Capital, population and attractions of the Faroe Islands. Where are the Faroe Islands located? Where is the Faroe Islands? Faroe Islands area

Faroe Islands- a group of 18 islands in the North Atlantic Ocean between Scotland (Great Britain), from which they are almost 400 km north, and Iceland, which is 420 km northwest of the Faroe Islands.

The Faroe Islands is an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Denmark. Since 1948, the islands have independently governed virtually all matters with the exception of defense and foreign policy.

The capital and main port of the islands is the city of Torshavn, located on the southeastern coast of Streimoy Island.

Archipelago Faroe Islands consists of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. The main islands are Streymoy, Esturoy, Sudura, Vagar, Sandoy, Bordeaux. The largest island is Stremoy (373.5 km²). The total area of ​​all islands is 1395.74 km².

Distance to Iceland - 450 km, to Norway - 675 km, to Copenhagen - 1117 km. The economic maritime zone off the coast of the Faroe Islands is 200 nautical miles.

The highest point of the islands is the Slattaratindur peak on the Esturoi island - 882 m above sea level. The Faroe Islands are dotted with numerous fjords and have a rugged coastline. The islands, for the most part, due to the constant strong winds, are treeless, although there are plantings of hard conifers, maple and mountain ash.

Climate

The climate of the Faroe Islands is temperate maritime, with cool winters and cool wet summer... The coldest month is January, the temperature is from 0 ° C to + 4 ° C, the warmest month is July, the temperature is from +11 ° C to +17 ° C. Annual precipitation is 1600-2000 mm, precipitation (mainly in the form of rain) lasts about 280 days a year, most of it falls from September to January, fogs are frequent.

Thanks to the tropical Gulf Stream, the water around the islands all year round has a temperature of about + 10 ° C, which softens the climatic conditions and provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.

Faroe Islands population

The population is 48,856 people (2009), of which: 91.7% are Faroese; 5.8% are Danes; 0.4% - Icelanders; 0.2% - Norwegians; 0.2% are Poles.

Age structure of the population: 0-14 years: 21.6%; 15-64 years old: 64%; 65 years old and older: 14.4%.

The population of the Faroes is mainly Lutheran (80%). Lutheranism is a Protestant movement in Christianity.

The official language of the islands is Faroese (a modified version of the Old Norwegian language), almost all residents understand Danish, English is widely spoken.

Currency

The official currency of the Faroe Islands is the Faroe koruna. 1 Faroese krone is equal to 100 ore. The Faroese krone is equivalent to the Danish krone, that is, it has the same exchange rate. In circulation there are banknotes in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50 crowns, coins in denominations of 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 crown, 50 and 25 era.

The islands' currency is issued by the National Bank of Denmark and is considered a variant of the Danish krone. Consequently, it does not have an official ISO code and is not convertible. In most cases, to avoid confusion, it is called the Danish krone (DKK), since the local currency is rigidly tied to this particular unit. Formally, Danish crowns themselves are not accepted in the Faroe Islands, only local currency is used.

It is best to exchange currencies at banks and exchange offices; exchange fees are small. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 16:00, on Thursday until 18:00, banks are closed on weekends.

You can exchange money at banks or at the exchange office of Vaugar airport (open from 10.00 to 2.00). Banks usually charge quite a small commission for the exchange, but for the most part they work only with euros and Danish kronor.

Credit cards from the world's leading systems (American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa) are widely accepted.

Travel checks can be cashed at many banks and hotels, or used to pay at most restaurants and shops.

Communication and communications

International code: +298.

Internet domain: .fo.

In case of emergency, call 112. reference Information - 118.

How to call

In order to call the Faroe Islands, you need to dial: 8 - dial tone - 10 - 298 - the number of the called subscriber (you do not need to dial the area code).

mobile connection

Officially, there are two mobile communication standards in the Faroes - NMT (analog) and GSM (digital). However, in recent years, GSM has practically replaced the analog standard, and now the coverage area covers almost the entire territory of the islands.

SIM cards from Faroese operators can be purchased at Teleshops kiosks, petrol stations, post offices, hotels and tourist offices.

Fixed connection

The telephone system of the Faroe Islands is at a high level and provides the entire modern range of services. Foroya Tele's (Faroese Telecom) public payphones located in many public places operate on both coins and credit cards.

Internet

Despite the fact that the Faroe Islands are a major intermediate point for many telecommunications systems linking Europe and North America, the level of network services here is relatively low. Only large business centers, hotels and post offices are provided with stable high-speed communications.

The public Internet cafe Telecentre (Teledepilin) ​​can only be found in the capital (Niels Finsensgota, 10). However, you can also take advantage of the numerous access points located in the tourist information offices.

Shopping

Most shops open at 09:00 or 10:00 and are open until 17:30. On Fridays, some only close at 19:00. On Saturdays, shops open at 09:00 and are open until 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00. All shops are closed on Sundays. Kiosks, shops at gas stations close at 23:00.

Travelers can receive a partial VAT refund (25%) when leaving the country. If in any store that has a "Tax-free for Tourists" announcement on the window, the purchase amount exceeds US $ 48, you must take a receipt, according to which approximately 15% of the value of the goods will be refunded at the customs at the airport.

The price level on the islands is slightly higher than on the mainland and is comparable to Norwegian, so a trip to the Faroe Islands cannot be called a cheap event.

Almost all manufactured goods are imported, so they are not cheap, but food (especially fish), wool and leather goods, and some alcoholic drinks pretty inexpensive.

Fresh vegetables are available all year round, as many islanders get them from their gardens, and most of them go to store shelves. The assortment of fruits is somewhat lower, but also meets all international standards.

There are enough shops in Torshavn, whose assortment is not much different from the goods sold in some small town in Europe.

Where to stay

There is no "star" classification of hotels on the Faroe Islands, the following classification is used: "Deluxe", "Superior", "Standard", which approximately corresponds to the European classification of 5, 4 and 3-star hotels. A special classification was introduced due to the specificity of local hotels located on small islands with limited infrastructure, where accommodation is offered in bungalows or cottages no higher than 2 floors. When choosing, you should carefully read the specific list of services provided by this or that hotel.

Most of the local hotels are small private guesthouses, there are no ultra-expensive rooms at all, and you can always find accommodation at quite reasonable prices ($ 10-15 per night). Mid-range hotels charge $ 20-70 per day for their services, higher-class hotels - from $ 70 and more.

