CURRENTLY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC

Mykineshólmur is the westernmost point of the Faroe Islands. It is an islet connected to Mykines Island by a 40-meter-long footbridge that rises 30 meters above the Atlantic Ocean (the bridge is closed). A historic lighthouse, built in 1909, stands at the end of the islet. This lighthouse guided ships through treacherous waters and served as a weather station, measuring temperatures and wind speeds.

The islet was once home to a small community of up to 25 people. Initially, a single house was built for the lighthouse keeper, but by the 1930s, two more houses had been constructed. The residents lived a unique and isolated life, including children who were schooled at home during winter and in the village during summer. They kept a milking cow and chickens on the land around the houses and occasionally undertook tasks for the University of Copenhagen, such as observing the Northern Lights.

Mykineshólmur is renowned for its rich birdlife, being the only place in the Faroe Islands where Sea Gannets (Morus bassanus) can be found. With a wingspan of up to two meters, these magnificent birds arrive on the islet around January 25 and depart by November 11 when their chicks have fledged. The islet and the surrounding sea stacks, Píkarsdrangur and Flatidrangur, are also home to Puffins, Kittiwakes, and Fulmars, making it a haven for birdwatchers.

During World War II, the lighthouse keepers' job became perilous as German planes frequently attacked the lighthouse. The remains of the old shelters, about 200 meters from the lighthouse, are a poignant reminder of the danger they faced. In 1970, the lighthouse was fully automated, rendering the lighthouse keeper’s role redundant, and the last residents left the islet around that time. Today, only one house remains on Mykineshólmur, and though it is closed to the public, one can still see the lighthouse’s three blinks every 20 seconds.

From Mykineshólmur, there are stunning views of the western and southern parts of the Faroe Islands, including Vágar, Hestur, Koltur, Streymoy, Sandoy, Skúvoy, Stóra Dímun, Lítla Dímun, and Suðuroy. The islet's remote beauty and rich history make it a fascinating, albeit inaccessible, part of the Faroese landscape.