torshavn the heart of the faroe islands tourist information

torshavn the heart of the faroe islands tourist information
torshavn the heart of the faroe islands tourist information

Governmental seat of the beautiful and far flung Faroe Islands, Tórshavn also holds the distinction of the smallest capital in the world. This bustling little port of about 19,000, set along the south eastern coast of the biggest of the islands, Streymoy (the Island of Currents), enjoys a deep and colourful history—and a picturesque atmosphere that is sure to delight any visitor.


Tórshavn Cruise

The biography of the hamlet extends into the ninth century AD, when a tradition of Viking parliaments—which were called tings – commenced on the rugged peninsula called Tinganes. Through the subsequent centuries, the Faroe Islands fell under various permutations of Scandinavian control, with Tórshavn functioning as a market hub. By the late 16th century, when Norway oversaw the archipelago, pirate attacks were a perennial threat—the original impetus for the construction of the venerable Fort Skansin in 1580 by the famed Faroese privateer Magnus Heinason. During World War II, the city served as the base of operations for the British Navy when it occupied the islands as a strategic bulwark against the Germans.


 

Historical sites and buildings are among the many charms of modern-day Tórshavn, a popular destination for cruises. Fort Skansin is a striking attraction given its long history; among the sights are vintage artillery from the 18th century and the British naval occupation. Another defining landmark is the Tórshavn Cathedral, originally erected in 1788 and rebuilt in 1865. This handsome church—which, like Skansin, lies on the Tinganes peninsula where the city was born—is the seat of the Bishop of the Faroe Islands.

torshavn the heart of the faroe islands tourist information
torshavn the heart of the faroe islands tourist information


Such time-tested monuments are wonderfully evocative of Tórshavn’s history, but the city, of course, is a vibrant and living one, and its contemporary society is one worth drinking in. Faroese is the predominant language, a unique offspring of Old Norse. Mutton and seafood anchor much of the traditional fare, well worth sampling. Annual events and celebrations provide perfect excuses to do so—not least during the Faroe Islands’ national holiday, Ólavsøka, the lively observation of which centres on July 29. The Nordic House is both an architectural marvel and a repository for Faroese culture. Local music covers a broad spectrum, not least beloved traditional idioms. Both home-grown and international musical acts find plenty of opportunities to perform during the summer, with annual musical spectacles including the Summartónar, which serves up daily concerts throughout the Faroe Islands, as well as the G! Festival, Summarfestival, and the Tórshavn Jazz Festival. Performances of the time-honored Faroese chain dance, meanwhile, are not to be missed.


Sport is popular and varied in Tórshavn. The city’s Tórsvøllor stadium plays home to the Faroe Islands national football team and accommodates some 6,000 spectators. An annual bicycle race, the Kring Føroyar, has its finishing line in Tórshavn.


Natural attractions are never far away. Ferry services out of the port provide access to the many scenic wonders of the greater Faroe Islands—famous for their towering cliff-edged coastlines and wild, windswept interiors.


In few places in Europe can one feel as remote and yet tapped into a grand and sweeping history as Tórshavn. It may be a tiny capital, but it’s one well-worth visiting—again and again.


Matt Walkins is a self-proclaimed cruise addict and blogger. He is always onboard for booking last minute cruises to the Faroe island.