Sea and beaches

The Faroe Islands are best visited during the summer months, when precipitation is unlikely and the weather is warm and comfortable.

On the coast at the foot of Mount Tindur there are beaches of black basalt sands.

Superb beaches from the dark volcanic sand are also located near the town of Skalavig.

History of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands have been known to Irish monks since about 500 AD. In the period between 700 and 800, immigrants from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century when the Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Since the 9th century, the Faroe Islands have become a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located on the territory of Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.

From the 11th century until 1380, the Faroe Islands were part of Norway, during this reign the local population converted to Christianity. When Norway entered into an alliance with Denmark, 2 powers already began to rule the islands, and in 1814, after Norway left the union, Denmark became the sole owner of the islands.

The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on April 11, 1940 to decide on the deployment of the cruiser in the port of Torshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during World War II, following the German invasion of Denmark. The British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945.

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and voting, the Parliament of the Faroe Islands announced the withdrawal of the islands from Denmark. This decision was ratified by the parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. Suduryo Island, the third largest in the entire group, has announced that it will remain part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the work of the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight preponderance of supporters of non-secession from Denmark and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 1948, an agreement was reached, according to which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty, the foreign policy of the islands was still in charge of the Danish government. Two representatives of the islands serve on a permanent basis in the Danish parliament.

Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear weapons, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.

It is completely unacceptable to bargain, and in any institution, regardless of the size and form of ownership.

Alcoholic drinks are sold only to persons over 18 years of age. Light beer can be bought in shops, restaurants and cafes. Strong beer, wine and other types of alcohol can be purchased only in specialized stores in large villages (indicated by the Government Monopoly sign) and in licensed restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, etc.

Fishing is permitted only in certain waters and only on the basis of a fishing license, which can be purchased at all tourist offices. All equipment and equipment, including fishing rods, floats, fishing lines and lures, must be disinfected before arriving in the Faroes (previously, this parameter was carefully monitored at customs, now the Faroese leave this rule on the conscience of the tourist). The instructions and rules for fishing in local lakes (the islanders call them in the Scottish manner - "sucker") are printed in all tourist brochures and brochures and must be followed. The fishing season in streams and streams lasts from May 1st to August 31st. Sea fishing is allowed all year round.

In the Faroe Islands, fortune-telling in the footsteps of the Norn is common. Norn's marks are specks that appear on the nails. They are interpreted according to their shape, color and place where they appeared.

These islands are also famous for their hand-knitted wool shawls from local sheep. They have an unusual butterfly shape and, unlike other types of shawls and scarves, thanks to their design, they lie firmly on the shoulders, even if they are not tied.

Since the weather on the islands is very unpredictable, special requirements are imposed on clothing. A waterproof and windproof jacket is a must here at any time of the year. It is also recommended to have a warm sweater and vest, a strong pair of boots with thick soles and good ankle support, light scarves, hats and gloves, especially when traveling to the sea (and it is everywhere). Lightweight boots or athletic shoes for walking on populated areas will also be useful.

Also, the obligatory set should include sunglasses with glass filters, since the level of ultraviolet radiation is quite high here.

When moving around the islands, you should have with you a small backpack with a set of clothes and linen, a small supply drinking water or a hot drink (coffee, tea, cocoa), as well as high-calorie food (chocolate, dried fruit, etc.).

Be sure to take a detailed map of the area with you and notify the local tourist office of the route and the time of its passage. In the case of frequent fogs here, you should not look for the road on your own - it is recommended to stop in the place where he found it and wait for help. Particular care must be taken when moving along the coastline and coastal cliffs.

Any journey longer than 3 km should only be accompanied by local guide and in the presence of means of communication (cell phone or walkie-talkie). Also, GPS receivers will be quite useful - despite the small size of the islands, the relief here is so complicated that it is simply impossible to find your way without knowing local signs.

A detailed booklet describing the most interesting routes can be purchased at any of the local tourist offices for 10 CZK.

How to get to the Faroes

The easiest way to get from Moscow to the Faroe Islands is with SAS with a transfer in Copenhagen (Denmark). Aeroflot and SAS have daily flights from Moscow to Copenhagen (2 hours). SAS also flies six times a week from St. Petersburg (2 hours).

The islands-based airline Atlantic Airways (part of the SAS) operates flights from Iceland, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom to Vagar Airport in the Faroe Islands. The same directions are served by several more small companies.

Daily flights to the Faroe Islands are carried out only from Danish Copenhagen - usually 2-3 times a day, from other countries flights are carried out once every few days, and in winter they may stop altogether.

In addition to the plane, the islands can also be reached by the Smyril Line ferry. It runs once a week from Torshavn to Danish Huntsholm, the British Shetland Islands and Icelandic Seydisfjordur. In summer, he also visits Bergen, Norway.

The Faroe Islands have many natural attractions that every traveler should see. Here are the most interesting ones.

The Faroe Islands are not the most popular tourist destination. This land is sometimes also called "the end of the world", because not everyone is able to find the Faroes on the map. But the Faroese archipelago can rightfully be called one of the most beautiful places on our planet. There are excellent conditions for hiking. And the landscapes are striking in variety: from rocky cliffs to heather-covered wastelands; from the waterfalls with crystal clean water to the snow-capped mountain peaks.

Faroe Islands travel guide

We have found 6 places and points of attraction, which will definitely be enough for the first visit to see the most interesting places Faroe Islands. And get your own impression of the grandeur and beauty of the archipelago, located in the ocean - somewhere halfway from Denmark to. By the way, the Faroe Islands and all their natural attractions are under the jurisdiction of Denmark.

1. Tindhölmur Island

it small island located between the larger islands of Vagar and Michenes. It is interesting in that it has a pointed mountain peak that occupies almost the entire area of ​​Tindhölmur. A stunning view of this small piece of land opens from the village of Bour, which is located on a neighboring island. But best of all, Tindhölmur can be viewed from a helicopter or ferry. You can visit the island itself, but excursions to Tindyholmur are held only in summer.

