The Faroe Islands:
a remote archipelago in the Atlantic

The Faroe Islands are a place where nature still dictates the terms to humankind. There are no forests here due to the gale-force winds; there are more sheep than people, and the weather can change four times in the space of an hour.

Landscapes carved from stone

The Faroe Islands are of volcanic origin, and over 70 per cent of their territory rises more than 200 metres above sea level. As a result, the coastline consists of colossal sheer cliffs against which the ocean’s waves crash with a roar. The most recognisable postcard view is the Múlafossur waterfall, plunging from a cliff directly into the Atlantic, and the ‘lake above the ocean’ Sørvagsvatn, which, due to an optical illusion, appears to hover 100 metres above the sea’s surface.

Houses with grass-roofs

Traditional Faroese architecture is an art form in its own right. As you stroll through the capital, Tórshavn, or the tiny, secluded villages, you will see black wooden houses with roofs thickly covered in green grass. This tradition dates back over a thousand years: a layer of turf with living grass provides ideal natural insulation, protecting homes from torrential rain and the biting Atlantic winds.

Underwater tunnels and a roundabout on the ocean floor

Despite the rugged terrain and remote location, the infrastructure in the Faroe Islands is among the most advanced in the world. The islands are connected by a network of bridges and highly complex deep-water tunnels. The pride of local engineers is the 11-kilometre-long Esturoyartunnilin Tunnel, inside which, at a depth of almost 190 metres below the water’s surface, lies the world’s first underwater roundabout, illuminated by blue lighting and adorned with art installations.

A birdwatcher’s paradise on Mykines

The island of Mykines is the westernmost point of the archipelago, attracting thousands of birdwatchers and photographers in the summer. It is here that huge colonies of Atlantic puffins nest. These small birds with their bright beaks are completely unafraid of people, allowing you to take unique photographs at arm’s length against the backdrop of the endless ocean.