diversify their vacation on the islands by observing colonies of seabirds, seals, whales, and dolphins.

There are a huge number of sheep in the archipelago. The latter were once brought to the local hills by the Celts. The local endless pastures have attracted the attention of sheep, and today there are two sheep for every local resident.

Attractions

The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when there is little rainfall and the weather is warm.

The excursion program in the Faroe Islands is varied: visits to the capital Tórshavn, small villages, bird colonies, a boat trip in coastal waters.

The capital of the islands, the city of Tórshavn, lies in a picturesque area. The main part of the city juts out over the fjord, offering stunning views of wild mountains and steep cliffs. It is very quiet here, only the central square and the piers are noisy, where continuous work is in full swing. Streets far from the center are usually small and cramped.

The main attraction of Tórshavn is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. Muncastowan is one of the few buildings that escaped the great fire of 1673. Another building that also survived the fire is the Leighubün ​​royal warehouse.

Curious travelers will be interested in a trip to the Historical Museum, which has in its collection ship models, household items of local residents, fishing gear and agricultural tools from Viking times to the present day, as well as items of religious value.

After a stroll through Vidarlund Park, you can stop by the Art Museum and admire magnificent examples of sculpture and painting.

There is also an “island of birds” in the Faroe Islands - Fugloy, which received its name for its majestic cliffs inhabited by multi-million colonies of seabirds.

To the north of the settlement of Skarvanes is the beautiful sea cliff Tretlkonufingur (“troll woman’s finger”).

At the end of July (28–29th), the Faroese celebrate their main holiday - St. Olaf's Day. These days, usually reserved locals go on a wild rampage of emotions. The festival is named after Olaf II, who, as King of Norway, introduced Christianity to Scandinavia and began the fight against paganism.

Traditional celebrations include rowing competitions, horse racing, dance and religious processions, and art exhibitions.

Kitchen

The Faroes owe their national menu to the harsh climate of the islands. Traditionally, local dishes consist of meat and fish. Faroese delicacies - sheep's head, whale blubber and skärpikjet (dried lamb) - are a must-try for gourmets. Well, lovers of traditional cuisine will be happy to serve fried lamb in local restaurants. Tourists also have the opportunity to taste puffins (these are birds) exquisitely stuffed with sweet dough and served with sweet berries and potatoes. Rhubarb, which is widely eaten, will also be new to many people.

Alcoholic drinks can officially be consumed on the islands from the age of 18. Light beer is sold everywhere, but strong dark beer, low-alcohol drinks and wine are sold only in state monopoly stores in large cities and licensed restaurants.

Lunch at a local restaurant will cost a tourist an average of $30, in higher-level establishments - $45–50, excluding alcohol. You can have a snack at a local cafe for much less.

Hotels

Upon arrival on the islands, you can stay in the capital's three-star hotels "Tórshavn" or "Streim" or in the more comfortable "Hafnia" and "Feroyar". In all hotels, tourists will be offered rooms with private amenities, transfer to/from the airport, free Wi-Fi throughout territories. The cost of living is quite high - from $120, but there are seasonal discounts.

A more budget-friendly option would be guest houses and hostels. The most popular of them are Skansin and Bládýpi, but they need to be booked several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels operating on a bed and breakfast basis. Prices here start at $80 and depend on the time of year.

For travelers who prefer outdoor recreation, there are campsites located in specially designated areas. The Faroe Islands have a very strict attitude towards order, so campers in tents are required to remain clean and thoroughly clean upon departure.

Entertainment and relaxation

There are many varieties of fish in local waters, so fishing is very popular among locals and vacationers. By the way, local law allows you to export any fish longer than 30 cm from the country, which has long been prohibited in most European countries.

The Faroe Islands are interesting for wreck divers: in the local coastal waters you can find sunken ships. Near Nolsoy Island it is interesting to watch the underwater life of seals.

Nightlife lovers can spend time in the capital's Rex or Eclipse clubs. The latter allows visitors no younger than 18, but no older than 25.