The pointed peak of the island of Tindhölmur - the symbol of the Faroe Islands

2. Gasadalur village

It is located next to Wagar Airport. This is one of the most popular and interesting places in the Faroe Islands. Despite this, you will never meet more than three people here. The small houses of this village are located at the top of a cliff next to a waterfall, the waters of which fall directly into the ocean. This place will seem like a paradise for introverts and people who love silence and loneliness.

The coast of the village of Gasadalur on the island of Vagar (Faroe Islands)

3. Lake Servogswatn

One cannot but pay attention to another attraction of the Faroe Islands, also located in the immediate vicinity of the Vagar airport. Tourists can see this lake during landing. Locals gave Servogsvatn another name - "hanging lake". This is due to the fact that the lake is located almost above the ocean. And if you look at it from a certain side, then the illusion is created that the lake is hanging over the ocean surface.

Lake Sørvogsvatn - one of the most interesting places in the Faroe Islands

4. The village of Chodnuvuik

A small village located on the territory of Streimoy Island. The village is located in a beautiful harbor surrounded by Mountain peaks... Here you can see another attraction of the Faroese archipelago - two sea cliffs, the name of which, translated into Russian, sounds like "The giant and the witch". Against the background of the mountains, these stones may seem just tiny, but if you get closer to them, it turns out that their height reaches 70 meters! Now think about what then the height of the neighboring rocks.

On the way to this beautiful village, you can also see the Fossa waterfall, which is the largest in the Faroe Islands.

What else to see in the Faroe Islands? Island life, in the village of Chodnuvuik!

5. Fugloy Island

This is a place where you can feel and understand what Faroese life is. The streets are usually deserted here. You can meet local residents only at those moments when the ferry approaches the pier, and almost the whole village leaves to meet it. The rest of the time, loneliness and tranquility reign here. It may seem that the surrounding houses are empty, and you are the only person on this earth. But this does not cause a feeling of fear, only pacification and melancholy.

6. Michines Island

Like other attractions of the Faroe Islands, it can be called a real pearl of the archipelago. In summer, photographers and nature lovers from all over the world flock here. Firstly, the island is attractive for its beautiful landscapes. Numerous paths lead directly to high cliffs and mountain cliffs. For many, this is already enough to visit the Faroe Islands. But there is another reason.

There are huge bird colonies here. The most attractive of them are dead ends, which absolutely everyone loves. There are so many of them that you can see nests at every turn.

Bird colonies on Michines Island - how can you pass by such beauty?

Another attraction of the island is the very old lighthouse (see on the cover of the article), which was built a hundred years ago. Actually, the lighthouse is located on Michinesholm Island, but today a bridge has been built between it and the main island. Before the lighthouse was not automated, the caretaker and his family lived in it. Now, in your imagination, create a picture of their life. They were cut off from the rest of the world, and food and news from big land only ships were brought to them.

Stories like these add a bit of magic to places like this ...

Where to stay in the Faroe Islands

So, where is it better to book a hotel so that it is convenient to go on excursions, visit and photograph the sights of the Faroes? Oddly enough, but the most convenient place is in the capital - from there you can buy tickets for ferries in all directions. Therefore, all the hotels that we have selected for you are located in Torshavn:

• Hotel Føroyar 4 *. Design hotel designed by the Danish bureau Friis & Moltke in incredible scenic location- on the shores of the Faroese fjord. Nicely decorated modern rooms, Koks restaurant serving national cuisine, varied lounge areas. The center of Torshavn is 2 km away. But on the other hand, each room overlooks the Nolsoy Bay.

  

  4 star hotels in Torshavn, Faroe - Hotel Føroyar

• Hotel Havn. A modern budget hotel in the area of ​​the picturesque bay - the main harbor of Torshavn. To the center from here 20 minutes on foot - scenic walks - even from the early morning, even under the moon - are provided for you. But next to Hotel Havn there is also a public transport stop.

  

  Inexpensive but quality hotel in the Faroe Islands - Hotel Havn

  Private apartments in the Faroe Islands

Video: the most interesting places in the Faroe Islands

Video journey from Alex Stead to the most famous landmarks of the Faroe Islands.

As a summary

The Faroe Islands are a whole world far from civilization. Her crazy pace of life. Here you are surrounded only by high mountains, huge open spaces and the ocean. Nothing holds you back: no city skyscrapers, no traffic lights, no traffic. You can go where the heart wants. That is why people in the Faroes have a kind and big heart, because this is what helps them to live in these wild places, surrounded only by rocks and a raging ocean.

• and routes

The Faroe Islands are considered part of Europe, but many do not even know exactly where they are. In Russia, the archipelago attracts attention on those rare occasions when the Russian national football team plays against the Faroe Islands national team in qualifying matches for the World Cup or Europe.

The archipelago, which consists of 18 volcanic islands with a total area of ​​about 1400 square kilometers, is home to 50 thousand people today. The indigenous inhabitants of the island, about 98% of the population, speak one of the rarest languages ​​in Europe - Faroese, akin to Icelandic and Old Norse. Danish is the second official language in the Faroe Islands.

Until the end of the 19th century, sheep breeding, which gave the name to the islands, played a major role in the life of the Faroese, sheep wool was the main commodity in trade with Denmark. However, for more than a century, the main income for the inhabitants of the archipelago, located in the heart of the fish-rich region of the Atlantic, has been provided by fishing. Cod, salmon and halibut harvested in local waters account for over 99% of local exports.

This is not surprising if we remember that, according to the classic of Faroese literature, William Hayneson, the capital of the Faroes, the city of Torshavn, is, in fact, the famous “navel of the earth”. For the Faroese, Torshavn is one of the the most important places on earth, the very place where everything happens.

45 thousand Faroese believe that the archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic is the legendary Atlantis, which plunged into the depths of the ocean many centuries ago. The exclusivity is evident.

Ancient history of the Faroe Islands

Modern Faroese are descendants of the Vikings, who at the end of the 9th century. they did not want to put up with the cruel reign of King Harald the Fair-haired and sailed here, where before the brave sailors were only visiting. In the 11th century. Christianity was brought here from Norway and for a short period the islands were subordinated to the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. After his death, Norway's power over the islands was purely nominal, and in 1380, when the Danish-Norwegian union was concluded, the islands passed into double subordination. When Norway dissolved the union in 1814, the islands remained with Denmark, which became the sole owner of the islands. The inhabitants of the islands are of Scandinavian roots, and the Faroese language is a descendant of the Old Norse language.

