The Faroe Islands are beautiful – that may be subjective, but it comes without question that the archipelago is one of the world's most underrated hidden gems. Mykines, however, takes this a step further – containing the perfect blend of a typical charming Faroese village (which is also called Mykines) and a nature-lover's paradise. The westernmost island of the Faroes is home to innumerable puffins and many hiking trails.
Mykines is one of the larger road-inaccessible islands and is only accessible via a ferry from Vágar (specifically from Sørvágur, near the airport). Ferry tickets do tend to get booked out, so make sure to book as soon as possible.
Understand
[edit]Mykines is the westernmost of the 18 islands that make up the Faroe Islands. It stretches 8 km (5.0 mi) from east to west, and is 2–3 km (1.2–1.9 mi) at its widest from north to south. Mykines measures 9.6 km2 (3.7 sq mi), but including the 86 islets and skerries, the area adds up to 10.14 km2 (3.92 sq mi).
Connected to Mykines by a 35-metre-long 1 footbridge is Mykineshólmur in the west, home to many rock pillars and an automated lighthouse. The 50-metre-deep strait between Mykines and Mykineshólmur is called Holmgjógv.
Visitor information
[edit]Get in
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The legend of Tindhólmur
Legend says that there once lived a man, wife and a small child on the Faroes' largest islet, Tindhólmur. While the man was out fishing, an eagle came and took the child and flew him up on one of the peaks. Although the mother quickly retrieved the child, the eagle managed to scratch out the child's eyes. After this incident, the family moved from the island and no one has settled there since. |
There are two ferries that run to and from the village of Mykines daily from Sørvágur – one at 10:45 and the other at 16:20. If either of the two are fully booked out, there will also be a 09:00 ferry, provided that there are at least 25 bookings. Return ferry times back to Sørvágur are at 11:30 and 17:05 with the extra ferry at 15:00, meaning it's possible to visit Mykines on a day-trip. Bookings can be made on the island's official website (in Faroese and English only). Ferries cost 60 kr each way, but is 150 kr if you use the extra ferry.
Occasionally, ferries can be cancelled due to bad weather – plan ahead if this happens. If you're visiting the Faroe Islands for a week, visit Mykines earlier on in your trip, were the weather to play up.
The ferry ride to Mykines isn't one that's long, but one that's scenic. You will pass next to Tindhólmur along your way, but otherwise provides plenty of good photo opportunities.
Get around
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The island is car-free – you will need to get around on foot.
See and do
[edit]Hiking
[edit]If there's one thing you cannot miss when visiting Mykines, it's seeing puffins – although they are found almost everywhere on the island, you'll need to hike. Unless you are Faroese, you must hike as part of a tour, which can be booked on hiking.fo – if you book online, it costs 400 kr (or €53) per person >15 (children 15 and under can hike for free), but if you pay in person, the tour costs 500 kr. Tours only operate between 10:00 and 17:00 for environmental reasons.
Puffin tours
[edit]Other points of interests
[edit]- 1 Mykines Lighthouse (Mykinesholmur Lighthouse) (Mykinesholm). Closed until further notice. Apart from the village of Mykines, this lighthouse (and the lightkeeper's cottage) is the only other human-built feature on Mykines. It was built in 1909 to aid ships, before it also functioned as a weather station. Today, the lighthouse is entirely automated, you may still see the light blinking every 20 seconds during the summer. The lighthouse does blend in with the landscape, and is a good place to take photos.
- 2 Mykinesar kirkja (Church of Mykines), Túalsvegur 10, ☏ +298 333455. A small church built in 1862 and restored in 1879. Like many other Faroese churches, this church is Lutheran.
Buy
[edit]Eat and drink
[edit]There are two small eateries next to each other on the island – both are only open during the summer, though one is open during September while the other isn't.
- 1 The Locals Mykines, Garðsgøta 9, ☏ +298 212985, [email protected]. 1 May–1 Oct. A small café with light snacks and beverages with proper meals during dinner. The café also runs the nearby campsite. If you are going hiking, you can also preorder packed lunches with them – contact them in advance, though.
- 2 Mykinesstova, Garðsgøta 11, ☏ +298 787515, [email protected]. 1 May–1 Sept. A café housed in a >100-year-old building that serves fish soup, beverages, and dinner. Cakes are also available, though you probably wouldn't want to consume cake right before you hike.
Sleep
[edit]A full list of accommodation can be found on the official website.
- 1 Camping, ☏ +298 212985, [email protected]. 1 April–30 September. A small campground near the town, great if you want to experience more of the outdoors and want to save up a bit of money. It includes a public shower, toilets with the 10 campsites. There is food available nearby, and dogs are allowed on a leash. 50 kr per child; 100 kr per adult.
- 2 Gulahusid (The Yellow House), Túalsvegur 3, ☏ + 298 318 468 (on-season), +298 512914, +298 312914 (both off-season numbers), [email protected]. 1 May–1 September. A large secluded hostel that's unsurprisingly yellow (hence its name as The Yellow House). 400 kr nightly for 1 bed per person.
- Lundastova, [email protected]. An apartment, part of whose name means "puffin" (not Monday), housed in an old sheep house. It has a maximum capacity of 4 persons and contains a TV and Wi-Fi. From 1500 kr per night, 500 kr additional cleaning fees.
- 3 Marit's House, Handan Á 388, ☏ +298 286408, [email protected]. 1 May–31 August. A large and spacious guest house – it was largely renovated back to its original classic design, but is otherwise classy, cosy and simply decorative, suitable for larger groups. The price of the guest house also includes the price of pickup, meals, coffee, and apparently even the tour guide.
- Súlustova, [email protected]. A cosy 2-room cottage that has since been renovated from an old sheep house. The maximum guess capacity is four persons. Comes with a TV and free Wi-Fi. From 1500 kr per night, 500 kr additional cleaning fees.
Stay safe
[edit]Respect
[edit]Stay at least 2 metres from puffins and other wild animals. Don't hog the pathways for too long just to take photos, but do not deviate from the pathway either (though your tour guide probably won't allow that, unless you're Faroese, in which case you won't need a tour guide).
Go next
[edit]Your only option is to go back to Vágar.