This coastal village on the west coast of Streymoy is known for its dramatic sea cliffs, bird colonies, and fishing harbor. Local boats run tours to nearby sea caves and grottoes.
Vestmanna, a coastal town of 1,270 residents on Streymoy island in the Faroe Islands, sits beneath 700-meter sea cliffs where thousands of seabirds nest. From the harbor, you can take boat tours through narrow straits and deep grottos, watching puffins dive for fish near abandoned clifftop settlements. Walk the mountain trails to see four hydroelectric dams, or learn about Viking settlements at the town's wax museum, where life-sized figures recreate scenes from the 9th century.
Taking a Boat Tour to Vestmannabjørgini
The two-hour boat tours depart from Vestmanna harbor multiple times daily between April and October. Your captain will navigate through a 5-kilometer stretch of coastline, steering into natural sea caves and past basalt cliffs. Book your tour at the Vestmanna Tourist Centre, where you'll receive a boarding pass and safety instructions. Between May and August, puffins, razorbills, guillemots, and fulmars build nests and raise their young in the cliff faces.
Getting to Vestmanna
The drive takes 30 minutes from either Tórshavn or Vágar Airport. You'll pass through the Vágatunnilin undersea tunnel connecting the town to the main road network. Public buses run regularly from Tórshavn, with arrival times matching boat tour departures. Park your car in the marina lot next to the Tourist Centre, where the boat tours begin.
Mountain Dams and Local Industry
Four mountain reservoirs collect rainwater above Vestmanna, powering one of the Faroe Islands' oldest hydroelectric plants through steep pipelines. Drive up to these dams for views across Vestmannasund strait and examine the water collection system. In the harbor, watch fishing boats unload their catch and see the fish farming pens where salmon grow year-round.
Viking Settlement History
Archaeologists have found Viking tools, coins, and household items throughout Vestmanna dating to the 9th century. Irish monks, known as the "men from west," built the first known settlement here over 1,000 years ago. The Viking Wax Museum by the harbor displays life-sized figures showing how early settlers built homes, prepared food, and fished in the surrounding waters.
Where to Stay and What to Do
Stay at the Inni á Fjørð camping ground, which accommodates 120 caravans and additional tents in a wind-protected location. From June to August, join Blástein tours for fishing trips between Streymoy and Vágar islands. Follow the marked trail to Hægstafjall peak (296m) for views of Vestmannasund strait, or climb the steeper route up Loysingafjall (639m). The tourist office provides trail maps and current weather conditions.