In the period between 700 and 800, immigrants from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Since the 9th century, the Faroe Islands have become a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located on the territory of Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.

Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe Islands

The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill on April 11, 1940 to decide on the deployment of the cruiser in the port of Torshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during World War II, following the German invasion of Denmark. The British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945. More than 8,000 British soldiers took part in the occupation.

Post-war history of the Faroe Islands

In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and voting, the Parliament of the Faroe Islands announced the withdrawal of the islands from Denmark. This decision was ratified by the parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. Suduroy Island, the third largest in the entire group, has announced that it will remain part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the work of the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight preponderance of supporters of non-secession from Denmark and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.

In 1940 the Faroe Islands were occupied British navy, in 1948 the status quo was restored. An agreement was reached, according to which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty, the foreign policy of the islands was still in charge of the Danish government. 2 representatives of the islands are constantly working in the Danish parliament. The Faroese, although they do not particularly feel the Danish "oppression", do not let the metropolis forget about themselves. For example, the islands are not formally part of the European Union, having rejected this proposal in a referendum. National clothes and customs largely preserve the era of the sagas, when people believed in the harsh Odin, the strong Thor and the gentle Freya. Monuments here often belong to the early Middle Ages. Torshavn - in the capital of the Faroe Islands it is worth looking at the Skansapakkusio building, the Munkastovan monastery, Historical Museum and the Listaskalin art gallery.

Kirkuber - Magnus Cathedral, St. Olav's Church, the ruins of St. Brendan's Church and the Roikstovan farm stand out among the attractions of this city. Saksun is a small village, in the vicinity of which there are Pollur and Saksunarvatn lakes, Saskun church and Duvuvaryur farm.

Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.

To enter the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens need a visa issued by the consular section of the Danish embassy.

The Faroe is a beautiful and rich country, with its own wonderful culture, in addition, people here are closely related to each other, now family and friendships mean a lot to the Faroese.

The difference between Danish and Faroese societies is initially subtle, but there is. So, for example, in Denmark people first of all value their busyness, it is customary there to first call, warning of their arrival, and even agree on the time of the visit. On the Faroe Islands, friends and acquaintances easily, without ceremony, drop in to see each other just to say hello. So I think the main difference is that the Faroese find time for each other to be together.

In the Scandinavian countries, there is a “Janthe Loven Code”: no one has the right to put himself above society, the most important rule of the Code is “do not think that you are anything of yourself. And everyone obeys this unwritten rule, from a monarch to a mere mortal. There is a similar situation in the Faroes. In this regard, matters with public morality here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Scandinavia.

In late 2006, Faroese society was engulfed in debate over the rights of sexual minorities to be protected from harassment. Most local politicians spoke out against the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, considering it contrary to the Christian tenets on which Faroese society is based. Another significant event last year in the life of the Faroese was that the local ethics council banned the showing of the famous film "The Da Vinci Code", considering the interpretation of the role of Christ blasphemous and contrary to the canons of Christianity.

The Faroe Islands are a very religious country, a religious society. But it should be borne in mind that in all religions there are radical movements and there are such Christian extremists in the Faroe Islands. Of course, extremists are extremely negatively opposed to the law protecting people of non-traditional sexual orientation, but they do not express the opinion of the majority of the population of the Faroe Islands. In Denmark, by the way, there are also ultra-Orthodox Christians, united in the organization "Inner Mission", they are very similar to the Orthodox from the Faroe Islands, but in either case we are not talking about the majority of the population. In fact, the Faroe Islands are a very open society, it may seem closed, closed in itself, but in reality it is not. The people here are very friendly, generous and welcoming. And foreigners arriving in the Faroe Islands as tourists or moving here for permanent residence can confirm that they are received here very kindly. After all, the Faroese are sympathetic to everything new that comes into their lives.

The Faroe Islands (Faeroerne, Faroe Islands) is a Danish possession, occupying over 20 islands in the north-east of the Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea. The total area of ​​the property is 1.4 thousand square kilometers. The islands are home to 48.2 thousand people, mainly Faroese. They have their own language, which is the state language here along with Danish. The Faroes have their own coat of arms and flag and enjoy internal autonomy, although they are subject to Denmark. The administrative center of the Faroe Islands is the city of Torshavn with a population of 15.6 thousand people. The islands are subdivided into 8 regions.
The Faroe Islands are of volcanic origin, up to 882 m high. The shores of the islands are heavily indented by fjords. The landscape of the Faroes is characterized by meadows, peat bogs, heaths. The Faroe Rocks are a favorite place for bird colonies.
The basis of the economic potential of the Faroe Islands is 260 fishing vessels. The fishing industry employs most of the able-bodied Faroese. The second most important branch of the economy is animal husbandry, which specializes in raising sheep and producing milk. Local transportation is carried out by road and sea transport. In terms of living standards, the Faroe Islands are among the most prosperous countries in the world, they are reluctant to receive visitors, but tourists are provided with hospitality.

The name in the local dialect means "Sheep Islands". Sheep breeding is very important for local residents, and wonderful blankets, sweaters and other products are made from high-quality wool here. The tourist season falls in the warm summer months from June to September. The Faroe Islands calendar has about two dozen official holidays... On June 28 and 29, the country celebrates National Olavsok Day, named after St. Olav, who preached Christianity in ancient Scandinavia. Over the course of two holidays, the Faroese capital, Torshavn, hosts exhibitions, sports competitions, horse races, festive masses and noisy folklore performances. Around the same time, the Vestanstevna festival, which is almost identical in program, is taking place in the Western Faroes.

Mostly eco-tourists come here. Skalafjordur, a picturesque fjord, considered the best harbor in the Faroe Islands, will be of interest to hikers. Mykines is a tiny island in the northwest of the archipelago. There are Knukur Peak, Steiskogurin Rock Garden and Holmgyogv Canyon.

The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although sometimes conifers, maple, mountain ash are found. Mosses and lichens are widespread.

The vegetation is mainly represented by meadows, peat bogs and heathlands.

In the Faroe Islands, the climate is similar to the south South America and Tierra del Fuego, from there were introduced several species of Notofagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maitenus Magellan.

