The best things to do in the Faroe Islands with kids

04.03.2024 - 14:57 / lonelyplanet.com / Peter Pan

The Faroe Islands are perfect for families who love fresh air, outdoor fun and freedom.

It is an adventurous destination for kids who love to hike to sea cliffs, spot puffins, play on black-sand beaches and hear stories of mythical monsters. It’s also a safe travel destination with lots of space to play and few roads; a place where local children grow up roaming free in nature.

Authentic and slow-paced, a vacation in the the Faroes might well be the opposite of a villa with a pool, or an all-inclusive family stay: children are welcome everywhere, but in place of water parks, there’s the ever-changing sea, boat trips and an underwater roundabout. For adventurous and active families, there’s plenty to fire the imagination and discover about life on the islands.

In a word, yes. But a measure of self-sufficiency is needed to get by here on these sparsely-populated islands, both as a visitor and a resident. Supermarkets aren’t open 24/7 and roads can sometimes be cut off for bad weather, so be prepared, pack snacks and plenty of clothing options, and expect a few inconveniences.

One of the key activities is hiking. If you’re bringing a baby or toddler, a backpack or baby carrier is a great option (strollers for the most part won’t cut it). There are plenty of intermediate, hour-long walks you can take with younger children, and many longer options for school-age kids and teens. Most – but not all – of the tourist and trail hot spots have public toilets. They don’t all have cafes and supermarkets, however. Note that many hiking routes currently ask you to pay a fee, though children typically go free.

Boat trips are also a popular family activity, particularly to Mykines to see the puffins in season. Family rates and discounted child rates are usually available. Other activities, including diving and surfing, have a minimum age limit and are most suitable for teens. 

Many museums offer free entry for children and even those under 20, including Listasavn Føroya (the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands), Føroya Fornminnissa (the National Museum of the Faroe Islands) and Norðurlandahúsið í Føroyum (the Nordic House). Boat trips and excursions usually offer a discounted child’s price, often around 50% of an adult’s ticket, at least for those aged up to 13. 

The Faroe Islands stood in for Neverland in Disney's Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) and there’s no wondering why: with jagged volcanic islands rearing up out of the sea, roads jammed with fuzzy sheep, mythical sea stacks and black-sand beaches, it’s the kind of place where it feels like magic can happen.

The capital city, Tórshavn, offers the most variety for families. There are plenty of child-friendly restaurants to choose from, including burger bars and cafes that