Mykines

Mykines lies at the western end of the archipelago, a single village of turf-roofed houses and a hiking route out along the ridge to a lighthouse on the islet of Mykineshólmur, reached by a footbridge over a chasm. In summer the cliffs hold enormous seabird colonies - puffins in tens of thousands nesting in burrows along the path, along with gannets, guillemots and fulmars - and walking among them at close range is the reason most people come. The island's permanent population is tiny, and the ferry only runs in summer when the sea allows.

What you actually see

• Puffin colonies - burrows lining the path in their tens of thousands.
• The lighthouse walk - the ridge route and the footbridge to the islet.
• The gannet colony - the Faroes' only gannetry on the outer cliffs.
• Mykines village - turf roofs and a handful of residents.

When to go

Puffins are present roughly from May to late August and gone by early September. The ferry runs in the summer season only and is cancelled regularly for weather. Booking ahead is essential and numbers on the island are capped.

Honest expectations

The ferry is small, the crossing is often rough, and cancellations strand people or prevent departure entirely - never plan a tight connection around it. A hiking fee applies and the lighthouse path may require a guide depending on current rules. Paths run along cliff edges in strong wind. Do not step off the path near burrows; puffin nests collapse underfoot.

Nearby

Vagar, Sorvagsvatn and Gasadalur.