Hatchet(lat. Lunda cirrhata), or long-crested puffins (lat.Fratercula cirrhata) - a bird of the auch family. It has a striking appearance - a powerful, laterally flattened red-orange beak, white cheeks, and bunches of long yellowish feathers behind the eyes. The color of the plumage is monotonous, black-brown. The paws are red.

They live on the Asian and American coast of the North Pacific Ocean, in the south up to California. Most often they can be seen flying along the coastline close to the surface of the water in search of food for their young.

The fauna of the Faroe Islands is quite diverse. Primarily of interest are the colonies of Arctic birds and the waters rich in fish (herring, halibut, cod) and sea animals, washing the Faroe Islands. The island is also home to the Faroese breed of sheep.

Guillemot colonies settle on the Faroese rocks.

There are harp seal rookeries in the Faroe Islands.

The Faroese (FrK) and Danish crowns (DKK) are in use in the Faroes. Faroese banknotes, like Danish ones, are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroons. Own coins are not minted on the islands. There are Danish coins in denominations of 25 and 50 ores (1 era = 1/100 kroons), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroons.

The exchange rate of the Danish krone to the US dollar was 5.560 (2008), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002).

Up to 15% of the Faroe's GDP is subsidized by the metropolis.

The main sectors of the Faroese economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. The main export products are fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. About 2% of the land is cultivated.

Until the middle of the 19th century, sheep breeding was the main source of income for the Faroes. Currently, the number of sheep is about 80 thousand heads.

Klara Kulikova writes about the following interesting facts about the Faroe Islands:

I've been to the Faroe Islands about ten times, probably. There I have many acquaintances whom I am glad to see regardless of the presence or absence of a business. Acquaintances who, over the years of communication, have become friends.

I really like this place. First of all, he likes his people. Contrary to the hysteria of the whale defenders, the people there are very open, pure and in many respects virgin.

1. Houses are not locked up everywhere in the Faroe Islands. The last time, instead of a hotel, we rented the top floor of the house: the owners lived on the basement, their daughter on the first, we took the top with three bedrooms, a separate bathroom and toilet. "Will we get the key?" - I asked the hostess. "No!" - she was very surprised, why do you need him?

"Do you really not lock houses?" - I asked my old friend Birgir. "Why lock them up?" - in turn, he was surprised, - "I have five children, they always lose their keys, so we do not lock our house!"

2. There is virtually no crime on the Faroes. During the Cold War, the United States established a military base on the islands. Last years it was mothballed: only a few people were constantly there. Now, on the territory of the base, a prison has been equipped, where local violators are placed for a short time: as a rule, for drunk driving. At the time of our arrival, there were as many as four people in the "prison", the names of all four are known to all the islands. If you leave your bike on the side of the road, no one will touch it. If you drop your wallet on the road, it will be returned to you with a probability of 99.9%, or it will be left in the nearest cafe / store / mall.

3. On the question of whale hunting: the Faroese continue to live as they did five hundred years ago. Civilization has changed them little. In addition to hunting whales, the Faroese slaughter sheep with their own hands (many keep sheep). It is difficult for a European to believe in this, but very shocking natural science lessons are held in Faroese schools.

A week before our arrival, the twelve-year-old daughter of Birgir brought a live sheep to the classroom, killed it right in the classroom with a special pneumatic pistol and gutted it in the classroom. The rest of the children helped her as much as they could: on the Faroes, this does not shock anyone.

"But why, Birgir?"- I asked in bewilderment. "What do you mean why? Not all children now know how to do this, she just taught them! "

4. Sheep's head is an exquisite delicacy in the Faroes. "And what is in it?" - I asked my other friend. "Like what? Eyes, brains, cheeks! Yes all!"
Frozen sheep's heads can be bought in the central supermarket in Torshavn (called SMS) as well as in some small shops. For convenience, the head is sawn lengthwise, frozen and packed in a vacuum bag.

5. Much to our surprise, the Faroes have a pretty good selection of food (in contrast to "hungry" Norway, in whose supermarkets you want to cry). Most of the food is frozen (and produced in Denmark), but it is there. On sale there is delicious venison, a lot of seafood, as well as fresh locally caught fish. Smoked salmon is also of local production and is also absolutely incomparable: I will say with full responsibility that neither Ukraine nor Russia can make such fish.

6. In the Faroe Islands (in contrast to Denmark, to which the Faroe Islands are de jure), there are very strict requirements for the sale of alcohol. There is only one store in Torshavna, which sells beer of "regular" strength, as well as wine and vodka. Everything is very expensive. For some inexplicable reason, beer is sold only in multiples of six. That is, six, twelve, eighteen and so on cans or bottles. The restriction applies both to packages (in which there are actually six cans or bottles) and to individual cans / bottles.

The question "and if there are only five bottles left, will you not sell them?" introduces store workers into a specific stupor. It seems that no one there thinks about it.

All other stores (including the largest supermarket in the Faroe Islands) sell light beer with an alcohol content of no more than 0.2% &

A similar situation with alcohol in the Faroes was initiated back in the thirties of the last century. Alcohol was sold uncontrollably, many fishermen got drunk, but in the thirties men inadvertently gave women the right to vote in elections.
The first (!) Thing women did when they got their license was to push through the ban on the sale of alcohol on the islands. Complete ban.
The men tried to protest, but it was too late: the fishermen took their husbands tightly by the balls.

The return of alcohol to any kind of sale continued for decades. And it continues to this day.

7. At the same time, a very good and very specific aqua vit is produced on the Faroe Islands, which is called HAVIÐ, with a strength of 50.1 degrees. This strength is the result of a marketing strategy, the essence of which is unknown to me.

8. Also, in spite of the prohibitions and restrictions, very good beer is produced in the Faroes, and the Black Sheep variety is generally beyond praise.

9. One of my acquaintances in the Faroe Islands created an ideal business: he collected waste from fish processing plants (mainly pollock heads), then dried it, pressed it and sold it to poor African countries. Why Ideal Business? Raw materials are free, the market is huge, the idea is great, what can I say.

10. On the Faroes, the Danish krone is in use, but the piquancy of the situation is that the Faroes have their own Danish krone, with a very special design. From my own experience, I will say that I have never had the most beautiful money in my hands.

Tindhólmur Island- one of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. Area - 6500 sq.m. The highest point is 262 m. Each of the small peaks has its own name: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði, and Bogdi.

