Suðuroy Island Travel Guide - Free Web & App

Your ultimate guide to Suðuroy Island. Discover top landmarks, proposed trips, and local tips. Free on the web or via the Evendo companion app.

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Suðuroy Island
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Suðuroy Island in the Faroe Islands offers sea cliffs, quiet villages, dramatic hikes, birdlife and rich maritime heritage at the Atlantic’s edge.

Landscapes and Island Character

Suðuroy is the southernmost of the main Faroe Islands, a long, mountainous island shaped by North Atlantic weather and dramatic basalt geology. Steep sea cliffs, narrow valleys, grassy ridges and sheltered fjords define an environment that feels more spacious and rural than the archipelago’s central islands. The island’s settlements lie mainly around the coast, where villages occupy small strips of level ground beside coves and sounds. Among them are Tvøroyri, the principal settlement and an important ferry gateway, Vágur, Hvalba, Fámjin, Sumba, Porkeri, Hov, Sandvík, Akrar and Lopra.
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Villages, Heritage and Wildlife

Suðuroy’s identity is closely connected with fishing, farming, seafaring and the difficult seasonal work once required to sustain isolated communities. Coloured wooden houses, turf-roofed buildings and village churches reflect the island’s traditional settlement pattern, while local museums and heritage sites help explain its maritime and industrial past. The landscape is also important for seabirds, particularly around the high coastal cliffs and sea stacks, although sightings vary with season and weather. Beinisvørð, one of the island’s best-known viewpoints, rises dramatically above the western coast, while the cliffs around Sumba and the southern headlands reveal the island’s exposed Atlantic character.

Exploring Suðuroy

Visitors generally explore by car, combining the ferry arrival at Krambatangi with short drives between villages, viewpoints and walking areas. Hiking is central to the experience, from the remote hollow of Hvannhagi near Tvøroyri to routes around Fámjin and the southern villages, but terrain and weather demand proper preparation. Suðuroy is not a compact sightseeing stop: roads, tunnels and mountain passes connect its communities, yet many rewarding places require time on foot. The island’s quiet atmosphere, changing light and strong relationship between people and sea are its defining qualities.

When is the best time to visit Suðuroy Island?

Best: June–August · 12–14°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January7150
February6120
March6100
April790
May1070
June (best)1260
July (best)1460
August (best)1470
September1280
October10100
November7150
December7150

Getting to and around Suðuroy Island

How to get there

Suðuroy is reached by the Smyril passenger and vehicle ferry from Tórshavn on Streymoy to the island’s Krambatangi ferry terminal, near Trongisvágur and Tvøroyri. The crossing is the principal public connection and carries cars as well as foot passengers, but sailing times, capacity and operations can change with weather or seasonal planning, so the official timetable should be checked before travel. There is no airport on Suðuroy. Visitors arriving by air use Vágar Airport and continue across the Faroes by road and ferry, while those already on the islands can travel to Tórshavn by road, bus or ferry before continuing south.

Transportation

A car is the most flexible way to explore Suðuroy because villages, viewpoints and walking starts are spread along the island and public transport is more limited than in Tórshavn. Main roads connect the settlements, with tunnels and mountain roads forming important links; drivers should expect narrow sections, changing visibility and occasional delays caused by weather. Local buses serve communities, but routes and frequencies should be checked rather than assumed. Walking is essential for places such as Hvannhagi and many coastal viewpoints, while cycling is possible for experienced riders prepared for climbs, wind and tunnels. Allow more time than map distances suggest.

Best attractions in Suðuroy Island

Suðuroy’s principal attractions are its coastal landscapes, villages and walking country rather than a concentration of formal visitor facilities. Beinisvørð, above the western coast, is the island’s best-known high viewpoint, with sheer cliffs and broad views across the Atlantic when visibility is clear. Hvannhagi, reached on foot from the Tvøroyri area, is a remote natural hollow framed by steep slopes and coastal scenery. In the south, Sumba, Akrar and Lopra offer access to a strongly maritime landscape, while Fámjin occupies a sheltered valley on the west coast and is associated with distinctive village heritage. Hvalba and Sandvík reveal the island’s northern character, including its farming and coal-mining history. Tvøroyri and Vágur provide the most substantial settlement environments, with harbours, local services and cultural interest, while the roads between villages create changing views of fjords, pasture, cliffs and mountain ridges.

