FARMTOURISM

Agriculture and farming in the Faroe Islands are deeply rooted in our culture and history. For generations, village communities were managed by a few main farmers thus largely contributing to the shaping of village landscapes and our nature as a whole. Our social and cultural heritage is also deeply intertwined with our farming history.

Origins of farming & animal life on the islands

Due to the remoteness of the Faroe Islands, the animal life here is primarily of Faroese descent, and many species have been preserved to this day. The Faroese sheep roaming the soft lands of the islands today are the original Faroese sheep, which have been bred for generations to adapt to the harsh climate and rugged terrain of the islands.

As the Faroese cows had great significance 60 or so years ago, unfortunately, they have become extinct. It was common for each household to have a cow in the basement providing heat and milk. It was also common for several families to share a cow.
There have always been horses on the Faroe Islands. Like the sheep, geographical remoteness in the North Atlantic Ocean forced the Faroese horse to adapt to its surroundings. Only the horses that could withstand the weather survived, and the Faroe Islands became home to a horse breed that was strong, hardy and agile. Today, a preservation group (‘Felagið Føroysk Ross’) is working hard to avoid the unique breed's extinction.

FACTS

People population: 50,000
Sheep population: 70,000
The infield of the Faroe Islands is divided into 480 hagar (outfield)
Around 800 horses existed in the 18th century, today only 87 remain (2023)
Around 48.000 lambs are born (Spring) and slaughtered (Autumn) each year

Farming today

Farming today can be said to be in its prime, although structures and frameworks have changed somewhat. Shepherding is still a popular and respected business and pastime which brings both CEOs and regular workers together on equal footing, joined together in the communal activities necessary for efficient sheep raising, sheering and slaughter.

The wool was formerly a very important good as were the woollen products exported from the Faroe Islands. Today we see a revival of the importance of wool and woollen products in the modern interpretation of the classical patterns. Knitting never went out of fashion in the Faroe Islands and most women knit and create their own patterns or re-interpret traditional patterns.

Visiting the Faroe Islands during autumn can give you a sense of the vibrant atmosphere during the steering and slaughtering. If you time your visit right, you can visit Heystfagnaðurin á Eiði, an annual event focusing on traditional agriculture.

TIP

If you plan on visiting Vágur, Suðuroy, check out their newly invented woollen sitting mats, which you can rent for free!

While there, ask for hiking tips and learn about the women in Vágur experimenting to discover the benefits of coarse Faroese sheep wool.

Food culture

Traditional Faroese food is of great significance to the locals; not only the part where you get to dig in and satisfy those taste buds but also the other stages, from hunting and killing to preserving, fermenting and preparing. A must-see while visiting, is the monthly food market pop-up “Matkovin” found at the harbour in Tórshavn, presenting freshly grown local goods and delicacies from nearly all corners of the 18-islands. Read more about Faroese food culture below.

Over the past decade, there has been a shift in farming practices from primarily cultivating potatoes and rhubarbs to experimenting with a wider variety of vegetables. Some farmers have already established profitable avenues for several vegetables. This trend is particularly evident on the island of Sandur and in the village of Hvalba (Suðuroy), where the fertile land has led to great green growth.

EXPERIENCE FARMTOURISM

Now you can get a taste of farming in the Faroe Islands in a multitude of ways. You could try Heimablídni (farm visit), and you can gain an authentic experience with trading farmers by dining or staying on a farm, going hiking, or visiting a village museum or a barn to experience our farming heritage.

Also, bring a piece of the Faroe Islands back home, and you will find an array of heart-made pieces, i.e. handmade artefacts, knitted sweaters, unique pieces of Faroese wool or knitting patterns, food delicacies as well as high-end designer knits.

FARM STAYS & HEIMABLÍDNI
dining with locals

The farm á Stórheygnum

Welcome to ‘Heimablídni’ and guided tours on our farm in Svínoy

Norðoyggjar

Dining with farmers Anna and Óli

Try a traditional Faroese lamb meal while dining in the home of farmers Anna and Óli.

Streymoy

Heimablídni at Tummas Frank & Elisabeth's

Heimablídni at Tummas Frank & Elisabeth's in Skúvoy

Sandoy

Hanusarstova

We invite you to experience unique B&B-style home and farm tours on the beautiful village of Æðuvík

Eysturoy

Heimablídni at Poul & Sóleyð's

Experience locally-sourced ingredients and farm-raised sheep meat at Poul and Sóley's home in Sandur

Sandoy

Heimablídni in Niðristova

Traditional Faroese food and specialities – made from scratch and locally produced

Streymoy

Signabøgarður

Visit an active sheep farm in Signabøður.

Streymoy

FARM VISITS & MUSEUMS

Faroese sheep farm in Selatrað

Welcome to our Faroese sheep farm- experience in Selatrað - a 20-minute drive from Tórshavn!

Eysturoy

Dúvugarðar (History Museum)

Dúvugarðar in Saksun is an old medium-sized King’s farm

Streymoy

Fjallaross

Horse riding with Faroese ponies in the mountains

Streymoy

Koltur

The research station and nature reserve on Koltur Island unites science and nature

Streymoy

Kálvalíð

The museum Kálvalíð in Miðvági is one of the first local museums in Faroe Islands.

Vágar

MARKA

Join a tour led by the farmer's daughter and learn about the rich history and culture of the Faroe Islands

Tórshavn

History Museum (Blásastova)

Step back into history when you visit this authentic 19th century Faroese farmhouse and the other parts of the historical village of Norðragøta, including the church from 1833.

Eysturoy

Hanusarstova

We invite you to experience unique B&B-style home and farm tours on the beautiful village of Æðuvík

Eysturoy

Savnið á Mýri in Hov

The old village shop in Hov is now a museum which also hosts cultural events and art exhibitions.

Suðuroy

Spinnaríið

The House of Faroese Wool

Norðoyggjar

Hoyvíksgarður

The old town of Hoyvík is an Open Air Museum in Hoydalar

Streymoy

Davidsen Hestar (Horseriding)

Enjoy the beautiful Faroese nature while riding on either Faroese or Icelandic horses

Vágar

Roykstovan í Kirkjubø

Farmhouse from year 1100

Streymoy

Varmakeldugarðurin

Visit a farmer's family farm and enjoy a selection of food choices, from coffee and tea to a light lunch, or a proper traditional Faroese dinner

Eysturoy

History Museum (Bygdasavnið Látri)

This small local museum is a restored farmhouse from around 1840 with three rooms exhibiting many historical everyday objects

Eysturoy

CAFÉS & SHOPS

Føroya Heimavirkisfelag

Homemade knitted and crafted articles

Tórshavn

The kiosk at the end of the world

Locally run kiosk in Trøllanes selling snacks and goods from the farm

Norðoyggjar

Østrøm

Experience the heart of Faroese culture, industry, and handicrafts

Tórshavn

Faroe Sheep

Get your perfect Faroese Sheepskin online or in a local shop

Vágar

Snældan

Snældan is a traditional wool producer and knitwear manufacturer

Streymoy

Tórshavn Market

Are you looking to find and try out fresh and locally sourced delicacies?

Tórshavn

Norðoya heimavirki

We sell a wide range of homemade knit and crafts

Norðoyggjar

Uanni

Uanni is a locally runned souvenir shop in Gásadalur

Vágar

Heimavirki in Eysturoy

Heimavirkni, literally translated as "home industry", is a society of local artists and artisans who produce hand-knitted garments, embroidery, wooden objects, paintings, glass art, etc

Eysturoy