Explore Suðuroy Island’s raw beauty from coast to coast.
Our road trip visits the island’s spectacular sights, from the dramatic Ásmundarstakkur sea stack in the north, to the windswept Akraberg Lighthouse in the south. We introduce you to the rugged beauty and the quaint villages of the Faroe Islands’ southern paradise.
Table of Contents
Suðuroy Island Itinerary
This road trip itinerary explores Suðuroy from north to south.
- Enjoy the ferry ride from Tórshavn to Tvøroyri on Suðuroy.
- Hike to the cliffs and see the dramatic Ásmundarstakkur sea stack.
- Enjoy lunch or a coffee break in the peaceful village of Tvøroyri.
- See the original Faroese flag in the church at Fámjin.
- Explore the museums and churches of Hov and Vágur.
- Marvel at towering cliffs from Beinisvørð Viewpoint.
- Visit the village of Sumba and the Akraberg Lighthouse at the island’s southern tip.
Suðuroy Island Map
Suðuroy is the southern-most island of the Faroes. It is the 4th largest in land area and population. Only reachable from the other Faroe Islands by ferry, Suðuroy is less visited and has its own cultural identity. Experience the beauty of the Faroe Islands without the crowds.
Ferry to Suðuroy
All visits to Suðuroy begin at Tórshavn’s car Ferry Terminal. Book your return ferry ticket in advance to ensure that there is a spot for your vehicle on the ferry. Arrive 25 to 30 minutes before sailing as late arrival risks the loss of the reservation. Advance booking is only for the vehicle and driver. Other passengers are considered foot passengers and there is no advance booking.
Foot passengers are required to board through the terminal building instead of remaining in the car. They travel free southbound (to the island). Fares are paid on the ferry on the return (northbound) trip. Keep the ticket you are given as tickets are collected as proof of payment to leave the ferry. The terminal building has a waiting area and restrooms.
The ferry MS Smyril carries 200 cars and 975 passengers. She went into service in 2005.
Tip: Consider eating at the onboard cafeteria so that you can maximize your time on the island.
The trip takes 2 hours. As the Smyril approaches the island, she turns west into Trongisvágsfjørður which is about 3 kilometres long. The ferry docks at the Krambatangi port on the south side of the fjord, opposite the village of Tvøroyri.
Our Suðuroy road trip begins in the north of the island. Drive to the charming village of Sandvík. On the east side of the island, Sandvik is Suðuroy’s northernmost settlement. If you’ve only explored Faroese villages crowded with tourists, enjoy a walk through Sandvik’s quiet streets. See traditional Faroese houses with their grass roofs. The star attraction in northern Suðuroy is the sea stack Ásmundarstakkur and the stunning western coastline.
Ásmundarstakkur
The impressive, 109-metre-tall sea stack stands just off the coast, a pillar of rock which has survived the constant waves of the north Atlantic battering Suðuroy’s west coast. The neighbouring cliffs are a popular nesting spot for a number of bird species including puffins.
The spectacular scenery and the bird-filled cliffs are fairly easy to reach making the area popular with nature lovers, birdwatchers and photographers.
The Ásmundarstakkur trailhead parking lot is on Heiðavegur Road about 1.5 kilometres west of the main highway. We recommend parking in the lot and hiking out to the cliffs. The stone size gets larger as the gravel road climbs and there is little time saving in parking higher up.
Walk the road, past the farm buildings, ensuring the gate is closed behind you. When the road turns left, follow the marked path straight ahead. Walk to the coast for a beautiful view of Ásmundarstakkur and the sheer cliffs. It’s about a half-hour hike and quite flat. If it has rained a lot recently or visibility is poor, stay on the road and walk up the hill to enjoy the view over the valley. While it is not flat, the road will be easier to walk in poor conditions.
If you have time and want to see Ásmundarstakkur from a totally different vantage point, climb the hill on the left. It is very steep for a short section. At the top, there is a narrow, wooden bridge spanning the 300-metre-deep Rituskor chasm. From the bridge enjoy an excellent view of Ásmundarstakkur.
The total length of the loop hike is about 5 kilometres with a maximum elevation of about 400 metres. If hiked counterclockwise (ie. the path to coast, south up to Rituskor, and then the road back) there is only one steep uphill section.
