Can you visit the Faroe Islands with a baby or kids? Yes, definitely. But it is a destination where you plan your trip a little differently than when you travel as a couple. You have to deal with wind, rain, short hikes, few classic children’s activities and sometimes days where you are mainly the entertainment yourself.
We travelled around the Faroe Islands for one week with our 8-month-old daughter. It went surprisingly well, although we also had one of those typical parents-on-a-trip moments: a stomach bug on holiday. Lovely, of course. So suddenly we were standing in a pharmacy in Tórshavn instead of at a viewpoint. Unfortunately, that is also part of travelling with kids.
Still, we found the Faroe Islands with a baby very doable. The distances are short, you can plan flexibly, it feels safe and with a baby carrier you can reach many beautiful places. In this blog, I share our honest tips for travelling to the Faroe Islands with a baby or young children.
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Are the Faroe Islands a good destination with a baby?
With a baby, we actually found the Faroe Islands pretty ideal. That may sound strange, because it is not a sunny destination with beach beds, playgrounds and kids’ clubs. But precisely the short distances, quiet roads and nature make it pleasant.
Our daughter often slept nicely in the baby carrier or in the car. That meant we could do lots of short stops and walks without everything becoming complicated. And because you travel by rental car, you can easily adjust your day around naps, feeds and the weather.
You do have to be realistic. You are not going to do three hikes in a row every day. And sometimes you are just indoors because your baby needs to sleep, is sick or because it is raining horizontally outside. That is why, with a baby, I would invest a little more in nice accommodation. We did that too, because our daughter still sleeps a lot. In that case, you do not want to spend every afternoon in a dark, cramped room where you cannot really relax yourself.
Visiting the Faroe Islands with older kids
With older kids, it is a little different. The Faroe Islands are beautiful, but you will not find playgrounds, theme parks or children’s activities everywhere. We did see something that looked like a small playground here and there, especially in villages. But then it also needs to be dry. And it depends on where you are staying too.
As a parent, you quickly become the entertainment in the Faroe Islands. Looking for stones, counting sheep, watching waves, walking through a village, having a picnic in the car or playing “who spots the first waterfall?”. That kind of thing. For kids who like being outside, enjoy animals and do not mind walking, this can genuinely be a fun destination.
If your children get bored quickly without a playground, swimming pool or screen, I would not plan the days too full and would consciously choose accommodation where they can also play or relax for a while.
Baby carrier or stroller in the Faroe Islands?
We brought a travel stroller, but in practice we barely used it. Actually only in Tórshavn and in supermarkets. At most highlights, it is not very useful. Paths are muddy, uneven, steep or simply not suitable for wheels.
A baby carrier was essential for us. Our daughter slept well in it and we could still walk. During the Sørvágsvatn hike to Trælanípa, she slept almost the entire walk. Almost two hours, actually. Ideal, because we could just keep walking and she got her nap. And also during the Klakkur hike near Klaksvík (see the photo above), she slept wonderfully, even though I slipped once on the muddy route.
For hikes and viewpoints, the rule is basically this: your child needs to be able to walk themselves, or you need to carry them. A stroller is useful for the capital, shops and maybe a flat stretch near your accommodation, but not for the real sights.
Hiking with a baby or kids
Hiking in the Faroe Islands with a baby is perfectly possible, as long as you adjust your expectations. We mostly chose short or medium-level walks. No extreme hikes, no long day trips and no routes where you depend too much on perfect weather.
We found the walk to Sørvágsvatn doable with a baby. The path is mostly clear, but sometimes muddy and a little tougher near the end. Near the cliffs, you really have to pay attention with older kids. There are not fences everywhere and the wind can be strong. So hold hands and do not get too close to the edge.
The Klakkur hike near Klaksvík is also a good option if you are looking for a short walk with a beautiful view. From the upper car park, it is not extremely long, but it is muddy and sometimes steeper than you expect. With a baby in the carrier, that is fine if you are steady on your feet.
Our tip: choose one bigger activity per day and add a few short stops around it. That keeps it fun for everyone.
