Vestmanna Sea Cliffs, Leynar and Kvívík in Faroe Islands

Explore the village Vestmanna and hear stories and legends from the past from your guide.

The boat trip along the bird cliffs of Vestmanna takes about 2 hours, offering ample opportunity to observe and photograph a variety of breeding seabirds against the backdrop of the stunning vertical cliffs. The journey takes you as close to the cliffs as the weather permits, weaving between basalt columns that rise from the sea and into deep caves carved by the ocean’s fury over millions of years. While sailing the guide shares tales of ships seeking shelter from storms in Vestmanna throughout history, as well as stories of pirates who repeatedly raided this village due to its easy access and secluded location.

The village of Kvívík is believed to be one of the first places settled in the Faroe Islands. Close to the sea, the remains of two Viking houses, over 1,000 years old, have been excavated. They found ideal conditions for settlement here: Easy access to and from the sea, slopes suitable for growing crops, and access to fresh water. Stórá river cascades through the village, generating electricity to power the municipal buildings of the village. The houses are closely packed in the deep valley, catching the morning sun, with views of Vágar, Koltur, Sandoy, and Hestoy.

This tour also includes a visit to the quaint village of Leynar, one of the few Faroese villages with a white sandy beach. The colorful houses are nestled on the slope, overlooking the beach, the north side of Vágar, the protected island of Koltur, and the village of Kvívík. Locally, Leynar’s beach is regarded as a sort of Copacabana. It’s not uncommon for the sun to shine from a clear blue sky over Leynar, even on days when thick summer fog envelops Tórshavn, quickly filling the beach with happy children and sun-seeking adults. After rainy summer days, hordes of wild salmon can be seen swimming up the steps in Leynar River.