Around Tórshavn

Tórshavn was established in 825 AD at the head of a sheltered bay on the east coast of the island of Streymoy. The name translates to Thor’s Harbor in honor of the Norse god of thunder.

One of the smallest capital cities in the world, the city center is dominated by the Tinganes peninsula which features a collection of red wooden buildings with grass roofs. These structures house the Faroese government and stand on the site where the Althing parliament first met during the Viking Age. This makes it one of the oldest continuously operating parliamentary meeting places in the world.

Adjacent to the government buildings is the neighborhood of Reyn. This area is a maze of narrow alleys and black tarred houses that date back to the fourteenth century. Unlike the modern districts of the city, Reyn has preserved its medieval layout and traditional architecture. The city is bordered by the mountain Húsareyn which rises to 345 meters (1132 feet) and the hill Kirkjubøreyn at 351 meters (1152 feet). These peaks provide a natural barrier that shields the harbor from the western Atlantic gales.

Despite its small population of approximately 23,000 residents, Tórshavn is a sophisticated urban center. It features a concentrated culinary scene that includes everything from traditional fermented Faroese cuisine to modern microbreweries and upscale Nordic dining.

Touring the city is easy, it's small and easy to navigate. Parking is also easy, so we went back several times to see the city at various times of day to sight see and just walk around.Read more