The island is uninhabited, but archaeological data say that people once lived on it.

Every year, the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands catch and kill whales and grindas (black dolphins) during the traditional hunt known as "Grindadrap". The sea in the region of the Faroe Islands becomes as bloody and eerie as the cruel rite itself.

Faroese men often say that whaling makes them feel like real Faroese. Despite criticism from animal rights groups and the International Whaling Commission, the population of the Faroe Islands continues to kill thousands of whales year after year.

A crowd of hunters herds the whales and dolphins into the bay, and then breaks their spines, leaving the animals to slowly bleed. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some whales fight in agony for hours. “Whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures, and they can feel pain and fear, just like us. They are forced to watch as their relatives die in water red from blood, in anticipation of their own death. "

Hundreds of grindas or black dolphins, as they are sometimes called, become victims of the Faroese every year. I don't even know what definition to give this bloody process ... Some say, they say, killing whales for the population of the Faroe Islands - a national fun, others - a tradition, and still others - a vital necessity. Perhaps I will focus on tradition - do not judge, as they say, but you will not be judged. This event has a national scale. On a certain day, I don’t know which day, apparently, when the meat stocks run out, the Faroese men slaughter the grinds, and women and children gather with pleasure on the shore and look at this picture. In short, the entire population is involved - no one is indifferent.

Whaling has existed on the "remnants of Atlantis" since at least the tenth century, and it is not regulated by the International Whaling Commission, but by the Faroese authorities, due to - to quote Wikipedia - "the existence of disagreements over the competence of the commission in relation to small cetaceans." I don’t know how to put it easier, because I myself didn’t really understand the meaning. It turns out that the traditional, with a long history Grind massacre in the Faroe Islands smoothly developed into a kind of public holiday. At least, according to eyewitness accounts, this is exactly what it looks like.

I don't know how to judge all this. On the one hand, it is scary, creepy, disgusting, low and disgusting, but on the other, there are probably tribes somewhere in Africa in which people devour each other, but no one condemns them: well, there is, and there is, what can you do, since they have such a way of life.

Here is what eyewitnesses write:

Killing whales is a national fun

In order to feel like men and breadwinners, the Faroese staged a massive slaughter of whales. The entire population took part in this. Men catch and women and children watch and support.

Unfortunately, this cruel tradition has survived to this day. But now whale hunting has become something of a national holiday on the islands. Not for the sake of food, but for the sake of blood, lust for profit and satisfaction of their barbaric instincts.

Here they hunt for grind or, as they are also called, black dolphins. Grinds swim in a flock that blindly follows the leader. One has only to lure him alone, as everyone else will follow him to certain death. Whales are driven into shallow waters in special bays. They are surrounded by boats and driven to the shore with stones, sticks, harpoons.

The first time I learned about this "holiday" soon after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Once I came to pick up my children from kindergarten and saw the excited faces of the teachers. Happiness and satisfaction were written on them. Excitedly gesturing, they said that today they went to see how dolphins were slaughtered and took all the children there. They liked everything very much, and the children are absolutely delighted.

After that, the children in the kindergarten all week drew pictures of how dolphins are slaughtered, how they are pulled out, killed, and pools of blood. The more terrible the picture, the more honorable place on the wall it was. The exhibition of children's works hung for a long time and frightened with all its appearance.
My children, on the other hand, received deep psychological stress. They matured one day and realized that death exists and walks side by side in the form of a Faroese with a harpoon and a spear.

Nobody asked permission if it was possible to lead the children to watch this horror. They were just taken away - because it's cool. Because many Faroese sincerely believe that the slaughter of whales is one of the most beautiful spectacles. And in the future, the children were taken to this slaughter more than once, although they were warned that they should not be taken there. But the educators forgot everything at the moment of excitement from the upcoming action.

Through the eyes of an eyewitness

I do not know of a more barbaric spectacle that takes place with the approval of the government and with the participation of almost all people, young and old. This is real horror.

As soon as a flock of whales approaches the island, the Faroese abandon all business and flee to fish. The people will recognize by radio, mobile phones and simply from each other - today they are beating whales.
They run as fast as they can, just to be in time, just not to be late. They run with crazy eyes. Everyone is running, even pregnant women and young mothers who grab their children, put them in strollers and also rush to the shore. Other children dangle underfoot, they are knocked down, now it is not up to children - they are beating whales. Kindergartens and schools are brought there so that everyone can participate in the process and look at the bloody mess. How innocent animals are killed.

Just a couple of hours ago, kind and lovely Faroese become wild animals. They make sure that the whales cannot leave the shallow water. With wild faces, they throw stones at them, beat them with spears and knock them into a chaotic mass. The wounded animals become insane and rush in search of freedom. People rush to them from the shore and finish them off right in the water. Hooks and sticks are stuck into the still alive whales and dragged to the shore, where their throats are cut.

Women and children support men, run through pools of blood. Everything around is covered in blood. The bloody sea is completely red. The entire coast is drenched in the blood of innocent victims of the Faroese cruelty. The faces, hands, clothes of people are all covered in blood. Satisfaction on faces, smiles, joy, pleasure, buzz - all this gamut of feelings is read on all faces.

Thirst for blood plus thirst for freebies. After all the whales are dead, butchering the prey begins right on the shore. Children are very often involved in the process. They are allowed to mess with their guts and entrails. Shops in the Faroe Islands are littered with various types of meat, but whale meat is not sold there. Because it is handed out at this slaughterhouse for free. On a special site, lists of interested parties are created in advance. Why go to the store and pay money when you can get meat and so even satisfy your barbaric instincts.

On this moment there is no need to slaughter the whales. The Faroese do not starve to death. The supply of food to the islands is well established, but, as the Faroese themselves explain, this is their sport. Yes, that's exactly what they call this nightmare with pride and approval.

Photos of the killing of whales are posted in newspapers, in advertising brochures for tourists, dedicating entire spreads to this and publishing the most horrifying scenes. They shoot videos about the killing of whales and then enjoy watching them on long winter evenings, eating at the same time whale meat and lard. There is no regret, only delight that everything will happen again soon.

