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Hestur
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Hestur offers Faroese village life, sea-cliff scenery, open hill walks and a memorable island crossing close to Streymoy.

Hestur is a compact island in the southern part of the Faroe Islands, lying west of Streymoy and facing the open North Atlantic. Its name means “horse” in Faroese, and the island’s profile is marked by steep, grass-covered slopes rising sharply from the sea. The settlement of Hestur occupies a sheltered western inlet, while much of the island remains open upland, shaped by wind, rain, seabirds and generations of sheep grazing.
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The village is reached by sea rather than road, giving Hestur a markedly different rhythm from the larger Faroese islands connected by bridges and tunnels. There are no town streets lined with shops or a choice of restaurants; instead, visitors encounter a small community, traditional houses, a church and a landscape where the surrounding water is always part of the view. The crossing from Gamlarætt on Streymoy is itself an important part of the experience, particularly when the vessel passes beneath the dramatic cliffs of neighbouring Hestur and Koltur.
Hestur is especially appealing to visitors interested in walking, coastal scenery and the quieter dimensions of Faroese life. Footpaths lead away from the village towards open hills and elevated viewpoints, although weather can change quickly and routes may be wet, steep or exposed. The island is also associated with rich birdlife and striking sea cliffs, while offshore waters support fishing and historic maritime activity. Boat excursions may reveal cliff faces and sea caves that are difficult or impossible to appreciate from land, but such trips depend on season, weather and local availability.
The island’s cultural character is closely tied to its small population and seafaring setting. Like other Faroese communities, Hestur developed through a combination of fishing, subsistence agriculture, sheep husbandry and close knowledge of the sea. The village church is a modest but important landmark, and the absence of commercial distractions makes the island valuable as a place to observe the relationship between settlement and landscape. Hestur is best approached as a short, carefully planned excursion rather than a destination with extensive visitor infrastructure.

When is the best time to visit Hestur?

Best: June–August · 12–13°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January6150
February5140
March6130
April7120
May9110
June (best)12100
July (best)13110
August (best)13120
September11130
October9140
November7150
December6160

Getting to and around Hestur

How to get there

Hestur is reached by ferry from Gamlarætt on Streymoy, a short drive from Tórshavn. Depending on the current sailing pattern, the service may also connect with other southern islands, but routes, calling arrangements and frequencies can change. Gamlarætt is the relevant departure point on Streymoy; Tórshavn is the nearest major urban centre and the main practical base for visitors. Check the official timetable and weather situation before setting out, particularly if planning a same-day return.

Transportation

There are no roads or public bus network on Hestur, so visitors explore on foot after arriving at the landing place. The village is compact, but walks into the interior involve uneven ground, slopes and exposed sections. A car is useful for reaching Gamlarætt from Tórshavn or elsewhere on Streymoy, although it cannot be taken as a substitute for walking on the island. Taxis and organised boat trips should be arranged in advance rather than assumed to be available on arrival.

Best attractions in Hestur

Hestur’s attractions are primarily natural and community-based rather than built for mass tourism. The village itself, with its small cluster of houses and church, provides an introduction to life on one of the Faroe Islands’ smaller inhabited islands. From the settlement, walking routes lead into steep grassland and open upland, where elevated views reach across the channels towards Streymoy, Sandoy and neighbouring islands. The terrain is rewarding for confident walkers but should not be treated as a formal, universally accessible trail system. Hestur’s most dramatic scenery lies along its coastal margins, where tall cliffs, sea stacks and rock ledges support seabirds and reveal the island’s volcanic structure. Boat trips, when locally available and weather permits, offer a different perspective on these formations and may approach sea caves and cliff faces that cannot be safely reached from land. The ferry crossing is itself part of the visit, connecting the island’s small settlement with the wider Faroese maritime landscape. Hestur is best suited to visitors seeking walking, photography, birdwatching and an insight into a working island community; facilities are limited, so preparation is part of the experience.

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Best landmarks in Hestur

Hestur’s principal landmark is its compact village on the western side of the island, where houses gather near the shore below steep, grass-covered slopes. The village church, built in the early twentieth century, is a modest but significant expression of local community life and helps distinguish the settlement when approached by sea. Beyond the built environment, the island’s strongest landmarks are its natural features: high coastal cliffs, exposed headlands and the open summit areas that give wide views across the southern Faroese islands. The shoreline’s rock formations and sea caves are particularly prominent from the water, although access depends on a suitable boat and sea conditions. Hestur’s relationship with neighbouring Streymoy is also visually important, as the island is seen as a sharply rising mass across the channel from the ferry approach. Rather than a collection of grand monuments, Hestur offers a coherent landscape landmark in which village, pasture, cliff and sea remain closely connected.

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Best restaurants in Hestur

Hestur has no established restaurant scene and should be visited with food and drink already arranged. Its culinary story is instead part of the wider Faroese tradition of making careful use of a demanding island environment. Fishing, sheep husbandry and preserved foods have historically been important to household life, while locally prepared lamb, fish, potatoes, rye-based baking and simple packed meals are more relevant to a day on the island than formal dining. Visitors can experience Faroese food more reliably in Tórshavn and other larger settlements before or after the ferry trip, where restaurants, cafés, bakeries and food shops offer regional ingredients alongside contemporary cooking. A picnic is the practical choice for Hestur, but it should be carried out again with all rubbish. Do not expect a village shop, café or pub to open around ferry arrivals, and check any privately arranged hospitality in advance rather than arriving unannounced.

