Tórshavn

The city was founded in the 10th century and named after Thor, the god of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology. In the early history of the Faroes, Tórshavn became the political centre of the Faroes, and it still is today. The first settlers established their own parliament called "ting" around 800 AD. The main ting was established on Tinganes in Tórshavn and local tings were established in different parts of the islands. Tinganes drew people to trade, to attend court meetings, etc. In 2023, the city had a population of around 14,000, with about 21,000 in the metro area.

• Town website

For most visitors Tórshavn will be the point of entry to the Faroe Islands. Practically everything in that article's Get in section also applies to Tórshavn.

City buses operate 4 routes which reach most of the city. You can pay per ride or get a 4 or 7 day pass. They run every 30 minutes from the city centre on weekdays, hourly on Sunday and Saturday and weekday evenings. There is no bus service during Saturday or Sunday evenings.

The National Historical Museum and the Outdoor Museum are both in the northern suburb Hoyvik, and are covered by a single ticket. Both are worth seeing.

• 🌍 Tinganes. The oldest part of the town. Settlement started and the parliament has been meeting at this site since 900 AD. Most of the houses were destroyed by a fire in the 17th century but construction continued in the traditional style with wooden facades and roofs covered with grass. Some of the buildings are nowadays used by the Faroese government. You may walk along the alleys but keep in mind that this is not an open air museum. People live and work in these buildings, so you should respect their privacy. 
• 🌍 Tórshavn Cathedral (Dómkirkjan, Havnar Kirkja). An attractive white building with clock tower, built in 1788. 
• 🌍 The Nordic House, ☏ +298 351351. M-Sa 10:00-17:00; Su 14:00-17:00. The main cultural institution on the islands. Events and exhibitions. Has a cafe. 
• 🌍 The Historical Museum, Søvn Landsins Kúrdalsvegur 15, Hoyvík (In Faroese National Heritage, a little north of Tórshavn), ☏ +298 790551. M-F 09:00-15:00. Well worth a visit. 30 kr. 
• 🌍 National Gallery of the Faroe Islands (Listasavn Føroya), Gundadalsvegur 9, ☏ +298 313579. Tu-Su 13:00-16:00. 2,600 works of art. 65 kr. (updated Nov 2016)

• Faroese Music Gallery. See, feel and hear Faroese music in the newest and most popular tourist attraction. Free live concerts Mondays to Fridays and on special occasions (see website for programme) from 14 June to 13 August and free coffee. (updated Jun 2018)
• Football: Tórsvøllur (aka Gundadalur) is the sports complex 1 km north of town centre, with stadium capacity 5000. The Faroes men's national soccer team play here. It's also the home ground of Havnar Bóltfelag (HB) and B36 Tórshavn who both play in Premier League, the islands' top tier. The domestic playing season is April-Oct.

There are many shops in Tórshavn, especially in the centre and in the shopping mall SMS.

The supermarket chain Mylnan has several locations around the town which are open daily 07:00-23:00.

• MIMIR, Varðagøta 2 (there's no sign but it's pretty obvious that it's a pub from the outside), ☏ +298 31 37 48, +298 28 37 48. An eclectic pub if there ever was one. This signless watering hole attracts a mixed, friendly crowd and has reasonably priced (35 kr) beers on tap. On the bottom floor there are pool tables. 

• 🌍 Tórshavn Camping, Yviri við Strond (about 1 km from the harbour; bear to the right as you exit and follow the seaside (Yviri við Strond) - it's on the right.), ☏ +298 302425. Pretty low-frills campsite for both tents and trailers. There is a spartan kitchen, (free) hot showers plus coin-operated laundry facilities. A convenient walk to town and not too far from a large supermarket further up the road to the northwest. 70 kr/tent. 

• 🌍 National Library of the Faroe Islands (Føroya Landsbókasavn), ☏ +298 340525, lbs@landsbokasavnid.fo. Has WiFi and public access computers. (updated Feb 2020)