Discover one of the quieter and most historically fascinating islands in the Faroe Islands on the Sagas of Sandoy Tour.
This full-day guided experience takes you from the medieval village of Kirkjubøur through the spectacular Sandoy subsea tunnel and onwards across the island of Sandoy.
Along the way, you’ll discover white sandy beaches, peaceful villages, archaeological sites, dramatic cliffs, Viking history, Faroese legends, and landscapes that feel very different from the mountainous northern islands.
The tour is particularly suited to travellers who want to go beyond the most famous attractions and experience the history, nature, and everyday life of a less-visited part of the Faroe Islands.
Your Sandoy adventure begins with pickup from 09:00.
Pickup from your accommodation. Please provide your pickup location when booking.
Please note that pickup can take up to 25 minutes. Depending on where the other guests are staying, your guide may therefore arrive after the initial pickup time.
From Tórshavn, the journey heads across the mountains towards one of the most historically important villages in the Faroe Islands.
The first major stop is Kirkjubøur, once the religious and cultural centre of the Faroe Islands.
Walking through this small village feels like stepping into another period of Faroese history.
Kirkjubøur is home to some of the country’s most important historic landmarks, while stories, myths, and legends connect the village with Sandoy and the people who lived throughout this part of the islands.
Your guide will introduce you to this history during a short walk through the village before the journey continues south.
After Kirkjubøur, the tour continues towards the Sandoy Tunnel, which transformed the connection between Streymoy and Sandoy when it opened.
The subsea tunnel stretches for almost 11 kilometres and reaches approximately 155 metres below sea level at its deepest point.
However, this isn’t simply a road beneath the ocean.
As you travel through the tunnel, you’ll encounter a series of artworks by Faroese artist Edward Fuglø. Designed like modern cave paintings, the artworks draw inspiration from Faroese history, legends, myths, and culture.
Emerging from the tunnel, you’ll arrive directly on Sandoy and begin exploring the island.
One of the main destinations is Sandur, the largest village on Sandoy.
Between the lake Sandsvatn and the Atlantic lies a beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by dunes. This protected landscape supports plants and insects rarely found elsewhere in the Faroe Islands.
However, Sandur is fascinating for another reason.
Archaeological research and excavations suggest that people may have lived in the area as early as 200–300 AD, potentially making Sandur one of the oldest known settlements in the Faroe Islands.
On clear days, you’ll also be able to look across towards the neighbouring island of Skúvoy, known for its rich birdlife.
The tour may also visit Skopun, historically one of Sandoy’s most important connections with the rest of the Faroe Islands.
Before the subsea tunnel opened, the harbour here served as the main ferry connection between Sandoy and Streymoy.
Skopun is also home to a rather unusual landmark: a giant 7.42-metre-tall blue mailbox.
It once held the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest mailbox. Although the record has since been broken, the enormous blue structure remains one of the island’s more unexpected sights.
On the western side of Sandoy lies Søltuvík, a secluded cove facing the open Atlantic.
In calm weather, the area can feel remarkably peaceful and seals are sometimes seen around the coastline. However, the landscape also reveals the power of the North Atlantic.
During rough conditions, enormous waves crash against the surrounding cliffs, and several ships have historically run aground on the reefs offshore.
The narrow road towards Søltuvík also passes unusual geological features, including fossilised impressions in the basalt rock.
Another remarkable settlement on Sandoy is Dalur.
The small village sits in an isolated valley surrounded by steep mountains.
The traditional route towards Dalur follows a narrow road along the mountainside, although a newer tunnel provides an alternative route when conditions make the old road unsuitable.
The isolated setting gives Dalur a completely different atmosphere from the larger settlements of the Faroe Islands.
The journey continues to historic Húsavík, where old stone walls, traditional buildings, ruins, and archaeological remains reveal centuries of settlement.
The village is closely associated with Guðrun Sjúrðardóttir, commonly known as the Lady of Húsavík.
According to Faroese history and legend, she became one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in the islands, owning extensive areas of land both in the Faroes and as far away as Shetland.
Her story remains one of the most fascinating sagas connected with Sandoy.
The village also has a picturesque beach facing east towards the surrounding islands.
Depending on the day’s route, you’ll also explore Skálavík.
The village is characterised by open fields and houses spread across the landscape rather than concentrated tightly around a harbour.
During summer, Skálavík becomes particularly lively as Faroese families return to summer houses and visitors stay in the area.
Together with the other villages visited throughout the day, it provides another glimpse into everyday life on Sandoy.
The Sagas of Sandoy Tour isn’t simply about travelling between viewpoints.
Throughout the day, your local guide will connect the landscape with stories of Viking settlement, archaeology, powerful historical figures, legends, shipwrecks, geology, and modern Faroese life.
Because Sandoy has a gentler landscape than many of the northern islands, the scenery is also noticeably different. Sandy beaches, lakes, rolling valleys, cliffs, and small settlements replace some of the towering mountain scenery found elsewhere.
As a result, Sandoy offers another side of the Faroe Islands that many visitors never experience.
Lunch is not included on the 2027 small-group tour.
Guests are welcome to bring their own food, and there may be opportunities to purchase something to eat during stops along the journey.
Fruit and bottled water are provided during the tour.
As the experience lasts approximately 5–7 hours, bringing additional food or snacks is recommended.
Although this is an easy sightseeing tour rather than a hiking experience, you’ll spend time outdoors at several stops. Therefore, waterproof clothing and suitable footwear are recommended.
The Sagas of Sandoy Tour operates on Wednesdays during the 2027 small-group season.
The overall 2027 small-group programme runs from 24 May to 5 September 2027. Therefore, scheduled Sagas of Sandoy departures run from Wednesday 26 May to Wednesday 1 September 2027.
The Sagas of Sandoy Tour covers a large part of the island. However, the exact villages and attractions visited — as well as the order of the stops — may vary depending on weather, road conditions, timing, and local circumstances.
This is primarily a sightseeing and cultural tour rather than a hiking tour, and the overall difficulty is considered easy.
Pickup can take up to 25 minutes depending on the locations of guests joining the tour, so please do not worry if your guide does not arrive immediately at 09:00.
If you’re interested in learning more about the historic first stop of the tour, explore our complete guide to Kirkjubøur.
Please ensure you have active travel insurance during your stay in the Faroe Islands. Travel insurance is responsible for covering expenses caused by delayed arrivals, cancellations, or travel disruptions.