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Best landmarks in Suðuroy Island

Suðuroy’s defining landmarks are primarily natural. Beinisvørð dominates the western coast with a high, sharply cut cliff face and is one of the island’s most recognisable viewpoints. The sea stack and cliff scenery around the southern coast express the island’s exposed position at the edge of the North Atlantic, while Hvannhagi forms a memorable inland-and-coastal landscape near Tvøroyri. The villages themselves are important cultural landmarks: Fámjin’s church and traditional settlement setting, the harbour environments of Tvøroyri and Vágur, and the historic communities of Hvalba, Sumba and Porkeri show how people adapted to narrow coastal sites. Old turf-roofed houses, boat-related buildings and village churches are significant not because of monumental scale, but because they preserve the close relationship between farming, fishing, faith and weather that shaped Suðuroy’s identity.

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Explore Suðuroy Island on the map

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Best restaurants in Suðuroy Island

Dining on Suðuroy is concentrated in the larger settlements, particularly Tvøroyri and Vágur, with additional options in village cafés, guesthouses and local service businesses rather than a continuous restaurant scene. Menus reflect Faroese food culture and the island’s maritime setting, with fish, seafood, lamb, dairy products and simple café fare commonly associated with regional eating. Traditional Faroese foods may include dried or fermented meat and fish, although availability varies and visitors should regard them as local specialities rather than guaranteed menu items. Small shops provide supplies for picnics and self-catering, which is useful before longer walks or drives through the southern villages. Farm products, bakery goods and locally sourced ingredients may also appear through seasonal or community-based outlets, but opening arrangements can be limited outside the main population centres.

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Best bars in Suðuroy Island

Suðuroy does not have a large nightclub district or a late-night entertainment scene. Evening life is centred on local cafés, restaurants, community halls and traditional pubs or social venues in settlements such as Tvøroyri and Vágur, where the atmosphere is generally informal and closely connected with island community life. Cultural events, live music and seasonal gatherings may take place, but schedules are not constant and should be checked locally. In smaller villages, evenings are usually quiet, with accommodation, conversation and changing views over the water providing the main experience. Visitors should plan transport carefully after dark, particularly if staying outside the larger settlements, as rural roads, tunnels and weather can make travel slower than expected.

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Best nightclubs in Suðuroy Island

Suðuroy does not have a large nightclub district or a late-night entertainment scene. Evening life is centred on local cafés, restaurants, community halls and traditional pubs or social venues in settlements such as Tvøroyri and Vágur, where the atmosphere is generally informal and closely connected with island community life. Cultural events, live music and seasonal gatherings may take place, but schedules are not constant and should be checked locally. In smaller villages, evenings are usually quiet, with accommodation, conversation and changing views over the water providing the main experience. Visitors should plan transport carefully after dark, particularly if staying outside the larger settlements, as rural roads, tunnels and weather can make travel slower than expected.

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Best shops in Suðuroy Island

Shopping on Suðuroy is practical and local rather than extensive. Tvøroyri and Vágur have the broadest range of everyday shops and supplies, while smaller villages may offer limited provisions through local stores or service businesses. Visitors may find Faroese woollen goods, knitwear, handicrafts, artwork and locally produced food through shops, craft outlets or seasonal community initiatives, although stock and opening arrangements vary. Wool is particularly meaningful in the Faroese context, reflecting the continuing importance of sheep farming and textile traditions across the islands. Food shops are useful for preparing walks, especially when travelling towards Fámjin, Hvalba, Sumba or the southern settlements, where retail choices are fewer. The best purchases are generally connected with local materials, island food culture and small-scale makers rather than conventional retail brands.

