Tórshavn

The city was founded in the 10th century and named after Thor, the god of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology. In the early history of the Faroes, Tórshavn became the political centre of the Faroes, and it still is today. The first settlers established their own parliament called "ting" around 800 AD. The main ting was established on Tinganes in Tórshavn and local tings were established in different parts of the islands. Tinganes drew people to trade, to attend court meetings, etc. In 2023, the city had a population of around 14,000, with about 21,000 in the metro area.

• Town website

• 1 Visit Tórshavn, 17 Niels Finsens gøta, ☏ , torsinfo@torshavn.fo. May 1–Aug 31 M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–16:00 (closed Su); Sep 1–Apr 30 M-F 10:00–16:00, Sa 10:00–14:00 (closed Su).  (updated Jun 2026)

For most visitors Tórshavn will be the point of entry to the Faroe Islands. Practically everything in that article's Get in section also applies to Tórshavn.

• 1 Vágar Airport (FAE ^IATA) (on the neighboring island of Vágar). Atlantic Airways flies there on a regular basis from Copenhagen and operates flights from other Scandinavian and Western European cities as well. There is a bus connection to Tórshavn from the airport but it is not well timed with arrival flights. You can pre-book taxi shuttle with Auto Taxi or Taxi Bil for 250 kr/passenger which you will share the taxi with up to 3 other passengers.  (updated May 2026)

Smyril Line sails from Hirtshals in Denmark and Seyðisfjörður on Iceland to Tórshavn. If you are travelling with a car from Iceland to Denmark or vice versa, it is in principle possible to take off your car during the several hours long stopover in Tórshavn for a little island ride. It is, however, necessary to consider this option in advance when getting your car on board and have it parked in the correct queue.

You can take the car with you on the ferry mentioned above. It is also possible to rent a car at the airport.

From elsewhere on the Faroe Islands.

Red city buses are free to ride and they operate 7 routes which reach most of the city. Some even take you as far as Kirkjubøur. They run every 15-30 mins from the city centre on weekdays and every 30-60 mins on weekday evenings. A few routes run every 60 mins on Saturdays and Sundays. [1]

Parking is free in downtown but you must respect the time limit posted for the parking lot or risk getting a 200 kr fine, which can be paid at the local police station. The times in black (or white if it's on a dark background) are for weekdays' limited time parking period. The times with brackets are for Saturday. There is typically no time limit on Sunday and public holidays, but if there is, the time limit is written in red. You will need to set your parking disc on the dashboard to indicate the time when you parked, to the nearest quarter of the hour.

The Faroe Islands National Museum and the Outdoor Museum are both in the northern suburb Hoyvik, and are covered by a single ticket. Both are worth seeing.

• 1 Tinganes. The oldest part of the town. Settlement started and the parliament has been meeting at this site since 900 AD. Most of the houses were destroyed by a fire in the 17th century but construction continued in the traditional style with wooden facades and roofs covered with grass. Some of the buildings are nowadays used by the Faroese government. You may walk along the alleys but keep in mind that this is not an open air museum. People live and work in these buildings, so you should respect their privacy.  
• 2 Tórshavn Cathedral (Dómkirkjan, Havnar Kirkja). An attractive white building with clock tower, built in 1788.  
• 3 The Nordic House (Norðari Ringvegur 14), ☏ . M-Sa 09:00-16:00 (closed Su). The main cultural institution on the islands. Events and exhibitions. Has a cafe.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 4 Faroe Islands National Museum (Tjóðsavnið), 6 Brekkutún, Hoyvík, ☏ . M-F 09:00-15:00. A good overview of geology, history, archaeology, biology, economy and modern society of the Faroese. Compact but well worth a visit. Adult 90 kr, student and senior 60 kr, child (under 18) free.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 5 National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (Listasavn Føroya), Gundadalsvegur 9, ☏ . Tu-Su 13:00-16:00. 2,600 works of art. 65 kr.  (updated Nov 2016)

• Faroese Music Gallery. See, feel and hear Faroese music in the newest and most popular tourist attraction. Free live concerts Mondays to Fridays and on special occasions (see website for programme) from 14 June to 13 August and free coffee. (updated Jun 2018)
• Football: Tórsvøllur (aka Gundadalur) is the sports complex 1 km north of town centre, with stadium capacity 5000. The Faroes men's national soccer team play here. It's also the home ground of Havnar Bóltfelag (HB) and B36 Tórshavn who both play in Premier League, the islands' top tier. The domestic playing season is April-Oct.

• 1 Brasserie Hvonn, Tórsgøta 4 (In Hotel Tórshavn), ☏ , hvonn@hvonn.fo. daily 07:00-10:00 and 17:00-22:00. Central location and non-smoking inside, American-style menu and salad bar. 115-245 kr for main dishes, 20-30 kr for soft drink. (updated Jan 2021)
• 2 Burger King, SMS Shopping Centre, ☏ , burgerking@sms.fo. M–Th 10:30-22:30, F Sa 10:30-23:00, Su 14:00-22:30. A burger restaurant. Has a drive-thru which continues to operate even after the shopping mall closed. 85 kr for a Whopper meal. (updated Jun 2026)
• 3 Sunset Boulevard, SMS Shopping Center, ☏ , sunset@sunset.fo. M–Sa 10:30-21:00, Su 14:00-21:00. A Danish chain of sandwich and burger restaurants. 70-104 kr for a meal. (updated Jun 2026)
• 4 Restaurant Seven, Jónas Broncks gøta 31, ☏ , may@sevenfo.com. M–Sa 11:30-21:30, Su 12:00-21:30. A Chinese restaurant with pretty plain interior. Also sells Asian groceries. 99-168 kr for a main dish, 25 kr for a soft drink. (updated Jan 2021)
• 5 Hamsa, 7a Karlamagnusarbreyt, Hoyvík, ☏ . M-Th 12:00-21:00, F Sa 12:00-22:00, Su 13:00-21:00. Mediterranean and middle eastern restaurant. Has board games. Parking can be a bit tricky. Burgers 155-160 kr, pizza 115-130 kr, skewers 65 kr. (updated Jun 2026)

