The short answer: choose the Faroe Islands for solitude, dramatic compact scenery and an authentic, uncrowded feel. Choose Iceland for variety, easier access and bucket-list wonders like glaciers and geysers — at the cost of crowds.
They're often lumped together, but the experiences are quite different. Here's an honest side-by-side.
Both are rugged North Atlantic islands with wild weather, seabirds and jaw-dropping coastlines. The biggest practical differences come down to crowds, access and scale — not which one is "better".
Faroe Islands vs Iceland at a glance
| 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands | 🇮🇸 Iceland | |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds | Very few — feels undiscovered, even at top sights | Busy — ~2 million visitors a year, queues at icons |
| Cost | Expensive; similar on-the-ground prices | Expensive; often cheaper flights |
| Getting there | Fewer flights (via Copenhagen, Edinburgh, etc.) to Vágar | Many direct flights from Europe & North America to Keflavík |
| Size & driving | Compact — 18 islands linked by tunnels & ferries; short drives | Large — the Ring Road alone is ~1,300 km |
| Signature scenery | Sheer green sea-cliffs, waterfalls into the ocean, turf villages | Glaciers, geysers, volcanoes, black beaches, ice lagoons |
| Wildlife | Puffins (Mykines), seabird colonies, sheep everywhere | Puffins, whales, plus glaciers & geothermal wonders |
| Northern lights | Possible Oct–Mar (often cloudy) | Possible Sep–Apr, with darker interior skies |
| Towns & nightlife | Small & intimate; Tórshavn is tiny but charming | Reykjavík is a proper small city with lively nightlife |
| Infrastructure | Good but modest; fewer tours & services | Highly developed tourism industry, many tours |
| Best for | Solitude, dramatic compact landscapes, authenticity | Variety, convenience, bucket-list natural wonders |
So which should you choose?
You want it wild & quiet
- You'd rather have a cliff edge to yourself than tick off famous sights
- You love compact, intense scenery and short drives
- Turf-roofed villages and remoteness appeal more than nightlife
- You're happy to plan around weather and ferries
You want variety & ease
- You want glaciers, geysers, black beaches and waterfalls in one trip
- You'd like lots of direct flights and organised tours
- A lively capital and more dining options matter to you
- It's a first big North Atlantic trip and convenience counts
Many travellers do both — some flights connect the two, so you can pair Iceland's variety with a few days of Faroese solitude. If the Faroes win you over, our itinerary planner and trip cost calculator will get you started.
Faroe Islands vs Iceland FAQ
Neither is simply better — they suit different travellers. The Faroes are smaller, far less crowded and feel remote and authentic; Iceland is bigger, easier to reach and packed with famous natural wonders, but much busier. Pick the Faroes for solitude, Iceland for variety.
Costs are broadly similar and both are expensive. Iceland is often cheaper to fly to (far more routes); on-the-ground prices for food, fuel and accommodation are comparable. Compare with the Trip Cost Calculator.
Yes — both have puffin colonies in summer (roughly May–August). In the Faroes, Mykines is the star; in Iceland, spots like Borgarfjörður Eystri and the Westman Islands.
Both are cool, wet and windy with rapidly changing conditions. The Faroes are milder but cloudier and rainier; Iceland is slightly drier in places but colder in winter. Pack for wind and rain either way.