Best Things To Do in Tórshavn in 1 Day

Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, blends historic and modern attractions. From exploring historic Tinganes to enjoying local shops and eateries in Old Town, discover how to make the most of your 1-day visit to this Nordic gem.

Our guide reveals the best way to explore all the city has to offer.

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1-Day Tórshavn Itinerary

Whether you’re a cruise ship passenger in town for just one day, or visiting the city on a longer visit to the Faroe Islands, we have the perfect one day itinerary for you.

Stroll along the waterfront of picturesque Tórshavn Harbour.
Discover centuries-old, turf-roofed houses in Old Town Tórshavn.
Explore the historic peninsula of Tinganes, home to the Faroese government.
Enjoy lunch in Old Town, savouring traditional Faroese cuisine.
Admire the beautiful Tórshavn Cathedral.
Walk uptown to the bustling Vaglið, Tórshavn’s town square.
Discover the quality and warmth of traditional Faroe Island Wool at a local shop.
See Faroese art at the National Gallery or visit any of Tórshavn’s Museums.

Tórshavn Attractions Map

Map highlighting attractions in Tórshavn, including Vaglið Square, Tórshavn Cathedral, National Gallery of the Faroe Islands, Old Town Restaurants, Vágsbotnur Waterfront, Cruise Port, Tinganes, and Öström. — 👆 Click the map to get your free interactive version.

Here are some of the best things to do in Tórshavn.

Vágsbotnur Waterfront

Tórshavn’s picturesque harbour is called Vágsbotnur. We wandered the marina area, enjoying the colourful buildings and yachts in port.

At the west end of the harbour is the Faroe Islands first factory, Öström. This factory once produced fish oil. Today, these buildings house stores that sell local products and art.

The harbour’s fish market runs on weekdays. It was fun to see the friendly haggling between the shoppers and the fishermen selling their day’s catch.

The Vágsbotnur Waterfront with colourful buildings, boats docked in the water, and a statue of two birds with outstretched wings in the foreground. — This statue by Hans Pauli Olsen, honours Nólsoyar Páll, a Faroese national hero.

The east side of the harbour is lined with more colourful buildings, full of restaurants and cafés. Several fishing and sightseeing boat tours leave from this location.

On the waterfront, see the Hans Pauli Olsen statue honouring Nólsoyar Páll. He was a famous Faroese seaman, trader, poet, farmer and boat builder.

Old Town Tórshavn

To the east of the waterfront, Tórshavn’s old town is the areas of Reyn and Undir Ryggi.

Beautiful black-tarred, timber houses fill the mostly residential neighbourhoods. These traditional homes typically have white-trimmed windows and grass-turf roofs. Remarkably, some of these homes date back to the 14th century.

Andy walks on a cobblestone pathway between traditional wooden buildings with grass roofs in Old Town Tórshavn. — We walked the charming narrow alleyways of Old Town Tórshavn which are lined with traditional black-tarred timber houses.

We enjoyed the narrow alleyways and streets. This area is a photographer’s delight!

At the southern end of Reyn is our next stop in Old Town, Tinganes.

Tinganes – The Government Seat of the Faroe Islands

This cluster of beautiful, red, wooden buildings is the historic location of the Faroese government. The peninsula name, Tinganes, means “parliament point”.

Each summer dating back to around 900 AD, Viking chieftains gathered in a general assembly, called a “Thing”, to discuss trade and important matters. This is one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world, similar in age to the historic site of Þingvellir in Iceland.

During the Middle Ages, Tinganes became an important trading place with its port and warehouses.

The red wooden building with white trim, featuring multiple staircases and a cobblestone courtyard in front is in Tinganes. The building has a turf roof section and many windows. — These red wooden buildings of Tinganes are the historic seat of the Faroese government since the time of the Vikings.

Feel free to walk among these colourful red buildings. Several government buildings, such as the Prime Minister’s office and various Faroese ministries remain headquartered here. In 1852, a new House of Parliament (Løgting) was built just north of Vaglið Square and remains in use today.

