Runavik is one of those rare cruise stops where the destination genuinely exceeds expectations — a compact, working Faroese town perched on the shores of Skálafjørður, the longest fjord in the archipelago. Most passengers arrive with little more than vague notions of dramatic cliffs and Nordic fog, and leave completely bewitched. If your ship is docking here for the day, here’s how to spend every hour well.
Arriving by Ship
Runavik sits on the island of Eysturoy, connected to the main island of Streymoy by bridge, which makes it an unusually practical gateway into the wider Faroe Islands. Cruise ships tender or dock directly at the town’s small harbour, and you’ll find yourself steps from the town centre almost immediately. The scale is refreshingly human — nothing is overwhelming, nothing is far. The fjord views from the pier alone are worth pausing for: steep green hillsides tumble into still, dark water, and on clear days the reflections are almost hallucinatory. Don’t rush the gangway; take a breath and look around before heading off.
Things to Do
The great advantage of Runavik as a port is its access to the rest of the Faroe Islands. The island chain is small enough that several iconic locations are reachable within your port window. Organised tours are honestly your best bet here — public transport exists but is limited, and taxis can be scarce.
A boat trip on the fjord is one of the most memorable things you can do in the Faroes. The coastline reveals itself completely differently from the water, with sea stacks, bird colonies, and vertiginous basalt cliffs that you simply can’t appreciate from land. 🎟 Book: 2-Hour Boat Trip in Faroe Island For those who want to push further, a guided tour of the northern islands opens up some of the archipelago’s most remote and photogenic terrain. 🎟 Book: Faroe Islands: Northern Islands
If waterfalls are your thing — and in the Faroe Islands, they absolutely should be — a dedicated waterfall tour will take you to some of the island chain’s most spectacular cascades, including falls that seem to tumble directly into the sea. 🎟 Book: Waterfall Tour in Faroe Islands The Faroese landscape is genuinely unlike anywhere else in the world: treeless, ancient, and achingly beautiful.
For something more active and slightly offbeat, an electric fat-bike tour through the surrounding countryside is an excellent way to cover ground without exhausting yourself. The e-bikes handle the hills, and the pace is perfect for stopping constantly to photograph things. 🎟 Book: Ride through Paradise: Faro Island Electric 2×2 bike Tour
Local Food
Runavik itself has a handful of cafés and small restaurants where you can try Faroese staples. Look for skerpikjøt — wind-dried mutton that’s been hanging for months in a hjallur (a traditional drying shed with slatted wooden walls). It has a funky, intensely savoury flavour that divides people dramatically, but you should absolutely try it. Fresh fish and lamb feature heavily on most menus. Fish soup is a reliable, warming choice on what are often cool, breezy Faroese afternoons. Don’t leave without trying rúgbreyð, a dense rye bread that pairs beautifully with butter and dried fish. The coffee culture here is strong, Nordic-style, and very welcome.
Shopping
Shopping in Runavik is modest and genuine — this is not a port designed around tourism. You’ll find local woolens, including the distinctive Faroese sweaters with their geometric patterning, at small shops in town. These make genuinely useful souvenirs given the climate. Look out for locally produced sea salt, craft gin from Faroese distilleries, and Faroese design items, which tend to be simple, functional, and beautifully made. Avoid the impulse to shop online later — the Faroese things you find here are harder to track down than you’d think.
Practical Tips
- Currency: The Faroese króna is on par with the Danish krone. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry some cash for smaller vendors.
- Weather: The Faroes earn their moody reputation. Layers are non-negotiable, and a waterproof outer layer is essential year-round. The weather can shift multiple times in a single hour.
- Connectivity: Mobile data works reasonably well, but don’t rely on it in more remote areas.
- Time: Port calls in Runavik typically last six to ten hours. That’s enough to explore meaningfully, but it rewards advance planning. Book tours before you sail.
- Terrain: The Faroes are hilly. Comfortable, waterproof footwear is far more important than stylish shoes here.
Cruises That Visit Runavik Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands have seen a steady increase in cruise traffic over the past decade, and Runavik has emerged as one of the preferred port options alongside Tórshavn, the capital. Hurtigruten is perhaps the line most closely associated with the Faroes, incorporating the archipelago into its Norwegian coastal voyages and dedicated expedition-style itineraries. Their sailings frequently depart from Bergen, Hamburg, or Copenhagen and range from 10 to 21 days, often combining the Faroes with Iceland, Greenland, and the Norwegian fjords.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines regularly includes the Faroe Islands on its British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries, departing from UK home ports including Southampton and Liverpool. These voyages typically run 10 to 14 nights and appeal strongly to British passengers seeking dramatic, off-the-beaten-path scenery. Saga Cruises offers similar routing for a more mature demographic.
Viking Ocean Cruises and Silversea have both featured the Faroes on their Nordic and Arctic itineraries, appealing to passengers who want high-quality expedition-style experiences with more comfort. These itineraries often depart from Bergen, Reykjavik, or Amsterdam and run 14 days or more.
The optimal time to visit is late May through August, when daylight is maximised and the landscape is at its most vivid green. July and August are warmest and calmest, though the Faroes are never truly predictable. Spring and early autumn sailings offer fewer crowds and a more elemental atmosphere.
🚢 Cruises That Stop at Runavik Faroe Islands
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Runavik may not be the name that first comes to mind when you think of iconic cruise destinations, but that’s precisely what makes it special. The Faroe Islands reward those who arrive curious and leave pretension at the gangway — and a day here, properly spent, has a habit of becoming the trip’s most talked-about port call long after you’re home.
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📍 Getting to Runavik Faroe Islands
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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