Hoyvík

Understand

The city was founded in the 10th century and named after Thor, the god of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology. In the early history of the Faroes, Tórshavn became the political centre of the Faroes, and it still is today. The first settlers established their own parliament called "ting" around 800 AD. The main ting was established on Tinganes in Tórshavn and local tings were established in different parts of the islands. Tinganes drew people to trade, to attend court meetings, etc. In 2023, the city had a population of around 14,000, with about 21,000 in the metro area.

Town website

Visitor information 1 Visit Tórshavn, 17 Niels Finsens gøta, ☏ +298 302425, [email protected]. May 1–Aug 31 M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–16:00 (closed Su); Sep 1–Apr 30 M-F 10:00–16:00, Sa 10:00–14:00 (closed Su). (updated Jun 2026)

Getting there

For most visitors Tórshavn will be the point of entry to the Faroe Islands. Practically everything in that article's Get in section also applies to Tórshavn.

By plane 1 Vágar Airport (FAE IATA) (on the neighboring island of Vágar). Atlantic Airways flies there on a regular basis from Copenhagen and operates flights from other Scandinavian and Western European cities as well. There is a bus connection to Tórshavn from the airport but it is not well timed with arrival flights. You can pre-book taxi shuttle with Auto Taxi or Taxi Bil for 250 kr/passenger which you will share the taxi with up to 3 other passengers. (updated May 2026)

By ferry Smyril Line sails from Hirtshals in Denmark and Seyðisfjörður on Iceland to Tórshavn. If you are travelling with a car from Iceland to Denmark or vice versa, it is in principle possible to take off your car during the several hours long stopover in Tórshavn for a little island ride. It is, however, necessary to consider this option in advance when getting your car on board and have it parked in the correct queue.

By car You can take the car with you on the ferry mentioned above. It is also possible to rent a car at the airport.

By bus From elsewhere on the Faroe Islands.

Getting around

Red city buses are free to ride and they operate 7 routes which reach most of the city. Some even take you as far as Kirkjubøur. They run every 15-30 mins from the city centre on weekdays and every 30-60 mins on weekday evenings. A few routes run every 60 mins on Saturdays and Sundays. [1]

Parking is free in downtown but you must respect the time limit posted for the parking lot or risk getting a 200 kr fine, which can be paid at the local police station. The times in black (or white if it's on a dark background) are for weekdays' limited time parking period. The times with brackets are for Saturday. There is typically no time limit on Sunday and public holidays, but if there is, the time limit is written in red. You will need to set your parking disc on the dashboard to indicate the time when you parked, to the nearest quarter of the hour.

See

The Faroe Islands National Museum and the Outdoor Museum are both in the northern suburb Hoyvik, and are covered by a single ticket. Both are worth seeing.

1 Tinganes. The oldest part of the town. Settlement started and the parliament has been meeting at this site since 900 AD. Most of the houses were destroyed by a fire in the 17th century but construction continued in the traditional style with wooden facades and roofs covered with grass. Some of the buildings are nowadays used by the Faroese government. You may walk along the alleys but keep in mind that this is not an open air museum. People live and work in these buildings, so you should respect their privacy. 2 Tórshavn Cathedral (Dómkirkjan, Havnar Kirkja). An attractive white building with clock tower, built in 1788. 3 The Nordic House (Norðari Ringvegur 14), ☏ +298 351351. M-Sa 09:00-16:00 (closed Su). The main cultural institution on the islands. Events and exhibitions. Has a cafe. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Faroe Islands National Museum (Tjóðsavnið), 6 Brekkutún, Hoyvík, ☏ +298 790551. M-F 09:00-15:00. A good overview of geology, history, archaeology, biology, economy and modern society of the Faroese. Compact but well worth a visit. Adult 90 kr, student and senior 60 kr, child (under 18) free. (updated Jun 2026) 5 National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (Listasavn Føroya), Gundadalsvegur 9, ☏ +298 313579. Tu-Su 13:00-16:00. 2,600 works of art. 65 kr. (updated Nov 2016)

Do

Faroese Music Gallery. See, feel and hear Faroese music in the newest and most popular tourist attraction. Free live concerts Mondays to Fridays and on special occasions (see website for programme) from 14 June to 13 August and free coffee. (updated Jun 2018) Football: Tórsvøllur (aka Gundadalur) is the sports complex 1 km north of town centre, with stadium capacity 5000. The Faroes men's national soccer team play here. It's also the home ground of Havnar Bóltfelag (HB) and B36 Tórshavn who both play in Premier League, the islands' top tier. The domestic playing season is April-Oct.

Buy

There are many shops in Tórshavn, especially in the centre and in the shopping mall SMS.

1 Østrøm, 18 Skálatrøð (Downtown, on west side of the harbour. Large parking lot right in front of the store), ☏ +298 312222. M-Th 10:00-17:30, F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00 (closed Su). Multiple smaller outlets within the store. Carries modern fashion products and traditional souvenir. (updated Jun 2026) Navia, ☏ +298 449282, [email protected]. A well-known Faroese wool fashion company with two stores in Tórshavn, one in SMS mall and one in downtown by the waterfront. Sells wool hats, scarves, mittens, socks and sweaters made from 3D manufacturing process. Also sells yarn and knit patterns. (updated Jun 2026) The supermarket chain Mylnan has several locations around the town which are open daily 07:00-23:00.

Eat

Budget 1 Brasserie Hvonn, Tórsgøta 4 (In Hotel Tórshavn), ☏ +298 350000, [email protected]. daily 07:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00. Central location and non-smoking inside, American-style menu and salad bar. 115-245 kr for main dishes, 20-30 kr for soft drink. (updated Jan 2021) 2 Burger King, SMS Shopping Centre, ☏ +298 32 34 20, [email protected]. M–Th 10:30-22:30, F Sa 10:30-23:00, Su 14:00-22:30. A burger restaurant. Has a drive-thru which continues to operate even after the shopping mall closed. 85 kr for a Whopper meal. (updated Jun 2026) 3 Sunset Boulevard, SMS Shopping Center, ☏ +298 32 34 22, [email protected]. M–Sa 10:30-21:00, Su 14:00-21:00. A Danish chain of sandwich and burger restaurants. 70-104 kr for a meal. (updated Jun 2026) 4 Restaurant Seven, Jónas Broncks gøta 31, ☏ +298 323565, [email protected]. M–Sa 11:30-21:30, Su 12:00-21:30. A Chinese restaurant with pretty plain interior. Also sells Asian groceries. 99-168 kr for a main dish, 25 kr for a soft drink. (updated Jan 2021) 5 Hamsa, 7a Karlamagnusarbreyt, Hoyvík, ☏ +298 201188. M-Th 12:00-21:00, F Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 13:00-21:00. Mediterranean and middle eastern restaurant. Has board games. Parking can be a bit tricky. Burgers 155-160 kr, pizza 115-130