Mykines: how to visit the island of the puffins
Everything you need to visit Mykines: the ferry from Sørvágur, the fee with a mandatory guide, the puffin season and which areas are closed.
Mykines is the westernmost of the Faroe Islands and the best place in the country to see puffins up close. Thousands nest in the Lamba area, before the bridge to the islet of Mykineshólmur. About 15 people live on the island all year round.
How to get there
- Ferry from Sørvágur (Vágar, a few minutes from the airport). In summer it runs twice a day. Book at mykines.fo.
- Helicopter: it operates six months a year, with very few seats.
- Keep a spare day: in rough seas or strong wind, departures are cancelled. Do not leave Mykines for your last day.
Fee and mandatory guide
From 1 May to 31 August, every visitor over 15 pays 500 DKK, or 400 DKK if you book online before arriving. The fee includes the mandatory guide who accompanies you on the island. The ferry ticket is extra.
What you will see
- Puffins at Lamba, in summer.
- Other seabirds: guillemots, razorbills, fulmars, kittiwakes and gannets.
- Knúkur, the highest point on the island.
- The village of Mykines, with its turf-roofed houses.
Mykines is a protected area (Ramsar site). Always walk on the marked path and keep away from the burrows.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Mykines?
From 1 May to 31 August, visitors over 15 pay 500 DKK (400 DKK if you book online before arriving), with the mandatory guide included. The ferry is paid separately.
Can you walk to the Mykineshólmur lighthouse?
Not at the moment. The path to the lighthouse is closed because of a landslide and there is a risk of more. Other parts of the island can be visited.
How do you get to Mykines?
By ferry from Sørvágur, on Vágar, which runs twice a day in summer. There is also a helicopter six months a year. Both depend heavily on the weather.