Klaksvik (Faroe Islands) / Denmark

In the northeastern part of the Faroe Islands, an autonomous part of Denmark, lies Klaksvík on the shores of the Norwegian Sea. The second largest city of the archipelago is located on the island of Bordoy and has about 5,000 inhabitants.

The city was settled as early as the Viking era. Later, there were four farms here, from which four villages grew, whose merger in 1938 created a modern city and a cultural and commercial center not only of the Northern but the entire Faroe Islands. Today, the city on the border of two bays is an important fishing port and a base for exploring the beautiful archipelago.

A tour of Klaksvík can begin with a walk along the beautiful waterfront. Not far from it, a massive Christian church, the largest in the entire Faroe Islands, rises to the sky. It was built in 1963 in the old Norwegian style as the first modern church in all of Scandinavia and was dedicated to sailors who lost their lives in World War II. Today, visitors here can not only admire the open roof structure, characteristic of old Viking halls, but also view an interesting wooden boat from the 19th century, which priests used in the past to travel between the islands.

In the building of the old pharmacy and the original shop from the first half of the 19th century, there is an interesting museum Nordoya Fornminnasavn, a shop with art objects, and a pleasant café. History enthusiasts should not miss a visit to the Úti i Grov park with remnants of buildings from the Viking era.

Those who want to stretch their legs can head to the Hálsur viewpoint, from where it is possible to climb to the top of Klakkur. Those who undertake the hike will be rewarded for their effort with stunning panoramic views of the picturesque bays and the islands of Kunoy and Kalsoy. Nature lovers can also look forward to a variety of bird species that call this beautiful landscape home.

The Föroya Bjór brewery was founded in 1888 and today offers guided tours, which necessarily include a tasting of various types of beer. You can enjoy some of the Faroe Islands' specialties with them: pickled lamb, skerpikjot, wind-dried mutton, or tvost og spik, pilot whale meat with whale fat.

Just an hour's drive southwest of Klaksvík lies Tórshavn, with its 20,000 inhabitants, the largest and capital city of the archipelago. The old part of the city, Tinganes, still boasts wooden houses up to 500 years old with grass-covered roofs, but the Skansin fortress from the 16th century or the second oldest cathedral in the Faroe Islands is also worth a visit. Tórshavn also hosts several interesting museums: the historical museum in Hoyvík, the Natural History Museum with a small botanical garden, or the art museum Listasavn Foroya.

Places worth seeing

Christianskirkjan – Admire the beautiful stone church with a Viking roof structure and a wooden boat from the 19th century.

Klakkur – Be enchanted by the panoramic views of the beautiful bays of the Faroe Islands from the peak rising just outside the city gates.

Nordoya Fornminnasavn – Delve into the interesting past and present of the region in the historic pharmacy building, built in 1838.

Úti i Grov - Stroll through the lovely park with remnants of buildings from the old Viking era.

Föroya Bjór – Take a tour of the brewery from the second half of the 19th century and taste several types of local beers.

Tórshavn – Enjoy a scenic drive to the island's capital with a beautiful old quarter and interesting museums.