Oct 28, 2024 4 min read

Vágar Island – The Heart of My Faroe Islands Adventure

When I set off for the Faroe Islands, I knew Vágar Island would be my starting point—it’s home to the airport, after all. What I didn’t realize was how much Vágar would leave its mark on me.

Vágar Island small village
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It's the kind of place that slowly reveals its beauty, one jaw-dropping landscape at a time. The wild cliffs, rolling hills, and tiny villages felt like they’d been hiding away, waiting for me to find them.

And as much as Lake Sørvágsvatn (the floating lake) had been the star of my trip, Vágar Island itself felt like a character—unpredictable, rugged, and a little mysterious. It was more than just a starting point for my Faroe Islands adventure; it became the backdrop for so many moments that made this trip unforgettable.

Múlafossur Waterfall

Múlafossur Waterfall

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Let me start with one of Vágar’s most iconic sights: Múlafossur Waterfall. I’ll be honest—I thought I’d seen my fair share of waterfalls in life, but nothing quite prepared me for this one.

The hike to Lake Sørvágsvatn had already wowed me, but Múlafossur? It’s a whole different vibe. Imagine a waterfall so dramatic, it feels like the earth itself is spilling into the sea. That's Múlafossur.

Located in the tiny village of Gásadalur, this waterfall cascades off a cliff and plunges right into the ocean, with the rugged landscape wrapping around it like a natural amphitheater. The village itself is quiet—just a handful of houses, a few curious sheep, and the relentless wind. But the sound of the waterfall, crashing into the sea below, drowns out everything else.

Walking to the edge, I remember standing there, just feeling small in the best possible way. You know those moments when you’re hit with the raw power of nature? This was one of those. The cliffs, the mist, the endless Atlantic crashing into the Faroese coastline—it was as if nature was putting on a show, and I had front-row seats.

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Pro Tip: The village of Gásadalur is a must-see, but bring a windbreaker. The wind here isn’t messing around. You can reach it easily by car thanks to a tunnel that now connects it to the rest of the island. Before the tunnel, this place was so remote, villagers had to hike over mountains to reach the nearest town!

Exploring Bøur

the village of Bøur

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On my way to Múlafossur, I made a quick stop in the village of Bøur—and I’m so glad I did.

If Gásadalur feels like it’s at the end of the world, then Bøur feels like you’ve stepped into a living postcard. The whole place is filled with traditional grass-roofed houses, with narrow paths winding between them, all of it framed by the mighty sea stacks of Drangarnir off in the distance.

I spent a quiet afternoon wandering through Bøur, admiring the homes and feeling like time had slowed down. It’s the kind of village where you half-expect to see someone in a woolen sweater step out of a house with a cup of tea, waving you inside to hear stories of island life. That didn’t happen, but I did get some serious small-town magic vibes.

The views from here were incredible, with the sea stretching out endlessly in front of me and the distant islands dotting the horizon. Every corner I turned had me reaching for my camera, even though no picture could quite do it justice.

There’s something about these Faroese villages that feel like they belong in a fairytale—each one is like a perfect, peaceful pocket of life, sitting quietly under the moody skies.

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Pro Tip: Bøur is a fantastic place to stop if you’re heading to Gásadalur or just looking for a scenic break. Spend some time soaking in the views of the sea stacks and islands—especially on a clear day. The sea stacks of Drangarnir and the island of Tindhólmur are visible from here, and they’re breathtaking.

Lake Sørvágsvatn

Lake Sørvágsvatn

Now, of course, Lake Sørvágsvatn was a major reason I came to Vágar Island in the first place. This famous "floating" lake is an optical illusion that looks like it’s perched above the ocean—something I just had to see with my own eyes.

Starting the hike from the village of Miðvágur, I spent hours trekking through fields and up rocky hills before reaching the viewpoint where everything snapped into focus. Standing there, looking out at the lake hanging seemingly in mid-air above the cliffs, with the wild Atlantic far below, was one of those "pinch me" moments.

You can read the full story of my hike to Lake Sørvágsvatn here, but let’s just say this: Vágar Island’s landscapes feel like they’re playing tricks on your mind in the most amazing way. The lake, the cliffs, the wind—everything feels larger than life, like you’ve stepped into a scene from a fantasy novel.


Vágar’s Hidden Gems

What I loved most about Vágar was how much it surprised me. Sure, I had my sights set on the big-ticket items—Sørvágsvatn, Múlafossur, and Gásadalur—but there were so many hidden gems along the way.

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I found myself stopping in places I hadn’t planned to visit, just because something caught my eye—a waterfall tucked into a ravine, a herd of sheep grazing on a hilltop, or a church standing alone against a backdrop of misty mountains.

The island feels like it has a secret at every turn. Sometimes, it was just the peace of being in a place where everything felt untouched by the chaos of the outside world. Other times, it was coming across something small but magical, like the church in Sandavágur, with its bright red roof and stunning views of the surrounding cliffs.

Vágar is where I realized that in the Faroes, the best moments often aren’t planned—they’re found along the way.


Conclusion

Vágar it’s an island that deserves your time, your attention, and your curiosity. From the postcard-perfect villages like Bøur and Gásadalur to the mind-bending landscapes like Lake Sørvágsvatn and Múlafossur, Vágar is a place where nature takes center stage.

It’s the beating heart of the Faroe Islands, and trust me—once you start exploring, you won’t want to leave.

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