White beaches, midnight sun and northern lights just west of Tromsø
West of Tromsø, in the far north of Norway, Sommarøy is a small fishing village spread across a cluster of islets in the Norwegian Sea, with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Nicknamed the “time-free island” after its famous 2019 campaign, it lives under the midnight sun from 18 May to 26 July and beneath the northern lights from September to March. A concentrate of the Arctic, about an hour’s drive from Tromsø.
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel, seafront cabins and rorbuer
Catch of the day, halibut and Arctic cuisine
Midnight-sun kayaking, auroras, hikes
Fishing village life and the “time-free island”
| Main village | Sommarøy (Tromsø, Norway) |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.41 km² · ≈ 300 inhabitants |
| Language | Norwegian |
| Currency | Norwegian krone (NOK) |
| Visa | Not required (Schengen area) |
| Best time | May–July (midnight sun) · Sept–March (northern lights) |
Two seasons stand out: May to July for the midnight sun and beaches under 24-hour daylight, and September to March for the northern lights. Autumn is a good compromise between colours, auroras and fewer visitors.
Norway is part of the Schengen area, so EU/Schengen citizens only need a valid ID card or passport; many other nationalities can enter visa-free for short stays. The local currency is the Norwegian krone (NOK).
Fly to Tromsø (TOS), often via Oslo, then drive about an hour across Kvaløya island to the Sommarøy bridges. A rental car is recommended; local buses exist but run infrequently.
White sand beaches with turquoise water, the summits of Hillesøytoppen (214 m) and Ørnfløya (154 m), sea eagles near Hekkingen lighthouse, the fishing harbour and, depending on the season, the midnight sun or the northern lights.