The Faroese language isn’t widely spoken and not even Google Translate can help you in Faroe Islands.
It’s tradition that my dad, me and my uncle play a bit of football when we’re all together in Faroe Islands
Why Learn Some Faroese?
In general knowing a few words of the language of the country you’re visiting can really go a long way!
You’ll impress Faroese people if you know a bit of the rarely spoken language, eventhough most people can communicate in English or Danish most places here. Here are some of the key Faroese phrases that can help you in your travel to Faroe Islands, which I know will be soon of course!
The Iconic Kalsoy Lighthouse, Faroe Islands
Sometimes it can be a bit embarrassing to go to a café or something and realize that you don’t even know how to say “thank you” once you’ve purchased your lunch! So here are the basics!
Faroese Key Phrases
// Hi – Hey (pronunciation same as in English)
//Goodbye – Bei (pronunciation same as in English)
//Thank You – Takk “Tahk”
//How Are You? – Hvussu Hevur Tú Tað? “Kvossu Havur Tu Tehr”
//I’m Fine – Eg Havi Tað Gott “Eh Havur Tehr Gott”
//What’s Your Name?Hvussu Eitur Tú? “Kvossu Eiter Tu?”
//My Name Is Gustav –Eg Eiti Gustav “Eh Eide Gustav”
//Have A Nice Day – Hav Ein Góðan Dag “Hav Ein Godan Dakh”
Finally, maybe the most important phrase to learn in any language:
//One Beer – Eina Øl “Eye-nah Uhl”
Having most of my family on Faroe Islands, I know a bit more than this, but what about you? Do you have any other Faroese phrases that would be helpful for travelers? Leave them in the comments!
By clicking hereyou can find out why you should book your flight tickets to Faroe Islands immediately!
I have spent a big part of my childhood on Faroe Islands. I’ve been there 14 times in total and been to most of the major 18 Faroese islands, but there’s always a new adventure waiting in ‘Europe’s best kept secret.’
As a young kid on Faroe Islands
Even after having been to 100+ countries, Faroe Islands is still a very special place to me. Having Faroese roots, the nature and the fact that a big part of my family is living on the Faroe Islands, makes the country like a second home to me. I’m still fascinated every time I arrive in Vágar Airport and drive through the country’s incredible landscape, when I come back to visit my grandfather.
Gásadalur, Vágar, Faroe Islands
What is Faroe Islands?
The Faroe Islands is a self-governing archipelago with 50,000 people, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but with its own flag, laws, government and passport.
It comprises 18 rocky, volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, connected by road tunnels, ferries, causeways and bridges. The islands’ mountains are characterised by steep cliffs, tall mountains, narrow fjords and grassy heathland with thousands of sheeps and seabirds.
The Faroe Islands are synonymous with fishing. With my father and big Faroese cousin in Torshavn, Faroe Islands
The Faroese language derives from Old Norse, which was spoken by the Norsemen who settled the islands 1200 years ago and is very different to the Danish language in Denmark.
There’s absolutely no chance of confusing the Faroe Islands with Denmark – or any other Scandinavian country, for that matter. It truly is a place that stands out all on its own.
1. The scenery
There are no arguments anyone can make that will convince me that the Faroe Islands don’t have some of the most stunning scenery in the world. It’s just a visually striking place, with green mountains and shaggy sheep; crashing waterfalls and colorful little villages.
Mikladalur, Kalsoy, Faroe IslandsMy dad and I walking around in Gjógv, Eysturoy, Faroe IslandsView from the small village Bøur, Vágar, Faroe Islands
2. Ease of travel
Yes, the Faroes are in the middle of the Atlantic ocean, but you can get easy flight connections these days from places like Copenhagen, Bergen, Reykjavik, and more. (I fly from Copenhagen every time and prefer flying Atlantic Airways.)
The weather can be dramatic here on Faroe Islands. Clear skies and then strong wind and heavy rain right after
When I was a kid, you couldn’t drive to most places, but you had to take ferries or cross mountains on foot, but now it’s incredibly easy to get around with a rental car. Signs are easy to read, tunnels and bridges connect the main islands and make travel times short, and roads are all paved and well-maintained. (Some roads are admittedly very narrow and winding, but the quality of them is still very good.)
Faroe Islands means “Sheep Islands.” There are more sheep in the country than people!
3. Incredibly welcoming people
In which other country in the world do people not lock their doors when they leave their home? And in which other country do you just walk in without knocking on the door when visiting family?
The last one is a bit too much for me, but it’s the truth of Faroe Islands. One of the safest countries on the planet and Faroese people are very welcoming and relaxed, and enjoy getting together and talk for hours. The Faroese people are hardy (you have to be when you live in a place with such changeable weather!) and hard-working, but also love good food and drink. They are also very passionate about their home.
Enjoying fish soup with my Faroese family in Runavik, Faroe Islands
Faroese people have an extremely strong family bond and they live very close to each other.