Shopping

Of the Faroese souvenirs, the most interesting are the numerous woolen products, ceramic and wooden crafts.

Due to the rather harsh climate, woolen clothing is held in high esteem among the islanders. Here you can always buy a fashionable sweater, gloves or hat at attractive prices.

Most shops are open from 9:00–10:00 to 17:30–18:00. On Friday, many remain open until 19:00. On Saturdays, all retail outlets operate on a reduced schedule - from 9:00 to 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00; on Sundays they are usually closed.

Transport

The Faroe Islands have a developed bus route network, and ferries run between the islands. The capital has red local buses with four routes, which can reach almost all areas of the city. The waiting interval is half an hour in the morning and daytime; in the evening it increases to one hour. Blue Bygdaleiðir buses are the transport link between the islands. Maps of routes and timetables for passenger transport can be purchased at Steinatún kiosks.

The best way to get to the islands themselves is by plane. The only international airport, Vagar, is located on the island of the same name near the village of Sorvagur. Tourists can rent a car to travel around the islands. In order to rent, you must have an international driver's license, a credit card and be over 20 years old. Rental prices start from $60 per day.

Connection

The mobile communication standard on the islands is GSM. There is also an analogue version, but it has almost been replaced by the digital format.

Local mobile operators are Foroya Tele and Kall P/F. Roaming in their networks is available to subscribers of the main mobile operators in Russia.

Tourists can purchase a SIM card for local mobile communications at Teleshops, hotels, post offices and gas stations.

In the Faroe Islands, there are also sufficient numbers of payphones (they work with credit cards and coins). When calling abroad, you need to dial 00, the national code and the number of the called subscriber.

You can use the Internet in an Internet cafe. Most hotels provide wireless connections on their premises.

Safety

When traveling around the islands, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your property - the crime rate here is extremely low. In order not to spoil your holiday, it is enough not to leave personal belongings unattended, not to take large sums of money with you, to be polite to local residents and not to abuse night walks. If necessary, the police are always ready to help.

If during your trip you need medical assistance, you can rest assured that it will be provided at the highest level. The central hospital is located in the capital and has an excellent medical base.

Business

Registering a business in the Faroe Islands takes only a few days. The most common forms are the joint stock company, suitable for large companies, and the limited liability company. In order to start your own business here, you need to have a legal address on the islands. Another condition is a resident of the Kingdom of Denmark as one of the participants in the case.

The minimum authorized capital for a joint stock company is approximately $85,000, for a limited liability company - about $20,000. For registration you will also need a draft memorandum of association, articles of association and an application.

Foreign companies can enter the Faroese market by opening branches. A resident of the islands or Denmark must also be appointed as the head of the branch.

From the point of view of taxation, business legislation, and accounting standards, the Faroe Islands provide optimal conditions for the development of companies. The legal regulation of business activities is similar to Danish and adheres to European Union standards.

The main business in the archipelago is concentrated in the services sector and the fishing industry.

Local investment websites offer offers for entrepreneurs willing to invest in new ways to develop the fishing industry. At the same time, the Faroese are very interested in high-tech businesses that can offer environmentally friendly solutions for production.

Real estate

Purchasing real estate abroad is rightfully considered one of the most promising and long-term investments. The Faroe Islands can be an excellent place for both temporary and permanent residence. They become especially attractive to people who love comfort and privacy, and who strive for order. Offers on the real estate market are varied - from a small studio apartment to a solid large house. The prices are quite attractive. A house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large surrounding area will cost approximately $130,000.

However, those who decide to make such a deal should keep in mind that local banks do not provide mortgages for housing in the absence of a residence permit. In addition, local legislation requires appropriate permission from the Ministry of Justice for the acquisition of property by a foreigner.

Traveling to the islands is not a cheap pleasure. The price level here is quite high and is equal to the average European one. However, when leaving the country, tourists can make a VAT refund if they have a receipt from a store operating under the Tax Free system. The corresponding inscriptions are present at the entrance to the retail facility. To qualify for a tax refund, your one-time purchase must exceed $48.

