How to Craft a Magical Faroe Islands Elopement

How to caft a magical faroe islands elopement text in green over a wedding photo

If you’re looking for a place to elope that inspires peace, wonder, and connection on your wedding day, look no further. Your Faroe Islands elopement will be absolutely unforgettable– read on to find out why!

Before we dive in, here’s a quick look at the what and where the Faroe Islands are.

The Faroes are an archipelago made up of 18 islands, connected via ferries and undersea tunnels.
The Faroe Islands are self-governing and have their own language, culture, and traditions though they are a territory of Denmark.
You’ll find these islands located north of Scotland, west of Norway, and southeast of Iceland in the North Atlantic Ocean.

Map showing the Faroe Islands in the Atlantic Ocean

Why Elope in the Faroe Islands?

The Faroe Islands are incredibly magical and wild, yet peaceful and awe-inspiring. If you’re looking for a truly unique place to elope, this could be it! So what makes the Faroe Islands an amazing elopement destination?

Jaw-Dropping Scenery

This is probably the aspect of the Faroe Islands that it’s the most famous for. The landscapes are dramatic and filled with steep green mountains, incredibly tall cliffs, enchanting waterfalls, wide open spaces, and views that could make you cry. You’ll definitely come away from your experience with a sense of wonder!

Green pointed mountain rises behind a small town in the Faroe Islands. The town is dotted with multi-colored houses of different shapes.

Small Town Feel

I don’t think I’d ever been to a country that felt like you’re visiting a small town before I traveled to the Faroe Islands. Even Torshavn, the capital and largest town, is small at ~14,000 residents. You won’t find busy highways, acres of high-rise buildings, or crowds anywhere. And if you like a quieter, more cozy feel in your travels, this is a great place for your elopement.

A bride and groom hike holding hands on their elopement day in the Faroe Islands. They are surrounded by small rocks and green hills.

Peace + Privacy

Because the Faroe Islands are fairly remote and aren’t a popular travel destination, you can easily find peace and privacy out on the trails. Even the most popular landmarks in the high season aren’t clogged with tourists. When I checked out Múlafossur, the most visited waterfall in the country, I only counted 8 other people there. Compared to many of the other beautiful European elopement destinations, this is so quiet!

Two puffin birds stand on a grassy cliff overlooking the ocean in the Faroe Islands.

Amazing Wildlife

Puffins! Need I say more? While these cute creatures are one of the most exciting birds to see in the Faroe Islands, there are other beautiful arctic birds to spot like guillemots and kittiwakes. You’re also guaranteed to run across some Faroese sheep and maybe even some ponies while you explore.

An eloping bride holds out her hands that are filled with various rocks from the Faroe Islands. She's wearing a purple puffy jacket over her wedding dress.

Abundant Nature

If you love being outdoors and experiencing nature, you’ll be right at home eloping in the Faroe Islands. There’s just SO MUCH for nature lovers, from the expansive views to tiny moss leaves and interesting rocks. (It’s so cool to see all the teal colored jasper in the stones along the trails!)

Traveling for your Faroe Islands Elopement

If you live outside of Europe, it will take a bit of effort to get to the Faroes, but it’s totally worth it. For example, direct flights from the U.S. to the Faroe Islands are very limited and not available year-round. If you’re not able to snag one of these, I recommend flying to Europe first, and then catching a quick flight over to the islands after a day or two. This will help you recover from the long flight, get used to the time zone, and relax a bit before your Faroe Islands elopement. I personally love exploring Edinburgh or Copenhagen beforehand!

Once you arrive in the Faroes, it’s pretty easy to get around the islands. You’ll definitely want to rent a car so that you can access all the islands have to offer and explore at your own pace. Because the country is fairly small, it doesn’t take too long to drive from one end to the other. However, no road is a particularly direct route because you’ll be navigating around fjords and under mountains. Just enjoy the incredible scenery along every road!

A wet asphalt road runs straight ahead, obscured by thick fog in the Faroe Islands

How Long Should You Stay in the Faroe Islands for Your Elopement?

