Experience the best of Tórshavn

Tórshavn sits on the south-east coast of Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands, a group in the North Atlantic between Iceland and Norway. The old town of Tinganes, a rocky promontory of red-painted wooden buildings with turf roofs, has been the seat of the Faroese parliament since Viking times, and its name comes from thing, the assembly. Skansin, an old fort above the harbour, and the narrow lanes of the old quarter make up a compact centre.

South of town, Kirkjubøur has the ruins of the unfinished St Magnus Cathedral beside a farmhouse of timber that is still lived in. To the north-west, the sea cliffs at Vestmanna are home to seabirds, with boat tours beneath them. Nólsoy, a long island across the bay, is a short ferry ride away, and bridges and tunnels link many of the main islands.

Faroese lamb, fresh fish and skerpikjøt, wind-dried mutton, appear on local tables, with ræst fisk, fermented fish, for the bold. Ólavsøka, the national festival on 28 and 29 July, brings rowing races, chain dances and the opening of parliament. The weather changes by the hour, with mild temperatures all year.