1.Located only half an hour from the capital is Kirkjubøur, the islands’ most significant historical site. Here you find the St. Magnus Cathedral, built in the 1300s and the effective seat of power over several centuries. In medieval times, this small village was the cultural and episcopal centre of the Faroe Islands.

2.In 1580, the great Faroese adventurer Magnus Heinason ordered the construction of a fort to protect the trading centre of Tórshavn from a steadily increasing number of seaborne attacks across the North Atlantic – in many cases from pirate raids. The original fortification only lasted until 1677, when French pirates destroyed the fort after their final demand for 100 oxen, 200 sheep, 500 pairs of gloves, 1,200 pairs of stockings and 60 nightshirts wasn’t met by the people of Tórshavn within the 12-hour deadline.

The fort served as a British Royal Navy headquarters during the Second World War. The two guns which face out to sea from behind the fort were used to defend the islands against German attack. Skansin also includes four older brass cannons from the time of the Danish Trade Monopoly and a lighthouse.

Although not much remains of the fort today, Skansin still offers quite exceptional views out over the sea to neighbouring island Nólsoy. The grass lawn is a great spot for a packed picnic.

3.Tórshavn’s old town, consisting of Reyn and Undir Ryggi, is home to two dozen or so small, black-tarred wooden houses with white-framed windows and grass roofs. People still call these 14th century houses their homes today. Stroll along charming narrow winding lanes and passageways and experience a wonderful mixture of old and new.

Families still live in these cute houses, so please respect the privacy of the residents. Do not take pictures through the windows and of people, without asking for permission first.

4.The Nordic House is a cultural institution under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers. The house was built in 1983 and has ever since been active as a Nordic cultural venue with a diverse programme which includes all art forms and engages all age and interest groups.

They have a program full of music and art events. Check it out here

5. Take a walk in the old Cemetery in Tórshavn, among founders of the modern capital of Tórshavn, both ordinary and the extraordinary. 

6.Svartifossur translates to Black Waterfall, is a very beautiful waterfall, which is located 2 km north of the old town of Tórshavn in Hoydalsá, which flows down through Hoydalar, and is the old boundary between Tórshavn and Hoyvík. It can be very magnificent when it’s rainy weather, but in summer, after drought for a long time, there is only a little water in the river and waterfall. Then the stone wall is black (Hence the name). 

There are about 100 years old photographs of the waterfall, and these show that it has not changed significantly in these years. But the big stones in the stream below the waterfall show that in prehistoric times it had a different look.

In the old days, Tórshavn’s population came to this area to collect sod for the fireplace. On Sundays it was usual for people to walk here to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Right next to the waterfall you can also see the old sheepfold that the farmer used.

In recent times, the city has grown beyond Svartafoss, so that it is now in the city. However, the city council has designated the area around Svartafoss and Hoydalsá as a protected area. Trails have also been built so that it is now easy to stroll around in this scenic area.

7.Tinganes is the historical core of the country’s capital. Dividing two harbours, this flat rocky outcrop is dominated by delightfully muddled turf-roofed structures that, quite unassumingly, are home to the Faroese Home Rule government (Føroya Landsstýri).

Tinganes is said to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest, parliamentary meeting places in the world, along with Tynwald Hill in the Isle of Man and Þingvellir in Iceland. It was here, in around year 900, that the Viking parliament first began meeting every summer to discuss matters of national importance.

No armed security guards here, visitors are free to wander at will – who knows, you might even catch the Prime Minister on his way to lunch! Guides can explain the history of each structure, but random strolling is enough for many visitors.

8.One of the largest parks in the Faroe Islands is Viðarlundin also called Plantasjan in Tórshavn.

In the christmas storm in 1988 many of the trees fell. Today the fallen trees create a fun natural playground where both children and adults can climb.

Visit the pond inside the park, where ducks and swans live or walk the many paths in the park, and enjoy the sound from the river and the trees.

The park is located between the streets Varðagøta, Hoydalsvegur and Gundadalsvegur and the Art Musueum of the Faroe Islands is located in the northern part of the park.

In several places you can see beautiful sculptures, among others there is the monument in memory of Faroese seamen, who lost their lives at sea during World War II.