Featured Elopement Location: The Faroe Islands June & July 2023
If the idea of getting married on a Faroe islands lights a fire in your soul — or was already on your elopement bucket list — and the dates I’m there align with when you want to get married, all of my travel fees are waived! My dates for Faroe are currently flexible in the month of June & July 2023. Want to come with me? Let me know ASAP.
What is a featured location?
Before I get to the GOOD STUFF, I wanted to tell you about my featured locations. A featured location is somewhere I already have plans to be. If the dates I’m there align with when you want to get married, all of my travel fees are waived! (A $1,000 savings!) So yeah, you could technically count this as a reason to shuffle the budget and fit in an epic activity on your big day. That’s enough cash for a helicopter tour or a massive upgrade to wherever you’re staying!
What could a Faroe Islands Elopement look like? Read on for all the details.
Written by the wonderful Sam Tatro of Undiscovered Path Home
Are you looking for wild, adventurous, truly unspoilt and undiscovered beauty? The Faroe Islands, a collection of 18 islands north of Denmark, may be the perfect place for your intimate and private elopement. Stunning coastlines, epic fjords, unbelievable mountains and cliffs, and puffins…if you want that unparalleled beauty, you may want to plan a Faroe Islands elopement.
Many travelers skip past these unbelievable islands, and instead opt to visit Norway, Iceland, or the U.K. That’s why these remote islands make the perfect elopement destination for those couples seeking out truly extraordinary elopement experiences. If you do want to elope at the Faroe Islands, there are a few things you need to know. Here’s my complete, extensive guide to eloping in the Faroe Islands!
Where to elope in the Faroe Islands
How can you pick just one perfect spot for your Faroe Islands elopement amid all the beauty and wonder? It’s a challenge! On top of that, as tourism grows in the Faroe Islands, so have the problems associated with it.
Because all land is privately owned, some landowners are happy for visitors to hike on their property, while others (in some locations like Saksun) have fenced off their land to visitors. It’s important to always be responsible when eloping in the Faroe Islands.
If you’re looking for some truly unforgettable elopement destinations, the Faroe Islands has something for everyone. Here are some of my favorite spots:
Bøssdalafossur Waterfall
Have you ever seen any place as beautiful as this? If you want waterfalls, mountain peaks, AND rolling hills, consider eloping at Bøssdalafossur Waterfall. A short hike leads up to the top of this cliff, where couples can say their vows and start the rest of their lives together with a waterfall cascading down into the Atlantic Ocean. If you want a mix of coastline and mountains, there’s honestly few places as beautiful as this one.
Lake Sørvágsvatn
Okay, I lied…Lake Sørvágsvatn may rival the beauty of Bøssdalafossur Waterfall. This lake, nestled at the very edge of a towering cliff, is an iconic spot in the Faroe Islands. It’s the kind of postcard image that few people will believe is ACTUALLY real. A short, one hour hike will get you to this epic viewpoint, and you will be standing at the edge of the cliff (or closer to land, if that’s not your vibe) for a spectacular view.
Saksun
Picturing rolling green hills and mossy-covered homes? Saksun, one of the most remote location in the Faroe Islands, is a small village tucked away in lush fields, surrounded by towering mountain peaks. This is the perfect location for couples looking to elope in the still silence of the nature around them. It is THE fairytale wedding!
Because of this area’s popular location, if you have an area in mind, it’s safe to call the landowner and ask for permission to elope in this area.
Saksun Church
Saksun Church is located on the island of Streymoy, an hour from Torshavn. This tiny village has just a few houses and plenty of sheep. And there’s one standout spot for your elopement: this adorable church, with its cobblestone wall and mossy roof. I know I mentioned eloping in Saksun, but this spot has to have its own place on the list. With nearby waterfalls and the ocean close enough to smell, this church makes a serene spot for your Faroe Islands elopement.
Gjógv
This adorable little fishing village, located on the northeast tip of the island of Eysturoy, is the perfect elopement location for couples looking to have more of a city feel. The village was named after a sea-filled gorge that runs through the village. Mountains surround the town, and honestly, it’s just such a picturesque spot.
Mykines
Do you want an epic, unforgettable elopement? The island of Mykines is a remote spot that is best accessed by ferry – or helicopter! This island is home to a picturesque lighthouse that’s the stuff of dreams, but it’s also a great place to take in some unique birds and a cool place to witness sheep herding in September. You won’t forget these rolling hills and steep cliffs!
What to do on your elopement day in the Faroe Islands
If you’re thinking about eloping in the Faroe Islands, there’s a chance that you don’t really know much about the islands. Most people have never heard about the Faroe Islands, but there’s so much adventure to be had on these islands. Here are some cool ideas to make your elopement day special:
- Take a helicopter ride: The Faroe Islands are all jutting cliffs and dramatic coastline spots, and many of the best views are not easily accessible. What better way to see the coastline than a romantic flight over the islands? Atlantic Airways offers tours, and because the airline is subsidized by the government, the costs are much, much lower than traditional costs for helicopter rides. You CANNOT miss this!
- Rent a car and road trip: The second best way to see the island? Rent a car! If you plan to stay on the island, you can take your car on several ferries to nearby islands. The best adventures in the Faroe Islands involve getting lost!
- Go hiking: If you love to hike like me, there’s no other way to see a new place than just setting out on a trail. You can plan to take a guided hike or venture off on your own.
- Take a boat tour: Exploring the Faroe Islands by water is a great way to see the remarkable landscapes from a new angle. There are plenty of different options to explore the coastline. Is there anything like standing on the deck of a boat with the wind blowing in your hair?
