Torshavn (Streymoy, Faroe Islands)

Torshavn is the largest seaport and capital city of Faroe Islands (autonomous territory of Denmark). The city is located on Streymoy Island's eastern coast and has population around 13,000. Faroe Islands are located almost midway between Iceland and Norway, and northwest of Scotland (UK).

As cruise port, Torshavn is the gateway to 17 uninhabited islands. Alternatively, smaller-sized ships may dock at Kollafjordur (on Streymoy's central-eastern coast) or Vestmanna (on Streymoy's central-western coast). The official language is Danish. The local currency is the Danish Krona (DKK).

Port Torshavn (locode FOTOR) is a cruise port of call on itineraries offered by luxury travel brands like P&O UK, RSSC-Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, Crystal, Oceania, Azamara, Phoenix Reisen, Fred Olsen, Viking. Most voyages are with departures out of the UK or from Iceland (Reykjavik).

Smyril Line ferries connect Torshavn with Seydisfjordur (Iceland) and Hirtshals (Denmark). The route is currently served by the cruiseferry Norrona.

In 2014, DCL-Disney was the first of all three (for now) cruise companies (followed in 2016 by AIDA and Hapag-Lloyd) that have banned Faroe Islands (a Danish territory) as destination part of their North European itineraries. The boycott is due to the island nation's traditional mass slaughter of pilot whales each year. The protected by Denmark gruesome practice of killing whales is called Grindadrap Grind. Locals use motorboats to drive a pod of whales into a harbor. The defenseless animals are dragged to the shallow water and brutally slaughtered by locals armed with knives (16-19 cm / 6-8 inch long) while their families cheer them on. The killing party even rip out baby whales from their mothers. Faroe Islands have population of ~50,000 and kill annually 1000+ pilot whales.

In 2018, the cruise port handled 44 ship calls, in 2019 - 50.

Following the Coronavirus crisis, in 2022 the port had booked 53 ship calls/berthings, of which 17 were canceled due to extreme weather/cruise itinerary changes. For 2023 were scheduled ~50 ship calls.

Torshavn cruise terminal

Torshavn tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Tinganes: those are the cliffs that divide Torshvan in two. It used to be the place where the Norwegian settlers met and the political life center.

Kirkjubø: Streymoy’s southernmost village is famous with the fact that here used to be the seat of the bishop. You can see the Múrurin remnants and the Ólavskirkjan. The Mururin cathedral was constructed in the 14th century, Ólavskirkjan dates from the 12th century.

Faroese evening: amazing event, that you should visit. They are arranged mainly in June and July.

The Faroe Islands Art Museum: located at Gundadalsvegur 9. It houses rich Faroese art collections. The most famous works are by Sámal Joensen-Mikines. The collections are permanent.

Listagluggin: located at Dr. Jacobsensgøta 15. It houses contemporary Faroese art.

Historical Museum: located at Kúrdalsvegur 2. It houses artifacts and pictures to tell you the Faroe Islands’ life in time.

The Faroese Museum of Natural History: located at V. U. Hammershaimbs gøta 13.

The Nordic House: located at Norðari Ringvegur. The architecture of the house combines Norwegian, Danish, Swedish and Finnish influences. The Nordic House houses Faroese and Nordic art forum. It includes art exhibitions, theater, concert and dance performances.