Golden Circle & Slættaratindur

Saksun is a remote little village on Streymoy island with a unique location placed above a beautiful lagoon. The lagoon used to form a good natural harbour, but during a storm it was blocked with sand.

The sand filled lagoon is now drawing people from near and far to admire its beauty. The lagoon filles up with seawater two times every day.

A favourite day trip destination among locals and tourists alike. At low tide locals flock to the tiny village to walk along the shore of the lagoon to the beach.

The village includes a turf-roofed church and a village museum. There are some lovely turf houses in the Dúvugarðar settlement in Saksun as well as some stunning waterfalls along the steep mountain sides.

There is a hiking opportunity to the nearby village Tjørnuvík. The hike is done along the old mountain trail between Dúvugarðar and Tjørnuvík. There are cairns along the route to guide you.

You will reach Saksun when heading in a western direction for 10 minutes from the village Hvalvík. Saksun is a 50 minutes drive from Tórshavn.

Eiði is a village on the island of Eysturoy. In Eiði you will find the famous football stadium nestled next to the Atlantic Ocean. You will also have a great look towards the two sea stacks Risin og Kellingin or Giant and his Wife from near Eiði. Just a short drive from Eiði, you will also experience freshwater Lake Eiðisvatn with a surface area at 0,5 square kilometres.

Slættaratindur is the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. It translates directly into the Plain Mountain Peak due to the summit's flat surface. The mountain elevates 880 meters (2887 feet) above sea level. The flat area on the very top of Slættaratindur is roughly 1000 square meters. 

The highest mountain in the Faroe Islands is located on the northern part of Eysturoy island. Particularly in clear weather, you will see the entire archipelago from this location. You will have a great view of the sea stacks, Risin & Kellingin, when standing on the northern part of the summit. 

Slættaratindur can be seen from the nearby settlements Funningur and Eiði. Both villages sit on the foot of the mountain. You will also have a good view of the mountain from Haldórsvík, which is a village on the nearby Streymoy island.

It is possible to hike all the way up to the summit. The most popular route starts from a parking lot at the Eiðisskarð mountain pass. The parking area is located 390 meters (1280 feet) from sea level. It takes less than 2 hours to reach the top from here. The hike to Slættaratindur is popular among locals and travellers alike.

The topmost part of the mountain is covered in snow half of the year from early November to late April. The hike to the top is open all year round but as the path is not visible in snow it is not recommendable for travellers to venture up the mountain on their own during the winter season.

The westcoast of Streymoy island. Photo by @jdubcaptures on Instagram.  

Streymoy is the largest island of the 18 islands that make up the Faroe Islands. It is situated in the middle of the archipelago and makes up 24% of the total land area and 50% of the entire population. You will find stunning sights on Streymoy island such as the villages Saksun and Tjørnuvík and the tallest waterfall Fossá. 

The island is also home to the capital in the Faroe Islands, Tórshavn as well as the best restaurant in the country, KOKS. Koppenni (789 m) is the highest summit on Streymoy island.

The best known attraction on the island is the Vestmanna Sea Cliffs in the village Vestmanna. Streymoy is connected by roads to two neighbouring islands Vágar island and Eysturoy island by a 5 kilometre (3,1 miles) sub-sea tunnel and a 250 metres (820 feet) bridge, respectively. 

This is the old mountain road leading you from Tórshavn to the villages North of Tórshavn. Enjoy the beautiful sight when sliding up and down hills.

The highest point Norðradalsskarð on the road leading to Norðradalur is one of the most hearthbreakingly beautiful sights in the Faroe Islands. You will get a great natural panorama with towering mountains and sheer coastline cliffs. Norðradalur translates directly to the Northern Valley.

The small farm village lies on the western side of Streymoy island. The three mountains Fjallið millum Botnar (690 metres), Stiðjafjall (547 metres) and Tungulíðfjall (535 metres) make up the foundation of the valley Norðradalur.

This is the northernmost village on Streymoy island. Tjørnuvík is nestled in a deep valley with no other villages in sight. It takes an hour to drive from the capital Tórshavn to Tjørnuvík.

This iconic village with a direct view of the sea stacks Risin & Kellingin is a must-see spot to visit in the Faroe Islands. Standing in Tjørnuvík will give you a feeling of immense serenity. Hence, Tjørnuvík is one of the most frequently visited villages in the Faroe Islands.

There is a lovely beach in the village which is the most popular surfing spot in the Faroe Islands. On most days there will be skies hanging above the village due to the hight of the surrounding mountains. 

There is a public hiking path between Tjørnuvík and Saksun. The trek takes three hours and can be done all year round at no cost.

If you want to experience the attraction Mýlingur, the hike to this spiky mountain and sheer cliff starts from Tjørnuvík. Hiking to Mýlingur takes two hours.

Hvalvík is the last village before you get to the famous village Saksun. The river Stórá runs through the village and is a good place for salmon fishing in the Faroe Islands. From Hvalvík there is a great hiking route cross the hills to Leynavatn. The captivating mountain Sneis (745 m) and Ørvisfelli (784 m) with its panoramic view make interesting climbs.

Photo by @dom_reardon_photo on Instagram.

Fossá Waterfall is the tallest waterfall in the Faroe Islands and drops in two levels. The waterfall is easily accessible and stunningly majestic. You will find Fossá Waterfall in the northern end of Streymoy island just before you reach the village Haldarsvík.

Fossá is located on the east side of Streymoy island a 45 minutes drive from the capital, Tórshavn. The waterfall lies next to the short bridge to the nearby Eysturoy island from where you can also experience Fossá. In this case, you will see the waterfall in the distance. Fossá is 140 metres tall.  

Eysturoy is the second largest island in the Faroe Islands and hold many popular sights among them: Gjógv, which is the most northernly village on the island and the nearby settlements Funningur and Eiði. The island is just a short drive from the capital Tórshavn. You will find Slættaratindur the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands on this island elevating 880 metres above ocean level.

Sornfelli (725 m) is a mountain most renowned for its two domes that you can see from a long distance. You can drive almost to the top of the mountain and get a great panoramic view. 

These two famous sea stacks are a must-see when in the Faroe Islands. You can see Risin & Kellingin (the Giant and his Wife) from either the village Tjørnuvík on Streymoy island or from Eiðisskarð just outside the village Eiði on Eysturoy island.

This might be the only prison in the world with grass roof. Mjørkadalur Prison is the only prison in the Faroe Islands. It is situated in the middle of nowhere in a valley with nothing else than a epic view of the Kaldbaksbotnur Fjord.

From this point you will have the unbelievable view of the deep valley Norðradalur and the small island Koltur framed out in the ocean. This popular attraction is a 15 minutes ride from Tórshavn on Streymoy island. Norðradalsskarð is one of the most windy places in the Faroe Islands. During winter the wind speed will some days reach 120 miles per hour and even higher speed.

From Norðradalsskarð you will also experience the winding road leading down the mountain side to the farm in the Norðradalur valley. Norðradalsskarð is situated 270 metres (885 feet) above sea level. The road from the mountain pass and down to the valley is 2,4 km (1,5 miles).