The best time to elope in the Faroe Islands
The peak season to visit the Faroe Islands is June to August, and that’s the high season for tourists. While the Faroe Islands are never really as busy as other nearby hotspots like Iceland and Norway, accommodations do book up faster and prices for things like car rentals are higher than usual.
I’d recommend visiting the Faroe Islands between May and August. The weather is absolutely gorgeous during this time and fairly stable (not much rain!), and you can expect to get hours and hours of sunlight – sometimes through the overnight hours. If you visit in May, you’ll see fields of wildflowers in bloom with birds nesting in the cliffs. It’s truly magical!
However, if you want to elope in the winter, that’s also an option at the Faroe Islands. You may find snow on the ground, of course, and much colder temperatures, but if that’s the vibe you are going for, you’ll find that winter wonderland by the ocean vibe here.
Where to eat in the Faroe Islands
The food in the Faroe Islands is shaped by their heritage, even to this day. Like many Scandinavian territories, the Faroe Islands are pretty isolated and vulnerable to the climate. That means that the cuisine includes plenty of local flare, including lots of fish and sheep.
Traditional food in the Faroe Islands
Looking to try the local specialties? Here are three common dishes in the Faroe Islands:
- Skerpikjøt, or semi-fermented mutton meat: The Faroe Islands specializes in preserving a lot of meat, as winters can still be quite harsh. This dish is wind-dried in a so-called hjallur, a type of outdoor shed with half-open, slatted sides. The cold climate give the meat a certain taste, and this type of cured meat tastes pretty distinctly unlike other cured meats. It’s often eaten for breakfast with sourdough bread and salt.
- Ræst: Dried cod is another local specialty.
- Garnatálg: This special dish is prepared with cured sheep intestines and sheep tallow. The pieces are then air-dried, and locals will pan-fry those pieces and serve them with fermented fish.
Where to eat in the capital
Here are some of the best restaurants in the Faroe Islands, with a fair amount focused in the capital city:
- Áarstova
- Barbara Fish House
- Katrina Christiansen
- Bitin
- Fríða Kaffihús
- Rose’s Cafe
- Smyrjibreyðsbúðin
- Etika Sushi
Where to drink in the Faroe Islands
Looking to grab a drink in the Faroe Islands to toast to your marriage? Try these places:
Where to stay in the Faroe Islands
Picking where to stay in the Faroe Islands can be challenging, especially because the islands can be so remote. Most people will stay around Torshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, because that’s where most of the hotels and amenities are.
But if you’re looking for something truly wild and remote, there are some incredible Airbnbs nestled throughout the countryside. Here are some of my recommendations:
Hotels
Airbnbs
- House at the Marina
- Modern flat in the heart of Tórshavn
- Guest house in Sørvágur near airport
- Gásadalsgarður Guest house
- Charming old house in Mykines
- Múlafossur Cottage by breathtaking waterfall
- The Farmer’s house
Vendors I recommend in the area
Florist
Hair and Makeup Artists
Bakery
Catering
How to get to the Faroe Islands
Most people have never heard of the Faroe Islands, and that makes it a little trickier to reach these gorgeous islands from the U.S. The Faroe Islands are actually a formal part of Denmark, but they are self governing.
To get to the Faroe Islands, you will have to fly. No matter your home airport, expect to fly into Copenhagen, Denmark, Reykjavik, Iceland, Edinburgh, Scotland, or Bergen, Norway. From there, you can take a direct flight to the Faroe Islands. Atlantic Airways, Air Iceland, and Scandinavian Airlines all fly to the Faroe Islands, in addition to several other airliners.
It’s important to note that flights don’t go to the Faroe Islands every single day of the week, especially during shoulder seasons and the off seasons. So plan around the travel dates!
How to legally elope in the Faroe Islands
I’d personally recommend getting legally married in the U.S. to make it easier on you both and then have the symbolic ceremony in the Faroe Islands.
But if you want to legally get married in the Faroe Islands, it is possible. Here’s how:
To elope in the Faroe Islands, you will need to start with a Notice of Marriage. It’s similar to a marriage license in other countries. You need to get this notice at least four weeks before the ceremony from the capital city. To get this notice, email torshavn@torshavn.fo. The office will also need copies of your birth certificates and, if you have been previously married, proof of divorce or widow(er) status. These documents need to be in English, unless you happen to have a copy in Faroese.
To have a legal ceremony in the Faroe Islands, you will need to have your ceremony officiated by a mayor or minister. Two witnesses will need to be present (I can be one of them!). Your other vendors can sign as your other witnesses as well, if you plan to elope just the two of you.
My tips for exploring the Faroe Islands
Once you land in the Faroe Islands, I would highly recommend renting a car. The Faroe Islands (comprising 18 islands!) are quite remote, and a car is really the only way to fully see and experience the island.
If you want to have a wild and adventurous elopement, plan on visiting some of the Faroe Islands’ many islands. Some of these islands, as I said earlier, are really only accessible by helicopter! However, there are several islands – like Vágar or Eysturoy – that are accessible with ferries and you can fully explore the islands.
My best advice for planning THE best trip to the Faroe Islands? Throw out the map and just drive! You won’t believe all the adventures!
Closing Statements
If you’re looking for fewer crowds than Iceland or Norway but more dramatic scenery, the Faroe Islands is the place for you. There’s something so magical and special about these remote islands that so many people skip past. Don’t overlook this incredible elopement spot!
