Mykines Travel Guide

Mykines, pronounced 'Mee-chi-nes', is a remote island that promises an unspoiled environment and an abundance of wildlife. Stretching 7 kilometers from east to west, the island is home to approximately 13 permanent residents who live in the village of Mykines. During the summer months, the island bursts with life as families return for vacation and travelers arrive to witness the natural beauty.The island's main attraction is its thriving puffin colony, with thousands of these charming birds nesting on the cliffs from early May to late August. Birdwatchers flock to Mykines to observe puffins up close, along with other seabirds like gannets, guillemots, and razorbills. Mykines is the only place in the Faroe Islands where gannets nest.The landscape is characterized by steep, rugged shores and green hills. On the northern side of the island lies the valley of Korkadalur, known for its basalt columns. A footbridge spans the 50-meter-deep Holmgjógv strait, connecting Mykines to the islet of Mykineshólmur, where an automated lighthouse stands. Note that due to a landslide in October 2021, the path to the lighthouse is currently closed.The island's history is marked by isolation and shipwrecks. Oats and barley were grown here as early as 625 A.D., possibly by monks and hermits. In 1970, an Icelandair plane crashed on Mykines, a tragic event memorialized in the village church. Despite its remote location, Mykines offers a unique blend of natural beauty, wildlife, and Faroese culture.