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Meridiela.

Hestur

A small island south of Streymoy with high western cliffs and sea caves, circled by summer boat trips.

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Typeisland
WhereHestur
Nearest cityTorshavn
Best seasonJune to August
Time to allowA day
Getting thereFerry from Gamlaraett on Streymoy; boat tours from Torshavn and Gamlaraett
EntryFerry and boat tours charged

Hestur, the horse, is a small island south of Streymoy with a single village of a few dozen people on its sheltered eastern side and a wall of cliffs on the west running to over four hundred metres. Sea caves cut into that western face, and summer boat trips go into them, including one large enough that concerts have been held inside it. Freshwater lakes sit on the island's spine above the village.

What you actually see

  • The western cliffs - a wall running to over four hundred metres on the exposed side.
  • The sea caves - caves cut into the cliff face, entered by boat in summer.
  • The concert cave - the chamber large enough to have held performances.
  • The hill lakes - freshwater lakes on the island's spine.

When to go

June to August for the boat trips; they need calm water and are cancelled often. The ferry runs year round but sparsely. Winter is very quiet.

Honest expectations

Boat trips into the caves depend entirely on swell and are cancelled frequently. The island has almost no facilities. Ferry timetables are sparse and easy to be caught out by.

Nearby

Koltur is west, and Torshavn is northeast.

What to pack for Hestur

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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.

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