Since the Faroe Islands are still a pretty remote place, when I was planning my trip, I was struggling to figure out what to pack for the Faroe Islands since there aren’t many resources out there yet. I think I did a pretty good job considering I’ve never been to a place like it before, but there were a few things that would have made the trip so much easier! So if you’re planning a trip, I hope this packing list for the Faroe Islands helps! π (And remember that since it’s a pretty remote place, there aren’t many places to stock up on things when you’re there, so come prepared!)
Matt and I got INCREDIBLY lucky with the weather and didn’t get any rain! There were some cloudy days and a few hours of strong wind, but other than that, we got a lot of sun and the temperatures weren’t too cold. It didn’t even rain leading up to our trip! So with all that nice weather, I thought I would be fine hiking in sneakers since it wouldn’t be muddy. Nope. Learn from me and get some good hiking boots.
Even though it hadn’t been raining, there were lots of muddy spots and most of the ground was soft (plus, there were parts with rocks we had to climb on). I couldn’t get any traction in my sneakers, and I would slide around a lot. That’s not what you want to be doing on a steep cliffside! So get some boots with good traction, especially if it’s going to rain before or during your trip.
I got this North Face wind breaker/rain jacket before our trip, and it works great! It really helped with the crazy wind we had in some spots. I didn’t get to test it in the rain in the Faroe Islands, but I’ve worn it a lot since, and it’s definitely the best rain jacket I’ve ever had. The sizing is pretty true to size, so I ended up exchanging the one in my size for a size up so I would have room to wear layers underneath, and I definitely recommend wearing layers in the Faroe Islands.
Leggings were the only pants I brought with me to the Faroe Islands! They’re easy to move in for hiking, comfortable, and even if your leggings aren’t waterproof like these, they dry quickly if they get wet (unlike jeans).
Me in my windbreaker, leggings, and sneakers that I wished were hiking boots!
For guys (or for girls who don’t like leggings), you should bring waterproof pants! Most people aren’t as lucky as us and get a lot of rain (and mud) on their trip to the Faroe Islands, so better safe than sorry. Plus, these are fleece lined, so they’re great for the chilly Faroe Islands weather.
I’ve been wearing Smartwool socks forever, and I love them! They’re comfortable with extra padding in the heels, and they have different types of socks for hiking and other outdoor activities (and they’re great for every day wear!). And my favorite thing is they have fun designs and colors because I’m obsessed with colorful socks π
I don’t have a drone yet, but the Faroe Islands would be the perfect place for amazing drone shots! I’ve seen aerial shots on Instgram, and they are just unbelievable so I’m definitely getting a drone before I go back. If you have a drone, bring it! And if you don’t have one yet, this Holy Stone drone is just a little over $100 (and it’s going on my Christmas list!).
Because we were doing a lot of driving, I thought it would be a good idea to get a hotspot. But guess what? It didn’t work AT ALL in the Faroe Islands (even though the person I chatted with at the company told me it would).
I was extra prepared and had printed multiple copies of maps (which I recommend doing even if you plan on getting a SIM card, just in case), but being able to look up directions and use our phones in case of an emergency would have been helpful. You can buy a SIM card ahead of time, but you can also get them in the airport or in stores around the islands. Even if you’re only there for a few days, I recommend getting one! You can check out all the places to get one here.
I never travel without my power bank! It is a little heavy and bigger than some, but the battery life is incredible and you can charge multiple devices at once. Since many of the places in the Faroe Islands are pretty remote, I definitely recommend having a power bank or at least a car charger so your phone won’t die on you.
Granola bars or other snack food
In most of the villages we visited, we didn’t see a SINGLE person! Because many places are so small, there aren’t stores or restaurants in nearby. Out of the seven meals that Matt and I were in the Faroe Islands for, we were only able to eat in one restaurant, and our B&Bs supplied two of the breakfasts. Other than that, we got some food from a grocery store and ate Clif Bars and other snacks I brought. If you’re going to some of the more remote places, I definitely recommend bringing food with you!
There weren’t many places to fill up water bottles during our excursions, so I would recommend bringing more than one water bottle! Especially if you’re like me and get hot quickly when hiking. We would fill a few bottles up before we left our B&Bs, and they would last us throughout the day. If you’re tight on space, these collapsible water bottles won’t take up too much room!
A travel buddy!
I’ve traveled solo quite a bit, but I would recommend going to the Faroe Islands with a travel buddy! Since we drove everywhere, I could focus on the (insane) roads while Matt navigated our paper maps. Traveling with someone is also safer because in most of the towns we went to, we didn’t see a SINGLE person. If something would have happened on our hikes, or if the car broke down or the (seriously crazy) roads were slippery and I crashed, at least I wasn’t alone to manage a crisis or stranded with no one nearby. Plus, it’s more fun to travel with a buddy! π
For visiting the Faroe Islands in the winter
It was chilly in the spring when we visited the Faroe Islands, so you’ll need to bundle up more in the winter! If you’re going when it’s cold, I recommend layering with some thermal clothes. The climate is pretty moderate, but it can get cold in the winter, and the wind and rain makes it feel even colder! Thermajohn has thermal layer sets for women and men.
If it’s going to be really cold, bundle up! Smartwool has some great hats, scarves, and gloves for hiking, and they come in lots of fun colors!
I also recommend bringing a backpack for hiking (I use my Fjallraven everywhere and the size was perfect for carrying my camera, snacks, and water bottles) and extra socks and layers, just in case! If you’ve been wondering what to pack for your trip, I hope this packing list for the Faroe Islands helps! π
For more trip planning for the Faroe Islands:
The Ultimate 3 Day Itinerary for the Faroe Islands for Amazing Views & Cute Sheep!
Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting the Faroe Islands!
Disclaimer: Some of these links are affiliate links, and if you purchase a product through a link on this packing list for the Faroe Islands, I will make a small commission to help keep Through Juliaβs Lens running with no extra cost to you!Β
A through list, to be sure, but if you bring a drone, make sure you know the laws. There are several rules in the Faroes regarding how and where you can fly them. Violating those laws can cost you 5000 DKK (about $750 USD). Visit Faroe Islands has a good summary of the rules: https://www.visitfaroeislands.com/plan-your-stay/practical-information-2/drones/
Very good point, thanks for bringing that up!
So many things to think about but this is a great comprehensive list! I’d definitely bring a ton of snack foods, knowing now that there are few stores about!
Thank you! π
Great list! I never even knew waterproof leggings existed, so that’s already a gamechanger by itself!! π Also, your photos are GORGEOUS! Thanks for sharing-
Thank you! π I know, anything waterproof is amazing!!
Great tips, I suppose Faroe Island isn’t the type of place where you can pick it up when you get there. That’s always my thinking when travelling, if I really need it I can get it there but in more remote places I suppose that’s not really possible, you need to come prepared!
Thank you! Yes, it’s best to be as prepared as possible for the Faroes!
The waterproof leggings sounds like a great idea!
Yeah they would be great for traveling most places!
These are brilliant! Very practical stuff that you otherwise wouldβnt think about, especially the hotspot tip. Good to know!
Thank you! π