The Best Places for Puffins in Europe

Puffins, also known as Atlantic puffins, are among my favorite animals in Northern Europe. With their colorful beaks, upright posture, and somewhat clumsy flying behavior, they look almost like cartoon characters. I have seen them on the Faroe Islands, in Ireland, and in Iceland. Chris was in the right place at the right time in Svalbard and was able to observe them there.

Each location was special in its own way: In Ireland, we got surprisingly close to the puffins on the Saltee Islands. In Iceland, they were perched on the cliffs of Látrabjarg, almost within reach. And on Mykines in the Faroe Islands, they sat on the meadows right next to the walking path - a real highlight.

In this article, I will show you where you can observe puffins in Europe, when the best time to travel is, and what experiences I (and Chris) had. Maybe you'll also want to experience these special birds in the wild yourself.

Here are the top 6 places to see puffins in Europe

Puffins spend most of the year out at sea. They only come ashore during the breeding season - usually on remote cliff islands in the North Atlantic. The best time to see them is from mid-June to late July. During this period, the birds are particularly active: they build their nests, feed their chicks, and are easily visible during the day.

Depending on the region, the timing may vary slightly:

Important: Visibility highly depends on the weather. Especially during rain or strong winds, the birds often remain in their burrows. Therefore, it's best to plan several days if encountering puffins is important to you.

The Faroe Islands were the first place I saw puffins in the wild - and it was so amazing that we almost missed the ferry to Mykines. Particularly the island of Mykines is a true paradise for birdwatching. Although it isn't officially called 'Puffin Island,' many travelers refer to it as such - rightly so: between the small village and the lighthouse on Mykineshólmur, thousands of puffins gather in June and July.

I have never seen so many puffins in one spot since!

I was there in June. The conditions couldn't have been better: sunny, hardly any wind, and perfect visibility of the animals standing right next to the walking path or flying noisily over the cliffs. I was rarely this close to puffins - without binoculars, without crowds.

Important to know: From May 1 to August 31, you may only enter the protected breeding areas on Mykines between 11 AM and 5 PM. Registration or guided tours are often required - be sure to check in advance. Ferries and accommodations are limited, so I recommend planning early.

If you want to experience puffins in impressive nature with relatively few visitors, Mykines is the best choice. I would go back anytime.

Although Mykines is the most famous spot, I have also seen puffins in other places on the Faroe Islands - sometimes completely unexpectedly.

In the small village with the natural harbor, I discovered puffins on the cliffs around the fjord during my summer trip. Especially in the evenings, when it got quieter, you could observe the birds arriving and departing. A hike along the coast is worthwhile - not only for the view but also for the unexpected bird encounters.

Gásadalur is actually known for the spectacular Múlafossur waterfall - but I was also lucky here: on the meadows above the cliffs at the viewpoint, I saw some puffins sitting and flying during my second visit. Unexpected and surprising, which made me happy.

The small village of Elduvík is idyllically situated between the sea and mountains. The surrounding coastal areas are a hidden gem for nature lovers. With a bit of patience, you can observe puffins here - although not in the same density as on Mykines.

Iceland is one of the best countries in Europe to see puffins - if you are at the right place at the right time. I have observed them in several locations across the island - with very different results.

In the Westfjords, specifically at the famous cliffs of Látrabjarg, we unfortunately encountered quite stormy weather. There were a few puffins around, but the large colonies usually seen there were hardly noticeable. If you plan to visit Látrabjarg, I recommend scheduling at least one buffer day in case the weather doesn't cooperate.

Two places were my favorites:

The small place of Bakkagerði is remote, but a true puffin paradise. Right by the harbor lies the observation site Hafnarhólmi - with wooden walkways and platforms from which you can observe the puffins up close and stress-free. I stood almost right among them - without crowds. For me, it is the best place in Iceland to see puffins.

However, you should keep an eye on the cruise tourism. Due to easy accessibility, large buses arrive during the day. This is where I found the largest puffin colony in Iceland.

On Heimaey, the main island of the Westman Islands, the puffins were incredibly active at the 'Puffin' spot. They landed directly on the slopes - perfect for observing and photographing. There is a hut where you can watch the adorable birds.

In Vík, right on the Reynisfjara beach, puffins often circle the cliffs in the summer - many don't even notice as they are more focused on the rock needles and waves. I have seen several birds approaching the cliffs during multiple visits. You also have good chances at Dyrhólaey. Important: During the breeding season in June, Dyrhólaey is sometimes closed - so make sure to check in advance whether you have access and what the opening hours are.

My brother Michi also visited Lundey near Húsavík, a small island in Skjálfandi Bay. There is a huge colony that you can observe up close during boat tours from Húsavík - perfect if you are already going whale watching.

From late May to early August, with June and July being ideal. During strong winds or rain, the birds often stay in their nests - you should factor this into your planning.

A true hidden gem for observing puffins in Ireland is the Saltee Islands off the southeast coast. The uninhabited islands can be reached by boat from Kilmore Quay in County Wexford. They are part of a protected nature reserve and host large colonies of seabirds - including numerous puffins.

I saw the birds up close there, perched on rocks, flying over the water, or disappearing into their burrows. The place was quiet, wild, and pristine - a perfect spot away from typical tourist paths.

Here is my post about the day trip to the Saltee Islands

Other recommended places for puffins in Ireland

This spectacular rocky island off the southwest coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its ancient monastery. Between May and July, you can also observe puffins here - combined with a unique historical experience. Unfortunately, our boat tour was canceled and rescheduled due to stormy weather and even the alternative dates were missed. A reason to come back.

Puffins can also be found here - but you need to look a little closer. Especially early in the morning or late in the evening, you have a good chance of seeing them on the cliff edges. During my visit, there were only a few people who noticed the puffins on the rocks. Thanks to a zoom lens on the camera and good binoculars, we were able to observe the cute birds.

Unfortunately, we were too far away for good photos.

The puffins are visible from mid-May to late July. I was traveling in June - an ideal time with many birds, good light, and (for Irish standards) stable weather.

There are puffins in Northern Ireland as well. Unfortunately, not as numerous as they once were. During my road trip in Northern Ireland, we saw a few. We unfortunately couldn't make it to Rathlin Island due to bad weather.

Rathlin Island is the only known breeding site for puffins in Northern Ireland. The birds nest in the cliffs below the West Light Seabird Centre. The best time for observations is from late April to early August when the birds are raising their chicks. Visitors can observe puffins from the observation deck at the bird station. The island is accessible by ferry from Ballycastle.

Another place in Northern Ireland where puffins breed is The Gobbins, a spectacular cliff path along the coast of County Antrim. The birds nest here in the cliffs and can be seen during the breeding period from late April to early August. Unfortunately, we only saw a few puffins on the rocks and in the air while flying around. We were in Northern Ireland in May, and even the locals were surprised how late the puffins were arriving this year.

Chris was lucky enough to see puffins way up north in Europe - in Svalbard, specifically during an expedition trip along the west coast (here is his Svalbard travel report). The conditions there are, of course, very different from those in the Faroe Islands or Iceland: rougher, more remote, and much more pristine.

He mostly saw puffins on rocky islands near the coast, where they breed alongside guillemots and other seabirds. The landscape there is barren, the light is extreme - and the encounter with the birds had an almost surreal quality for him. The cliffs weren't full of them like on Mykines, but they were present - in small groups, often alongside other arctic bird species.

For Chris, Svalbard was the place where he saw his first puffins. With a focus on icebergs, walruses, and polar bears, the puffins were a great bonus.

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