Discover the most stunning coastal drives in the Faroe Islands. Explore dramatic ocean views, quiet villages, and unforgettable road trips by car.
Where the Road Meets the Ocean
Exploring the Faroe Islands by car is not only about reaching destinations. Some of the most memorable moments happen between villages, where the road follows the coastline and the ocean is always close. Coastal drives offer constant movement — shifting light, changing weather, and wide-open views.
This guide highlights some of the most scenic coastal drives in the Faroe Islands and explains why experiencing them by car makes all the difference.
Most travelers begin on Vágar Island, where the coastline is never far from view. The road between Sørvágur, Miðvágur, and Gásadalur offers calm driving and open ocean scenery.
The landscape here feels spacious. Fishing boats rest in small harbors, and waves roll steadily toward the shore. The drive to Gásadalur is especially striking, passing through a mountain tunnel before opening to dramatic cliffs and sea views.
With a rental car, you can stop at quiet viewpoints along the way, step out into the fresh air, and take in the surroundings without worrying about bus schedules.
On Streymoy, coastal roads feel varied and dramatic. Driving toward Saksun leads you along winding roads that slowly reveal a tidal lagoon surrounded by mountains. The ocean appears and disappears as the road curves inland and back toward the coast.
Near Kirkjubøur, the coastline feels historic and open, with views stretching across the water. Around Tórshavn, the harbor area offers a softer coastal atmosphere where colorful buildings meet the sea.
Driving here allows you to combine nature with small-town charm, all within short distances.
The island of Eysturoy offers some of the most dramatic coastal driving in the country. Near Eiði, you can view the famous sea stacks known as Risin and Kellingin rising from the ocean.
Further north, the road to Gjógv follows steep hills with wide ocean views. The village itself is known for its natural rock harbor, where waves move through a narrow gorge.
Driving slowly along these coastal routes turns the journey into an experience of its own. The ever-changing sky and sea create a different atmosphere each time you visit.
Coastal drives in the Faroe Islands are rarely crowded. Traffic is light, and distances are short. This creates a relaxed driving experience where you can focus on the scenery rather than the road ahead.
Weather plays an important role. Sunlight breaking through clouds can suddenly brighten the ocean, while mist can create a quiet and mysterious mood. Having your own car allows you to adapt — you can wait for clearer views or move to another area if conditions shift.
Small roadside pull-offs make it easy to stop safely and enjoy the view. These spontaneous moments often become highlights of the trip.
One of the advantages of renting a car is the ability to mix scenic drives with village visits, short walks, or coffee breaks. You might begin with a coastal drive in the morning, stop in a small village for a quiet walk, and continue toward another island in the afternoon.
Because tunnels connect many islands, you can experience several different coastlines in a single day. Each island has its own character, yet the connection between road and ocean remains constant.
This flexibility creates a balanced experience — part exploration, part relaxation.
The Faroe Islands are shaped by the sea, and driving along the coast allows you to feel that connection fully. The roads are well maintained, traffic is minimal, and the views are unforgettable.
With a rental car, you are free to explore at your own pace, follow the coastline wherever it leads, and stop whenever the scenery calls you.
Book your rental car today and discover how coastal driving transforms your Faroe Islands journey into something truly personal and memorable.
The first big thing to know about renting a car here is that there is a relative scarcity of rental cars (around 1,400 rental cars only across all the islands!), which means that prices will get steep, especially during the peak of summer holidays. If you’re planning your visit to the Faroe Islands sometime within the year, do your best to always book in advance. Winter is a good time to snatch up deals—and if you’re smart about which car rental company you choose, you can do so without any worry about cancellation fees.
Google “car rentals in Faroe Islands” and you'll likely find listings for the big car rental companies (Sixt, Kayak, etc). But that’s not all there is. With some locals being too aware of how high car rental prices put off some travelers from visiting their homeland, they’ve set up shop to offer more affordable prices (i.e. our mission in a nutshell!). But it’s not just a matter of pricing. With a local, small team you can expect much more personal support and all the attention that small businesses are known for: ensuring you’re satisfied and sharing with you recommendations.
If you haven’t been lucky enough to nab a car rental winter deal, this is a must-do. Because for many car rental companies (especially the big ones), apart from the rental price of your vehicle, other costs can include cancellation fees and security deposits. The latter can be especially annoying when they charge your credit card immediately for a high deposit, before releasing it with the cost of your bank’s currency exchange fee. Our favorite alternative? Go with a car rental company that doesn’t charge you for cancellations & security deposits.
Thought the rocky Faroe Islands would require 4-wheel drives? Not all. Off-road driving is actually banned from the islands, and thanks to a fantastic road network, just a standard car type would do you well for your adventures (even in winter!)
If you haven’t been lucky enough to nab a car rental winter deal, this is a must-do. Because for many car rental companies (especially the big ones), apart from the rental price of your vehicle, other costs can include cancellation fees and security deposits. The latter can be especially annoying when they charge your credit card immediately for a high deposit, before releasing it with the cost of your bank’s currency exchange fee. Our favorite alternative? Go with a car rental company that doesn’t charge you for cancellations & security deposits.
One of the unique things you’ll quickly find out about the Faroe Islands is its many tunnels connecting you all across the archipelago. There are around 20 of them—and they can go either under the seabed itself (sub-sea tunnels) or right through a mighty mountain.
Whether it’s because of the sparsity of the population or the immensity of space around, the Faroe Islands have no parking fees whatsoever…with one exception. If you’re planning to park at the airport, you can expect to pay a fee there—otherwise, park as long as you want, free of charge.
Perhaps a little disappointing to the 4-wheeler adventurers: the Faroe Islands doesn’t permit any off-road driving (officially: it’s prohibited by law). This is to protect the pristine nature all around, much of which is actually private property. So do enjoy your road trips—but on the ample roads, bridges, and tunnels.
Quintessentially Faroese, when you’re driving around here you’ll very soon be greeted with our most common habitant: wooly sheep. You’ll see them across fields and by roadsides, but just be mindful that some can galavant across the roads (often when in a panic). So when sheep are around, do slow down.
For a quick runthrough of local driving rules: if you’re in town areas, the speed limit is 50 km/h (31 mph)—otherwise, it’s 80 km/h (50 mph). You drive on the right-hand side. It’s illegal to hold a mobile device (or drink alcohol) while driving. And while the legal driving age in the Faroe Islands is 18, most car rental companies will require you to be at least 20-21 years of age.
We’re keeping this part short—only because we’ll be breaking things down for you fully in a separate
blog. But the quick sum of it is: if you’re looking to rent a car for your adventures in the Faroe
Islands, you can either rent from the regular big companies or opt for a local car rental company.
Why we’re biased for the latter? Because, well, that’s what we do—but in our A2B Car Rent way. We make
reservations a breeze, never tie up your money in security deposits, don’t charge cancellation fees
(unless you cancel 72 hours before your pick-up time), and make sure your money goes the furthest for
you.
Our mission has always been to provide the best value car rentals that you can rely on for quality and
friendly, local service.