Tipping is not accepted on the islands; the service staff's remuneration is usually already included in the bill.

Fishing is only permitted in certain bodies of water on the basis of a license sold at tourist offices. If a tourist intends to take fishing gear with him from home, then it must be sanitized before arriving on the islands. Instructions for fishermen can be found in tourist brochures. In streams and streams the fishing season is open from May 1 to August 31, in the sea - all year round.

When traveling, you should not forget about the local changing climate. On vacation, it won’t hurt to have warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes for moving through mountainous terrain and trips to the sea.

Vaccination before travel is not required. Emergency phone number - 112.

Visa information

To obtain a visa, you must contact the consular department of the Danish Embassy in Moscow at the address: Prechistensky Lane, 9.

Anyone wishing to obtain a visa must provide a visa application form, 2 photographs, a foreign passport (valid for at least three months after the expiration of the requested visa) with a copy, a national passport with a copy, confirmation of a hotel reservation, a certificate from the place of work (study), an insurance policy covering everything risks (the amount of insurance coverage should not be less than 30,000 €), a bank account statement or travel checks (at the rate of 50 € for each day of stay).

Not everyone will be able to quickly show where exactly the Faroe Islands are on the map. At the same time, more and more tourists are going there. They are mainly attracted by the opportunity to take a break from noisy resorts, vibrant cities and city dust.

Located in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and the Scottish Islands, the archipelago consists of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The population is 48 thousand. It is noteworthy that almost half of these people live in the capital or its suburbs. The Faroe region is considered bilingual. The official languages ​​are Danish and Faroese, which combines different West Scandinavian dialects.

To date, there are no direct air flights from Russia to the islands. Therefore, tourists have to change planes in Denmark or Norway. You can pre-book your flight ticket using the Internet. You can get from one island to another by several means of transport, including by ferry. For some tourists, it is most convenient to travel around the islands on a boat hired for an additional fee.

Although the Faroe Islands belong to Denmark, you cannot enter their territory with a Schengen visa. The refusal to join the European Union was deliberate and was associated with taxes on fishing. Therefore, to get to the archipelago, you need to apply for a visa, which will have a special note. There are special visa centers where you can do this in many big cities. However, most travelers prefer the services of travel agencies. All necessary documents are transferred to the agency, and then the employees hand over the completed visas to the clients.

Climatic and weather conditions

The islands are located in the central part of a warm sea current known as the Gulf Stream. Therefore, this place has a constant off-season. Throughout the year, the number of sunny days does not exceed 80, and the rest of the time it rains. In addition, even in sunny weather strong winds blow. The most comfortable time to visit the archipelago will be the summer months, when precipitation is rare.

The Faroe Islands have a fairly mild climate. Average temperatures for winter range from approximately 0˚C to +4˚C. Summer temperature is 11-17˚C. The rainy season lasts from September to January on the islands. Further, the archipelago is plunged into fog, which does not allow the rays of the sun to pass through.

Another feature: the water near the islands is perfectly clear, and its temperature, even in winter, does not drop below +10˚C. This creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving in winter.

Nature

For those who prefer a holiday surrounded by pristine nature, the Faroe Islands are an ideal option. Most of the territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows and mountain ranges. Numerous lakes and fjords, gorges, cliffs and waterfalls will not leave anyone indifferent.

There are few trees on the islands, only occasionally you can see conifers, maples or mountain ash trees. Fauna connoisseurs can devote their free time on the archipelago to watching dolphins, seabirds, whales and seals. There are also incredibly large numbers of sheep grazing on the hills of these islands.

Sights of the archipelago

Of course, many tourists consider the main attractions in the Faroe Islands to be beautiful mountains and slopes with flocks of sheep, as well as compact towns and colorful roofs on houses.

