

If you look closely enough, you can still find evidence of their presence all over today. Their ways have left their mark in dramatic rock formations and several prehistoric remains. It dates back thousands of years when nomadic tribes called Picts lived and worked here. The history of life on and around these Islands is unique, fascinating, and ancient. If you are planning to visit the Faroe Islands soon, don't miss out on the fun activities listed below! Learn About Local History Whether you want to get away from urbanities or take part in some exciting outdoor adventures, there's something for everyone on this list of things to do in the Faroe Islands. In other words, it's an amazing place to visit. The Islands offer travelers a taste of authentic Scandinavian history, incredible natural beauty, and breathtaking views. Take your time exploring these islands you won't regret it! Fun Activities in the Faroe Islands Although not as popular with tourists as Spain or France, there are many reasons why you should visit the Faroe Islands.įrom festivals and markets held throughout June, July, and August to an incredible array of wildlife in every corner of these islands, it will be hard not to fall in love with them. Popularly known as one of Europe's best-kept secrets, it is difficult to find much information on a destination when compared to other parts of Europe. The culture of the Faroe Islands is what makes it so special. Scottish Gaelic also influenced it it was brought to some islands as late as in the 19th century when sailors returned from Scotland with newly married wives. Since then, it has been influenced by Danish, Dano-Norwegian, and English due to it being an overseas possession of Denmark until 1948. Until about 900 AD, Faroese shared a common dialect with Iceland and Norwegian. The languageįaroese is one of three insular Scandinavian languages descended from Old Norse, Icelandic, and Norwegian. English speakers have long known of these islands by Ptolemy's rendering of them as Pharum, a corruption that provided us with our modern name for them: Faroes. These words have also been adopted by languages throughout Scandinavia. In Old Norse, it was called færøyja (singular) or færøyerne (plural). The name Faeroe derives from their name for themselves, ‘faro’ or ‘faer’, which means island dwellers. The Vikings and Norse settlements of what is now known as Norway and Iceland are believed to have started between 800-900 CE. This discovery sheds new light on how Nordic Vikings began colonizing what's now Ireland, Scotland, and beyond during that period. These researchers believe that based on traces of pollen discovered by archaeologists on islands such as Faroe and Iceland, Scandinavians began settling there as early as 800 AD.

In fact, according to some archaeologists, Faroe may be one of only a few places where Scandinavian Vikings first set foot on European soil more than 1,000 years ago. As it turns out, far may not have been quite so far in Viking times.

Vikings settled there around 800 AD and conquered many of its islands.įaroe is a group of 18 islands located in between Scotland and Iceland, thousands of miles away from modern-day Denmark. The Faroes have been inhabited for at least 4,000 years. The origin of Faroe is uncertain, but it seems to be connected with an Old Norse word meaning sheep. You will not find any densely crowded places in the Faroe Islands, just friendly locals, and stunning views.īetween 538 and 962 AD, these islands were colonized by Celtic monks known as Papar following an invasion from Norway – making them officially part of Europe! From 1000 to 1814, they were ruled by Viking raiders and settlers, mainly Norwegians, who today account for 23% of Faroese people. You can drive from one end of the country to another in less than two hours. There are only 50,000 people living on 49 inhabited islands (50 uninhabited). But those who do make it here often rave about its breathtaking scenery especially its dramatic cliffs and lush green pastures that make it look more like Scotland than Scandinavia. One of Scandinavia's most picturesque locales is largely overlooked by travelers who flock to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway each year. If you want to visit somewhere off-the-beaten-path where you'll really feel like a world traveler, make your next decision to visit the Faroe Islands. A small archipelago with a history dating back 2,000 years, these islands are located between Iceland and Norway.
