Klaksvík

Klaksvík (Danish: Klaksvig) is the main industrial centre of the Faroe Islands, and the hub of the Northern Islands. It's the second largest city in the Faroes, with a population of 5,015 (as of March 2022).

The moonrise over Klaksvík as seen from Hotel Klaksvík.

A view of Klaksvík and the magnificent Haraldssund Fjord

Scene in the harbour

Understand

Klaksvík is the second most populated city in the Faroe Islands and the main fishing port. The town is located on the island of Borðoy and serves as a transport hub for the Northern Islands (also called the Norðoyar region), made up of the six northernmost islands of the archipelago. Borðoy is connected to the main islands by a tolled undersea road tunnel, and by dams/causeways to the islands Viðoy and Kunoy. From Klaksvik leaves the ferry to the island Kalsoy and a regular helicopter service to the two most remote islands Svínoy and Fugloy (they can also be reached by ferry from Hvannasund). In Klaksvík, you will find all services: supermarkets and other shops, petrol station, bus station, restaurants, a (rather large) hotel, banks, guesthouses, B&Bs, AirBNBs, a hospital, pharmacy, and even a public swimming pool. It is not clear whether there is a functioning campsite, though.

History

The first settlements in the area date back to the Viking era, when there were four farms around the area where the centre of Klaksvík stands today. Of one of these farms, located on the east side of Borðoyarvík, there are the ruins, which were buried by two avalanches within twenty years: the first on 12 March 1745, the other on the same date twenty years later. Not far from these ruins there is also the so-called Íslendingatoftir, a site dating back to the Viking era.

The history of Klaksvík dates back to the Viking Age, around the 9th century, when Norse settlers first arrived on the Faroe Islands. The town's name derives from the Old Norse word "Klakkr," which refers to a mountain, and "vík," meaning bay or inlet. The town is located on a natural harbour, providing a sheltered area for fishing and trade throughout its history.

Fishing has been the mainstay of Klaksvík's economy for centuries, with the town growing around the industry. In the early 20th century, the development of the fishing industry, including modern fishing vessels, processing facilities, and increased trade, led to the rapid growth of Klaksvík. The town became an important hub for the Faroese fishing fleet and played a vital role in the overall economy of the Faroe Islands.

During World War II, Klaksvík served as an important base for British forces, as the Faroe Islands were occupied by the United Kingdom to prevent a potential German invasion. The British presence in Klaksvík helped bolster the local economy during the war years.

In the post-war era, Klaksvík continued to grow and develop, with improvements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The town has also diversified its economy, with the emergence of industries such as tourism, renewable energy, and aquaculture.

Geography

The city is located on the island of Borðoy, on an isthmus between two fjords. It is surrounded by high mountains that rise steep from the shoreline.

Climate

The climate is pretty much the same as in the rest of the Faroe Islands; rain is common, and generally the weather is unpredictable.

Visitor information

• 1 Klaksvik tourist information centre, 11, 700 Biskupsstodgota. M–F 09:00–17:00, Sa 10:00–14:00. A mid-sized visitor centre with helpful staff, several postcards, pamphlets and most important of all – visitor information. (updated May 2022)
• Town website (in English)

Get in

By helicopter

There are helicopter flights from Tórshavn (the capital). The distance by foot to the town centre from 1 Heliport Klaksvik (EKKV^ICAO) is 2 km.

By car

There is a tolled tunnel (Norðoyatunnilin, Road 70) from Leirvik in Eysturoy, which in turn is easily accessible from Tórshavn and the airport in Vágar. Tolls are only collected when you return back to Eysturoy.

All other settlements in the island of Borðoy are connected to Klaksvík by road, and the island's road network also connects to the islands of Kunoy and Viðoy.

By ship

Ferries to the island of Kalsoy (to Syðradalur) follow a fairly complex schedule, but on average several times a day. The journey takes 20 minutes.

By bus

There is a bus station 2 Bygdaleiðir, operated by Strandfaraskip Landsins.

Get around

You have two options in getting around – walking or driving.

The town is small enough to comfortably walk around; the maximum distance you'll likely need to walk to get from one place to another is 3 km (1.9 mi), and that's if you go from the north end from one side of the harbour to the other. Otherwise, most points of interests are within 0.5–2 km from one another.

Getting around by car is like getting around many other European cities – narrow roads, limited parking and lots of bends and roundabouts.

See

Churches and memorials

A view of Christianskirkjan

• 1 Christianskirkjan (Christian's Church). This church was built according to the design of the Danish architect Peter Koch and consecrated in 1963. The name derives from the Danish king Christian X, when the church was consecrated to the dead. This is one of the earliest examples of modern Faroese architecture, which combines national traditions and trends of the modern world. The traditional Faroese wooden church was taken as a model, but the building was not constructed of wood, but of basalt, is much larger than traditional churches, and doesn't have a bell tower. (updated May 2022)
• 2 Kvinna við róðrið (Woman by the rudder) (cnr Bumshamarsvegur and Hvitubrekka). A memorial statue of Fridtjof Joensen erected on the 100th birthday of Fridtjof Joensen, a local Faroese artist. (updated May 2022)

Parks and gardens

• 3 Vágstún, Vágstún. A small square garden with a memorial in its centre. It's right in front of the InterSport shop, and access to the garden is only from the front of InterSport. (updated May 2022)
• 4 Viðarlundin Úti Í Grøv (Park of Klaksvik), Oyrarvegur (1.4 km east of visitor centre along Oyrarvegur). A small park that very much resembles a typical Scandinavian rural setting (something that is unusual in the Faroes), alongside the bay with some excellent views of the town and the harbour. The small bridge is also a nice spot for photography. Free. (updated May 2022)

Do

Climbing Mount Klakkur

A simple walk to 5 Mount Klakkur takes around three hours round trip from Klaksvik city centre and gives you the opportunity to see the city from above and see the neighbouring islands of Kunoy, Kalsoy and Eysturoy.

