Sørvágsvatn lake, island of Vágar, Faroe Islands Aug 26, 2025

Today, let us explore an optical illusion in the Faroe Islands, an autonomous administrative division of the Kingdom of Denmark. Also called Leitisvatn, this lake on the island of Vágar appears to float far above the ocean. In reality, it sits only around 30 metres above sea level. As the largest lake in the Faroes, Sørvágsvatn has a surface area of over 3 square kilometres and feeds the Bøsdalafossur waterfall, where its waters pour dramatically into the sea.

© Anton Petrus/Getty Images

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