Tórshavn Things to Do

A nice day trip is to take the ferry Ritan to the island of Nólsoy. While just a few minutes away by boat, Nólsoy village is a world away from Tórshavn. The village is extremely quiet and rural, with a number of walking and hiking trails to enjoy. There are even options to stay overnight if you wish. If you do make a day trip of it, be sure to check the ferry schedule carefully so you know what your options are to get back to Tórshavn.

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One of the first landmarks you'll notice in the distance when you get off your bus or ferry is the copper dome of the Vesturkirkja. The church is quite new, completed in 1975. While the outside is quite impressive, it's also very interesting to see the inside, with its grey-white altar and beautiful organ pipes. The church is open to visitors Monday - Saturday 3PM - 5PM during the summer, shorter hours off-season.

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Havnar Kirkja has been officially known as Tórshavn's Cathedral since 1990. While it will never be confused with St. Peter's in Rome, the wooden structure is quite pretty from the outside. During "office hours" (Tue-Fri 4:30PM - 6:00PM, Sat 10AM - 2PM), you can also enjoy the striking interior and very nice organ practice. Note the blue ceiling and the maritime theme of the decor.

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According to legend, this stone fort was constructed in 1580 by Faroese national hero Magnus Heinason to protect Tórshavn from pirates. It didn't work all that well against foreign powers, however: the fort was destroyed by the French in 1677 and again by the British in 1808. The fort was constructed in its present form by the Danish in the early 19th Century. The fort was also used as a command post by the British during World War II. Today, you can wander through the stone works, admire the modern lighthouse in its midst, and enjoy views of the area.

Well, this was a very interesting thing to do. I and my friend from sweden hitchhiked with a ship from Torshavn to Klacksvik. We could both be the captain on the boat and that was nice. We also got a ride back home from klacksvik too. The real captain on the ship was supposed to pick up Danish politicians and bring them to Torshavn. During the trip back we helped the captain and set the tables and make a delicious soup. I almost burned the soup. So, lucky for the politicians I did not do it. It was an experience just to hitchhike with a ship.

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There is a great way to go to Kirkjubøur. It is a hike that will take around two hours over the hill from Tórshavn to Kirkjubøur. You can get the route from the Tourist Office. They have a small book 'Walking in the Faroe Islands'. You must make sure you get to the right starting point and from there just follow the cairns... you cannot miss them! From the hill you can enjoy great views of Koltur, Hestur and Sandoy.

At the end of the hike you arrive in Kirkjubøur, here you find the famous Olavskirkjan.

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Just outside the centre of Tórshavn you see the shape of a big brown pyramid. This side of the church looks quite ugly. But if you visit the church I am sure you change your opinion. The other side is much nicer and from inside it really is a nice spot. The church is opened several hours per day, make sure you know when it is opened before you bring a visit.

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The Nordic House is what makes the people of the Faroe Islands proud. This is the cultural hotspot of Tórshavn. It lies close to the football stadium and the SMS Shopping Centre. They have changing expositions on offer. Also you can enjoy a nice cup op coffee. And when you are lucky you can visit one of the performances in the theatre.