Eysturoy
Eysturoy (lit. East Island) is part of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic. Eysturoy, meaning "east island" (pronounced ['estroi]), is the second-largest island in the Faroe Islands, both in size (286.3 km2 (110.5 sq mi)) and population (11,500 in 2018). It is separated from the main island of Streymoy by a narrow sound. Eysturoy is extremely rugged. The population is spread over 38 towns and villages. Important towns on Eysturoy are Fuglafjørður in the north and the densely populated area of the municipalities of Runavík and Nes in the south.
There are tourist information offices in Runavík and Fuglafjørður.
Understand
Landscape
The island has a stunning landscape. Eysturoy is extremely rugged, with some 66 mountain peaks, including Slættaratindur, the highest peak in the archipelago. The region up north is both steep and high. In this area you will find the highest mountains in the Faroes, as well as a number of steep headlands, high vertical sea cliffs, narrow clefts, and green fertile valleys. Visitors in this part of Eysturoy will be rewarded with numerous breath-taking views. The two tourist offices in Eysturoy have several guided hikes on their programme. Meanwhile, the landscape in the southern region is rather flat and smooth.
Industry
Fishery is the main industry in the Faroe islands, with 97% of the export value coming from fish and fish products. And Eysturoy certainly isn't an exception in this area, with people mainly making a living from the sea, fx from pelagic fish and saltfish production, salmon slaughtering, fish factories, fish auctions, landing stations and engineering industry amongst others. However, there are many other industrial activities on Eysturoy, and large trade and service industries on the eastern arm of Skálafjørður.
Towns and villages
The population counts 10,586. There are 9 municipalities and 38 villages.
- 1 Gjógv - The small picturesque settlement of Gjógv (Gorge) on the north of the island Eysturoy is a popular place for tourists to visit. The village is named for a 200-metre (650-ft) long sea-filled gorge that runs north to the sea from the village. The village is close to Slættaratindur, the highest peak on the Faroes.
- 2 Eiði - Eiði is in the far north-west of Eysturoy.
- 3 Funningur
- 4 Elduvík
- 5 Æðuvík
- 6 Oyndarfjørður
- 7 Fuglafjørður
- 8 Leirvík
- 9 Gøta (Norðragøta)
- 10 Nes
- 11
- 12 Toftir
- 13 Strendur
- 14 Selatrað
Get in
Eysturoy is in the centre of the Faroes, and is connected with Streymoy via a road bridge over the sound. It is possible to reach the island by public bus or by ferry. The inter-town bus system, (Bygdaleiðir, takes in all settlements. For information about public transport get a schedule (Ferðaætlan) listing the various timetables for the inter-town buses (and ferries) from the tourist office, or from the central bus station near the harbour in Tórshavn. The southern towns are more quickly reached from the capital Tórshavn via car ferry.
Buses connect Tórshavn with Gøta, and Gøta with the rest of Eysturoy.
Get around
Public transport
There are bus services to all places on Eysuroy every day. Transport is quite expensive, so check for student discount or multiple-ride-cards. Students, children and pensioners are eligible for discounts on fares provided they show a student or pensioner identity card.
Car rental
- BBR-Service Runavík ☏ +298 449111
Bus rental
- AP Buses á Tungu 22
FO-513 Syðrugøta +298 441720 +298 505220
- Bus Transport Henry Jarnskor
á Byrgi FO-490 Strendur +298 449626 +298 218026
- Christian Høgagarð FO-650 Toftir +298 447290
+298 226127
- Høj Bilar FO-490 Strendur +298 284322
+298 218327
- Jóhan Sigurd Weihe Berjarbrekka
FO-620 Runavík +298 448020 +298 218010
- JPJ Buses FO-480 Skála +298 441305
+298 287491
- Langgaards' Buses Leitisvegur 34
FO-600 Saltangará +298 585821 +298 585858
- Pauli Nónklett Geilarvegur 8
FO-625 Glyvrar +298 448073 +298 222025
Taxi
- Andrias Danielsen FO-620 Runavík +298 218614
+298 248614
- Eysturoyar Taxa v/Charles Jacobsen Fa. Heiðavegur 42
FO-600 Saltangará +298 215400
- Joma Taxa FO-480 Skála +298 250793
- M Taxi FO-690 Oyndarfjørður +298 224106
- OC Taxa FO-620 Runavík +298 213444
See
- Numerous hanging valleys on the route to Oyndarfjørður.
