A Faroe Islands cruise takes you to one of the most dramatically beautiful and least-visited corners of the North Atlantic. It is a remote, self-governing Danish archipelago of 18 islands, sitting between Scotland, Iceland, and Norway. Picture sheer sea cliffs, grass-roofed villages, waterfalls plunging straight into the ocean, and tens of thousands of seabirds, all under fast-moving Atlantic skies. The capital, Torshavn, is one of the smallest in the world, and the Faroes feel genuinely off the beaten track.

For cruisers, the Faroes are about raw, windswept nature and a sense of remoteness that few European destinations can match. The islands feature on Iceland, British Isles, and North Atlantic itineraries, usually with a single call at tiny, charming Torshavn. The scenery is the star: dramatic cliffs, the iconic village of Gasadalur with its famous waterfall, and bird colonies on towering headlands. It is a stop for travelers who treasure wild landscapes over big-city sights.

Quick Facts

Best Time to Cruise

The Faroe Islands have a short cruise season running May through September, dictated by the far-northern Atlantic location. Peak season is June through August, with the mildest weather, the longest daylight, and the seabird colonies in full swing. Even summer here is cool, breezy, and often misty, so calm sun is a bonus.

The best value sits in the shoulder windows: May and September. The islands are quieter and fares ease, though the weather is cooler and less settled. Browse the latest Northern Europe cruise deals for shoulder-season sailings that include the Faroes.

The Faroes are famously wet and windy in any month, with weather that changes by the hour, so layers and waterproofs matter year-round. Most lines only call in summer. For the best mix of mild weather, long daylight, and active birdlife, sail in June or July rather than the cooler shoulders.

Top Cruise Ports

Torshavn

Torshavn, one of the world’s smallest and oldest capitals, is the Faroes’ main cruise port, with ships docking right by the compact, characterful town. Its old quarter of Tinganes has grass-roofed wooden houses and centuries of history packed into a tiny peninsula.

The draws are the charming old town, the dramatic island scenery, the famous village of Gasadalur with its cliff-edge waterfall, and the seabird cliffs and grass-roofed villages. Insider tip: the Faroes are all about the landscape, so take an excursion or drive out of Torshavn to villages like Gasadalur or Saksun. The cliffs, waterfalls, and turf-roofed houses there are the real Faroese magic.

Which Cruise Lines Sail Here

The Faroe Islands are a niche North Atlantic stop, so the lineup leans toward expedition, premium, and destination-focused lines. The premium and expedition lines lead. Viking, Holland America, Princess, and Hurtigruten include Torshavn on Iceland, North Atlantic, and British Isles itineraries.

The expedition specialists and smaller ships suit the Faroes especially well, given the remote, weather-exposed setting, with Hurtigruten and similar lines reaching them on scenic voyages. Celebrity and MSC call on some wider Northern Europe routes.

The British-market lines such as Saga and Ambassador also include the Faroes on British Isles and North Atlantic sailings. Most Faroe cruises come as part of a 7-to-14-night Iceland or British Isles itinerary. Read our Viking Ocean review, our Hurtigruten review, and our Holland America review to match a line to your trip.

Shore Excursion Tips

The Faroes genuinely reward an organized excursion. The spectacular scenery is spread across the islands and connected by roads, tunnels, and the occasional ferry, hard to manage independently in a single port day. A ship tour or reputable local operator is the practical way to reach the famous villages and cliffs.

Torshavn itself is walkable from the ship for the old town of Tinganes and the harbor, so a do-it-yourself stroll covers the capital. But to see the real Faroese landscape, the waterfalls and turf-roofed villages, an excursion out of town is well worth it.

Faroese is the language, with Danish and English widely spoken, and the Faroese krona (tied to the Danish krone) is the currency, though cards work everywhere. The Faroes are expensive. Try the lamb and the local seafood. For more, see our guide to cruise shore excursions.

Sample Itineraries

A 7-to-10-night Iceland and Faroes cruise on a Viking or Holland America ship pairs Torshavn with the Icelandic ports and sometimes Scotland, from around $2,799 per person. It is a classic North Atlantic combination.

A 12-to-14-night British Isles and North Atlantic voyage on Princess or Celebrity reaches the Faroes alongside Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland, from around $2,999 per person.

An expedition-style North Atlantic sailing on Hurtigruten or a similar line includes the Faroes among the remote islands and coasts, from around $4,999 per person. Compare current sailings on the deals page before you book.

Packing & Practical Tips

Pack warm layers and serious waterproofs, since the Faroes are cool, wet, and windy even in summer, with weather that changes by the hour. Bring a waterproof jacket, fleece, hat, gloves, and sturdy walking shoes with good grip for wet, uneven ground. Binoculars are great for the seabirds and the scenery.

The Faroes use the Faroese krona, tied to the Danish krone, but cards work everywhere, so little cash is needed. Plugs are the European Type C/F. Tap water is excellent. The islands are expensive, so expect high prices ashore. Note the Faroes are outside the Schengen Area and the EU. For the full list, see our cruise packing guide.

The Verdict

The Faroe Islands are one of the most spectacular and unspoiled stops in the North Atlantic, a place where raw, windswept nature is the entire attraction. The sea cliffs, the cliff-edge waterfalls, the grass-roofed villages, and the remote, end-of-the-world atmosphere give a port day here a wild beauty that few destinations can match. It is a treat for travelers who love dramatic landscapes over city sights.

Book a cruise that calls at Torshavn if you want raw North Atlantic scenery and a genuine sense of remoteness, and do not mind cool, changeable weather. Take an excursion out to the villages and waterfalls, since the landscape beyond Torshavn is the real magic, and pack proper waterproof layers. For the best mix of mild weather and birdlife, sail in June or July.

Related Guides (internal links)

• Northern Europe Cruise Guide: the full regional overview
• Read our Viking Ocean review
• Read our Hurtigruten review
• Read our Holland America review
• Cruising Iceland: volcanoes and waterfalls
• Cruising Norway: the fjords and beyond
• See this week’s Northern Europe cruise deals
• Compare cruise lines side by side
• Plan your route with the Itinerary Planner

Last updated: May 23, 2026. Written by Helena Marsh, Editorial Director.