Lovers of natural attractions will also appreciate the unique features of the different islands. For example, Streymoy is a paradise for fishing lovers. Here you can catch halibut, eels and even representatives of the salmon family. Nolsoy attracts tourists with its seal rookeries, and Fugloy with the fact that it is loved by millions of birds. And the northern settlement of Skarvanes is famous for a beautiful sea cliff called Tretlkonufingur, which translated means “troll woman’s finger.”

The archipelago also has a large selection of excursion programs. For example, this could be a visit to the capital and small villages or boat trips.

The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, is located in an incredibly picturesque area. Much of the village juts out over the fjord, offering stunning views of the mountains and steep cliffs. Tórshavn is a very quiet city. It is noisy only in the central square and on the piers.

The main attraction of the capital is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century. It is noteworthy that the monastery, surrounded by a stone wall, is one of the few buildings that survived the great fire that raged in the 17th century.

Many will be interested in visiting the Historical Museum. Among its exhibits are ship models, fishing gear and agricultural implements, ranging from Viking times to the present day. Also here you can see items that local residents used in everyday life. There are also exhibits that are valuable from a religious point of view.

The House of Server Countries is also definitely worth a visit. There is an art gallery and a concert hall, and on summer evenings educational events are held for guests of the archipelago.

After a walk through Vidarlund Park, it is worth going to the Art Museum to see delightful examples of painting and sculpture.

If your trip to the archipelago is in July, you should plan your vacation so that you are sure to be on the islands on the 28th-29th. During this period, local people nationally celebrate St. Olaf's Day. According to tradition, celebrations include ceremonial religious and dance processions, art exhibitions, and rowing and equestrian competitions.

Gastronomic nuances

National cuisine has a close relationship with the climate of the archipelago. The two main ingredients that are used in preparing various dishes are lamb and fish. Gourmets visiting the Faroe Islands should definitely try local delicacies such as sheep's head and whale meat. No less interesting is ruyskjet (meat that has been dried for several months) and skärpiket – meat that has been dried for more than a year and is consumed without any processing. Often the same cooking method is used for drying fish.

Those tourists who prefer traditional cuisine should order fried lamb at the restaurant. You can also try puffins (this is the name of small birds), stuffed with sweet dough, served with potatoes and sweet berries.

It may surprise many that rhubarb is added to food everywhere here. Another interesting feature is that there are practically no fish shops on the islands. If the islanders want to cook fish, they catch it themselves, and after cooking they serve it with a side dish of rice or potatoes.

It is worth noting that the most popular drinks on the islands are coffee and tea. Locals often add herbs that grow on mountain slopes to tea. Alcoholic drinks are officially permitted from the age of 18. However, if light beer can be purchased everywhere, then low-alcohol drinks, strong dark beer and wine can only be purchased in government stores and in restaurants that have a special license.

Lunch at a regular restaurant will cost approximately $30. In higher-level establishments it will already be $45-50. The most budget-friendly snack option can be found in local cafes.

Where to stay?

After arriving in the capital, you can check into a three-star hotel. For example, it could be "Streim" or "Tórshavn". For those who like more comfortable conditions, “Hafniya” and “Feroyar” are suitable. It is worth noting that all hotels offer tourists rooms with private amenities. Also provided is transfer from the airport and back, free access to Wi-Fi. Hotel rates start from $120. Although you can get a seasonal discount.

A more economical accommodation option is a hostel or guest house. The most popular are “Bládýpi” and “Skansin”, but you should book rooms in them several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels on the islands where you can spend the night and have breakfast. Accommodation prices depend on the time of year and start from $80.

For tourists who prefer relaxing close to nature, campsites are available. Local residents value order very much, so campers are required to maintain cleanliness and thoroughly clean before leaving.

Main types of entertainment

​ There are many varieties of fish in coastal waters. Therefore, not only local residents, but also tourists are fond of fishing. By the way, according to the laws, any fish can be exported from this country if its length exceeds 30 cm.

​ The Faroe Islands are extremely interesting for wreck divers. After all, you can find sunken ships here. And near Nolsoy Island, divers like to watch how seals live underwater.

