Family Days around Árnafjørður and Klaksvík
Families visiting Árnafjørður should expect a short, quiet stop rather than a full day. The village has a small beach, boat houses and a church, but it has no playground, shop, cafe or public toilet. The town of Klaksvík, 10 minutes away by car, supplies everything the village lacks, including a swimming hall that children tend to remember best.
Ages and abilities
| Group | What suits them |
|---|---|
| Toddlers and pushchairs | The shore by the boat houses and the roadside viewpoint |
| Primary school age | The Klaksvík pool, the Kalsoy ferry, the Kópakonan statue |
| Children over 8 with adults | The Klaksvík to Árnafjørður hike |
| Teenagers and adults | The Katlarnir loop, only in clear weather |
The shore by the village
A short walk from the church leads to the head of the fjord, where boat houses line the water and a small beach sits beside them. It makes a good break from the car. Because the fjord is North Atlantic water, cold in every season, keep children on the sand and out of the sea. Bring snacks and water, and use a toilet in Klaksvík before you set out.
On Sundays the church parking should stay clear between 11:00 and 12:00.
The viewpoint
Two new tunnels on route 70, the Árnafjarðartunnilin and the Hvannasundstunnilin, stand about 500 m apart, and the pull-off between them gives a wide view of the fjord. Children can watch from the car or step out with an adult holding a hand, as traffic passes.
The hike for older children
The Klaksvík to Árnafjørður route takes about 1 hour 45 minutes for 5 km and gains 395 m. The hike pages call it partly child-friendly and suggest it for children over 8 with adults. Expect steep, loose ground above the village, a stream crossing at the Stórá, and fences with no gates. Because it is one way, arrange a ride back first.
The Katlarnir loop is rated difficult and is not suitable for young children, so save it for a day when the adults can go alone.
The Klaksvík swimming hall
Klaksvík’s swimming hall has a 25 m pool, a water slide, a child-friendly area and a wellness area. It is the best answer to a wet or foggy day. Opening hours change, so check them online first.
Ferry and statue
The route 56 ferry to Kalsoy takes about 20 minutes from Klaksvík, and many children enjoy the crossing. The boat holds about 12 cars, so book a place, and check ssl.fo for the fare. At Mikladalur on Kalsoy, children can see the Kópakonan statue. The Kallur Lighthouse walk charges DKK 200 for adults and DKK 100 for ages 13 to 17, and under 13s walk free.
Safety checklist
- Cloud and wind can come in within minutes, so turn back early.
- Cliff edges have no fences.
- Sheep graze beside roads, and drivers should slow down.
- Call 112 for an emergency.
Read more: Day trips from Klaksvík and Walking tours .
Hiking pages for families: the official Klaksvík to Árnafjørður walk . Family excursions can be searched on Viator for Klaksvík family tours .