The Drangarnir boat trip with a baby
One of the best things we did was the Drangarnir boat trip from Sørvágur. You can do it with a baby, but you do need to stay flexible.
We did this boat trip with our 8-month-old daughter. She was wrapped up well and was actually fine with everything. Until she got tired. Halfway through, she fell asleep on me, which meant I spent the second half of the trip mostly inside with a sleeping baby in my arms. My wife could take photos outside and I could still look through the window a bit. Not exactly how you imagine it beforehand, but well: baby sleeps, everyone happy.
With older kids, I think this tour would be really fun. You sit on a small boat, sail past high cliffs and, with a bit of luck, see puffins. If your children get seasick easily, I would think about it carefully though. It is still a boat trip in the Faroe Islands, so the weather plays a big role.
Want to do the boat trip yourself? You can book the Drangarnir boat trip from Sørvágur here.
Renting a car with a child in the Faroe Islands
We found a rental car absolutely ideal with a baby. The distances are manageable, the roads are beautiful and you can plan your day flexibly. That is useful with naps, but also with the weather. If it is foggy at a hike, you can first do some grocery shopping or make a shorter stop and come back later.
We simply booked the child seat with the rental car. That worked fine. We picked up the car at Vágar airport. That airport is small, so you do not spend long dragging suitcases, baby gear and a tired child around.
Want to know more about driving on the islands? Then also read our blog about renting a car in the Faroe Islands. Or check the current prices directly via Discover Cars.
Baby food, nappies and supermarkets in the Faroe Islands
We were happy to notice that supermarkets had plenty of basic baby items. Baby food, nappies and other essentials were easy to buy. Everything is a little more expensive than you may be used to at home, but that applies to almost everything in the Faroe Islands.
Still, I would not arrive without any supplies at all. Bring enough nappies, food and snacks for the first few days, especially if you arrive late or immediately drive to a smaller place. In Tórshavn and larger villages, you have more choice than in small villages.
The tap water in the Faroe Islands is safe to drink. We found that extra nice with a baby. So you do not have to carry large bottles of water around all the time and can simply fill your drinking bottle at your accommodation.
Pharmacy and a sick child on holiday
Yes, this is also part of travelling with kids: getting sick at the least convenient moment. Our daughter got a stomach bug on holiday. Not exactly what you hope for during a trip to the Faroe Islands, but luckily we could go to a pharmacy in Tórshavn.
You will find most facilities in the capital. That is also one reason why it can be useful not to stay too remote, especially with young children. The Faroe Islands feel safe and calm, but if you need something, it is nice not to have to drive for an hour first.
Our tip: always bring a basic medical kit yourself with ORS, child-safe paracetamol, a thermometer, nasal spray, plasters and anything your child may also need at home. You can buy a lot locally, but when your child is sick, you do not want to first figure out which pharmacy is open.
Where to stay in the Faroe Islands with a baby or kids
We deliberately invested a little more in our accommodation. With a baby, you simply spend more time at your accommodation than without a child. Our daughter still slept a lot, so a nice place mattered more to us than usual.
An apartment, cottage or accommodation with a kitchen is very useful then. You can make your own food, prepare bottles, spread out your things and actually sit comfortably yourself during a nap. That sounds simple, but it really makes a difference.
For one week, we would divide your stay across a few places. For example Vágar for arrival and the famous highlights, Tórshavn or Kollafjørður as a central base, and Klaksvík for the north.
- Vágar: useful for Múlafossur, Drangarnir, Sørvágsvatn and the airport. View accommodation on Vágar.
- Tórshavn: useful if you want restaurants, shops and a pharmacy nearby. View accommodation in Tórshavn.
- Klaksvík: good for Klakkur, Viðoy and the north. View accommodation in Klaksvík.
Costs with kids in the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands are not a cheap destination. Accommodation, groceries and car rental are all on the expensive side. But with young kids, you do have one advantage: you barely spend money on entertainment.