On the rocky peninsula behind the parliament buildings look for an etching in the rocks. Initially thought to be a Viking sundial, it is actually a Compass Rose. It took some searching, but we did eventually find it. Carvings, such as logos, compass cards, and property marks were commonly cut into these rocks in the 16th and 17th centuries.

A compass rose is carved into a stone slab on the Tinganes Peninsula shore with industrial structures and the water in the background. — This compass rose is carved into the rocks on the peninsula behind the parliament buildings.

The heart of Old Town is the perfect spot for lunch or an afternoon break.

Restaurants in Old Town Tórshavn

Traditional Faroese cuisine has a strong emphasis on seafood and lamb. Some of the best and most authentic restaurants, bars and cafes are located in Old Town.

Restaurant	Known for
Áarstova	Authentic food in a beautiful historic building. Best known for its exquisite Faroese lamb dishes.
Katrina Christiansen	Social dining experience with tapas-style dishes inspired by Faroese traditions.
Mikkeller Tórshavn	Small and cozy taproom is a must for craft beer lovers and a great place to end your day of touring.
Ræst	Innovative Faroese cuisine solely featuring fermented dishes makes a very unique dining experience.
Barbara Fish House	One of the most popular places in Tórshavn, with fresh Faroese seafood served in this cozy location.
ROKS	Laid-back restaurant (the word ROKS means “silly”) focusing on high-quality Faroese seafood with an extensive wine selection.
Ástaklokkan	Traditional Faroese cuisine in a cozy atmosphere.
THE TARV Grillhouse	High-end grill house near the harbour specializes in charcoal-grilled meats and seafood .
Hotel Hafnia	Popular hotel restaurant offering a mix of locally caught fresh fish and international dishes.

A view of buildings with a grass-covered roofs and dark wooden walls, adjacent to a small outdoor seating area with stone tables and benches in Old Town Tórshavn. — Some of the historic buildings in Tórshavn’s Old Town, with their beautiful grass-turf roofs and white-trimmed windows, are home to excellent restaurants and cafés.

For a coffee, or quick bite to eat, check out these local favourites.

Cafe	Known for
Breydvirkid Bakery	Famous for its pastries and organic sour dough bread. Grab a treat before heading back to the cruise ship.
Kafe Umami	Casual café along the marina known for its coffee and light bites.
Brell Café	Great coffee in this cozy café located near the cathedral.
Paname Café	A worthwhile stop, located beside the bookstore.

Tórshavn Cathedral

Known locally as the Havnar Kirkja, or the Port Church, this white cathedral with gold-coloured trim is a beauty. Built in the late 18th century, Tórshavn Cathedral is the second oldest preserved church in the Faroe Islands. The large clock in the spire can easily be seen and heard from the harbour. Look carefully at the top of the spire. The weather vane notes the year 1788 – a nod to the church’s initial consecration.

Inside, the beautiful, light blue, vaulted ceiling is designed to mimic the sky. The church has three altarpieces. The main one, painted in 1825 by Ditlev Conrad Blunck, depicts the burial of Jesus. The side altars have 17^th-century paintings, including one of the Last Supper, from the first church constructed in Tórshavn.

Tórshavn Cathedral is open to the public until 4 pm.

The white Tórshavn Cathedral with a clock tower, red doors, and arched windows stands against a blue sky, with a tree partially visible to the right. — Tórshavn Cathedral is the 2nd oldest church in the Faroe Islands. Its beautiful spire notes 1788, the year the church was consecrated.

The modern, A-frame West Tórshavn Church with large glass windows is reflected in a small pond. A paved walkway up to the church. — The modern West Tórshavn Church has a distinctive 41-metre-high tower which makes it, and its reflection in particular, resemble a sailboat.

If you have time, visit another Tórshavn church, Vesturkirkjan, Western Tórshavn Church. West of downtown, this 1975 church is possibly the largest building in the city. Its 41-metre-high tower is meant to resemble a sailboat. Check out the little duck pond in front of the church.

Vaglið Square

The central part of the city, Vaglið, is a busy pedestrian area. It’s perfect for shopping and people-watching.

