.png)
June 1, 2025 - Landscape Photography in the Faroe Islands
- Niko Benas
- Jun 27
- 10 min read
This summer, I was drawn to the Faroe Islands. This archipelago is (still) an insider tip among photographers and therefore (still) rarely visited.
Formed by volcanoes and the Atlantic Ocean, the archipelago captivates with its wild, rugged, and pristine landscapes.
The numerous reports about the beautiful fjords with their steep cliffs and crashing waves piqued my curiosity.
The Faroese summer, from June to August, is the time of the midnight sun, when the days are long and the nights are only briefly dark.
Thus, I had plenty of time during my 12-day stay for numerous excursions and exciting explorations.
Here are my top 12 personal favorite photo spots, purely subjective and without claiming to be exhaustive:
12th place: Gjógv
This charming little village is located in the very north of the island of Eysturoy, on a small fjord, or more precisely, on a crevice in the rock that contains a small natural harbor. This gave the village its name. Gjógv is the Faroese word for crevice.
A picturesque spot. The small harbor is without a doubt a must-see for every photographer. If you walk along the hiking trail a little further out towards the Atlantic, you can take beautiful panoramic shots from there. Whether looking towards the sea at the island of Kalsoy or in the opposite direction at the tranquil village, it's a little paradise on earth.
11th Place: Viðareiðis Church
Viðareiði Church, an important church in the Faroe Islands, is located in the northernmost village of Viðareiði on the island of Viðoy. Built in 1892, the church is an important cultural and historical site for the local community. It is known for its picturesque location amidst dramatic landscapes and offers breathtaking views of the North Atlantic.
The church's architecture reflects traditional Faroese design and is both simple and elegant, perfectly complementing the natural surroundings.
There are countless opportunities to photograph the church from the Google viewpoint. I recommend taking enough time to fully enjoy the fascinating surroundings.
10th Place: Tjørnuvík
The northernmost village on the island of Streymoy, Tjørnuvík is one of the oldest villages in the Faroe Islands. Viking graves discovered in the area show that the village was settled shortly after the first Vikings arrived on the island. Nestled in a deep valley surrounded on three sides by steep mountains and without any neighboring villages, Tjørnuvík offers a peaceful retreat on the edge of the North Atlantic. With only about 55 houses, a black sand beach, and an iconic view of the Risin & Kellingin stone pillars (Faroese for "the giant and his wife, the witch"), the remote village offers a beautiful glimpse into the Nordic beauty of traditional Faroese villages.
The sandy beach is perfect for photography. At low tide, the small river winds its way from the mountains over the black sand into the Atlantic. A truly unique sight. The photo opportunities are endless. If you walk behind the village toward the cemetery and up a small hill, you'll have a beautiful view of the small village, idyllically situated in the bay.
9th Place: Saksun
Saksun is a town in the Faroe Islands on the west coast in the north of the main island of Streymoy. The journey to this beautiful village alone is worth the trip. From the main road, a single-lane road leads about 10 km into the valley to Saksun (there are small laybys every 200 m for avoiding oncoming traffic). After passing several sheep and a beautiful fishing lake, you reach the idyllic village! A wonderful little church is surrounded by imposing rock walls.
The valley, with its beach and large waterfall (especially after rainy days), is a real eye-catcher. The small village is also known for its grass-covered roofs. At low tide, a hike through the fjord is recommended, but a fee of 75 DKK (as of June 2025) applies. The sandy beach was formed by a storm, which further enhances its natural charm.
8th Place: Risin og Kellingin Viewpoint
As already mentioned, a particularly good place to view the two striking rock formations is the village of Tjørnuvík, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the cliffs and also the beach.
The Risin og Kellingin viewpoint, located near the village of Eiði on the island of Eysturoy, offers panoramic views of the famous rock formations from higher up and from a closer spot. These towering basalt formations, 71 and 68 meters high, respectively, are surrounded by a local legend involving a giant and a witch who were turned to stone. The viewpoint is accessible via a short hike or a 10-minute drive from the village of Eiði and leads visitors to the edge of the Eiðiskollur cliff, which stands 352 meters above sea level. From here, you can enjoy views of the rugged North Atlantic coastline with its striking rocky pinnacles in the background.
The area is known for its natural beauty and offers excellent opportunities for photography and nature observation. You can indulge your creativity with a wide range of lenses, from wide-angle to telephoto.
7th Place: Hvíthamar/Gongutúrur
Hvíthamar/Gongutúrur is a very popular viewpoint above the village of Funningur and is one of the most iconic in the Faroe Islands. It is located on the island of Eysturoy. A short and easy 20-minute hike from the main road, it's worth more than just one visit, as the changeable weather in the Faroe Islands conjures up a completely different scenery at any time of year. I found myself there three times, and each time I was able to capture the most diverse lighting conditions.
A short climb from the Gjáarskarð pass offers an incredible view. From the ridge, you can enjoy and photograph a magnificent view of the Funningsfjørður fjord and the surrounding mountains. There are also breathtaking views north to the island of Kalsoy.
6th Place: Funningur
Funningur is a typical Faroese village with waterfront houses, a river flowing through its center, and stone walls marking the boundary between the surrounding farmland and the countryside. The river, the fertile land, and the good fishing grounds near the coast made the place ideal for the Vikings. A photographic highlight is the village church, located on the seashore. This traditional Faroese wooden church, with its striking black-and-white exterior and grass roof, perfectly complements the dramatic scenery of the steep mountains and nearby fjord.
The area around Funningur is ideal for capturing both sunrise and sunset, with the changing light creating a dramatic effect on the landscapes and the fjord. Parking is unfortunately somewhat limited, so please be respectful of this small community by not obstructing local traffic or private property. A visit to Funningur can be easily combined with a visit to the Hvíthamar/Gongutúrur hiking trailhead, which is just a 10-minute drive above the village.