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Suðuroy Island essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the Danish krone, written DKK or kr, and Faroese banknotes circulate alongside Danish notes and coins. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in shops, cafés, accommodation and transport, particularly in the larger settlements, although smaller businesses and occasional rural services may have different arrangements. Carrying some cash is sensible when travelling beyond Tvøroyri and Vágur, as cash-machine access is not uniform across the island. Visitors should not assume that every small purchase, honesty-based facility or remote service accepts cards, and should confirm payment arrangements before setting out for a long walk.
Safety
Suðuroy’s main outdoor hazards arise from exposed weather, steep terrain, slippery ground and unprotected coastal edges. Fog, rain and strong wind can arrive quickly, reducing visibility on mountain paths and viewpoints, while wet grass and loose surfaces make cliff areas especially hazardous. Stay well back from edges and never rely on a photograph or informal track as evidence of a safe route. Check the forecast, carry suitable clothing, navigation equipment, food and water, and tell someone about longer walks. Sheep, seabirds and other wildlife should be observed without approaching or flushing them, and road users should adapt to narrow roads, tunnels and limited visibility.
Emergency Situations
Dial 112 in an emergency in the Faroe Islands for police, fire and ambulance assistance. Give the operator the island, settlement, road, trail name or nearest recognisable feature, and explain whether the incident involves cliffs, the coast, mountains or a vehicle. Mobile coverage can vary in remote and sheltered areas, so do not depend on a phone alone for navigation. For a walking emergency, remain together where possible, conserve warmth and provide accurate location information; do not move an injured person unless necessary to prevent further danger. For non-urgent medical advice, seek help through local healthcare services in the settlement where you are staying.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect private property, village quiet and working farmland, and close gates after passing through them where access arrangements require it. Remain on established paths or follow local guidance, keep dogs controlled around sheep and nesting birds, and take all litter away. Do not climb fences, enter buildings, approach cliff edges for photographs or disturb colonies on sea cliffs. Ask before photographing people, homes or private activities, particularly in small communities. Treat local churches, museums and historic buildings carefully, follow any posted access rules, and remember that weather and farming work can change conditions even on familiar routes.
Local Tips
Tvøroyri and Vágur are useful bases for supplies, transport connections and local services, while smaller villages provide a slower view of island life. Plan outings around the ferry and daylight rather than trying to cover every settlement in one rushed circuit. The western coast is often the most exposed and dramatic, whereas eastern villages sit in more sheltered settings around fjords. Ask locally about current path conditions before setting out, especially after heavy rain or strong winds. Early or late light can bring out the island’s layered cliffs and village colours, but visibility should always take priority over reaching a viewpoint.
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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[haɫɔ]
GoodbyeFarvæl[fɑrvɛl]
YesJa[ja]
NoNei[nɛi]
Please/You're welcomeVær så god[vɛr sɔ gɔð]
Thank youTakk fyri[taʰk fyrɪ]
Excuse me/SorryFyrirgev mær[fyriɹjɛv mɛaɹ]
How are you?Hvussu hevur tú tað?[kvusːu hɛvʊɹ tuː taː]
Fine. And you?Godt. Og tú?[goʊt ɔk tuː]
Do you speak English?Talar tú enskt?[talaɹ tuː ɛnskt]
I don't understandEg skilji ikki[ɛa skɪlji ɪhtkɪ]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseEg vil síggja matsedilin, vænta[ɛa vil siːja matsɛdilɪn vɛnta]
I don't eat meatEg eta ikki kjøt[ɛa ɛtɑ ɪhtkɪ çøt]
Cheers!Skál![skɔɫ]
I would like to pay, pleaseEg vil gjalda, vænta[ɛa vil ɹjaldɑ vɛnta]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Hjálp![çlaʊp]
Go away!Far til fjøru![fɑɹ tɪl fjøːɹʊ]
Call the Police!Ringi til løgregluna![ɹɪŋɪ tɪl løɣɹɛɣlʊna]
Call a doctor!Ringi til læknin![ɹɪŋɪ tɪl læknɪn]
I'm lostEg er týstur[ɛa ɛaʰ toɪstʊɹ]
I'm illEg er veikur[ɛa ɛaʰ vɛɪkʊɹ]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Eg vil keypa...[ɛa vil tʃeɪpa]
I'm just lookingEg bara sigi[ɛa bara sɪɣɪ]
How much is it?Hvussu nógv kostar tað?[kvusːu nɔɪv kostar taː]
That's too expensiveTað er ov dýrt[taː ɛa ɔv diːɹt]
Can you lower the price?Kanstu sætta prísin?[kansˌtu sɛaʰtɑ pɹiːsɪn]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Hvussu tíð er tað?[kvusːu tiːð ɛaʰ taː]
It's one o'clockTað er eitt[taː ɛaʰ aɪt]
Half past (10)Hálvgilt (10)[haʊlvgɪlt (10)]
MorningMorgun[moɹɣʊn]
AfternoonEftirmiðdagur[ɛaʰtɪɹmiðaɣʊɹ]
EveningKvøld[kvøɫ]
YesterdayÍ gjár[iː çaʊaɹ]
TodayÍ dag[iː dav]
TomorrowÁ morgun[aʊ moɹɣʊn]
1Eitt[aɪt]
2Tvær[tvaɪɹ]
3Tríggjar[tɹiːɣaɹ]
4Fýra[fʊɪɹa]
5Fimm[fɪm]
6Seks[sɛks]
7Sjey[ʃɛɪ]
8Átta[aʊtʰa]
9Niður[niːðʊɹ]
10Tíggju[tʰɪɣʊ]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Har er ein/het...[haɹ ɛaʰ aɪn/hɛt]
What's the address?Hvussu er adressan?[kvusːu ɛaʰ aðɹɛsːan]
Can you show me (on the map)?Kannstu vísa meg (á korti)?[khansˌtu vɪːsa mɛaɣ (aʊ kɔɹtɪ)]
When's the next (bus)?Nær er næsta (bussin)?[neɛaʰ ɛaʰ næsta (bʊsːɪn)]
A ticket (to ....)Ein miði (til ....)[aɪn miðɪ (tɪl ....)]

