Tórshavn is small enough to see on foot in a day or two. The old town on Tinganes is the obvious starting point — turf-roofed wooden houses, narrow lanes, and the seat of one of the oldest parliaments in Europe. Above the harbour, the cathedral and St Mary's Church anchor the upper town. To the east, the Skansin fortress guards the harbour entrance and offers some of the best views of the bay. The island's main museums — natural history, art, and Nordic culture — are all within walking distance of the centre.