Kalsoy Island aerial view

Kalsoy Island Travel Guide

By Verified Expert

Kalsoy island is located in the northern part of the Faroe Islands. The west side of the island is made of an impressive black basalt wall. The eastern side is green with verdant slopes. The island stretches over 18 km (11 miles). Here you will find four villages nestled in beautiful valleys.

Kalsoy boasts 13 mountain peaks along the narrow island from south to north. Roads and four different tunnels connect the villages on the island where you will find 11 valleys. The island offers tranquillity and ultimate relaxation in breathtaking surroundings.

Map for Kalsoy

Only 80 people live on Kalsoy island. The most populous village is Húsar with just more than 30 people. These are the four villages on Kalsoy island:

  • Syðradalur
  • Húsar
  • Mikladalur
  • Trøllanes

The most visited village on Kalsoy island is Trøllanes, which is the northernmost settlement on the island. The village Mikladalur is also a popular destination among travelers.

How to get to Kalsoy Island

the fjord Kalsoyarfjørður near kalsoy island

You need to cross the fjord Kalsoyarfjørður in order to get to Kalsoy island. The ferry to Kalsoy departs from the second largest town in the Faroe Islands, Klaksvík. The ferry arrives at the southernmost village on the island, Syðradalur.

There is only one ferry connection to the island. The ferry SAM sails between Klaksvík on Borðoy island and Syðradalur on Kalsoy island. There are several daily departures.

The Kalsoy Ferry

the ferry SAM heading from Kalsoy island to Borðoy island
The ferry SAM heading from Kalsoy island to Borðoy Island. Several tours are made to Kalsoy Island every day. The small harbour in the photo is in Syðradalur which is where you disembark the ferry when exploring the island.

The ferry SAM has several daily departures to Kalsoy Island. The ferry has eight departures on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and sails less frequently on the other days of the week. Pre-book Kalsoy Ferry Tickets in order to secure yourself spots on the ferry.

The Kalsoy ferry timetable is available in English. There is a summer schedule and a winter schedule. The ferry has the same frequency throughout the year but some departure times differ from summer to winter.

The ferry port in Klaksvík from where the boat to Kalsoy Island departs
The ferry port in Klaksvík from where the boat to Kalsoy Island departs. Photo by Guide to the Faroe Islands.

The Kalsoy ferry has a limited capacity of 12 vehicles. Due to the smallness of the ferry, it is always recommended to leave your car in Klaksvík and explore Kalsoy Island by foot. There are busses on Kalsoy Island when you disembark the ferry.

The ferry sign says Syðradalur. Make sure to be at the harbour in due time. There are shops right next to the ferry port where you can grab a cup of coffee while waiting for the ferry to depart.

Getting around the island

Kalsoy island as seen from north towards south.
The island is seen from the north toward the south.

From Syðradalur, you can drive north along the east side of the island with Kalsoyarfjørður fjord on your right-hand side along the route. You will experience the two islands with the steepest mountains in the Faroe Islands as you drive – Kalsoy and Kunoy.

Kalsoy has two famous sights one being the legendary Kallur lighthouse in the most northern part of the island. The other popular attraction is the Seal Woman or Kópakonan in the village Mikladalur. The highest peak on Kalsoy is the beautiful Nestindar mountain which elevates up to 788 meters (2585 feet).

statue at kalsoy

The Kalsoy Island tunnels are known for their narrow lanes. The tunnels were constructed for the locals who have used them ever since. Now with more travellers wanting to visit, people not used to narrow tunnel feel more comfortable leaving the driving to others.

If you do not fancy narrow tunnels, you can park your car in the fishing town Klaksvík, which is situated on the nearby island Borðoy. From here you can take the ferry to Kalsoy island and then the public bus to the four small villages on the island.

A Kalsoy Island tunnel. Photo by Guide to Faroe Islands.

The Kalsoy bus operates with a summer and a winter schedule. Tours are done more often during the summer months from May to August.

There are also some Northern Islands Day Tours that include transport from Tórshavn. There is also a tour where you can jump on a guided bus when disembarking the ferry on Kalsoy Island. A locak driver will then carry you form one end of the island to the other.

James Bond Died on Kalsoy Island

James Bond crew preparing for filming
James Bond crew preparing for filming on the island. This is the village of Trøllanes.

Scenes in the 25th James Bond movie No Time To Die were filmed on Kalsoy island. The Faroe Islands James Bond sceneries were filmed in the northernmost village Trøllanes and around Kallur Lighthouse.

The villain lair in the James Bond movie is located on Kalsoy island. It is the small village Trøllanes, which is transformed into villain Lyutsifer Safin‘s base.

Kalsoy island is now an incredibly historic Bond location. James Bond stands at the edge where Kallur Lighthouse is located when he is enveloped by missiles and dies. You can stand on the spot where James Bond died when joining the Official James Bond Tour of Kalsoy Island.

Other great attractions
Eiðiskollur

Eiðiskollur

Risin & Kellingin

The Nix