The elevation of the mountain is 413 m (1,355 ft), but the walk starts well above sea level, so, especially at the end, minimal physical preparation is required. No special shoes are needed. However, there are strong winds at the top, and it may suddenly rain, so dress accordingly.

To get to Klakkur, you must first go from the centre to the heliport, and immediately first turn right (upwards) along the paved road. The road climbs 10 metres and turns right, slowly climbing the mountainside. Along its entire length, you will enjoy beautiful views of Klaksvík and the fjord. It ends with a carpark, from where you'll see a small path leading towards the summit. If you don't have the right shoes, or if you're not in the best of physical shape, you can walk a couple of metres to a small reservoir and look out over the islands of Kalsoy and Eysturoy to the west. Hopefully, go up the path to the top, where there are some weather instruments. It makes sense to walk 30 metres to the precipice, from where there is a good view of Kunoy.

The way down is the same way you went up, but in reverse.

Go south

An approximately-5-km-long path starts at the south of the town, going via the peaks 6 Miðfjall to 7 Háfjall (648m high). The path is rocky and steep at some places, but not particularly technical.

Sport

• Football: 1 KÍ, Við Djúpumýrar, 7 Bogota. Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag or KÍ play soccer in the Premier League, the Faeroes top tier, and often win it. Their stadium Við Djúpumýrar (capacity 2600) is central in town. The playing season is April-Oct. (updated Dec 2023)

Audio tours

• Rebellion in Klaksvík. The true story about a doctor, his hidden past, medical disputes, power struggles, bombs, imprisonments and much, much more happening in the 1950ies in this otherwise peaceful, little town.
• Understanding Klaksvík. Get a deeper understanding of contemporary Klaksvík, its people, and factors which have impacted the local community. Understand Klaksvík through faith, football, fishing-hooks and sub-sea tunnels.

Boat tours

• 2 Dragin, Traðagøta 27, ☏ +298 756661, heh@olivant.fo. Boat tours exploring the magnificent waters of the Northern Islands, passing through breathtaking fjords inside a historic boat (but with all the facilities). Tours depart from the harbour in Klaksvík, but only operate during the warmer months between 1 May to 1 October. Tours depart on Tu Fr at 18:00, and goes for approximately 4 hours. 500 kr per person. (updated May 2022)

Festivals

• Summarfestivalurin (The Summer Festival). The town's annual summer festival held every summer (as the name of the festival says) with plenty of musical events. It usually happens during August, and the dates for 2023 are from 3 to 5 August and bookings can be made on the festival website. For 2023: 1100 kr per adult, 250 kr per child (aged 6–12). (updated May 2023)

Buy

There are many shops primarily to the south and east of the harbour – some of these are clothing stores, but most of these shops are centred towards locals, not visitors.

Eat

Cafés

• 1 Frida Kaffihus (Café Fríða), Nolsoyar Pals Gota 7, ☏ +298 333344. M–Sa 09:00–21:00 (closed Sundays). Has the classics of most cafes, with some good salad and burgers in a modern building. There are some good views of the harbour, and what's better than having a coffee in front of some of the most magnificent fjords you could find! Bookings may be required though, and can be done via the website (or the English link, which may not always work). (updated May 2022)

Restaurants

• 2 Angus Steakhouse, Klaksviksvegur 45, ☏ +298 457777. Su–Th 11:30–15:00, 17:00–21:30; F Sa 11:30–15:00, 17:00–22:00. Burgers, steak and lots of Angus beef! On top of the beef, there are also some seafood options. (updated May 2022)
• 3 Carthage Steak, Stoksoyarvegur 5, ☏ +298 422222, carthagesteakk@gmail.com. Some excellent steak as the name of the restaurant says. Additionally, since Klaksvík is a coastal town (or a town by the water, depending on how you define "coastal"), there are some excellent seafood options, including several types of seafood soup. (updated May 2022)

Drink

• 1 Føroya Bjór, 6-52 Klaksviksvegur, ☏ +298 475454, fb@foroyabjor.fo. M–F 10:00–17:30, Sa 10:00–14:00. A brewery established in 1888 with tours that explain the history of the brewery along with alcohol in the Faroe Islands in detail. There is beer tasting at the end of the tour, but otherwise a great place to have Faroese beer. (updated May 2022)
• 2 Roykstovan, Klaksviksvegur 41, ☏ +298 456125. Daily 16:00–00:00. A small but lively bar with some excellent food and some local Faroese beer and cider. The outside of the bar isn't easily noticeable nor recognisable at first, but look out for "Roykstovan" in white text with the word "pub" to the left and right of the door. (updated May 2022)

Sleep

• 1 Hotel Klaksvík, Bumshamarsvegur, ☏ +298 455333, +298 220723 (mobile), +298 226151 (mobile), fax: +298 457233, hotelklaksvik@hotelklaksvik.fo. A very prominent building with the word "HOTEL" on the side in all caps. Has some impressive views of the harbour, and includes free breakfast and Wi-Fi. As of 2023, it is the only hotel in Klaksvík. From 995 kr (singles). (updated May 2022)

Go next

Visit the other islands of the Northern Islands, which also provide some spectacular scenic views.

Otherwise, take the tolled tunnel to Eysturoy, the Faroe Islands' second largest island, with some very steep but scenic landscapes.