Eysturoy

Landscape

The island has a stunning landscape. Eysturoy is extremely rugged, with some 66 separate 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 certaintly 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, as well as 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.

• - The small picturesque settlement of Gjógv (Gorge) on the north of the island Eysturoy has become a popular place for tourists to visit in recent years. 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.
• - Eiði is in the far north-west of Eysturoy.
• (Norðragøta)

Eysturoy is in the center of the Faroes, and is connected with Streymoy via a road bridge over the sound. It is possible to reach the island with either public bus or 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, as well as 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.

Public Transport

There are bus services to all places on Eysuroy every day. For information about public transport get a schedule (Ferðaætlan) listing the various timetables for the inter-town buses (and ferries) from the tourist office, as well as the central bus station near the harbour in Tórshavn. Transport is quite expensive, so check for student discount or multiple-ride-cards. Students as well as children and pensioners are eligible for discounts on fares provided they show a student or pensioner identity card.

Car Rental

• BBR-Service FO-620 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

• Rocking Stones in the sea near Oyndarfjørður are of geological interest but visually a bit underwhelming. Signed footpath near road junction just before the village.
• Numerous hanging valleays 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(882 m)the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands. It is well worth climbing, the only downside is that the summit is often wrapped in fog.

• The Lake of ToftavatnThe low rolling hills around the idyllic lake, have the widest streches of heather on the islands. They are considered unique in the Faroes. Furthermore, the terrain is a splendid choice for an outing.

• Rinkusteinara strange 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.

• The Gorgea small beautiful natural port in a rock column at Gjógv. Gjógv has become vey popular with tourists in recent years. 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.

• The VarmakeldaThese thermal springs are an indication of the volcanic origin of the archipelago.

• Risin og KellinginFrom 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

  address: Leirvík

• Blásastova

  address: Norðragøta
  historical museum

• Eiði village museum

• Látrið

  address: Eiði
  heritage museum which is a renovated farmhouse that features many curiosities from the old days in the Faroes.

Churches

• The parish church in Nes from 1843.
• The New Church in Toftir
• The New Church in Gøta

• Hiking - The two tourist offices in Eysturoy have several guided hikes on their programme, fx. climb 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.
• 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.

Contact the loal tourist information for more information

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:

• 15-17 June 2007: Eystanstevna, Runavík, Eysturoy´s Annual Festival
• 29-01 July 2007: 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 - 19-21 Juli 2007

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 jewelery and traditional coffee or tea with cake.

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

  address: Heiðavegur 51, FO-600 Saltangará

• Bygdarhúsið á Strondum Cafeteria

  phone: +298 472737
  address: FO-490 Strendur

• Cafeteria Effo

  address: FO-485 Skálafjørður

• Gjáargarður

  phone: +298 423171
  address: FO-476 Gjógv

• Farhat'sa Pizza

  phone: +298 448237
  address: Heiðavegur, FO-600 Saltangará

• Hjá Rafik

  phone: +298 445959
  address: Glyvravegur 6, FO-625 Glyvrar

• Bowlinghøllin í Leirvík Restaurant

  address: Høvdavegur 3, FO-520 Leirvík

• Hotel Runavík Restaurant

  phone: +298 663330
  address: Heiðavegur 6, FO-620 Runavík

• Restaurant Muntra

  phone: +298 444081
  address: Toftagøta 1A, FO-530 Fuglafjørður

• Somwang Thaifood

  phone: +298 764017
  address: Strandatún 3, FO-490 Strendur

• Steakhouse café & restaurant

  phone: +298 442223
  address: Heiðavegur 3, FO-620 Runavík

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.

Accommodation is possible in almost every town and village in the island, ranging from 3-star hotels to guesthouses, youth hostels, and camping sites.

Hotels

• Hotel Eiði

• Hotel Runavík

  phone: +298 663333
  address: Heiðavegur 6, FO-620 Runavík

Youth Hostels in Eysturoy

• Gjáargarður Guesthouse

  phone: +298 42 31 71
  address: Dalavegur 20, Fo-476 Gjógv, Eysturoy
  Gjáargarður is well equipped and worth visiting.

• Scout Centre Selatrað

  phone: +298 417060
  address: Heiðavegur, FO-620, Selatrað
  Offer accommodation for larger groups, between 25 and 64 people.

• Generally Eysturoy is very safe