Eysturoy
Eysturoy is the second-largest island in the Faroe Islands, connected to Streymoy by bridge and by the Eysturoyartunnilin, a sub-sea tunnel network opened in 2020 that contains the world's only underwater road roundabout, illuminated with aquamarine lighting and ringed by sculptures of chain dancers. The island is home to Slættaratindur, the highest mountain in the Faroe Islands at 880 metres, hikeable from the village of Eiði between April and October. The village of Gjógv on the northeast coast sits in a dramatic natural gorge that serves as its harbour, with multicoloured houses and mountain walls on three sides. Risin and Kellingin, the famous sea stacks of the Giant and the Witch, stand off the northern coast near Eiði and are best viewed from Tjørnuvík on neighbouring Streymoy. The Hvíthamar viewpoint on the ridge above Funningur gives one of the most celebrated panoramic views in the archipelago.
The Faroe Islands' Second-Largest Island, Home to the Archipelago's Highest Peak, Most Celebrated Villages, and the World's Only Underwater Roundabout
Eysturoy, whose name means East Island, is directly connected to Streymoy and Tórshavn via the Sundini bridge and, since December 2020, by the Eysturoyartunnilin, a sub-sea tunnel network running beneath the Eysturoyfjørður fjord. The tunnel system is technically three tunnels meeting at a single underwater junction, and the roundabout at that junction is the only underwater road roundabout in the world. The structure has become a visitor attraction in its own right: the roundabout is lit in aquamarine and ringed by life-size bronze sculptures of figures holding hands in the Faroese chain dance, a traditional group dance performed at festivals. The island has a population of around 10,000 and covers approximately 286 square kilometres across mountainous terrain with over 60 named peaks. The longest fjord in the Faroe Islands, Skálafjørður, runs down the eastern side of the island. Runavík on this fjord is the headquarters of Bakkafrost, the largest company in the Faroe Islands, whose salmon farming operations are visible in the fjord waters.
Slættaratindur at 880 metres is the highest point in the Faroe Islands and one of the most accessible high-mountain hikes in the archipelago, reached on a well-marked trail from the village of Eiði in around two to three hours each way. On clear days the summit gives views of all 18 Faroese islands simultaneously. Eiði itself is a charming village on a flat isthmus between two bays with views of Risin and Kellingin across the water and an observation point near the Eiðisskarð mountain pass for closer viewing of the sea stacks. The village of Gjógv on the northeast coast is built around a dramatic natural gorge that cuts through the cliff face to form a small natural harbour, the only such gorge harbour in the Faroe Islands. The Hvíthamar ridge above Funningur gives a panoramic view over the bifurcating fjords of Funningsfjørður and Sørvágsfjørður that is frequently cited among the finest viewpoints in the Faroes.
Eysturoy is effectively the gateway to the Northern Islands. The Norðoyatunnilin sub-sea tunnel from Leirvík on the island's northeast coast connects to Borðoy and from there to Klaksvík and the northern island chain. Most visitors to the Faroe Islands cross Eysturoy at least once without stopping, but the island rewards deliberate exploration over a full day. From Tórshavn the bridge crossing to Eysturoy takes about 10 minutes. The G! Festival, one of the Faroe Islands' most prominent music events, takes place on the beach at Syðrugøta on Eysturoy every July. Accommodation is available in Gjógv, Runavík, and Eiði. The island is accessible year-round.