History of Suðuroy Island

Basalt Foundations and Atlantic Erosion

Suðuroy, like the rest of the Faroe Islands, is formed from successive layers of basaltic lava created by volcanic activity in the North Atlantic during the early geological history of the region. Later erosion by the sea, ice and weather carved the island into steep coastal cliffs, narrow valleys and sheltered inlets. The exposed western coast shows particularly clearly how Atlantic forces continue to shape the island, while the eastern side contains several more protected fjords and settlements. This geological structure explains both Suðuroy’s dramatic scenery and the limited amount of level land available for farming and building.

Norse Settlement and Village Origins

The Faroes were settled by Norse communities during the Viking Age, and Suðuroy developed as part of that wider island society. Farming, fishing and the seasonal use of outlying coastal and upland areas formed the basis of life. Place names, settlement patterns and traditional agricultural practices preserve evidence of the Norse cultural framework, although the island’s history was shaped over centuries by changing political and economic conditions. Villages grew in locations offering access to pasture, freshwater, landing places and sheltered bays, creating the dispersed coastal pattern still visible today.

Farming, Fishing and Isolation

For much of its history, Suðuroy’s communities depended on a mixed economy of sheep farming, small-scale agriculture, fishing and the harvesting of seabirds and other marine resources. Travel between villages and to the northern islands was difficult, particularly before modern roads, tunnels and regular ferry services. The sea was therefore both a source of food and income and a major barrier. Traditional houses, village churches, boat-related customs and communal practices reflect a society where labour was closely tied to weather, tides and the availability of limited land.

Coal Mining at Hvalba

Suðuroy is associated with coal mining, an unusual industrial chapter in the Faroes. Coal was extracted around Hvalba and in neighbouring parts of the island, providing a local fuel source and employment at different periods. Mining never transformed Suðuroy into an industrial region on the scale found elsewhere in Europe, but it left a distinct mark on local history and landscape. The coalfields demonstrate how island communities used available natural resources when imported fuel was costly or difficult to obtain, while also revealing the demanding work behind everyday life in a remote North Atlantic environment.

Modern Connections and Heritage Preservation

The twentieth century brought improved roads, tunnels, harbour facilities, telecommunications and more reliable connections with the rest of the Faroe Islands, reducing Suðuroy’s former isolation while encouraging changes in employment and population. Fishing remains important to the island’s identity, but many residents also work in public services, transport and other modern sectors. Heritage museums, historic buildings and local cultural activities preserve aspects of village life, maritime work and industrial history. At the same time, hiking tourism has drawn attention to landscapes such as Beinisvørð and Hvannhagi, making responsible access and respect for fragile coastal environments increasingly important.

Suðuroy Island in Photos

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Cities in Suðuroy Island

The towns and cities of Suðuroy Island, and the easiest places to base yourself.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Suðuroy Island

Discover Suðuroy Island with Evendo - a 100% free app-based travel guide covering attractions, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, tours, and more.

  • Detailed information on Suðuroy Island's best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more
  • High-quality images and descriptions for each location
  • Local tips and maps for easy navigation
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Explore Suðuroy Island with Evendo, the free app-based travel guide that helps you uncover the island’s best attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Download now to start your adventure!

  • Booking options for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
  • History of Suðuroy Island and travel essentials
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 'Near Me' feature to find nearby points of interest
  • Completely free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Suðuroy Island, the gem of the Faroe Islands! Planning your trip has never been easier with Evendo, your ultimate travel guide. Whether you're interested in exploring historic landmarks like the Akraberg Lighthouse, hiking the majestic Beinisvørð cliffs, or indulging in local culinary delights at Café MorMor, Evendo has you covered.

Our app provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Suðuroy Island. Each location features comprehensive descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it simple for you to plan and organize your trip.

With Evendo, booking hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences is a breeze. No more endless searches for what to see, do, or experience - the app consolidates everything into one convenient place. Plus, our 'Near Me' feature allows you to discover what's around you, no matter where you are on the island.

Enjoy curated local tips to experience Suðuroy Island like a resident. From historical insights to travel essentials, Evendo ensures you get the most out of your visit. And the best part? The app is completely free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Start your journey today and explore like never before!

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