Return to Sandvik and drive south to Tvøroyri, the village across from the ferry dock and the perfect spot for lunch or an after-hike snack.
Tvøroyri
This is one of the largest settlements on Suðuroy Island. By the middle of the 19th century, this was a thriving fishing village. Today it has maintained its lovely colourful houses and busy harbour. There are a number of shops and cafés.
For a cozy lunch or coffee spot try Café MorMor on the water at the east end of the village. Café MorMor (or Grandma’s Café in Danish) is known for its homey, relaxed atmosphere. They serve freshly prepared, seasonally-changing dishes, including homemade soups and cakes, and excellent coffee.
West of the café, the Tvøroyrar Village and Maritime Museum is housed in a historic doctor’s house. The house was used as the town hall before it became the museum.
Art lovers might enjoy a visit to the Oyggin Art Gallery, opened in 1999, which showcases works by Faroese artists. Many were inspired by Suðuroy’s dramatic landscapes and rich culture.
With more time, enjoy the popular hiking trail from Tvøroyri to Hvannhagi, an area known for interesting geology and a beautiful lake surrounded by stunning cliffs. The hike is about 6 kilometres (2 hours) round trip from the hospital. If you drive to the end of the pavement on Ovari Vegur you’ll shorten the hike considerably.
Leave Tvøroyri and drive south toward the village of Øravík, the geographic centre of the island. This was the site of the island’s ancient meeting place.
Turn right onto Fámjinsvegur, the road to Fámjin. On the southwest corner as you leave the main road is a chapel called Bønhúsið, built in 1966. It was the first chapel built in the Faroes after the 16th-century Reformation.
Continue to the tiny village at the end of the road on Suðuroy ‘s west coast.
Fámjin
The coastal village is set among steep mountains, including Gluggarnir, the island’s highest mountain at 610 metres above sea level. There are also vast, open areas perfect for sheep grazing.
The first Faroese flag, known as Merkið, is displayed in Fámjin’s white, 1875 church. The flag was designed by local resident Jens Olivur Lisberg and two friends (Janus Ossursson and Pauli Dahlin) in 1919. Sadly Lisberg died the next year of the Spanish Flu. The flag was used “unofficially” for sporting events, cultural occasions and during World War II. Finally, with the signing of the Home Rule Act in 1948, the Danish Government recognized Merkið as the national flag of the Faroe Islands.
With more time, enjoy a hike from Fámjin church to scenic Lake Kirkjuvatn, located above the village.
Enjoy the scenic return drive to the main road. We stopped at the pretty, little Hviltarvatn Lake. When the wind is calm, the lake may mirror the area’s stunning natural beauty.
Once back on the main road, continue south to the tiny village of Hov on Suðuroy’s east coast.
Hov
According to local stories, the first Viking settlement on the island was in Hov. The Myri Museum has a collection of artifacts and exhibits related to the island’s history. The museum also hosts cultural events and art exhibitions.
Hov’s Church, originally built in Vágur in the mid-19th century, was moved to Hov and consecrated in 1943. This church is what many call a “typical” Faroese village church. It is built of wood and painted black; has white windows and a grass-covered roof and a white tower. The door caught our attention. It is white and decorated with red symbols signifying faith, hope and charity.
Our road trip continues south to Vágur.
Vágur
This is one of the largest villages on Suðuroy Island. People have lived around the Vágsfjørður since the 14th century. Its modern, busy port, on the eastern side of the island, supports both fishing and salmon aquaculture industries. Many of the island’s boat tours leave from this port.
The impressive Vágur Church was consecrated in 1939. It was built in the New Gothic style, with beautiful stained-glass windows and a tall spire. Designed to seat over 500, it is proof of Vágur’s growth and prosperity in the early 20th century. Inside there are two priceless altarpieces, one painted in the mid-19th century and the other in the early 18th. The baptismal font is made of local volcanic rock and is decorated with gold. The bowl is thought to be from around the year 1500.
Art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Ruth Smith Art Museum. This small gallery celebrates the work of Ruth Smith, a local artist known way beyond the Faroes. Smith’s paintings capture the raw beauty of Suðuroy and its people.
The Ship Museum or Sluppsavnið, is a small maritime museum in the same building. There are 9 models of vessels from Vágur which were lost during World War II, all made by local Paul Niclassen.