I would like to mention that this is not the only murder that children are attracted to in the Faroes. Sheep breeding is very common on the islands, and the slaughter of sheep is a family event that also involves all family members. In front of the eyes of the children, the sheep are slaughtered and butchered, and the children then fiddle around in the guts with a smile on their face. They shoot video and photographs of the process. For a long time, a book with a detailed photo report about this was very popular in the Faroes. It happens that such things are arranged in kindergartens. Probably, so that those children whose parents do not have sheep do not feel left out. They bring a sheep or some kind of sea animal to the kindergarten and butcher them together with the children. Children are given trophies - intestines and so on. Once on the embankment, sailors set up a small open aquarium. Various marine animals swam in containers filled with water - crabs, starfish, fish, octopuses and others. They could be reached and touched. Some children watched the animals with interest, while others simply took them and ripped off their limbs, rejoicing as they writhed and tried to escape. Parents looked at their children with approval and smiles, without making any comments to them and fully supporting this torture. My children clung to me in horror and asked: "Mom, is it really possible?" Why don't parents tell their children not to torture animals? " What could they answer to this?

Dolphins have long been considered the patrons of shipping and sailors. All sailors know the omen - before a storm, dolphins try to go to the depths and not show themselves on the surface, which sailors regard as a warning of an impending storm.

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Where does such inconceivable inquisitorial cruelty towards these creatures come from among the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands?

In fairness, I must say that in the modern world, not everyone shares a romantic point of view on dolphins, considering them dangerous wild animals.

However, the final point in the research of dolphins has not yet been set, and no matter what conclusion the scientists come to, a person has no right to the bloody barbarism taking place in the Faroes.

Many centuries ago, during the time of the Vikings, the ancestors of the islanders lived in completely different conditions and different customs - these were cruel times of war, deprivation, lack of food, and the terrible custom that arose at that time may have been a forced way for their survival.

But now, in modern conditions, with supermarkets littered with food, this barbaric "diet" of the Faroese is blasphemous.

“Real Faroese” should remember that “cruelty cannot be the companion of valor” (Cervantes).

As the descendants of the brave Normans, the Faroese cannot assert themselves at the expense of the bloody massacre of defenseless animals, a much more courageous act would be to decide to end this bloody massacre as historically obsolete and immoral. What do you think?

The Faroe Islands have an amazing landscape, and the location and climate, which contribute to the excellent play of light, attract photographers from all over the world. According to the famous National Geographic Traveler magazine, the Faroe Islands are the most unique islands in the world.

The Faroe Islands is an archipelago of 18 islands, 17 of which are inhabited. If literally the name of the islands is translated from Faroese, then it sounds like "Sheep Islands". The islands are located between the Shetland Islands, Scotland and the island of Iceland, in the North Atlantic. The Faroe Islands, although they belong to the Kingdom of Denmark, are an autonomous region and make independent decisions in almost all matters.

• Date of formation: April 1, 1948;
• Area: 1395 km²;
• Time zone: UTC0;
• Population: 48,300.

Get to the islands

And getting to the islands is not difficult, but you cannot do without a transfer. From Moscow or St. Petersburg, you first need to fly to Copenhagen, about a 2-hour flight. Further to the airport Vagar - this is the only airport in the Faroe Islands, and also international. The best way to get to the Faroe Islands is SAS, which operates flights to the islands from Copenhagen 2-3 times a day. In addition, you can fly to Vagar airport from Norway, Iceland, Great Britain. You can also take a ferry to Torshavn from Huntsholm Denmark, from the Shetland Islands, Seydisfjordur Iceland, and in the summer from Bergen Norway.

A selection favorable air tickets via Aviadiscounter (looking for both Aviasales + selection of airline promotions and sales).

And for the selection of intercity transport (planes, trains, buses) in Europe, try it, the service offers the best ways to travel along popular routes.

Not everyone will be able to quickly show exactly where the Faroe Islands are located on a map. At the same time, more and more tourists go there. Basically, they are attracted by the opportunity to take a break from noisy resorts, bright megacities and city dust.

Located in the Norwegian Sea between Iceland and the Scottish Islands, the archipelago consists of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The population is 48 thousand. It is noteworthy that almost half of these people live in the capital or in its suburbs. The Faroe region is considered bilingual. The official languages ​​are Danish and Faroese, which combines different Western Scandinavian dialects.

To date, there are no direct air flights from Russia to the islands. Therefore, tourists have to change trains in Denmark or Norway. The air ticket can be pre-booked using the Internet. You can get from one island to another by several means of transport, including by ferry. For some tourists, it is most convenient to travel around the islands on a boat hired for an additional fee.

Although the Faroe Islands belong to Denmark, you cannot enter their territory with a Schengen visa. Refusal to join the European Union was deliberate and it is associated with taxes on fishing. Therefore, in order to get to the archipelago, you need to apply for a visa with a special note. Special visa centers where you can follow this, there are in many big cities... However, most of the travelers prefer the services of travel agencies. Everything Required documents are handed over to the agency, and then employees hand over ready-made visas to clients.

Climatic and weather conditions

The islands are located in the central part of the warm sea current known as the Gulf Stream. Therefore, in this place there is a constant off-season. Throughout the year, the number of sunny days does not exceed 80, and the rest of the time it rains. In addition, strong winds blow even in sunny weather. The most comfortable months for visiting the archipelago will be the summer months, when precipitation is rare.

In the Faroes, the climate is quite mild. Average temperature indicators for winter are approximately 0˚ C to + 4˚C. Summer temperature - 11-17˚C. The rainy season lasts from September to January on the islands. Further, the archipelago plunges into fog, which does not let the sun's rays through.

Another feature: the water near the islands is perfectly transparent, and its temperature does not drop below + 10˚C even in winter. This creates ideal conditions for fishing and diving in the winter.

Nature

For those who prefer relaxation in the bosom pristine nature The Faroe Islands is ideal. Most of the territory is occupied by peatlands, meadows and mountain ranges... Numerous lakes and fjords, gorges, rocks and waterfalls will not leave anyone indifferent.

There are few trees on the islands, only occasionally you can see conifers, maples or mountain ash trees. Fauna lovers can devote their free time in the archipelago to watching dolphins, seabirds, whales and seals. Also, an incredibly large number of sheep graze on the hills of these islands.

Sights of the archipelago

Of course, many tourists consider the main attractions in the Faroes beautiful mountains and slopes with flocks of sheep, as well as compact towns and colorful roofs on houses.