- Outstanding views of the islands Kalsoy and Kunoy from Oyndarfjørður.
- The Fuglafjørður harbour is colourful and extremely busy, but following the old path to Hellur up to the cairn on the top of the pass, you will soon regain your peace of mind.
- Slættaratindur. The highest mountain in the Faroe Islands (882 m). It is well worth climbing; the only downside is that the summit is often wrapped in fog.
- 1 The Lake of Toftavatn (the lake is in the south of Eysturoy, on the east coast of the fjord, Skálafjørður). The low rolling hills around the idyllic lake, have the widest stretches of heather on the islands. They are considered unique in the Faroes. Furthermore, the terrain is a splendid choice for an outing.
- 2 Rinkusteinar (the rocking stones) (Signed footpath near road junction just before the village.). An unusual natural phenomenon at Oyndarfjørður, two very large boulders which permanently stand rocking in the ocean, just a few metres from the shore. The stones have been rocking as far back as anyone can tell. Of geological interest, but some may find it visually a bit underwhelming, as the movement is very small.
- The Gorge. A small beautiful natural port in a rock column at Gjógv. Gjógv is very popular with tourists. The port was the centre of a royal visit to Eysturoy by the Danish royals Crown Prince Frederik and his wife Crown Princess Mary in June 2006.
- 3 The Varmakelda (south of Fuglafjørður). These thermal springs are an indication of the volcanic origin of the archipelago.
- 4 Risin og Kellingin (the Giant and his Wife) (off the northern tip of the island, close to the village of Eiði.). From the top of an easily accessible mountain you can lie on your stomach and look vertically down on the two magnificent basalt sea stacks Risin and Killingin. Legend has it that the two giants had come to tow the Faroes back with them to Iceland. However, the sun rose and they were both turned into stone. They both stand looking towards Iceland which they will never reach.
Village museums
- Boat Museum & Art Gallery, Leirvík.
- Blásastova, Norðragøta. A historical museum.
- Eiði village museum.
- 5 Látrið, Eiði. A heritage museum in a renovated farmhouse that features many curiosities from the old days in the Faroes.
Churches
- 6 Funningur church, Funningur. The historic wooden church in Funningur.
- The parish church in Nes from 1843.
- The New Church in Toftir
- The New Church in Gøta
Do
- Hiking - The two tourist offices in Eysturoy have several guided hikes on their programme, such as climbing the highest mountain. Hiking over the hills to Ambadalur northwest of Gjógv will yield a wonderful vista out over the sea stack called Búgvin. At 188 metres it is the tallest sea stack in the Faroes.
- Football: the playing season is April-Oct. Víkingur Gøta play soccer in the Premier League, Faeroes' top tier. Their home ground Sarpugerði (capacity 3000) is by Norðragøta harbour.
- Ítróttarfelag Fuglafjarðar or ÍF also play in the Premier League. Their Í Fløtugerði stadium (capacity 1200) is in Fuglafjørður.
- B68 Toftir also play in the Premier League at Svangaskarð (capacity 6000) in Toftir.
- Scuba diving - The company Faroe Dive arranges diving trips and diving training on Eysturoy. There are trips for both experienced and non-experienced divers.
- Rowing - canoeing or boat race
- Boat trip - a boat trip from Vestmanna to Eiði
- Bus trips - a drive to Æðuvík or sightseeing in south Eysturoy.
- Faroese Evening - with traditional food and culture. You should contact the tourist information in Eysturoy.
- Just south of Fuglafjørður is a warm spring called Varmakelda. Its water is believed to be curative and in midsummer people from all over the Faroes gather to celebrate the summer solstice here.
Annual events
Regional festivals
Eysturoy has its fair share of summer festivals, such as Eystanstevna, Fjarðastevna and Varmakelda, held in the middle of June and the beginning of July:
- Eystanstevna, Runavík, Eysturoy´s Annual Festival
- Varmakelda, Fuglafjørður
As with the other festivals around the country, the festivities make their mark on the towns with flags, music, speeches and finely dressed people. There are concerts and sporting events including boat races, which are a part of the annual competition to find the Faroese rowing champions.