Drive west on Eiðisvegur Road, through the valley, past Vágsvatn Lake to the west coast.
Vágseiði
The natural harbour at Vágseiði was used by local fishermen in the 19th and early 20th centuries to access fishing grounds just a few kilometres offshore with their small Faroese rowing boats. This provided fish for locals and companies who sold them to other countries. When the winds were unfavourable, fishermen used the harbour in Vágur, on the east side of the island, as a safe haven.
Beginning in 1906, a hand-powered cableway transported fish and boats up from the water. The cableway was electrified in 1929 when electricity became available. The cableway was used until the 1950s and removed in the 1970s. A hurricane in January 1989 ruined the remaining boathouses in Vágseiði. All boats now use the harbour in Vágur.
This is the perfect place to see the power of the Atlantic Ocean crashing against the cliffs and the stunning oceanside cliffs.
The block of sea cliffs, about 200 metres tall, visible to the south of Vágseiði, is known as Eggjarnar. In 1943, during World War II, a LORAN, or Long Range Navigation station was located on top. The station was active until 1977. Several small, abandoned buildings remain. The system, developed by the United States, was used for sea navigation for 60 years and discontinued in the early 21st century. Use the set of permanently-mounted binoculars (mounted on a platform) for a close up look north to Vagseiði and south towards Beinisvørð.
To reach Eggjarnar, from the south side of Vágur, turn right off the main road onto Eggjarvegur and drive the steep, narrow road to the top. Many park near the main road and walk up the road, a 5 kilometre round-trip hike.
Beinisvørð Viewpoint
At 470 metres tall, Beinisvørð is Suðuroy’s highest sea cliff. The best view is from the water below. To get close to the top, follow the winding, mountain road between Lopra and Sumba. This road was the main road to Sumba before the tunnel was built. The road is only accessible when conditions are snow-free. We enjoyed the view at the top of the pass of the steep, grass-covered slopes.
Park and walk toward the top of Beinisvørð for a panoramic view of the seemingly-endless Atlantic Ocean and across the hills and valleys of the island. Be prepared for the wind. The winds were fierce when we visited. This exposed area gets hit by the full force of the Atlantic’s winds.
Be careful at the cliff edges. Birds nest in the cliffs below, often making them unstable. In the past, islanders repelled down the cliff face and gathered eggs and birds. This dangerous pursuit often cost them their lives.
Continue along the mountain road to the southernmost village in the Faroe Islands.
Sumba and the Akraberg Lighthouse
Known for beautiful coastal scenery, Sumba features colourful houses and a rich cultural heritage, including a tradition of Faroese chain dancing. Excavations in the area have suggested people visited, and may have remained, in the area from the 7th century.
The Akraberg Lighthouse stands on a headland at the very southern tip of the Faroe Islands, about 5 kilometres south of Sumba. Take care travelling the narrow road south to the lighthouse. There are designated areas to pull over and allow cars to pass.
The 14-metre-tall, white, cylindrical lighthouse with a red roof was constructed in 1909. Enjoy the panoramic views of the rugged coastline. Take care near the cliffs as the terrain may be unstable.
Before leaving Sumba, stop by the Bird and Village Museum (Fugla og Bygdasavn). This local museum displays one of the Faroes’ largest collections of native bird species. It also presents artifacts and stories about the history of Sumba and its surroundings.
Return to Tvøroyri and the ferry dock using the Sumba Road Tunnel (Sumbiartunnilin). This tunnel was completed in 1997 and is the longest land tunnel in the Faroes. Only the undersea tunnels, between islands, are longer.
Don’t be late for your ferry ride back to Tórshavn.
Explore Our Complete Faroe Islands Itinerary
Exploring Suðuroy is just one part of an unforgettable Faroe Islands adventure. Discover our complete series of detailed guides to help you plan your perfect 5-day trip:
Main Article: 5 Days in the Faroe Islands
Day 1: Tórshavn – Explore the capital city
Day 2: Vágar Island – Iconic waterfalls and lakes
Day 3: Streymoy Island – Historic villages and dramatic cliffs
Day 4: Eysturoy, Kalsoy and the Northern Islands – Unforgettable nature and legends
Day 5: Suðuroy Island – You’re reading this guide now!
