Regional guide 

EYSTUROY

The clue’s in the name – Eysturoy, the east island, was named by the islands’ original Viking settlers as it is, indeed, located east of Tórshavn – the first and main settlement. And that proximity to the Faroese capital has never been handier. Although Eysturoy is a separate island, it’s now connected by a new subsea tunnel to neighbouring Streymoy and journey time to Tórshavn is now as little as 20 minutes. 

It’s barely 45km from here to Tórshavn, routing via the first subsea tunnel in the islands, which links Vágar with neighbouring Streymoy. However, you’d be doing the island an injustice if you raced immediately off to the capital – there are several things to check out before you leave the island.

 A detour worth taking

No matter what you’re looking for – Eysturoy has got it. In Runavík, you’ll find a natural deep-sea port, busy with the coming and going of fishing trawlers and freighters unloading their cargos after crossing the North Atlantic.

Barely 10km to the north, in Gøtugjógv, you’ve got the dramatic location for the Faroes best music event, the G! Festival, which takes place on the beach every July. Every fall, you can experience intimate concerts in the same village with HOYMA, a one-night music festival set in the private setting of the locals' homes. 

Eysturoyartunnil Facts

 In December 2020, the Faroese made world history by opening the Eysturoy subsea tunnel – the only one, anywhere on the planet, to feature an underwater roundabout. Naturally, that was cause for celebration and the roundabout – a work of art in its own right - has even become something of a tourist attraction! 

Illuminated by aquamarine lighting, the roundabout is encircled by life-size figures of dancers, all holding hands as if dancing around the structure, as a cultural nod to the tradition of the chain dance in the islands. 

The Eysturoy tunnel is actually three tunnels in one and the roundabout acts as an underwater road junction allowing traffic travelling in separate tunnels from both sides of the Eysturoyfjørður fjord to join the main tunnel over to Streymoy. It should most definitely be on your bucket list!

Gjógv, Slættaratindur & Hellurnar

Gjógv village, a kids haven

Further north, one of the Faroes’ most visited destinations, Gjógv, beckons with its multi-coloured houses, winding lanes and backdrop of steep grassy hillsides -- all set above the narrowest of rocky inlets which plunge to the ocean below. Gjógv’s claim to fame is its natural harbour—a gorge filled with seawater that stretches from the village to the ocean. 

Slættaratindur, the roof of the Faroe Islands

The hairpin-bend drive down to Gjógv from the Faroes’ highest peak, Slættaratindur (882m), is arguably the prettiest on the islands. From its summit, on a clear day, you can see all 18 islands in a spectacular view and perhaps get a rare sight of the deep Ambadalur valley with Kalsoy's sharp hill in the background. 

From there on continues the steep descent down to Funningur, possibly the oldest village in the Faroe Islands (first settled in ca. 825 AD), where you pass the route to the iconic Hvíthamar viewpoint, and not forgetting the mountain pass through which the road to nearby Hellur (another great place for photos) winds its way, are both equally stunning.

See our village path routes to Hellurnar & Gjógv

Go for a pleasant walk between the magnificent mountains of Fuglafjørður along the old village path to Hellurnar. The path from Funningur to Gjógv is also wonderful & has some interesting historical traces.

Tradition & innovation in wool

If you’re after fantastic sea views, head for the southern tip of Eysturoy, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking open ocean vistas across to Tórshavn and the northern tip of Nólsoy. In fact, there’s even a special shelter close to the shore where you can sit and admire the view – out of the wind – what a good idea! Before you leave Eysturoy, though, be sure to check out the innovative & sustainable knit brand Navia at their store and main craft studio in Toftir, located barely a kilometre or two from the exit from the tunnel from Streymoy, where you might just pick up that Faroese jumper you’d been promising yourself! 

Fluffy sheep are ubiquitous in the Faroes, as are the stylish sweaters made from their thick wool…inspired by the fog-draped landscape.   

Jeanine Barone, The New York Times

Legend of Eiðiskollur

The tale of Risin and Kellingin, the giant and the witch from Iceland who set out to steal the Faroe Islands, is one of the more famous local legends. Like any good story passed down through generations, it has taken on different forms over time. But the gist is always the same: in their grand heist, they tried to secure the islands by tying a rope around Eiðiskollur mountain. In true mythological fashion, they got a little too caught up in the moment and forgot to check the time. As the first rays of sunlight hit, the pair was turned to stone, doomed to stand frozen in the Atlantic Ocean next to Eiðiskollur forever. Classic rookie mistake.

Map

The Eysturoy Map
- yours to unfold
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Day trip to Tjørnuvík
Guide to travelling to Tjørnuvík by public bus
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