Music festivals
The village of Gøta is home to an incredibly popular music event called the G! Festival. It is the largest open air music festival on the Faroes. The entire village and beach become a part of the arrangement. The organisers of the event have been successful in attracting several exciting international artists over the years.
- G! Festival - July
Buy
In Syðrugøta you will find the spinning mill, Tøting, it has a very cosy coffee shop and the display area affords a pleasant opportunity to shop for a genuine Faroese sweater. You can also visit their factory and shop.
- Debesar Shop and Café, (in Gjógv) where it is possible to buy fx. handmade Faroese jewellery and traditional coffee or tea with cake.
Eat
You will find several restaurants and cafeterias in the larger villages in Eysturoy, which are scattered all over the island. However, the quality isn´t as good as in the capital Tórshavn.
- Café Cibo, Heiðavegur 51, FO-600 Saltangará. M-F 11:30-21:00, Sa Su 12:00-21:00.
- Bygdarhúsið á Strondum Cafeteria, FO-490 Strendur, ☏ +298 472737.
- Cafeteria Effo, FO-485 Skálafjørður. M-Sa 07:30-23%00, Su 09:00-23:00.
- Gjáargarður, FO-476 Gjógv, ☏ +298 423171, info@gjaargardur.fo. A cafe at the entry to the gorge with a viewing terrace.
- Farhat'sa Pizza, Heiðavegur, FO-600 Saltangará, ☏ +298 448237.
- Hjá Rafik, Glyvravegur 6, FO-625 Glyvrar, ☏ +298 445959. M-Th 17:00-00:00, F Sa 17:00-01:00, Su 17:00-00:00.
- Bowlinghøllin í Leirvík Restaurant, Høvdavegur 3, FO-520 Leirvík. M-Th 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00, F 12:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00, Sa 16:00-22:00, Su 16:00-21:00. Next to the filling station at the NW end of the village with a not really inviting seating area. It is the only place in this area where you can eat. Service is sometimes slow because they handle a lot of take-away food.
- , Heiðavegur 6, FO-620 Runavík, ☏ +298 663330. M-Th 17:00-22:00, F Sa 17:00-23:00, Su 17:00-22:00.
- Restaurant Muntra, Toftagøta 1A, FO-530 Fuglafjørður, ☏ +298 444081.
- Somwang Thaifood, Strandatún 3, FO-490 Strendur, ☏ +298 764017. Tu-F 17:30-22:00, Sa Su 16:00-22:00.
- Steakhouse café & restaurant, Heiðavegur 3, FO-620 Runavík, ☏ +298 442223. M-Th 11:30-00:00, F Sa 11:30-01:00, Su 13:00-00:00.
Drink
Gjáargarður (in Gjógv) guesthouse owns a small coffeeshop adjacent to the gorge, when you can buy a selection of hot drinks, cold drinks, beer, wine, snacks, ice cream and freshly cooked waffles. There is seating outside overlooking the gorge.
Sleep
Accommodation is available in almost every town and village in the island, ranging from 3-star hotels to guesthouses, youth hostels, and camping sites.
Budget
Home stays and holiday houses
Renting out rooms or entire houses via AirBnB is popular among the locals; when booking early, this is – aside from camping – often the cheapest accommodation to be had in the Faroe Islands, including Eysturoy.
Youth hostels
- Scout Centre Selatrað, Heiðavegur, FO-620, Selatrað, ☏ +298 417060, kunningarstovan@runavik.fo. Offers accommodation for larger groups only, between 25 and 64 people.
Mid-range
- Gjáargarður Guesthouse, Dalavegur 20, FO-476 Gjógv, ☏ +298 42 31 71, fax: +298 42 35 05, info@gjaargardur.fo. From 1,000 kr (singles/doubles without view).
- , Heiðavegur 6, FO-620 Runavík, ☏ +298 663333, info@hotelrunavik.fo. From 1,400 kr (singles).
Splurge
Stay safe
- Generally Eysturoy is very safe