The Faroe Islands have launched a novel car rental scheme that keeps destinations secret until drivers arrive, in a bid to steer tourists towards hidden gems. Olivia Palamountain reports

From its groundbreaking "Closed for Maintenance, Open for Voluntourism" event (now in its seventh year) to its aim to achieve 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030, the small but mighty Faroe Islands are quietly carving out a reputation as one the world's most innovative destinations.

The islands' latest initiative - "Self-Navigating Car Adventures" - offers visitors pre-programmed routes to lesser-known corners of the archipelago. Unlike traditional self-drive holidays, travellers won't know their final destination until they arrive.

Launched on July 8, the scheme uses Google Maps to reveal routes gradually, one stop at a time, over journeys lasting three to six hours. Each route typically includes four to six destinations, from clifftop cafés and historic churches to quiet villages and dramatic fjords.

"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," says 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."

The initiative responds to concerns about algorithm-driven tourism pushing visitors towards the same Instagram-famous locations. By making the journey itself a mystery, organisers hope to encourage more thoughtful exploration whilst protecting popular sites from overcrowding.Visitors rent cars from local partner 62N at the airport or in Tórshavn, then scan a QR code to receive their route directly to their phone via Google Maps. Around 30 routes will be available at launch, all crafted by locals.

Sample stops include Funningur Church, a turf-roofed 19th-century wooden church with fjord views, a roadside shack serving fish and chips by the sea and a hike through Syðradalur ending with a dip in a remote outdoor pool.

Marta Káradóttir, content and communications manager at Visit Faroe Islands and project manager behind the initiative, says: "These routes are shaped by the people who live here, offering a more authentic perspective. 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 experience is priced similarly to standard car rentals, from DKK 600-980 per day (£69-£112), with basic insurance included. The islands' infrastructure supports easy navigation, with slow speed limits, well-marked signage, and subsea tunnels featuring local artwork - including an underwater roundabout nicknamed "the jellyfish".

The Faroe Islands are accessible via twice-weekly flights from Edinburgh (mid-April to October, from £200 return) and a Gatwick service running Saturdays and Tuesdays until 30 August (from £120 one way).