Guide to Visiting Saksun Church and the Black Sand Beach, Streymoy, Faroe Islands
Saksun Church and the black sand beach sit in the remote village of Saksun on Streymoy, enclosed by steep mountains and a quiet tidal lagoon formed by a historic storm. This guide covers everything you need to know to visit this unique Faroe Islands setting, where dramatic landscapes, shifting tides, and near-total isolation define the experience.
Saksun Lagoon
Overview and Map
Saksun Church Parking: Parking location | Google Maps
Black Beach Parking: Parking location | Google Maps
Black Beach Trailhead: Trailhead begins further down from the carpark | Google Maps
Total Hiking Distance: 2.5 km | one way
Total Hiking Duration: 40 minute walk | one way
Difficulty: Easy
Price: Free entry
Highlights: Views over Saksun’s tidal lagoon, the turf-roofed church nestled in the valley, and the black sand beach opening to the Atlantic at low tide.
Getting There
From Tórshavn:
Hire Car
All generic hire car companies (Avis, Budget, Europcar) are available from Vágar Airport (Vágar) or Tórshavn city centre (Streymoy)
Car hire costs vary substantially and it is usually one of the most significant costs of a trip to the Faroe Islands so it is best to check and compare prices at the time of booking
The roads are well surfaced the entire way so a 2WD is fine for the journey
The drive takes around 50 minutes one-way to Saksun
The total distance is around 46 km one-way
Overall a hire car is the best way to get around the Faroe Islands if its within your budget
Walk to Saksun Church
General Tips
When visiting Saksun Church and the Black Sand Beach its easiest to drive between the two locations which will only take a few minutes but saves a lot of unnecessary walking.
Ideally arrive early or late in the day to avoid day-tour buses and experience the area at its quietest.
In general the weather is extremely unpredictable in the Faroe Islands so always prepare for rainfall with a rain/windproof jacket.
Ensure you take enough food and water for the hike as there are no facilities once you leave Saksun.
Note that as the name implies, the lagoon is tidal and at certain times of the day it can completely cut off access to the black sand beach.
Be careful close to the waters edge and allow yourself plenty of time to make the journey back.
Saksun Church
Path to Saksun Beach
Saksun Beach
Where to Next
Múlafossur Waterfall: About a 1-hour drive from Saksun, the stunning Múlafossur Waterfall plunges roughly 30 metres straight into the Atlantic Ocean, making it one of the Faroe Islands, most iconic and photographed natural landmarks.
Mylingur Sea Cliff Hike: If you are up for an adventure the Mylingur Sea Cliff Hike can also be commenced from Saksun starting in the same carpark as the Church. The trail is steep and exposed in sections, following dramatic cliff edges above the North Atlantic toward one of the Faroe Islands’ most striking viewpoints.
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Discover the wild beauty of the Faroe Islands on an unforgettable 7-day self-drive itinerary. Begin on Vágar, chasing dramatic landscapes from the thundering Múlafossur Waterfall and the sculpted Drangarnir sea stacks to the optical illusion of Lake Leitisvatn hovering above the Atlantic. Venture offshore to Mykines for puffins and sweeping ocean views, then explore rugged coastal formations like Trøllkonufingur and Dúnnesdrangar. Cross to Streymoy to wander the grass-roofed village of Saksun and tackle the remote Mýlingur hike, before heading north to Borðoy and settling into Klaksvík. From here, journey to Kalsoy to hike to the iconic Kallur Lighthouse, perched high above sheer cliffs and endless sea, a fitting finale to one of the world’s most dramatic island road trips.