5th Place: Bíggjarvegur
I was completely captivated by the view from the Bíggjarvegur coastal road No. 45, which can be reached in 5 minutes by car from Vagar Airport. With a constant view of the sea and driving towards Gásadalur, you have a fantastic view of two other landmarks of the Faroe Islands, the Drangarnir rock formation and the neighboring Tindhólmur island.
You can also spot and admire the small bird island of Mykines, one of the most popular destinations in the archipelago. It is home to a bird species that delights not only ornithologists and animal lovers: the puffin.
An absolute highlight is the view of the two striking symbols at the height of the four holiday homes "The View" just before the village of Bøur, which make an excellent foreground. These striking cottages, with their traditional thatched roofs and a close connection to the islands' landscape and culture, form the perfect foreground to a breathtaking scenery that is emblematic of the Faroe Islands' terrain: steep cliffs, deep fjords, green meadows, and rugged mountains!
4th Place: Drangarnir
Drangarnir is the most famous rock formation in the Faroe Islands. It consists of two rock spires between Vágar and the island of Tindhólmur. Drangarnir's names are Stóri Drangur and Lítli Drangur, which translate to "Great and Little Rock Needle." This impressive, 70-meter-high sea arch rises spectacularly vertically from the North Atlantic and is a symbol of the Faroe Islands.
Unfortunately, there hasn't been a public path to this attraction for a few years now. However, there are approximately 6-hour hikes available for €80 per person (as of June 2025), and boat tours including a 1.5-hour stop at the spot. These cost a hefty €135 (as of June 2025).
Not only does the hike require a fee, but a guide is also required. Furthermore, it's only possible on certain days of the week and at 11 a.m. during certain months.
Landowners charge fees for some of the popular "hiking trails" in the Faroe Islands, and the only one that even gives the appearance of being maintained is Traelanipa.
The rest, in my opinion, are not maintained at all, despite signage.
I opted for the boat tour, which is also only available on certain days and at 11 a.m., but this allowed me to use the time afterward for another excursion.
I approached the boat operator and asked if a boat tour would be possible at a time of my choosing (11 a.m., just before the June solstice, isn't quite what I'd imagine to be ideal lighting conditions), to which he agreed, offering a fee of €3,000. I declined with thanks...
The boat departs from the small marina in the village of Sørvágur. After a roughly 10-minute ride, you'll be dropped off on the basalt coast and free to roam the area and take photographs. The view of this rock formation is simply mesmerizing, whether at sea level or from a few meters higher.
Finally, after pickup, there's a 20-minute boat tour along the dramatic coastal scenery and through the sea arch, making for an unforgettable experience.
Platz 3: Trælanípa
This fee-based hike (200 DKK, as of June 2025) on the island of Vagar leads to one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the archipelago, where steep cliffs plunge dramatically into the deep blue ocean. A breathtaking landscape of rugged nature and untouched beauty lies before you. The hike leads through wild, untouched nature, past green hills and the eastern shore of Lake Sørvágsvatn. The highlight of the tour is the spectacular view from the cliffs, where the Atlantic Ocean dramatically meets the cliffs.
The Trælanípa cliff is emblematic of the rugged beauty of the Faroe Islands and, at first glance, appears like an optical illusion. This is created by the over 100-meter-high cliff separating the lake from the Atlantic.
Don't miss the viewpoint down to Bøsdalafossur Waterfall, which plunges 32 meters vertically into the sea. The view of the waterfall and the rugged cliffs towering above the sea is sensational. Sometimes the rough ocean waves crash, foaming, all the way over the cliffs, a truly unique spectacle!
2nd Place: Kallur
The Kallur Lighthouse is one of the most popular attractions in the stunning Faroe Islands. Located on the long, narrow island of Kalsoy, it offers stunning views.
The small, white and red lighthouse is located at the northernmost tip of the island. It was built in 1927 and is becoming increasingly popular.
The island of Kalsoy is completely surrounded by the North Atlantic. It is only accessible by the small Kalsoy ferry, which departs from Klaksvík on the island of Borðoy.
You should plan a full day for this attraction, as reaching the lighthouse requires a 30-minute round-trip ferry ride, driving through narrow tunnels, and then hiking for at least an hour to the viewpoint and back. If it has been raining for a long time and the path is muddy, it may take longer.
You can also undertake this hike without your own car (fee: DKK 200, as of June 2025). A scheduled bus will pick you up directly upon arrival at the ferry terminal and take you to the starting point of the hike in Trøllanes, at the northernmost tip of the island of Kalsoy. You can then reboard the bus and get off at the ferry terminal.
Since the last ferry usually doesn't depart until around 10 p.m. (as of June 2025), you have the opportunity to capture some truly special lighting when the sun is a little lower on the horizon. If you continue toward the large cliff, you'll reach the famous gravestone of James Bond. The final scene of "No Time to Die" was filmed here, and so a gravestone dedicated to 007 was erected here in a prime location.
1st Place: Múlafossur
The Múlafossur waterfall in Gásadalur is one of the archipelago's most impressive sights. It's one of the most famous tourist attractions, and for good reason.
Plunging steeply from an island, Múlafossur is fed by a small stream and rises to a height of more than 30 meters, making for a truly breathtaking view.
You can visit the waterfall immediately upon arrival in the Faroe Islands; it's just a stone's throw from the airport and is the perfect introduction to your photography holiday.
Until the beginning of the 21st century, Gásadalur was considered one of the most isolated places in Europe, as the village was only accessible on foot or by helicopter. This only changed in 2006 when the Gásadalur Tunnel was opened, through which one drives and which since then connects the villages of Bøur and Gásadalur, which are separated by the mountain Knukarnir.
コメント