Much of what you do is outdoors. Viewpoints, short stops, villages, waterfalls and scenic drives often cost nothing. Some hikes are paid though, such as Sørvágsvatn. We paid 200 DKK per adult there, while children up to 15 years old could join for free.
With a baby, you of course do not pay entrance fees or activity costs. The extra costs are mainly in more comfortable accommodation, possibly a child seat for the rental car, baby supplies and cooking for yourself or doing groceries a bit more often. Groceries are about 25% more expensive than at home, depending on the product. On the other hand, outside the larger places you barely come across restaurants, so cooking for yourself is a must, unless you stay in hotels.
Clothing for kids in the Faroe Islands
Layers are really important. Even in summer. We were there at the end of June and often needed hats, windproof jackets and warm layers. Especially if your child sits still in the baby carrier or stroller, they cool down faster than you while walking.
For your child, bring at least:
- warm layers, such as fleece or wool
- a windproof jacket
- a rain suit or good rain jacket
- a hat, even in summer
- waterproof shoes or boots for older kids
- extra socks and dry clothes in the car
- a warm blanket for the baby carrier or car
Do not assume the weather you see when you wake up will last. In the Faroe Islands, it can be completely different an hour later. That is why we almost always had extra clothes in the car and even an emergency set for ourselves.
How many days in the Faroe Islands with a baby or kids?
For us, one week was enough. And that was while travelling more slowly with a baby than we normally would. In 7 days, you can combine Vágar, Streymoy, Eysturoy, Klaksvík and Viðoy well, without having to rush every day.
We deliberately chose not to take ferries to extra islands. When our daughter got sick, we were actually happy about that. No fixed departure times, no extra logistics and no stress if we had to take a quieter day.
Want to see how to plan a week in a practical way? Then read our 7-day Faroe Islands road trip itinerary. That route is also very doable with a baby, as long as you stay flexible.
What worked well for us with a baby?
The combination of short distances, a rental car and a baby carrier worked very well for us. We could see a lot without long travel days. When our daughter slept, we drove or walked. When she was awake, we stopped somewhere briefly or took it a bit slower.
Also nice: you are outside a lot, but you do not have to spend all day in crowds. The Faroe Islands feel calm. No packed boulevards, no busy beaches, no queues at attractions. Just nature, villages and lots of space.
What was less ideal? The weather remains unpredictable and indoor activities for kids are limited. If it rains hard for several days, you need to get creative. And with older kids, you may need to put a bit more effort into keeping the days varied and fun.
Practical tips for the Faroe Islands with a baby or kids
- Bring a baby carrier. You will use it much more than a stroller.
- Book nice accommodation. Especially with a baby who still sleeps a lot.
- Rent a car. It makes your trip much more flexible with naps and bad weather.
- Book the child seat with your rental car in advance. Then you do not have to think about it on arrival.
- Bring layers. Wind and rain make it cold quickly, even in summer.
- Keep baby supplies on top in the car. Rain jacket, dry clothes, food and nappies should be easy to grab.
- Bring a basic medical kit. Especially ORS and fever medication are useful to have on hand.
- Do not count on many playgrounds. You sometimes find them in villages, but not everywhere.
- Plan one big activity per day. Fill the rest with short stops.
- Stay flexible. In the Faroe Islands, the weather and your child often decide the planning together.
Would we recommend the Faroe Islands with a baby?
Yes, definitely. The Faroe Islands may not be the most obvious baby destination, but for us it worked really well. You do not get tropical weather, child-friendly resorts or endless playgrounds. But you do get calm, short distances, beautiful nature and lots of flexibility in return.
With a baby, we found it even easier than expected beforehand. She slept a lot in the baby carrier, we could adjust our days and we did not have to drive long distances. With older kids, I would think a bit more consciously about entertainment and bad weather, but even then it can be a very beautiful trip.
For us, one week was exactly right. Enough time to see a lot, but not so long that you constantly have to come up with new plans in bad weather. And despite the stomach bug, rain and naps at inconvenient moments, we look back on it very positively. Maybe that is the best sign.
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