For book lovers, don’t miss H. N. Jacobsens Bókahandil. This is the oldest bookstore in the Faroe Islands, offering souvenirs, books about Faroese culture and more. Next door, grab a coffee and a treat at Paname Café.

The charming H. N. Jacobsens' Bookstore with a grass roof surrounded by lush greenery and a black metal fence in evening sunlight. — Enjoy H. N. Jacobsens’ Bookstore in Vaglið, the central pedestrian area of Tórshavn.

Bojsensgardur is on the west side of the bookstore. We enjoyed a stroll through this small, delightful garden.

Directly across the street is Tórshavn City Hall with some picnic tables for relaxing and enjoying people-watching.

Walk along the cute little stream on the east side of City Hall called the Havnara. The stream runs through Vaglið and in front of the Løgting. This white, wooden building holds the Faroese Parliament, one of the oldest in Europe.

A serene street scene with a narrow canal, footpath, and the white Løgting building on the right and a large tree providing shade. — The white Løgting building, home to the modern Faroese Parliament, is located just off Vaglið Square.

Continue north along the street and discover more shopping options.

Tórshavn Wool and Specialty Stores

The Faroe Islands are known for their wool. Island wool production dates back over a thousand years.

The sheep of the Faroe Islands produce wool that contains higher levels of lanolin, due to the Faroes’ harsher climate. This makes Faroese wool warmer and more water-resistant than typical sheep wool.

The white building with red trim in Tórshavn features the text "ÖSTRÖM" above the entrance. There are multiple windows and a reflection of the waterfront in the glass doors and windows. — The Öström building, Faroe Islands’ first factory, now houses stores selling local products and art.

In Tórshavn, check out these stores when purchasing both practical and fashionable knitwear.

Shop Name	Known for
Guðrun & Guðrun	Sustainable quality knitwear rooted in Faroese traditions. Pick up a stylish and high-quality woollen souvenir.
Ullvøruhúsið	This wool warehouse was first opened in 1918. They have great authentic sweaters from knitwear brands Shisa and Steinum.
Öström	In this old factory are a treasure trove of local products including: woodwork, traditional clothes and local art. A great place to find a souvenir.

Tórshavn Museums and Galleries

If you have time, we recommend walking north to the National Gallery of The Faroe Islands.

The gallery has over 200 works in its permanent collection, including those of Faroe’s best known painter, Samal Joensen-Mikines.

The modern National Gallery in Tórshavn with slanted roofs, large windows, and a unique sculpture in the front, surrounded by green grass and trees. A path runs along the right side. — This bronze sculpture called “Skyggen” is by renowned Faroese artist Hans Pauli Olsen. It sits in front of the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn, one of many of his public art works found throughout the Faroe Islands.

These museums in Tórshavn are all worth a visit.

Name	Known for
The National Gallery of The Faroe Islands (Listasavn Føroya)	Permanent exhibits showcasing Faroese art, providing insight into the country’s artistic heritage .
Faroe Islands National Museum (Tjóðsavnið)	A museum with many artifacts of the Faroe’s culture and natural history.
The Nordic House	This beautiful glass-walled venue with a grass-covered roof has rotating visual arts exhibits. It also hosts conferences and concerts.
Skansin Fort	This star-shaped 16th-century fortress, is mainly used as a recreational area. Although not much of the fort remains, it is worth visiting to see the two WWII canons on site.

Vidarlundin Park

The National Gallery backs onto Vidarlundin, known as the “Park”. Wander its short paths and discover the sculptures within this city park, including a monument in memory of Faroese seamen, who lost their lives at sea. Enjoy a break on a bench beside the small pond. It was filled with ducks splashing about when we visited.

Tórshavn Hotels – Where to Stay

Looking for accommodation in Tórshavn?

Tórshavn makes a great home base for exploring the Faroe Islands. Check out these great options.

Hotel Hafnia – Great downtown location near Vaglið Square.
Hotel Føroyar – Excellent hotel. With a car, this hotel is a great base to explore all of the Faroe Islands.
Here are other great hotels in Tórshavn.

Explore Our Complete Faroe Islands Itinerary

The capital of Tórshavn 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 – You’re reading this guide now!
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 – The less travelled southern gem