4. Puffins
The island of Mykines is only a 45-minute ferry ride from the island of Vagar, and in the summer the entire island is covered in birds – including thousands of puffins!
The Atlantic puffin is my favourite seabird. So awesome!
(And really, do you need any other reason to visit?)
The Faroe Islands don’t currently have that problem. Even though the landscapes are incredible, the fact that the country remain relatively obscure means that there aren’t really a ton of tourists there. I visited Faroe Islands in each of the last 4 years, and no matter where I go, I only share the views with a couple of other people. (Keep in mind that I usually go in May, and not in July/August where it is tourist season)
The small village of 64 people, Tjørnuvik, Faroe Islands
My Faroese grandfather always told me May is the best month to visit Faroe Islands (weather, tourists, beauty) and he knows better than anyone!
With my ‘abbi’ (grandfather) in Faroese. He spoke 7 languages fluently, but is now 86 years old!
There is nothing like a fresh sunny morning in the Faroe Islands during spring time.
If you want to visit a place that social media attention hasn’t ruined, head to the Faroe Islands. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Unspoiled, Unexplored, Unbelievable. Visit the Faroe Islands and explore Europe’s best kept secret.
Gasadalur village is located in the west of Vagar Island and it’s a natural beauty that is tucked between lush green fields and soaring rocky mountains.
Yes, I might not be the the most objective person speaking about Faroe Islands, because my roots are from here, but I can assure you one thing, having been to nearly 100 countries; The landscape in the Faroe Islands is out of this World.
You’re stepping right into a fantasy tale. I have now been to the Faroe Islands 13 times, and when I come back here, there is still something that will draw my breath in awe, as I constantly question myself if I am still on planet Earth… Without a doubt, the landscapes in Faroe Islands are extremely majestic, and one of the islands’ true wonders would be the village of Gasadalur which is home to one of the most surreal waterfalls that exists in this world: Mulafossur.
Lítla Dímun, population of zero, the smallest of the main 18 islands in Faroe Islands.
You don’t have to worry about crowds (yet).
The 18 Faroe Islands have a total population of around 50,000, and is still appealingly low on tourists compared to neighboring countries like Iceland, Norway and Denmark.
With both Atlantic Airways and SAS competing on the route between the Faroe Islands and Copenhagen, Denmark the prices of tickets have decreased and there has been an increased awareness on the Faroe Islands as a tourism-destination. You are still able to hike many places in Faroe Islands pretty much for yourself, which make the beauty of the country stand out even more.
The Sheep Islands. The name Føroyar (Faroe Islands) literally means Sheep Islands.
In fact, sheep outnumber humans nearly 2:1.
The name Faroe Island originally means Sheep Island. And you can understand why. Over 70,000 sheep live here. That is more sheep than the entire population of the country. As you can see, sheep is an important part of the culture and history. They have always been a symbol of the Faroe Islands along with the national bird, the puffin.
The coziest capital city you’ll ever see.
The capital of Tórshavn (pop. 20,885) is also the largest city on the Faroe Islands, settled behind a busy harbor on the east coast of Streymoy Island. Within the 66.8-square-mile city are eighteenth-century churches, a handful of museums, a tiny Old Town, and rows of brightly painted houses.
Kallur Lighthouse, Kalsoy
Epic hiking opportunities.
Take Kalsoy, for example, a long, slender island with verdant hills and vertical cliffs. The best way to enjoy the island is to hike to Kallur Lighthouse, which sits on a northern promontory and grants panoramic views of five other islands on clear days.
Best time to go to Faroe Islands
Remember high season is from June to August, summer in the Faroe Islands is a marked contrast to the rest of the year.
There’s daylight for up to 22 hours, and locals pour into the streets to enjoy food festivals, outdoor concerts and nature. Winters are usually dark, stormy and cosy.
There are many puffins to see – around 10 times as many as there are humans.
Did you know?
There are a total of three traffic lights in the Faroe Islands – all located in Tórshavn. The population of the Faroe Islands consists of 80 different nationalities and there are only two international fast-food outlets in the Faroe Islands: Burger King and Sunset Boulevard.
Helpful Faroese phrases from me to you
Hello: Halló (hahloh)
Thank you: Takk fyri (Takk fi-reh) or Takk (Takk)
Yes: Ja (Ya)
No: Nei (Ney)
Goodbye: Farvæl (Far-vyel)
I’m sorry: Orsakið meg (Or-sha-kee mey) Excuse me (getting attention): Orsaka (Or-sha-ka) Excuse me (begging pardon): Umskylda (Um-shil-da) How much does that cost?: Hvat kostar tað? (Kvat kost-ar tay?) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dugir nakar her eingilskt? (Du-cheer nak-ar her ain-gilsk?) Help!: Hjálp! (Yolp!) Cheers!: Skál! (Is-kol!)
Chilling in the little village Funningur, Faroe Islands
Do you want to learn the BEST and most helpful Faroese phrases then click here.
Are you ready to go to Faroe Islands now? I hope to see you there next time!
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