Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
The Faroe Islands don’t require any special vaccinations beyond standard routine ones. Ensure you’re up-to-date on measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, and polio (DTP). Hepatitis A is also recommended for most travelers. Check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Faroe Islands, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for Faroe IslandsCulture & Customs
Respect the natural environment; stick to marked paths and don’t disturb wildlife. When greeting locals, a simple handshake is common. Dress modestly, especially in churches. Punctuality is valued, so be on time for meetings.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, Faroe Islands are generally safe, but discretion is advised in rural areas. Women travelers should feel safe, but as always, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Faroe Islands.
- Ræst Kjøt: This is fermented lamb, a staple in Faroese cuisine. The strong flavor might be a bit much for some, but it’s a true taste of local tradition and reflects the island’s historical preservation methods.
- Grind og spik: Pilot whale meat and blubber, typically boiled. It’s a deeply rooted tradition and a community affair, though it’s increasingly controversial due to conservation issues.
- Skerpikjøt: Air-dried mutton, usually hung for about five to nine months. The drying process gives it an intense flavor, making it a unique treat that locals love for special occasions.
- Ræstur fiskur: Fermented fish, often cod or haddock, served with boiled potatoes and a white sauce. It’s a taste of everyday life on the islands, with a distinctive sour flavor that’s quite memorable.
- Kongafiskur: This is halibut, typically dried. While not as intense as the fermented options, it’s a beloved part of the local diet and a good entry point for those easing into Faroese flavors.
Yes, the tap water in the Faroe Islands is generally safe to drink, and locals do drink it. Tourists can confidently drink it as well, as it’s clean and well-regulated. Bottled or filtered water is unnecessary unless you have a personal preference.
The main language in Faroe Islands is
Faroese. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Faroese skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Faroe Islands includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - is widely spoken in the Faroe Islands, making it relatively easy for travelers to communicate. Most Faroese people, especially the younger generation, are fluent in English due to its inclusion in the school curriculum and its prevalence in media. In urban areas and tourist spots, you will find that many locals, including those working in hospitality, are comfortable conversing in English.
While Faroese is the official language, the islands’ isolation and strong cultural ties to Denmark have fostered a bilingual environment. Many Faroese also speak Danish, which can be helpful if you encounter older residents who may not be as proficient in English.
Overall, you should have no trouble navigating your way through the Faroe Islands, as English serves as a common lingua franca, allowing for easy interaction with locals.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Faroe Islands is DKK (kr).
When backpacking in the Faroe Islands, it’s smart to keep a mix of cash and plastic. ATMs are widely available in towns like Tórshavn, Klaksvík, and Runavík, so withdrawing cash isn’t a hassle. However, the Faroese króna is the local currency, and while it’s pegged to the Danish krone, it’s not the same. Leave your dollars and euros at home; they’re not accepted here.
Cards are your best friend—most places accept major credit cards, but having some cash on hand for smaller shops or remote spots is a good backup. If you need to exchange money, do it at banks in larger towns for a fair rate. Avoid airport exchanges unless you’re desperate, as they tend to offer less favorable rates.
Tipping in the Faroe Islands isn’t common or expected, as service charges are usually included in bills at restaurants and cafes. However, if you receive exceptional service, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated but not necessary. Taxi drivers and hotel staff generally don’t expect tips either.
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.