This rugged Atlantic archipelago between Iceland, Norway and Scotland “is a new frontier of Scandi cool”, says Condé Nast Traveller. The 18 islands offer a sense of remoteness and outstanding hospitality – “a truly unreconstructed natural experience with no small amount of native style”. What’s more, they’re on the UK’s green list. If this sounds a tempting place to buy, you’re out of luck – houses are few and far between, and there are currently none for sale.
Places of note The islands are linked by a series of road tunnels: the latest one, colourful Eysturoy, has the world’s first undersea roundabout, which looks like a jellyfish. Take the tunnel to Vagar island for the idyllic village of Gasadalur, the 200ft Mulafossur waterfall, which runs into the Atlantic, and the cliffside “hanging lake” of Sorvagsvatn. Hike along old village paths: you’re never more than three miles from the sea, so the views are always splendid. Mykines island has no roads, just 500,000 puffins. For some of the islands’ famous knitwear, visit Gudrun & Gudrun in the capital, Torshavn (“Thor’s Harbour”) – Gudrun Ludvig designed the jumper worn by Sarah Lund in The Killing. While you’re there, grab some food at the cosy Barbara Fish House, Etika Sushi or the Nordic House, a café hosting live music.
Famous faces There are only 52,000 Faroe Islanders, so your most likely company is sheep. But the scenery brought the cast of the 007 movie No Time to Die here for filming in 2019. There’s now a James Bond sightseeing tour (from £230pp).
Weather “Wet, windy and wild”, with a breeze sweeping in off the Atlantic and the Norwegian Sea, this is no place for sunbathing.
1 To eat
Two-Michelin-starred Koks is a tiny restaurant serving local delicacies such as fermented lamb leg. Its signature dish, freshly caught langoustine tail grilled on hot stones, smoked with pine needles and dusted with black salt made from seaweed, made superstar chef René Redzepi weep with joy.
2 To stay
For fine views of the Atlantic, head to Gjaargardur Guesthouse, in a sleepy village on the north coast of Eysturoy island, an hour from the capital. The interiors are warm and cosy, and the restaurant serves top-notch local dishes. Doubles from £134, B&B.
3 To rent
You can’t get more remote than this cottage sleeping eight on Stora Dimun – it’s the smallest inhabited island in the Faroes, occupied by one family and accessible only in good weather, by helicopter or boat. The lighthouse at the southernmost point of the island is a great place to spot puffins. From £207 a night.
4 To Airbnb
There are plenty of cosy huts and houses on offer across the Faroes, including the View, from which you can see Drangarnar, Tindholm and Mykines. Built in traditional style, it sleeps four and has a kitchen, a porch and a living area with floor-to-ceiling windows. From £398 for two nights.