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Best bars in Hestur

Hestur has no nightclub district and no dependable evening entertainment for visitors. After the last ferry, the island becomes a quiet residential community whose evening life is shaped by homes, weather and the rhythms of a small population rather than commercial nightlife. Travellers seeking pubs, breweries, live music or late restaurants should base themselves in Tórshavn or another larger Faroese settlement and treat Hestur as a daytime excursion. The absence of bars is not a deficiency so much as a defining feature of the island: the main evening experience is the changing light over the sea, the sound of weather and the dark North Atlantic sky. Visitors staying through a locally arranged overnight visit should bring provisions and confirm arrangements well beforehand, as there is no assumption that accommodation, food service or drinks will be available on demand.

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Best nightclubs in Hestur

Hestur has no nightclub district and no dependable evening entertainment for visitors. After the last ferry, the island becomes a quiet residential community whose evening life is shaped by homes, weather and the rhythms of a small population rather than commercial nightlife. Travellers seeking pubs, breweries, live music or late restaurants should base themselves in Tórshavn or another larger Faroese settlement and treat Hestur as a daytime excursion. The absence of bars is not a deficiency so much as a defining feature of the island: the main evening experience is the changing light over the sea, the sound of weather and the dark North Atlantic sky. Visitors staying through a locally arranged overnight visit should bring provisions and confirm arrangements well beforehand, as there is no assumption that accommodation, food service or drinks will be available on demand.

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Best shops in Hestur

Hestur has no conventional shopping district, souvenir shop or dependable retail outlet. Visitors should buy groceries, outdoor supplies and any regional gifts before travelling from Tórshavn or another larger Faroese settlement. The island’s most appropriate souvenirs are therefore experiences and photographs rather than purchases made locally. Across the wider Faroe Islands, useful regional products may include Faroese wool knitwear, locally made crafts, books about island culture, preserved foods and design objects inspired by the sea and landscape. These are more readily found in Tórshavn, where independent shops, galleries and food retailers provide a broader choice. If a local resident offers produce or craft work during a pre-arranged visit, agree the details respectfully and carry sufficient cash as a precaution. Do not expect a market day or regular commercial service on Hestur, and avoid treating private homes or farm buildings as informal shops.

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Hestur essentials

Currency and Payment
Hestur uses the Faroese króna, which circulates at parity with the Danish krone; the applicable international currency code is DKK. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in the Faroe Islands, but Hestur has very limited commercial infrastructure and should not be treated as a place where payment facilities are guaranteed. Carry a small amount of Danish or Faroese cash and make purchases, meals and transport arrangements before leaving the larger islands.
Safety
Hestur is quiet, but its natural terrain requires care. Keep away from cliff edges, unstable slopes and wet ground, and do not approach seabird colonies closely during the nesting season. Fog, strong wind and rain can arrive quickly, reducing visibility and making paths slippery. Check the forecast, wear suitable footwear and avoid committing to a long walk if the return ferry could be difficult to reach. Sea conditions can change rapidly, so follow local advice around the landing place and shore.
Emergency Situations
The Faroe Islands use the emergency number 112 for police, fire and ambulance services. Explain that you are on Hestur and give your precise location, as access by sea and changing weather may affect response times. Mobile coverage can vary, particularly away from the village, so do not rely solely on a phone for navigation. For a serious outdoor incident, remain visible, keep warm and follow instructions from the emergency services; do not attempt an unsafe descent or sea crossing.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect private homes, farm buildings, gates and local paths, and close gates after passing through grazing areas. Do keep dogs under close control and stay away from nesting birds and cliff edges. Do ask permission before photographing people or entering private land. Do not assume that apparently open ground is an unrestricted trail, and do not leave litter. Faroese customs such as queueing, modest behaviour in churches and considerate public conduct apply on Hestur as elsewhere in the islands.
Local Tips
Plan Hestur as a weather-flexible excursion rather than fitting it tightly between other appointments. The village can be appreciated quickly, but the island’s character becomes clearer on foot above the settlement, where views open towards Streymoy, Sandoy and the surrounding sea. Pack a picnic and spare clothing, and confirm the last return sailing before leaving the landing area. If you want to see the cliffs from the water, enquire in advance about local boat excursions rather than expecting a regular sightseeing service.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHalló[hal-lo]
GoodbyeFarvæl[far-vail]
YesJa[ya]
NoNei[nay]
Please/You're welcomeVinaligur[vee-nah-lee-gur]
Thank youTakk[tak]
Excuse me/SorryUrsak[ur-sak]
How are you?Hvussu hevur tú?[hvoo-soo eh-vur too]
Fine. And you?Gott. Og tú?[got. og too]
Do you speak English?Talar tú enskt?[ta-lar too eng-skt]
I don't understandEg skilji ikki[eg skeel-yi ee-key]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseEg vil fegin síggja matseðilin, vinarliga[eg vil fay-in see-ya mat-say-dil-in, vee-nar-lee-gah]
I don't eat meatEg etti ikki kjøt[eg et-ee ee-key kyurt]
Cheers!Skál![skawl]
I would like to pay, pleaseEg vil fegin gjalda, vinarliga[eg vil fay-in yal-da, vee-nar-lee-gah]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjálp![yowlp]
Go away!Far burtur![far bur-tur]
Call the Police!Ring til Politii![ring til po-li-ti]
Call a doctor!Ring til lækna![ring til lake-na]
I'm lostEg eri lost[eg eh-ree lost]
I'm illEg eri sjúkur[eg eh-ree shoo-kur]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Eg vil fegin keypa...[eg vil fay-in kay-pa]
I'm just lookingEg eri bara at hyggja[eg eh-ree bah-rah at hig-ya]
How much is it?Hvussu nógv kostar tað?[hvoo-soo nyohg kost-ar tha]
That's too expensiveTað er ov dýrt[tha er ov deer-t]
Can you lower the price?Kanni tú lækka prísin?[kan-ee too lay-kka pree-sin]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hvør tíð er tað?[hvor teed er tha]
It's one o'clockKlokkan er eitt[klo-khan er eet]
Half past (10)Fýra minuttir eftir (10)[fee-rah min-oo-tir eh-tir (ten)]
MorningMorgun[mor-gun]
AfternoonEftan[ef-tan]
EveningKvøttur[kvo-tur]
YesterdayÍ gjár[ee yar]
TodayÍ dag[ee dahg]
TomorrowÍ morgin[ee mor-gin]
11[1]
22[2]
33[3]
44[4]
55[5]
66[6]
77[7]
88[8]
99[9]
1010[10]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Hvar er ein/te...[hvar er ayn/te]
What's the address?Hvat er adressan?[hvat er a-dress-an]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kanni tú vísa mær (á kortið)?[kan-ee too vee-sah mair (aw kort-id)]
When's the next (bus)?Nær kemur næsti (buss)?[nair kem-ur nai-sti (bus)]
A ticket (to ....)Ein ferðaseðil (til ....)[ayn fer-da-say-dil (til)]