​ Those who cannot imagine a proper holiday without nightclubs should visit the capital’s “Rex” and “Eclipse”. However, it is worth considering that only young people aged 18-25 are allowed into the second club.

What to buy?

The most popular souvenirs are items made of wool, wood and ceramics. Due to the climate, the islanders cannot imagine their life without woolen clothes and accessories. Therefore, here you can always buy a stylish sweater, hat or gloves at an attractive price.

It is worth considering that from Monday to Thursday, most stores are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday, the working day is often extended by another hour. But on Saturday everything closes earlier, and Sunday is a day off.

1.​ The most optimal transport for getting to the archipelago is an airplane. But there is only one international airport - Vagar, located near the village of Sorvagur.

2.​ To travel around the islands, you can rent a car. It will cost at least $60 per day. To rent, you must be over 20 years old, have a credit card and an international driver's license.

3.​ Tourists who prefer public transport can purchase maps with routes and schedules at Steinatún kiosks.

4.​ Traveling to the Faroe Islands is quite expensive. But when leaving the country, if you have a receipt from stores operating under the Tax Free system, you can return VAT. But only if the purchase amount in the receipt exceeds $48.

5.​ It is not customary to leave a tip on this archipelago. Staff remuneration is most often immediately included in the bill.

6.​ You can fish if you have a license, which is sold at tourist offices. If a tourist wants to take his fishing gear, he must sanitize it in advance.

7.​ The climate in the Faroe Islands is very changeable, so you must take warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes with you on the road.

Visa information

To obtain a visa in Moscow, you can contact the Danish Embassy. You must have with you:

• ​ 2 photographs;
•  completed application form;
• ​ foreign passport (its expiration date must expire at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa) and its copy;
• ​ national passport and its copy;
• ​ insurance policy (coverage amount cannot be less than 30 thousand €);
• ​ bank account statement;
• ​ confirmation that the hotel has been booked;
• ​ certificate from place of work or study.

The Faroe Islands are a group of islands that are located in the Atlantic Ocean, northwest of Scotland.

Where are the Faroe Islands on the map

Geographically, they are located closer to the island state of Iceland and are officially subordinate to the Kingdom of Denmark. In practice, the islands are governed independently; only a small part of issues, such as foreign policy and defense, are discussed with the Danish government.

The Faroe Islands include 18 large and many small islands, which form the so-called Faroe Archipelago. The largest island of the archipelago is Boroy Island, with an area of ​​about 95 km², on which there are 8 small towns. The capital of the Faroe Islands is the city of Tórshavn, which is home to about 20 thousand people, while being the most densely populated area. Located on the island of Streymoy, the first largest and most important port of the archipelago is located here.

Weather in the Faroe Islands

The weather in the Faroe Islands can hardly be called mild - it rains almost all year round, the wind does not subside at all, the average temperature in summer rarely exceeds +15 °C, and winter is wet and cold. Despite all this, the coastal waters do not freeze here, since the islands lie on the path of the Gulf Stream.

This climate has led to the fact that there are practically no trees on the islands, except for sparse stands of conifers, maples and ash trees. But almost the entire surface of the islands is covered with mosses and lichens, since the islands have all the conditions for these plants.

Fauna of the Faroe Islands

The fauna of the archipelago is quite diverse. The waters surrounding the islands are inhabited by a large variety of fish and sea animals; harp seals have established their rookeries on some islands; many colonies of northern birds live here, as well as a local breed of sheep.

Economy of the Faroe Islands

The economy of the Faroe Islands is based on: fishing, sheep farming, agriculture, and light industry. A separate point of the economy is tourism, which accounts for about 62% of GDP.

Each of the islands of the archipelago is a small, unusually beautiful world:

• Small houses under multi-colored roofs;
• wide meadows with flocks of sheep under a heavy blue sky;
• dark ocean waters washing half a kilometer of coastal cliffs;
• fogs engulfing entire islands;
• Lutheran churches;
• deep caves;
• sand dunes;
• mountain lakes –

You can admire all this and much more once you find out where the Faroe Islands are.