Flights don’t run very often, so I recommend giving yourself plenty of buffer time in case anything is delayed. And while I think having your elopement day at the beginning of your trip is wise, it’s also a good idea to give yourself a rest day before you begin your celebration so that you can feel and look your best. So, plan to arrive around 2 days before your elopement day, and then give yourself a couple of days (more is definitely recommended!) afterwards to just explore and have fun!

a dark brown faroe islands pony walks on sand by a lake

Fun Local Activities for Your Faroe Islands Elopement

☀️ Find the Viking sundial in Torshavn

⛴️ Take a guided tour to Mykines to see the puffin colonies

🛶 Kayak the lakes and fjords of the islands

🍽️ Enjoy a gourmet dinner together

🐋 Bring your binoculars for birding or whale watching

🥖 Have a scenic picnic with local foods (I love grabbing snacks from Bónus and Breyðvirkið bakery!)

🌅 Watch the sunrise over the islands

☕ Grab a warm drink at a local cafe

💦 Have a refreshing drink from one of the waterfalls

💃🏻 Dance together in a picturesque landscape

🌌 Stargaze or look for the aurora borealis on a clear night

🖼️ Enjoy nature-inspired local art in the National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (such a cool place!)

What Will The Weather Be Like For My Faroe Islands Elopement?

Part of the beauty of the Faroe Islands is the wild weather that’s constantly changing over the landscape. If you’re wanting a guaranteed sunny elopement day with no wind, this probably isn’t the place for you. 😅 But the moody clouds and fog bring a bit of mystery to the scene, the wind whipping through your hair adds romance, and they say rain on your wedding day is good luck, right? Be prepared (rain jackets are advised), and be flexible!

The weather does change very quickly here. You could be looking out at a clear view and then 30 seconds later be socked in by fog! It’s all part of the magical experience of a Faroe Islands elopement.

While there’s always a chance of high winds, chilly temperatures, foggy views, and some rain, it’s also totally possible to get married in fair weather. When you elope with me, I’ll give you a customized packing list for your Faroe Islands elopement that will help you be properly dressed and well prepared so that the day stays focused on your amazing experience. 😉

A couple in wedding clothes walk up a green hill, looking at a rainbow in the blue sky with clouds.

fog wraps around a couple as they end their faroe islands elopement day with lanterns and standing by a stream

Faroe Islands Elopement Locations

The main reason to have a Faroe Islands elopement is for the incredible scenery, so let’s talk about where to elope on the islands.

Waterfalls

Waterfalls are some of the most popular Faroe Islands elopement spots, and for good reason! There’s something so magical about water cascading over rocks, and the sound is so peaceful. The islands are full of foss (waterfall in Faroese) locations, especially after a day of rain. Once, I stood in one spot and counted over 20 falls that I could see!

As I help you plan your Faroe Islands elopement, I’ll look for waterfalls that are picturesque but also practical. This means finding cascades that are always flowing (not just after the rain), and can be safely and legally accessed.

If you love the idea of a waterfall wedding, check out my full guide with waterfall elopement tips!

a couple stands on green moss in front of a waterfall for their faroe islands elopement

a bride and groom in wedding clothes run across gravel toward a waterfall in the faroe islands

an elopement couple stands on a very green hillside next to a tall, thin waterfall

Lakes

Dotted along the landscape of the Faroe Islands are picturesque lakes nestled among the mountains. You’ll find small ponds, mid-sized lakes, and even a large lake “floating” above the ocean, Sørvágsvatn (also called Leitisvatn). You can fish in many of the lakes, have a picnic, or just enjoy walking along the banks.

a small lake in the faroe islands sits under a layer of fog with a mountain behind it and the ocean next to it.

Beaches

Visiting a beach is the perfect addition to your Faroe Islands elopement itinerary! While they’re less common than you’d expect for an island destination (most coastline is cliffs rather than beaches), there are some cool spots scattered around. And yes, there are black sand beaches on the islands!

Mountains, Fjords, and Coastal Cliffs

Wherever you are in the Faroe Islands, you’re never far from incredible views. On a mountaintop, you’ll likely be overlooking fjords (deep, narrow channels of water flanked by tall mountains) or peering over steep cliffs into the tumultuous ocean. These dramatic landscapes are what makes the Faroe Islands such an enchanting place to elope!

There are endless opportunities for these great views, whether you want to hike or just hop out of the car for easy accessibility. Because there are so many options, don’t limit yourself to only the well known viewpoints– get out there and explore! I’m a big fan of off-the-beaten-path locations, so I’d love to find the perfect spots for you.