Posts Tagged With: Faroe Islands

Our first port of call was the charming capital of the Faroe Islands – Tórshavn, home to just 5,000 residents. The morning greeted us with a blanket of low-hanging clouds, which masked the island’s dramatic peaks, but we were excited to begin our first of many hikes on this trip.

Just steps from the cruise port lies the Tórshavn transportation center. Armed with backpacks and gear for any kind of weather, the six of us hopped on a local bus to Midvágur, on the neighboring island of Vágar. Our destination? A several-mile hike to one of the most iconic natural sights in the Faroe Islands, Lake Leitisvatn, known as the “Floating Lake.”

The hike begins about a half mile outside the town, entirely on privately owned land. The landowners have created a gravel path for most of the trail and charge a small fee, which we paid at the entrance café before heading off. Luckily, the skies cleared during our bus trip, revealing brilliant blue skies and warm sunshine. We were dressed for cool, damp weather, so we gradually shed layers at least until the wind picked up near the shoreline.

Most of the trail winds through grassy fields alongside the lake, but the true reward comes at the cliff’s edge. The sight of the Trælanípan Cliff’s dramatic drop, the illusion of the lake suspended in the sky, and the thunderous Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where the lake meets the ocean, were absolutely breathtaking. Photos simply can’t do justice to the views.

Lake Leitisvatn, the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, flowing all the way to the island’s edge. Thanks to the steep, sheer Trælanípan cliffs, there’s one vantage point where the lake appears to float above the ocean below, a mind-bending optical illusion.

After soaking in the stunning scenery, we retraced our steps and caught the bus back to Tórshavn. Some of us headed to the ship, while others wandered into town for lunch. The local Irish pub turned out to be the perfect spot to sample locally-caught salmon and Faroe Islands craft beer.

Reunited after lunch, we explored the town. We visited Tinganes, the historic red-painted turf-roofed government buildings where you can walk right up to the Prime Minister’s door.

Then we made our way to the Skansin Fortress, perched on a hill overlooking the harbor. Originally built in 1580 to defend against pirate attacks, it also served as a Royal Navy headquarters during WWII.

One of the great perks of cruising with Azamara is the extended time in ports. Tonight, we boarded the ship for the signature White Night Party, an evening of open-air dining, drinks, and dancing on the upper decks. With everyone dressed in white and a glowing sunset as our backdrop, we ended this unforgettable day with music, laughter, and some beautiful family photos.

What an incredible first stop on our adventure!