More Sheep Than People? My Wild Few Days in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are just a short flight from Iceland, landing you in a wild, rugged place where sheep outnumber people and underwater tunnels connect the scattered islands. It sounds like a dream — and in many ways, it was. But I’ll be honest: I was hesitant to visit at first.
Like many others, I had seen dramatic images of the traditional whaling practices in documentaries and on social media. As someone who cares deeply about animals and the environment, it gave me pause. I debated whether I wanted to support tourism in a place where that tradition still exists. In the end, I decided to go.
I spent several days exploring this remote destination, and while it was absolutely stunning, there were a few things that surprised me — some charming, others a bit frustrating.
First off, Google Translate features that I rely on were not supported which made everything a bit more complicated as someone who has dietary restrictions. I certainly was not able to read Faroese (the local language) to determine if something was vegetarian or not. When I asked a local about it they told me that only one person on the entire island is working on translating the language. When I visited in October of 2024 the photo-translate feature didn’t support Faroese.
I spent my time exploring the capitol and visiting old churches in the area and museums. And of course, driving around the islands and trying some local restaurants. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands which was great minus the party they had with blasting music until 4AM. Be sure to not have a room located over the bar area.
Some interesting facts about the islands:
While the Faroe Islands are part of the Kingdom of Denmark, they definitely have their own vibe. And if you’re a James Bond fan, you might be excited to know that the dramatic cliffs from the finale of No Time to Die were filmed here. Locals even placed a makeshift headstone as a tribute to Bond in that exact spot.
There’s only one traffic light in the entire country, and it’s in the capital city, Tórshavn. You read that right — one.
Now, about the weather. It’s wildly unpredictable. My return flight to Iceland was canceled the day of due to 50+ mph wind gusts. The plane was tiny — maybe 50 seats max — so I understood the caution. I was rebooked for the following day, and while it was still gusty, we made it back safely despite a few rough bumps that left passengers screaming.
If you’re vegetarian like me, I’ll be honest — it’s not the easiest destination for vegetarian eating. Between the limited food options and my canceled flight, there were moments I seriously questioned why I visited the destination.
That said, I’m ultimately grateful I got to experience such a remote and dramatic place. The landscapes are like nothing else — waterfalls pouring over cliffs, puffins (hopefully I’ll see these one day), and grass-roofed homes. It’s one of those destinations that challenges you a bit… but stays with you long after you leave.
Check out more of what I did in the Faroe Islands here!
Múlafossur Waterfall- Faroe Islands October 2024.