Forget the ‘Insta Famous’ tourist hotspots. The Faroe Islands are launching self-navigating rental cars to inspire fresh discoveries – guiding travellers to hidden gems, one surprise destination at a time with a fun new self-guided driving experience
If you’re a petrol head with a thirst for adventure, you’re in luck. This summer, the Faroe Islands are unveiling a fresh, innovative way for travellers to discover the archipelago’s hidden gems – with a twist.
Launching on Tuesday 8 July, a new pre-programmed first-of-its-kind car rental initiative called Self-Navigating Car Adventures’ offers visitors immersive road trips to the lesser-known corners of the islands.
Contrary to first impressions, these are not autonomous vehicles (yep, you still have to stay behind the wheel). Rather, this is a self-guided driving experience, where travellers rent a car and opt into a curated route designed to take them far off the usual tourist trail. Using Google Maps and local storytelling, the routes are revealed gradually, keeping the final destination for each route a surprise.
A global problem, a Faroese solution
In a world where travel algorithms push tourists toward the same ‘Instagram-famous’ spots, the Faroe Islands are pushing back. By turning the journey itself into a mystery, this new offering encourages a more mindful exploration – one that preserves the most visited areas while bringing attention to overlooked treasures.
“We set out to explore how technology and creativity could offer a new way for travellers to discover the Faroe Islands – one that leads them into places they might never find on their own,” commented Guðrið Højgaard, CEO of Visit Faroe Islands.
“This is a more mindful kind of journey, designed to both protect our most treasured sites and reveal spots often overlooked. While the Faroe Islands are already known for being remote and relatively untouched, we’ve seen how overtourism continues to affect hotspots both locally and globally.’
From cosy cliffside cafés and historic churches to quiet villages and dramatic fjords, each route has been crafted with care by real locals, offering around 30 options at launch. Throw the dice and choose-your-own-adventure – except you don’t actually choose the end destination.
How It Works
Visitors simply rent a car from 62N, the project’s local partner, at the airport or in Tórshavn. After scanning a QR code, they receive a route directly to their phone via Google Maps. Each journey unfolds one stop at a time, typically including four to six destinations over the course of three to six hours.
“These routes are shaped by the people who live here, offering a more authentic perspective,” said Marta Káradóttir, Content & Communications Manager at Visit Faroe Islands and project manager behind the initiative. “We’re really just asking travellers to let go of control for a moment. When you don’t know what’s around the next corner, you open yourself up to something completely different. Maybe something more beautiful. Maybe just more real.”
The Joy of Surrender-Seeking
Inspired by the trend of decision-free holidays, this experience lets drivers unplug from constant planning while still feeling in control. With basic insurance included and prices similar to standard car rentals (from DKK 600–980 per day, £69–£112), it’s an accessible way to dive deeper into Faroese culture.
Highlights include:
- Funningur Church, a turf-roofed 19th-century wooden church with sweeping fjord views.
- A roadside shack serving golden fish and chips with the sea as your backdrop.
- A hike through Syðradalur, ending with a dip in a remote outdoor pool.
- A photo stop at Viðareiði Church, perched near Europe’s tallest sea cliffs.
If you’re a nervous driver, calm the anxiety. The islands themselves are easy to navigate, with slow speed limits, well-marked signage, and even subsea tunnels featuring local light installations and artwork – including one underwater roundabout affectionately called ‘the jellyfish’.
A Journey to Remember
By giving people a gentle nudge into the unknown – with the help of carefully crafted routes – the Faroe Islands are inviting a new kind of tourism. It’s one where surprises lie around every bend, and where the journey truly is as meaningful as the destination.
Make it happen
Launching 8th July 2025.
For more information please visit selfnavigatingcars.com or visitfaroeislands.com/en/cars.
Getting there
Twice-weekly flights to the Faroe Islands from Edinburgh operate from mid-April – October and cost from £200 pp return. A Gatwick service to the Faroe Islands runs twice weekly on Saturdays and Tuesdays for summer 2025, until 30August, from £120 one way. Visit atlantic.fo for further information, or to book.
Choose where to stay from a wide selection of hotels, guesthouses, and farm stays across the 18 Faroese islands. To learn more, visit Staying in the Faroe Islands.
