Five reasons to visit the Faroe Islands in 2021

Five reasons to visit the Faroe Islands in 2021

With its abundance of nature and wildlife, rugged cliffs and wild weather, plus a population of just 50,000 (along with 80,000 sheep), the Faroe Islands are the perfect place to truly get away from both the crowds and the worries of the modern world.

There is an otherworldly feel to the landscape of this remote archipelago – located midway between Iceland and Norway, and north of Scotland – where you can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, fishing and adventure sports in the freshest of sea air. Meanwhile, the island’s capital provides cosy restaurants, bars and cafés in which to relax and chat to friendly locals.

A visit in 2021 is guaranteed to help you switch off and enjoy the silence in one of the most peaceful places on earth.

Here’s what’s new in 2021…

1. Hot new hotels
The Faroe Islands’ first international hotel brand, Hilton Garden Inn opened its doors last month – equipped with a wellness centre, outdoor hot tub and sauna – and a new independent four-star hotel, Hotel Brandan, opened in mid-2020. Both are situated in the modestly-sized capital, Tórshavn, and signify an exciting period of development on the islands, where visitor numbers grew by 10% in 2019, to around 130,000 for the year.

Visitor numbers are expected to grow again in 2021, but always with a close eye on the long-term sustainability of tourism to the islands. Coronavirus figures have, happily, remained low; cases have been managed carefully and effectively, the entire population of 50,000 people has been tested, and the testing-on-arrival of visitors was successfully established early on in the pandemic.

2. Visit the most remote James Bond movie location yet
The hotly-anticipated 25th James Bond film, ‘No Time to Die’, was filmed partly on the island of Kalsoy, known for its twisting roads, deep valleys and also Kallur Lighthouse, perched on a steep cliff at the top of the island. Hikers make the journey to the lighthouse from the village of Trøllanes. Kalsoy stretches over 18 very rugged kilometres, with four villages and around 150 inhabitants. There is little there besides the dramatic scenery, making it the perfect place to hide from the world. In 2021, you’ll be able to take a James Bond Sightseeing Tour and hike your way around the film locations, led by a specialist guide.

3. The second longest vehicle tunnel in the world will open
Six years in the making, the new subsea tunnel will connect three locations on Streymoy and Eysturoy and will significantly reduce travelling time around the Faroe Islands. Opening in January 2021, the Eysturoy Tunnel will be the second-longest subsea tunnel for vehicles in the world, and the only such tunnel in the world to feature a roundabout! What’s more, the roundabout will showcase a captivating artwork, a light installation by Faroese artist Tróndur Patursson.

4. The islands will be Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism
In 2021 the Faroe Islands will once again close 10 of its most popular visitor sites to tourists for one weekend in April, unless you’re willing to pull up your sleeves and help to preserve the country’s nature and birdlife sanctuaries and to help ensure that key locations remain both accessible, safe and sustainable. Although the project had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the previous year saw thousands of people apply from 95 different countries – ranging from Zimbabwe, Venezuela and Taiwan to Russia, Malaysia and all over Europe.

Just 100 volunteer places are available and, in 2021, volunteers will be working side-by-side with locals on new projects. They will enjoy local hospitality during the project as a way of thanking them for their commitment and hard work.

5. A new whisky and gin distillery – one of the most northerly in the world
Faer Isles Distillery will be one of the most northerly whisky – and gin – distilleries in the world. The salty, windswept island air provides the optimal environment for whisky maturation, and the climate (similar to Scotland, only more humid, more salty, and more stable in temperature) makes it perfect for maturing whisky in barrels. The natural surroundings provide the juniper, angelica, nettles and seaweed used in production of the new Faroese gin and, as the local water is very clean and almost mineral-free, it is perfect for the production of high-quality spirits.

How to get to the Faroe Islands:  Daily flights to the Faroe Islands (London to Vágar Island, via Copenhagen) operate year-round and cost from £368 pp return. Seasonal twice-weekly direct flights to the Faroe Islands (Edinburgh to Vágar Island) operate from October to March and cost from £199 pp return. Visit www.atlantic.fo for further information.

To learn more about the Faroe Islands, visit www.visitfaroeislands.com.

ENDS

Editor’s Notes:

About the Faroe Islands:

• Population: 52,703
• Number of sheep: 80,000 (approx.)
• Number of islands: 18
• Total area: 1,399 km2
• Estimated number of overseas visitors: 130,000 in 2019

Press: For more information on the Faroe Islands, for photography, or to discuss the possibility of a commissioned press visit, please contact Jackie Franklin or Sue Ockwell at Travel PR:
Jackie Franklin: j.franklin@travelpr.co.uk / 07779 336 158 / 020 8891 4440
Sue Ockwell: s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk / 07831 126 356 / 020 8891 4440