Discover one of the quieter and most fascinating islands in the Faroe Islands on this Private Sandoy Tour with your own local driver-guide.
Sagas of Sandoy is an extensive private day trip that combines Faroese history, legends, archaeology, traditional villages, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, and beautiful coastal landscapes.
Your journey begins with historic Kirkjubøur before continuing through the Sandoy subsea tunnel. Once on Sandoy, you’ll explore some of the island’s most interesting villages and landscapes at a relaxed pace.
Because this is a private experience, the Private Sandoy Tour is exclusively for you and your group, allowing your guide to create a more personal journey through the history and landscapes of Sandoy.
Your private adventure begins with pickup from your accommodation at approximately 09:00.
Pickup from your accommodation. Please provide your pickup location when booking.
As this is a private tour, alternative pickup times may be possible depending on availability and your plans for the day.
The first major stop is Kirkjubøur, one of the most historically important villages in the Faroe Islands.
Once the religious and cultural centre of the islands, Kirkjubøur is home to some of the country’s most significant medieval landmarks.
During a short walk through the village, your guide will introduce you to historical events, myths, and legends that have connected Kirkjubøur and Sandoy through the centuries.
From Kirkjubøur, the journey continues south towards Sandoy.
You’ll travel through the almost 11-kilometre-long Sandoy Tunnel, which reaches approximately 155 metres below sea level at its deepest point.
However, the tunnel is more than simply a road beneath the Atlantic.
Along the journey, you’ll encounter a series of artworks by Faroese artist Edward Fuglø. Inspired by cave paintings, the artwork depicts elements of Faroese history, myths, legends, and culture.
Once you emerge from the tunnel, your private exploration of Sandoy begins.
One of the main destinations is Sandur, the largest village on the island.
Between Sandsvatn and the Atlantic lies a beautiful white sandy beach surrounded by distinctive dunes. The protected area is home to rare plants and insects and creates a landscape quite different from many other parts of the Faroe Islands.
Sandur is also particularly interesting from an archaeological perspective.
Research and excavations suggest that settlement in the area may date as far back as 200–300 AD, potentially making Sandur one of the oldest known inhabited locations in the Faroe Islands.
On clear days, you can also look across towards Skúvoy, an island known for its rich birdlife.
Another possible stop is Skopun.
Before the Sandoy Tunnel opened, the harbour at Skopun served as the main ferry connection between Sandoy and Streymoy.
The village is also home to one of Sandoy’s more unusual landmarks: an enormous 7.42-metre-high blue mailbox.
It previously held the Guinness World Record as the world’s largest mailbox. Although the record has since been broken, the giant blue structure remains an unusual and memorable sight.
On the western side of Sandoy lies Søltuvík, a secluded cove facing the open North Atlantic.
When conditions are calm, the area can feel remarkably peaceful, and seals are sometimes spotted along the coastline.
However, Søltuvík also demonstrates the enormous power of the Atlantic. During rough weather, waves crash against the surrounding cliffs, and several ships have historically run aground on reefs offshore.
Along the narrow road between Sandur and Søltuvík, you’ll also encounter unusual geological features, including fossilised impressions in the basalt rock.
The journey may also continue towards Skarvanes, one of the smallest settlements on Sandoy.
Reached along a narrow road, the village has been inhabited since around the 1400s and historically depended on farming and resources brought ashore by the sea.
Skarvanes also has an interesting connection to the development of Faroese visual art.
From the surrounding landscape, there are impressive views west towards Skúvoy and south towards Stóra Dímun and Lítla Dímun, weather permitting.
At the southern end of Sandoy lies Dalur, a small village surrounded by steep mountains.
Its isolated position gives the settlement a distinctive atmosphere, while the journey itself reveals another side of Sandoy’s landscape.
Access and the exact route can depend on local road and weather conditions. Therefore, a visit to Dalur cannot always be guaranteed.
One of the most historically fascinating places on Sandoy is Húsavík.
Long stone walls, traditional houses, ruins, and archaeological remains reveal centuries of settlement in the area.
The village is particularly associated with Guðrun Sjúrðardóttir, commonly known as the Lady of Húsavík.
She became one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in Faroese history and owned extensive areas of land, including property as far away as Shetland.
Her story remains one of the most fascinating sagas associated with Sandoy.
Depending on the day’s itinerary, your private tour may also include Skálavík.
The village is characterised by large open fields and houses scattered across the landscape rather than concentrated tightly around the harbour.
During summer, Skálavík becomes particularly lively as Faroese families return to summer houses and visitors stay in the area.
Together with Sandoy’s other settlements, it offers another glimpse into everyday life on this peaceful island.
Lunch and beverages are included in your private Sandoy experience.
EXP FAE aims to arrange lunch at a restaurant, café, or through a local Faroese dining experience where possible.
The exact lunch arrangement may vary depending on availability and the itinerary on the day.
One of the main advantages of choosing the private Sagas of Sandoy experience is flexibility.
Rather than following a rigid schedule with a larger group, you’ll travel with your own local driver-guide.
The guide can determine which villages to visit and the best order for the day’s stops based on conditions, timing, and your interests.
Therefore, not every location described above is guaranteed on every departure. Instead, the tour is designed to show you as much of Sandoy as reasonably possible while maintaining a relaxed and personal experience.
Throughout the day, your guide will connect the landscape with stories of Vikings, archaeology, powerful historical figures, shipwrecks, Faroese legends, geology, and modern island life.
Although this is primarily a sightseeing experience rather than a hiking tour, you’ll spend time outdoors at several locations. Therefore, waterproof clothing and comfortable footwear are recommended.
Alternative pickup times may be possible for private tours upon request.
Private tour pricing is based on the number of guests in your booking.
The private tour accommodates a maximum of 7 guests per booking.
The Private Sandoy Tour is available year-round, subject to availability and suitable weather and road conditions.
The standard pickup time is approximately 09:00. However, because this is a private experience, alternative starting times can be requested.
This is primarily a sightseeing, history, and cultural tour rather than a hiking experience, and the overall difficulty is considered easy.
The tour aims to explore a large part of Sandoy. However, the exact villages visited and their order can vary depending on weather, road conditions, timing, local circumstances, and your group’s interests.
In particular, access to some of the more remote areas, such as Dalur, can be affected by local road conditions.
Other languages may be available upon request. An additional fee may apply depending on the requested language and guide availability.
For more information about the historic first destination, explore our 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.
