Discover one of the most remote and remarkable destinations in the Faroe Islands on this Private Mykines Tour.
Known for its spectacular birdlife, colourful village and dramatic Atlantic scenery, Mykines has become one of the most sought-after places to visit in the Faroe Islands.
With your own private guide, you’ll travel from Tórshavn to Sørvágur before crossing the ocean to Mykines. Once on the island, you’ll explore its landscapes on foot, look for its famous puffins and discover a tiny community surrounded by some of the most dramatic scenery in the country.
Because this is a private experience, the day can be adapted around your interests and pace wherever conditions allow.
Your private experience begins with pickup at approximately 08:00.
Pickup from your accommodation.
Please provide your pickup location when booking.
From Tórshavn, you’ll travel west towards the village of Sørvágur on Vágar.
The planned departure to Mykines is normally around 09:15, although departure and pickup times can change depending on boat availability and the schedule on the day.
The journey to Mykines is much more than transportation.
Weather permitting, the sailing from Sørvágur takes you through one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes in the Faroe Islands.
Along the way, you’ll pass the iconic sea stacks of Drangarnir, the distinctive island of Tindhólmur and neighbouring Gáshólmur.
Towering cliffs rise directly from the Atlantic as the boat continues west towards Mykines.
Eventually, the colourful village appears beneath the surrounding hills.
After arriving on the island, you’ll make your way up towards the village.
Reaching Mykines village involves climbing stairs to approximately 30 metres above sea level, so guests should be comfortable with this initial ascent.
Once there, you’ll discover one of the smallest and most distinctive communities in the Faroe Islands.
The village once had close to 200 inhabitants. Today, only a small number of people live here year-round.
Traditional houses with turf roofs, narrow paths and colourful buildings create a setting that feels remarkably removed from modern city life.
Depending on the itinerary, there may also be an opportunity to stop at the village café for snacks or drinks.
From the village, your guide will take you into the surrounding landscape.
The exact order of the hike can vary.
On some days, you may climb directly from the village towards the memorial dedicated to local people who lost their lives in the mountains or at sea. Alternatively, the route may first take you through the village before ascending northwards.
Either way, the aim is to experience Mykines’ remarkable landscapes and birdlife.
The hike towards the puffin area reaches approximately 130 metres above sea level.
Along the way, you’ll experience expansive views over the island, surrounding ocean and enormous cliffs.
Mykines is particularly famous for its seabirds.
The island is internationally recognised for its important birdlife and is designated as a Ramsar site.
During the puffin season, thousands of seabirds return to the island’s cliffs and grassy slopes to breed.
Your hike provides the opportunity to observe puffins in their natural environment while your guide helps you explore the island responsibly.
However, wildlife is never guaranteed.
Puffins also begin leaving the Faroe Islands from around mid-August, so travellers whose main goal is seeing puffins should consider visiting earlier in the summer.
Although puffins are one of the main reasons people travel to Mykines, the island offers much more.
The journey itself reveals some of the most dramatic sea stacks and coastal landscapes in Vágar, while the island combines enormous cliffs, green hillsides and views across the open Atlantic.
You’ll also have time to experience Mykines village and learn about what life has been like in such a remote Faroese community.
With your own private guide, there is also greater flexibility to focus on what interests you most, whether that’s photography, hiking, birdwatching, village life or Faroese history.
Lunch and beverages are included in the experience.
The exact lunch arrangement may depend on the day’s itinerary and local availability.
There may also be opportunities to purchase additional snacks or drinks in Mykines village when local facilities are open.
The planned return boat normally leaves Mykines at approximately 14:00.
You’ll then sail back towards Sørvágur before continuing by road to Tórshavn.
Under the standard itinerary, arrival back in Tórshavn is around 16:00, although timing can vary depending on the boat schedule, weather and conditions on the day.
The entire experience typically lasts approximately 7–9 hours.
Travelling to Mykines requires suitable sea conditions.
The boat can occasionally be cancelled because of rough weather, and access to the island therefore cannot be guaranteed.
If the boat is cancelled before the tour begins, 600 DKK per person is retained rather than refunded.
If the boat is cancelled after the tour has already started, a refund is not possible. Instead, an alternative tour will be arranged.
If ferry or boat tickets to Mykines cannot be secured because departures are fully booked, the tour cannot take place and you will receive a full refund.
Booking this experience therefore requires flexibility.
The trail towards Lambi and Mykineshólmur is currently closed due to a landslide.
This means the traditional route towards Mykineshólmur cannot currently be completed.
However, Mykines still offers other viewpoints, hiking opportunities and excellent locations for observing puffins.
Local authorities may also occasionally restrict access to individual areas or the puffin colony for conservation reasons.
If this happens, your guide will adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Mykines weather can change quickly, while hiking trails may be wet or slippery. Good footwear and waterproof outerwear are therefore particularly important for this experience.
Exact times depend on boat availability and conditions.
Private tour pricing is based on the number of guests in your booking.
The tour accommodates a maximum of 7 guests per booking.
Availability depends on securing boat or ferry tickets to Mykines as well as suitable weather and sea conditions.
For travellers hoping specifically to see puffins, the timing of your visit is particularly important.
Puffins begin leaving the Faroe Islands from approximately mid-August, so sightings later in the season become less predictable.
Mykines is one of the most weather-dependent destinations in the Faroe Islands. Boat departures can be cancelled at relatively short notice, so guests booking this experience need to remain flexible.
The trail towards Lambi and Mykineshólmur is currently closed because of a landslide. The tour instead uses other hiking routes and viewpoints on Mykines.
Access to the puffin colony or other sensitive areas can also be restricted by local authorities for conservation purposes.
Wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, and puffin numbers decline as the birds begin leaving the islands from around mid-August.
Pickup and boat times may change depending on availability.
For more information about the island before your visit, read our complete Mykines travel guide.
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.