Nature lovers will also appreciate the features of the different islands. For example, Streimoy is a paradise for fishing lovers. Here you can catch halibuts, eels and even representatives of the salmon family. Nolsoy attracts tourists with seal rookeries, and Fugloy attracts tourists by the fact that millions of birds have chosen it. And the northern settlement of Skarvanes is famous for a beautiful sea rock called Tretlkonufingur, which means “the finger of a troll woman”.

There is also a large selection of excursion programs on the archipelago. For example, it can be a visit to the capital and small villages or boat trips.

The capital of the islands, Torshavn, is located in an incredibly picturesque area. Most of settlement juts out over the fjord, offering breathtaking views of the mountains and steep cliffs. Torshavn is a very quiet town. It is noisy only in the central square and at the quays.

The main attraction of the capital is the Munkastovan monastery built in the 15th century. It is noteworthy that the monastery surrounded by a stone wall is one of the few buildings that survived after a great fire that raged in the 17th century.

Many will be interested in visiting the Historical Museum. Among its exhibits are ship models, fishing tackle and agricultural implements, from the Viking era to the present day. Also here you can see items that were used by local residents in everyday life. There are also exhibits that are valuable from a religious point of view.

The House of the Server Countries is also worth a visit. There is an art gallery and a concert hall, and on summer evenings there are introductory events for guests of the archipelago.

After a walk in Vidarlund Park, it is worth going to the Art Museum to see amazing examples of painting and sculpture.

If the trip to the archipelago will be in July, it is worth planning your vacation so as to be sure to be on the islands on the 28-29th. During this period, locals nationally celebrate St. Olaf's Day. According to tradition, celebrations include solemn religious and dance processions, art exhibitions, and rowing and equestrian competitions.

Gastronomic nuances

The national cuisine is closely related to the characteristics of the climate in the archipelago. The two main ingredients used in various dishes are lamb and fish. Gourmets who come to the Faroe Islands should definitely try local delicacies such as sheep's head and whale meat. No less interesting is ryuisket (meat that has been dried for several months) and skerpiket - meat that has been dried for more than a year and is consumed without any processing. Often the same cooking method is used for drying fish.

Those tourists who prefer traditional cuisine, it is worth ordering a roast lamb in a restaurant. You can also try puffins (this is the name of small birds) stuffed with sweet dough, served with potatoes and sweet berries.

It may come as a surprise to many that rhubarb is commonly added to food here. Another one interesting feature- there are practically no fish shops on the islands. If the islanders want to cook fish, they catch it themselves, and after cooking they serve it on the table with a side dish in the form of rice or potatoes.

It is worth noting that the most popular drinks on the islands are coffee and tea. The locals often add herbs that grow on the mountain slopes to tea. Alcoholic drinks are officially allowed from the age of 18. However, while light beer can be purchased everywhere, low-alcohol drinks, strong dark beer and wines can only be bought in state-owned stores and in restaurants that have a special license.

Lunch at a regular restaurant will cost about $ 30. In institutions of a higher level, it will already be $ 45-50. The most budget-friendly snack option can be found in local cafes.

Where to stay?

After arriving in the capital, you can check into a three-star hotel. For example, it could be "Streym" or "Torshavn". To those who love more comfortable conditions, "Hafniya" and "Feroyar" will do. It is worth noting that in all hotels, tourists are offered rooms with private facilities. There is also a transfer from the airport and back, free access to Wi-Fi. The cost of hotel accommodation starts at $ 120. Although you can get a seasonal discount.

A more economical option is a hostel or a guest house. The most popular are "Bládýpi" and "Skansin", but it is worth booking rooms in them several months before arrival. There are also mini-hotels on the islands, where you can spend the night and have breakfast. Accommodation prices depend on the season and start at $ 80.

For tourists who prefer resting in the bosom of nature, campgrounds are equipped. Local residents value order very much, therefore, those who camp in tents are required to be clean and thoroughly cleaned before leaving.

Main types of entertainment

• There are many varieties of fish in coastal waters. Therefore, not only indigenous people but also tourists are fond of fishing. By the way, according to the laws, any fish can be taken out of this country if its length exceeds 30 cm.

 The Faroe Islands are extremely interesting for wreck divers. After all, here you can find sunken ships. And near Nolsoy Island, divers love to watch seals live underwater.

 Those who cannot imagine a full-fledged rest without nightclubs should visit the capital "Rex" and "Eclipse". However, it should be borne in mind that only young people aged 18-25 are allowed into the second club.

What to buy?

The most popular souvenirs are wool, wood and ceramic crafts. Due to the peculiarities of the climate, the islanders cannot imagine their life without woolen clothes and accessories. Therefore, here you can always buy a stylish sweater, hat or gloves at an attractive price.

It should be borne in mind that from Monday to Thursday, most of the stores are open from 9:00 to 18:00. On Friday, the working day is often extended by one more hour. But on Saturday everyone closes earlier, and Sunday is a day off.

1. The most optimal transport to get to the archipelago is by plane. But there is only one here international Airport- Vagar, located near the village of Sorvagur.

2. You can rent a car to move around the islands. It will cost you at least $ 60 per day. To rent a car, you need to be over 20 years old, have a credit card and an international driver's license.

3. Tourists who prefer public transport, can purchase maps with routes and timetables at the Steinatún kiosks.

4. Traveling to the Faroe Islands is quite expensive. But when leaving the country, if there is a receipt from stores operating on the system Tax Free, you can get VAT refund. But only if the purchase amount in the check exceeds $ 48.

5. It is not customary to leave a tip on this archipelago. Personnel remuneration is most often included in the invoice immediately.

6. Fishing is possible with a license, which is sold in tourist offices. If a tourist wants to take his fishing tackle, he must sanitize it in advance.

7. The climate in the Faroes is very changeable, so it is imperative to take warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes with you on the road.

Visa information

To get a visa in Moscow, you can contact the Danish Embassy. You must have with you:

•  2 photographs;
•  a completed questionnaire;
•  a foreign passport (its expiration date must end at least 3 months after the expiration of the visa) and its copy;
•  national passport and its copy;
•  insurance policy (the amount of coverage cannot be less than 30 thousand €);
• • bank statement;
•  confirmation that the hotel has been booked;
•  certificate from the place of work or study.