History of Hestur

Norse Settlement and Early Island Life

The Faroe Islands were settled by Norse communities during the Viking Age, following earlier periods of possible Irish or Scottish religious activity. Hestur formed part of this wider island settlement pattern, in which small coastal communities combined farming, fishing and the seasonal use of upland pasture. The island’s limited flat land encouraged settlement close to the shore, while steep slopes and surrounding waters shaped everyday work. As elsewhere in the Faroes, local life depended on storing food, managing sheep and reading changing sea conditions rather than on large-scale agriculture.

Medieval Faroese Community and Christianisation

During the medieval period Hestur belonged to the interconnected network of Faroese settlements administered through the Church and local assemblies. Christianity became established across the islands, while farming households retained practical traditions based on common grazing and marine resources. Hestur’s small scale did not make it isolated: families relied on boats and seasonal exchanges with neighbouring islands for communication, trade and access to wider religious and legal institutions. The landscape of village, pasture and landing place reflects this long continuity of island settlement.

The Faroese Maritime Economy

For centuries, the inhabitants of Hestur combined sheep farming with fishing and other forms of maritime work. The sea supplied food and linked the island to larger communities, while local knowledge of currents, weather and landing places was essential. Faroese coastal communities also participated in pilot-whale drives and other shared maritime practices, although these activities varied over time and between settlements. Hestur’s steep terrain and small population meant that survival depended on cooperation, careful use of pasture and dependable links with neighbouring islands.

Church and Village Institutions

A church was built at Hestur in the early twentieth century, providing the village with a dedicated place of worship and a visible communal landmark. Religious buildings in the Faroes have often served purposes beyond Sunday services, helping to anchor local identity in communities separated by water and difficult terrain. The church and surrounding settlement illustrate how modern public institutions gradually developed on even the smallest inhabited islands, while the traditional pattern of houses clustered near the shore remained largely intact.

Modern Transport and Changing Population

The twentieth century brought major changes to Hestur through improved ferry connections, education, communications and access to services elsewhere in the Faroes. Like many small island communities, Hestur experienced population pressure as younger residents moved to larger settlements for study and employment. Regular sea transport remains central to life on the island, replacing the roads, tunnels and bridges that connect much of the Faroese archipelago. Contemporary Hestur therefore combines an enduring village identity with the realities of living in a small, weather-dependent community.

Hestur in Contemporary Faroese Tourism

Hestur’s appeal today rests on its landscape, village character and position within the southern Faroese seascape rather than on large visitor developments. Walkers, photographers and boat passengers come for the cliffs, open hills and sense of remoteness, while residents continue to maintain a working community. Tourism is consequently a relatively light presence, and responsible visits are important. Protecting paths, nesting areas and local privacy helps ensure that the island’s cultural and environmental character remains part of its future.

Hestur in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Hestur, Faroe Islands

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