If you are a fan of an elegant holiday in a five-star hotel with swimming pools and well-trained staff, a holiday in the Faroe Islands is not for you. But if you are a lover of real nature, genuine culture and history, then this vacation will be unforgettable for you, after which you will want to come back here again and again!

Received closer to the middle of the 11th century, when the islands came under the jurisdiction of the Norwegian kingdom, under the influence of which the culture and history of the Faroe Islands. In particular, the same Faroese language, even in its modern form, is a direct descendant of the Old Norse language and belongs to one of its dialects, which is still spoken by most Faroese today.

However, this position of the islands as a kind of enclave of either Denmark or Norway was finally suspended as a result of the decision of the Danish government to grant the islands the legal status of a self-governing territory with complete socio-political independence in all matters except foreign policy and defense issues. And it was from this moment, from April 1, 1948, capital of the Faroe Islands was founded in one of the largest cities on the island of Streymoy, the city of Thorshavn.

The geography of the Faroe Islands is such that only a few of the eighteen that make up the archipelago have sufficient area and conditions for agriculture and industrial production. Which, in turn, determined the fact that the bulk of the forty-eight thousand population of this island state lives on the largest islands of the archipelago. At the same time, as recent sociological studies note, population of the Faroe Islands in recent years has formed into a fairly homogeneous national structure. So, in particular, according to the 2011 census, more than 90% of the population are the indigenous inhabitants of these islands - the Faroese, leaving less than 10% to people from other Scandinavian countries.

After State of the Faroe Islands, received a certain degree of independence, administrative bodies and representatives of national authorities began to form on the islands. Based on this, the central executive power in the Faroes belongs to the Government, whose composition is approved by Parliament. Every five years he is re-elected in a general election in which the island nation's five main political parties have competed for years. At the same time, local self-government of the islands is limited to the presence of six main regions (sislov) and 34 smaller territorial communes. At the same time, the supremacy of executive power in these structures belongs to civil elders, some of whom are elected by the citizens themselves, and some are appointed from the capital of the Faroe Islands.

Having received quite definite political and economic independence on April 1, 1948, story The Faroe Islands took a new turn - the politically active part of the Faroese population began to form the political structure of this small island state. With this in mind Politics of the Ferero Islands For many years now, it has been determined by the activities of seven main political parties, which have their representatives both in the State Parliament and in its government. The main such political forces today include the People's Party (Folkaflokkurin), the Republican Party (Cheveldi) and the Social Democratic Party (Javnaarflokkurin), parties with the largest number of representatives in the Faroese Parliament.

Language of the Faroe Islands

Taking into account the fact that a significant part of the population of the Faroe Islands is made up of indigenous Faroese, whose history goes back to the peoples of Northern Norway, this kind of state of affairs has also affected the existing linguistic environment. So, in particular, the main one is Faroese, as a rather ancient branch of one of the dialects of the Old Norwegian language. But under the influence of time and assimilation among the Faroese people from other Scandinavian countries, today the same English and Danish languages ​​are increasingly found in everyday life and in official speech. This is exactly what culture Faroe Islands are no longer very different from the linguistic way of their neighbors.

The Faroe Islands have an amazing landscape, and the location and climate, which contribute to the excellent play of light, attract photographers from all over the world. According to the famous magazine National Geographic Traveler, the Faroe Islands are the most unique islands in the world.

The Faroe Islands are an archipelago consisting of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. If the name of the islands is literally translated from Faroese, it sounds like “Sheep Islands”. The islands are located between Scotland and the island of Iceland in the North Atlantic. The Faroe Islands, although they belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, are an autonomous region and make independent decisions in almost all matters.

• Date of formation: April 1, 1948;
• Area: 1395 km²;
• Time zone: UTC0;
• Population: 48,300.

