Faroe Islands – My Journey to the Edge of the World

The flight into the Faroe Islands felt like something out of a movie. As the plane started its descent into Vágar Airport, we were literally flying through clouds. For a moment, I couldn’t see anything, and then, boom—there they were.

The islands suddenly appeared below, jagged and green, like pieces of earth that had been torn up and tossed into the Atlantic. It was the kind of moment where you just sit back and whisper, “Whoa.” That’s when I knew I was in for something special.

Once on the ground, it felt like the world had quieted down. The Faroe Islands are not your typical vacation spot—no crowded beaches, no honking cars, just silence, broken only by the wind and the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs. I stood there, breathing in the cold, salty air, feeling a chill and a thrill all at once.

I wasted no time and headed straight to Vágar Island, specifically the village of Gásadalur, to see Múlafossur Waterfall. Honestly, no photo could have prepared me for how jaw-dropping it was in person.

A tiny village perched on the edge of a cliff, and right next to it, a waterfall plunging dramatically into the ocean below. I stood there for a good while, just staring, completely mesmerized. It was as if nature was showing off, like, “Yeah, I made this. Pretty cool, right?”

Getting to Múlafossur wasn’t hard, but the wind! It practically shoved me around as I walked. I laughed out loud more than once, partly because of how ridiculous I must have looked trying to stay upright, but mostly because of the sheer joy of it. You ever have one of those moments where nature just humbles you? Yeah, this was one of those.

After Gásadalur, I headed to see something I had been obsessing over since that first photo—the optical illusion of Sørvágsvatn, the famous lake that looks like it’s suspended above the ocean. Now, if you’re thinking, “A lake above the sea? Come on,” trust me, it’s real.

And it’s even more mind-boggling when you see it in person. The hike to the viewpoint was a bit of a trek (I think I walked in circles a few times), but when I got there and saw the lake seemingly floating above the ocean... yeah, my brain needed a second to process that.

It’s one of those sights that makes you question reality for a minute. I sat on a rock near the edge, legs dangling, and just marveled at how wild and untouched everything felt. That’s the thing about the Faroe Islands—nature is always the star of the show.

After all the nature highs, I decided to spend some time in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands. Now, don’t expect a bustling metropolis.

Tórshavn is charmingly small, more like a cozy town than a typical capital, and that’s what I loved about it. It’s quiet but full of character, with colorful houses lining the streets and boats bobbing in the harbor.

I wandered through Tinganes, the old part of town, where the government meets in centuries-old wooden buildings painted deep red. It’s a mix of history and simplicity that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.

There’s a laid-back vibe in Tórshavn that’s contagious. I spent a lazy afternoon in a café, sipping on coffee and watching the locals go about their day, everyone moving at their own slow, steady pace. It was the perfect way to unwind after days of hiking through dramatic landscapes.

One of my last adventures took me to the remote villages of Saksun and Gjógv. These places are so postcard-perfect that it feels like time has just stopped.

In Saksun, there’s this old church sitting by a lagoon, and when I arrived, the tide was out, leaving behind a glassy, mirror-like surface that reflected the mountains perfectly. I remember standing there, just me and the sheep (because there are always sheep in the Faroes), thinking, “I don’t ever want to leave.”

Gjógv, on the other hand, is all about its natural harbor—basically a massive crack in the cliffs that leads out to the sea. The village is tiny, with brightly colored houses scattered on the hillside.

I met an older couple there who told me they’ve lived in the same house their whole lives, watching as the world passed them by. There’s something peaceful about that—living in a place where everything stays beautifully the same.

• Summer (June-August): If you’re all about long days and mild weather, summer is your best bet. The sun barely sets, so you’ve got plenty of daylight to explore. Plus, this is when everything is green and alive, and the puffins are out! I went in early summer, and the weather was pretty manageable (though it still rained, of course).
• Spring (April-May): Spring in the Faroes is magical. You get blooming wildflowers and fewer tourists, which makes the island feel even more like your own private paradise. Just be prepared for cool, unpredictable weather.
• Fall (September-October): The crowds start to thin out, and the landscape takes on these golden, autumnal hues. It’s a beautiful time to hike, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.
• Winter (November-March): Winter is when the islands become wild and dramatic. Expect storms, snow, and shorter days, but if you’re into that cozy, winter wonderland vibe, it’s an adventure. Plus, fewer tourists means you’ll have those epic landscapes mostly to yourself.