A farmstead with a documented history, preserved café interiors and a mill that visitors can tour inside give Sandoy’s cultural sites their own distinct character. There is also a three-hour kayaking tour on Sandsvatn, adding an on-the-water experience to your historical explorations.

Houses, Interiors and Their History

Norðara Koyta is the farmstead of the local village museum. It was built by Hanus Jóhannesarson, later known as Hanus í Koytu; he settled there in 1812. The name and year give the farmstead’s history a personal and chronological context: you can link his settlement to a specific person and a precise date.

Café á Mølini in Skálavík dates back to 1889. The owners have preserved much of the interior, including the old post office, and the café uses the original furniture. Two historical layers meet here: the year of construction establishes when the café was founded, while the post office and furniture define its preserved furnishings. Its name, age and surviving details offer different ways to connect with the same place.

Restaurant Hjá Viggo in Skálavík also bears traces of former domestic life: remnants of Viggo’s old living room can still be seen there. Together with the old post office at Café á Mølini, it offers a comparison between different interiors that tell stories of everyday life and earlier uses.

In Húsavík, the turf houses at Tumbakka are well preserved. They complement the interiors in Skálavík with a different form of architectural heritage: here, the houses themselves take centre stage, while at the café and restaurant it is the preserved interior features that create a link to the past. You can encounter a variety of historic buildings and furnishings.

An old watermill stands in Dalur. It was once used to grind grain, and visitors are allowed to look inside. Its former function and the opportunity to go inside set the mill apart from the preserved residential and dining spaces. If you are interested in historic workplaces, it combines a specific former use with a glimpse of its interior.

The art gallery in Sandur shifts the focus from architecture and everyday history to art and design. It was built by architect J.P. Gregoriussen to plans by Sofus Olsen (1913–2006). Olsen had the museum built in his home village to exhibit works by Faroese artists. The design and purpose of the exhibition are therefore closely connected: the gallery’s history encompasses both its architecture and the intention to showcase Faroese art.

Kayaking on Sandsvatn

For trips on Lake Sandsvatn, you can book kayaks through Guide to Faroe Islands or by contacting Visit Sandoy. The activity is available year-round. The tour lasts three hours and uses single kayaks. The duration gives you a clear timeframe for planning, while the single kayaks specify the type of boat. Check booking and availability before your trip; kayaking is not recommended in strong winds.

Discover more destinations: Skálavík, Streymoy, Vágar, Eysturoy, Faroe Islands.

Go to the main travel overview: Faroe Islands.