Tórshavn

Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is one of the smallest and most charming capital cities in the world, a colourful, cosy town wrapped around a pretty harbour on the island of Streymoy. Its historic heart is Tinganes, a rocky peninsula of narrow lanes and red-painted, grass-roofed timber buildings that has been the seat of Faroese government since Viking times, making it one of the oldest parliamentary sites in the world. With its picturesque old quarter, waterfront cafes, a lively little cultural scene and a backdrop of green hills, Tórshavn is a delightful and welcoming introduction to the islands.

History

The Norse settlers of the 9th century held their assemblies, the tings, at neutral, uninhabited places, and the main ting of the islands met every summer on the flat rocks of Tinganes, the peninsula that splits Tórshavn's harbour in two; the Færeyinga saga places the ting on Streymoy "where there is the harbour that is called Tórshavn", and the market held alongside it grew into a permanent trading place. In 1271 the Norwegian crown made Tórshavn the seat of a royal trade monopoly, with two ships a year from Bergen bringing salt, timber and grain, and Norwegian and later Danish officials made the town their home. A built-up town is recorded only after the Reformation of 1539: around 1580 the Faroese naval hero and trader Magnus Heinason built the small fort of Skansin at the north end of the harbour, and in 1584 the town had 101 inhabitants. In 1655 King Frederick III granted the islands to Kristoffer Gabel, whose family held them and the trade monopoly until 1709, and the monopoly itself was abolished only in 1856, opening the islands to free trade (Wikipedia, Tórshavn).

What you'll find

• Tinganes - the ancient parliament peninsula of turf-roofed houses.
• The old town - the red timber buildings and narrow lanes.
• The harbour - the pretty waterfront and cafes.
• The cultural scene - the museums, galleries and Nordic House.

When to go

May to September, the milder months with long daylight, for the most pleasant weather and liveliest atmosphere, including the summer Ólavsøka national festival; the town is cosy and welcoming year-round, though winter brings short, dark, stormy days. A day is enough to explore the compact capital.

Practical notes

Tórshavn is tiny and low-key, more a charming town than a bustling capital, so its appeal is its cosy, picturesque character and role as the islands' hub rather than grand sights or nightlife, and the weather can be grey and wet even in summer. As one of the world's smallest and most delightful capitals, with its ancient turf-roofed parliament quarter and harbour setting, though, it is a genuine charmer and the perfect base for the Faroes.

Nearby

The islands of Vágar and Eysturoy and the villages of Streymoy are close by.

Key facts