The Secret of the Faroe Islands: A Lake Above the Sea

author

Edgar Loper

Updated: 26 May 2026 ·

The Secret of the Faroe Islands: A Lake Above the Sea

There is a lake above the sea and surrounded by cliffs.
photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

The landscapes that exist in our world are as different and unique as they are unimaginable. Nature creates bewildering enclaves that seem straight out of a science fiction movie where anything is possible. The towering mountains that nearly touch the sky or the mysterious islands that rise from the sea are just a few of the many wonders that inhabit planet Earth.

Nature's whims create spectacular destinations that must be seen to be believed. From volcanoes on the verge of eruption to vast and imposing forests where getting lost would be quite a punishment. Every country has a mysterious natural enclave that leaves everyone questioning how it could exist, but there are some in particular that will blow your mind.

Everyone knows of an island with cliffs where large ocean waves crash, but there is one very special island which, despite its fame, hides a unique and strange enclave. It features a lake above the sea, considered the largest on the island, with a waterfall that flows into the sea, battling against the tides. To discover this mysterious destination, one must travel to the Faroe Islands.

A Lake Above the Sea

Lake Sørvágsvatn is located in the Faroe Islands.
Lake Sørvágsvatn is located in the Faroe Islands. photo by viajar.elperiodico.com
You won't know where the lake ends and the sea begins.
You won't know where the lake ends and the sea begins. photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

When people travel to the Faroe Islands, they do so in search of natural wonders and to see their beautiful and colorful towns surrounded by magnificent landscapes. However, there is one in particular that very few people know about and is likely one of the most impressive natural wonders on our planet. Today we explore Lake Sørvágsvatn, a must-see stop on your visit to the islands.

This lake is practically at sea level and rests its waters over a stunning landscape of cliffs, creating an image you won't believe exists. The curious mix of colors generated by the sun's rays hitting the lake makes it sometimes appear like a giant mirror. The combination of the towering cliffs over the sea makes this lake seem infinite, and there will come a moment when you won't know where it begins or where it ends.

This lake, considered the largest in the Faroe Islands, is bounded by the green hills surrounding the enclave. Around it, you'll find ancient wooden houses of the small village called Miðvágur and the vastness of the ocean. But that's not all; on clear days, from this spectacular lake, one can see other islands in the archipelago such as Koltur, Hestur, Streymoy, and even Sandoy, Skúvoy, and Suðuroy.

But its spectacular nature is not the only interesting fact about the lake; if you want to visit it, you need to be well-prepared since, in the Faroe Islands, it is known by up to three different names. The largest and most impressive lake in the archipelago is commonly referred to as Sørvágsvatn and Leitisvatn, but some also know it as Vatnið, which means lake in Faroese.

A Waterfall That Battles the Waves

Its big waterfall flows into the sea.
Its big waterfall flows into the sea. photo by viajar.elperiodico.com

The lake is located on the island of Vágar, and as if being the largest lake in the Faroe Islands, situated above the sea, and having three different names wasn't enough, Sørvágsvatn also features an impressive waterfall that flows directly into the sea and whose waters clash directly with the waves crashing against the cliff rocks.

This waterfall is known as Bøsdalafossur and is one of those natural wonders that seem unreal. The sight of the waterfall breaking against the waters of the sea, which in turn crash against the cliff rocks, is a magical experience that everyone should live at least once in their life.

Lake Sørvágsvatn, located on a cliff above the sea in the Faroe Islands, is a unique natural enclave that demonstrates the grandeur and endless possibilities our planet has to create magical places that will leave anyone speechless, and it is a site you cannot miss when visiting the archipelago.