Most of these places are popular with the locals, reserving a table is highly recommended

• 6 Toscana, Nólsoyar Páls gøta 13, ☏ , toscana@toscana.fo. Su–Th 17:00–23:00, F Sa 17:00–00:00. An Italian restaurant, nicely decorated and excellent food. 165-195 kr for a pasta dish, 295-340 kr for a steak, and 30 kr for a soft drink. (updated Jan 2021)
• 7 Katarina Christiansen, Bringsnagøta 6, ☏ , katrina@katrina.fo. M–Th 18:00-21:00, F Sa 18:00-22:00, Su 12:00-15:00 (Traditional Faroese meal) and 18:00-21:00. A fusion of tapas and local cuisine. 5 tapas courses for 490 kr, traditional Faroese Sunday meal for 185 kr. (updated Jan 2021)
• 8 Etika, Àarvegur 3, ☏ , etika@etika.fo. M–Sa 11:30-22:00, Su 17:00-22:00. Sushi. 8 pieces for 119 kr, soft drink for 35 kr. (updated Jan 2021)
• 9 Hotel Føroyar, Oyggjarvegur 45 (in hotel Føroyar), ☏ , hf@hotelforoyar.com. Lunch M–Sa 12:00-14:00, dinner Tu–Sa 18:00-22:00 (kitchen closes at 21:00). On a hill above Tórshavn with great views (if there is no fog), non-smoking. Lunch burger and fries for 145 kr, Dinner main courses for 215-390 kr. (updated Jan 2021)

• 10 TARV Grillhouse, undir Bryggjubakka 3-5 (Next to the harbour), tarv@tarv.fo. W Th 11:30-14:30, 17:30-00:00; F Sa 11:30-14:30, 17:30-01:00; Su-Tu 17:30-00:00. Lamb, rib-eye, strip loin. Dinner main course for 550-650 kr. (updated May 2026)

• MIMIR, Varðagøta 2 (there's no sign but it's pretty obvious that it's a pub from the outside), ☏ , . An eclectic pub if there ever was one. This signless watering hole attracts a mixed, friendly crowd and has reasonably priced (35 kr) beers on tap. On the bottom floor there are pool tables. 
• 1 Irish Pub Torshavn, Gríms Kambansgøta 13, ☏ , irishpub@irishpub.fo. M-Th 11:30-22:00, F 11:30-04:00, Sa 13:00-04:00, Su 15:00-22:00. Guinness and other Faroese beer on tap. Kitchen closes at 21:00. (updated Jun 2026)

There are many shops in Tórshavn, especially in the centre and in the shopping mall SMS.

• 1 Østrøm, 18 Skálatrøð (Downtown, on west side of the harbour. Large parking lot right in front of the store), ☏ . M-Th 10:00-17:30, F 10:00-18:00, Sa 10:00-16:00 (closed Su). Multiple smaller outlets within the store. Carries modern fashion products and traditional souvenir. (updated Jun 2026)
• Navia, ☏ , navia@navia.fo. A well-known Faroese wool fashion company with two stores in Tórshavn, one in SMS mall and one in downtown by the waterfront. Sells wool hats, scarves, mittens, socks and sweaters made from 3D manufacturing process. Also sells yarn and knit patterns. (updated Jun 2026)

The supermarket chain Mylnan has several locations around the town which are open daily 07:00-23:00.

Accommodation prices go up substantially during the summer tourist season.

• 1 Tórshavn Camping, Yviri við Strond 22 (about 1 km from the harbour; bear to the right as you exit and follow the seaside (Yviri við Strond) - it's on the right.), ☏ . Pretty low-frills campsite for both tents and trailers. There is a spartan kitchen, hot showers, WiFi plus coin-operated laundry facilities. A convenient walk to town and not too far from a large supermarket further up the road to the northwest. Operates Apr 1-Oct 1. 120 kr/tent, 240 kr/trailer. (updated Jun 2026)

Prices vary slightly – 250-300 kr per night/person for adults.

• 2 ^{[formerly dead link]} Guesthouse undir Fjalli, ☏ , info@undirfjalli.com.  
• 3 ^{[dead link]} Bládýpi, Dr Jakobsensgøta 14-16, ☏ , bladypi@bladypi.fo. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 10:00.  

• 4 Hotel Djurhuus, Yviri við Strond 19, ☏ . Around the corner from the port and thus in a relatively quiet setting but just 10 minutes walk away from the centre. Has its own parking space and a large public one is nearby. Single rooms are small. The hotel has its own car rental service at competitive rates. 
• 5 Hotel Føroyar, Oyggjarvegur 45, ☏ , fh@hotelforoyar.com. There is an excellent view over Tórshavn. Due to its location outside of the town you need wheels to get anywhere.  
• 6 Hotel Hafnia, Áarvegur 4-10, hafnia@hafnia.fo. In the town centre. (updated Jun 2018)

• 7 Hotel Brandan, Oknarvegur 2 (Near SMS mall), ☏ , booking@hotelbrandan.fo.  (updated Jun 2026)
• 8 Hotel Tórshavn, Tórsgøta 4, ht@hoteltorshavn.fo. Down by the harbour. 

• 1 National Library of the Faroe Islands (Føroya Landsbókasavn), ☏ , lbs@landsbokasavnid.fo. Has WiFi and public access computers.  (updated Feb 2020)