Getting to the islands

And getting to the islands is not difficult, but you cannot do without a transfer. From Moscow or St. Petersburg, you first need to fly to Copenhagen, about a 2-hour flight. Next to Vagar Airport - this is the only airport in the Faroe Islands, and also an international one. The best way to get to the Faroe Islands is with SAS, which flies to the islands from Copenhagen 2-3 times a day. In addition, you can fly to Vagar Airport from Norway, Iceland, and the UK. You can also take a ferry to Tórshavn from Huntsholm Denmark, from the Shetland Islands, Seydisfjörður Iceland, and in the summer from Bergen Norway.

A selection of profitable air tickets through Aviadiscounter (searches like Aviasales + a selection of airline promotions and sales).

And to select intercity transport (planes, trains, buses) in Europe, try, the service offers the best ways to travel along popular routes.

Or make your own route.

A little bit of history

The first settlers of the Faroe Islands came from Scotland; they lived here from the 8th – 9th centuries and left them due to Viking raids. The Vikings made the Faroe Islands a transport link that connected Iceland, Scandinavia and, for a short time, also North America. Until the 14th century, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway, and since 1814 they began to belong to Denmark. Because of this, the descendants of the local inhabitants are Scandinavians, and the Faroese language originated from the Old Norse language. In 1946, the Faroe Islands announced it would secede from Denmark, but a divided vote and opinion poll halted the decision. In 1948, a new agreement was adopted in which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty. Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons free zone.

Visa

If you want to visit the Faroe Islands, you need a visa, which is issued by the consular section of the Danish Embassy. Despite their northern location, the islands have a unique climate - warm winters, the coldest month is January with temperatures from 0 to +4 degrees, and cold wet summers, the warmest month is July with temperatures from +11 to +17 degrees. There is quite a lot of precipitation, here it occurs about 280 days a year and almost all of it is in the form of rain, most of it occurs from September to January, and fogs are also frequent. And thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the temperature in the ocean is always about +10 degrees, which provides ideal conditions for the life of a variety of fish.

The Faroe Islands consist of 18 large islands, as well as numerous small islets and rocks. The largest island of Faroe is Streymoy. The capital of the Faroe Islands, the city of Tórshavn, and the village of Vestmanna are located on this island. The second largest island of the archipelago is Esturoy. The major cities of Fuglafjordur, Runavik and Nes are located here. The island is connected to the islands of Streymoy by a road bridge. Another large island is Voar, where the international airport of Vagar is located. The most densely populated island is Borøy; there are eight settlements here, one of which is considered the second largest in the Faroe Islands - Klaksvik. Luitla Duimun is an uninhabited island of eighteen islands.

There are quite a lot of attractions in the Faroe Islands. Of course, the main attraction of the Faroe Islands can be confidently called the landscape. Cliffs, rocks, green fields, ocean, sun, fog and clouds touching the ground create amazing landscapes that will not leave even the most fastidious travelers indifferent. What else to see in the Faroe Islands besides nature?

Kalsoy Island

It is worth visiting the island of Kalsoy - this is the most rocky island in the Faroe Islands. The entire western coast consists of rocky cliffs, and the settlements are connected by numerous tunnels. The island has many underground galleries and caves, which is why this island is often called “Flute”. In the north of the island, near the Katlur lighthouse, there is a natural sea arch and picturesque cliffs. If you want to observe numerous bird colonies, then you should go to Fugloy Island, which is called the “island of birds”. At Eistfelli the cliffs reach a height of 450 metres, and at Clubbin they reach a height of 620 metres.

Sandoy Island

Sandoy Island offers sand dunes and is the least rocky of all the islands. It is worth going to the village of Skupon, where above it on the terraces lie two beautiful lakes - Noroara-Halsavatn and Heimara-Halsavatn. In the village of Sandur there is a church that has a long and interesting history, dating back to the 11th century. To the north of the village of Skarvanes is Tretlkonufingur - "Troll Woman's Finger" - a beautiful sea cliff.