Best time to visit the Faroe Islands

Weather-wise, the best time of year is the summer (June-August) when the conditions are drier and sunnier, although it's never guaranteed in the Faroes! The days are long which is great for exploring the great outdoors, and you'll benefit from all the main tourist attractions being open (many sites close during the winter). You'll also be able to explore some of the more remote islands which aren't always accessible during the winter. While it never feels super busy, just bear in mind that the summer is the high season so it might harder to find accommodation. No matter when you visit, make sure you bring warm layers and a windproof/rainproof jacket.

Thanks to the archipelago's remote location, it's fair to say the weather gets pretty wild. The Faroe Islands lie in a maritime subarctic climate zone with short, mild summers and cool, wet winters. Summer days see an average high of just 13°C and just under 20 hours of daylight in June around the summer solstice. Average winter temperatures range from 1°C to 6°C and the daylight can be as little as five hours on the shortest day of the year. The weather is reliably unpredictable throughout the year – you might even hear locals joke, "If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes” – and it's likely you'll experience four seasons on any given day.

Best for: longer days, wildflowers, wildlife, fewer tourists.

It starts getting warmer in March (only by a few degrees) but it still feels chilly with average highs of 6°C to 9°C. Expect all conditions from snow to hail and sunshine, especially at the beginning of the season. The days start getting longer at the end of March which is great for exploring, but it's still quite wet so make sure you pack waterproof gear. That said, the rain does wonders for the islands' flora and you'll see plenty of wildflowers adding bright pops of colour to the landscapes. Migrant birds also start appearing along the coast towards the end of spring, so keep your eyes peeled when you're out walking.

Best for: hiking, puffins, daylight.

Summer is the driest time of year (by Faroese standards), but it's cool and wet compared to many other European countries in the summer. It's never scorching – average highs sit at 13°C and the highest temperature ever recorded in Torshavn is 22° – but sunny spells occur throughout the day. One of the best things about the summer is that you'll get to see puffins on Mykines Island. Every year over 125,000 pairs of Atlantic puffins flock to Mykines to breed and nest in cosy clifftop burrows. Day tours to Mykines can get booked up months in advance, so plan ahead to avoid missing out. Summer is generally the best time to hike the coast, kayak the fjords and visit the quaint villages dotted around the islands.

Best for: fewer tourists, photography.

Come September, the weather shifts and the days start drawing in early. Daytime highs hover around 10°C, but it often feels cooler with the wind and more frequent rainfall. Some attractions start closing in late September, but it's usually easier to book accommodation as there are fewer tourists. You might be able to see the northern lights towards the end of autumn, but if this is something you want to experience you have a better chance during winter. Autumn is also one of the best seasons for photography.

Best for: seeing the northern lights, fewer tourists, dramatic weather.

If you're willing to embrace the ever-changing weather, winter is a fantastic time to see the Faroes in their full, unpredictable glory. The snow-topped mountains, thrashing waves and moody skies make the scenery even more dramatic, and it's the best time of year to watch the northern lights as daylight is a mere five hours in December around the solstice. Snow falls from December through March, with February being the snowiest month with an average of 43 millimetres. Seeing the mountains, cliffs and turf-roofed houses dusted with snow is like something from a fairytale. As it's so quiet in winter it's usually easier to secure accommodation, though some tourist attractions and restaurants close so bear this in mind if there are certain activities you'd like to do.