The - Faroe Islands Travel Guide

The Faroe Islands Travel Guide

In the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, tiny islands with jagged peaks and vertiginous cliff faces jut out from the sea, piercing into the sky like giant daggers. Sea stacks, craggy bird cliffs and black sandy beaches dot the coast, while steep snowcapped mountains stretch across the length of the islands. This archipelago of 18 islands lies in the intersection point of three popular destinations: Iceland, Scotland and Norway. Just like its neighbors, the Faroe Islands has it all. The Northern Lights, world-class hiking trails, an abundance of nature, wildlife and Scandinavian traditions. But few people know about them, and the Faroese prefer to keep it that way.

Geography and History of the Faroe Islands

The first people to settle here were Irish monks, who arrived in the 6th century. Norsemen then settled the Faroe Islands in the 9th century and the islands became a part of the Kingdom of Norway in 1035. Norwegian rule on the islands continued until 1380, when the islands became part of the dual Denmark-Norway kingdom. The Faroe Islands came under the administration of Denmark following the 1814 Treaty of Kiel that ended the dual Denmark-Norway kingdom. After an independence referendum in 1946 (unrecognized by Denmark), the Faroe Islands were given extended self-governance with the Danish Realm in 1948.

Gasadalur

This was the last village to be made accessible when a tunnel was built in 2008. Previously you can only reach the village on foot. But the main purpose of coming here for most people is not the village itself, but rather the Gasadalur waterfall. The whole assembly of the cascade tumbling down the cliff's edge, backdropped by the imposing mountains behind the tiny village is a truly dramatic one. This iconic picture has been featured in many publications including National Geographic. It's one of the things that have put the country on the tourist map and appear in every Faroe Islands travel guide. It's just a 10-minute drive from the airport - so be sure to check it out when you arrive.

Please click here, if you want to unsubscribe | 5662 Calle Real Goleta, CA 93117 |