It might be the last place on earth you'd think of for a beach holiday, but Norway has its share of spectacular sands. Come take a look.
When people imagine a holiday here, they tend to picture snowy mountains, cosy cabins, and spectacular hikes, not stretches of golden sand. Beaches simply aren’t the first thing that comes to mind.
And yet, they should be. Norway’s coastline is the second longest in the world, stretching more than 60,000 kilometres when you count all its islands, and hidden along that coastline are some of the most striking beaches in Europe.
They may not offer the guaranteed heat of Spain or Greece, but they more than make up for it with scenery, space, and a sense of wilderness.
Some are vast ribbons of sand backed by grassy dunes, others are tucked into coves at the foot of steep mountains. Many are almost empty, even in summer, giving you the feeling of stumbling across a private paradise.
Add in the soft evening light of the midnight sun or the northern lights dancing over the waves, and you’ll quickly realise that a Norwegian beach holiday offers something entirely different.
Table of Contents
Where are the best beaches in Norway?
This guide takes you from the windswept sands of Jæren near Stavanger to the hidden coves of Lofoten and the city beaches of Oslo.
It isn’t a complete list as there are simply too many to cover, but it will give you a taste of the country’s most memorable beach spots.
Surfing over sunbathing
It's not just about how they look, either. Some spots, especially in the north, are attracting attention for the quality of their surf. Unstad in Lofoten even hosts an international surfing competition. More on that later.
While chilling in the winter, the water temperatures can be surprisingly mild in the summer thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.
While the waters won't ever reach the temperatures of the Med, you can still expect water temperature of above 20C in the summer, at least in the south.
Beach photography in Norway
Another type of tourist drawn to Norway by the quality of the beaches is the professional and amateur photographer.
In the first episode of the Life in Norway Show, I spoke to American expat and professional photographer Cody Duncan, who now leads photo tours around his adopted home of Lofoten.
“The beaches themselves are absolutely fantastic and some of the best in the world. The water is so clear and the sand is often white, so when you're above the beaches it's absolutely amazing and you could be in the Mediterranean, except you're standing on top of a 500-metre mountain looking down.”
“In the west on Moskenesøy there are three beaches in particular that can only be reached by hiking. There's no roads, no houses, no power lines, just these fantastic beaches surrounded by walls of granite rising above them. Few places on earth are as majestic and as powerful.” You can listen to the full interview here.
The Stavanger region
The Jæren coastline south of Stavanger is unlike much of the rest of Norway, with mile after mile of sand and dunes replacing the rocky, fjord-carved shores that many expect.
It’s a favourite with locals who head out on windy days for a brisk walk, but it has also become a playground for surfers and kiteboarders.
Orrestranda is the headline attraction. At nearly five miles long, it is Norway’s longest stretch of sand, so it never feels crowded even in the height of summer. The dunes are protected nature reserves, so visitors are encouraged to stick to marked paths, but the reward is a pristine and unspoiled beachscape.
Closer to the city, Sola Strand is Stavanger’s best-known beach. Just minutes from the airport, it attracts swimmers, families, and watersports enthusiasts. On warm summer evenings, the shoreline fills with locals enjoying barbecues or volleyball games.
There’s even a historic hotel, Sola Strand Hotel, which has welcomed beachgoers for more than a century.
Karmøy
Karmøy’s beaches are very different in character. Sandvesanden, near the village of Sandve, is framed by rocky outcrops and heathland vegetation, making it a scenic choice for anyone interested in coastal nature as well as sea views.
It is a designated conservation area, and the combination of white sand and turquoise water feels more Mediterranean than North Sea.
On the island’s west coast, Åkrasanden regularly appears on lists of Norway’s best beaches. It has been awarded the international Blue Flag designation for its clean water and environmental management, and the shallow waters make it especially popular with families.
A marked coastal trail leads north from Åkrasanden, linking several smaller coves and giving walkers the chance to hop between beaches.
Sandholmen near Syre offers something different again: a sheltered bay with calmer waters, perfect for children splashing around or for anyone wanting a quiet swim.
The Lofoten Islands
As I wrote in this article for CNN, Lofoten’s beaches deserve their reputation as some of the most spectacular in Norway.
Unstad remains the epicentre for Arctic surfing, with a dedicated surf school, café, and cabins for those who want to embrace the experience. Even non-surfers find it worth the detour, just to watch the action against the backdrop of mountains plunging into the sea.
“Above the Arctic Circle, men and women were taking surf lessons in snowstorms on Unstad Beach, with air temperatures dropping to around 9 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 degrees Celsius). As day turned to night, some surfers stayed behind to witness the northern lights, with a few even venturing to paddleboard under the bright night skies” – The Atlantic
Kvalvika, accessible only by foot, has become a pilgrimage site for adventurous travellers. The crescent-shaped bay, hemmed in by cliffs, feels wild and remote. Campers who stay overnight often wake to the sound of waves crashing beneath peaks still streaked with snow in early summer.
There are at least three ways to get to Kvalvika, the shortest a 2km trail that’s boggy and steep in parts. Other longer, more challenging hikes reward those who make the effort with an outstanding birds-eye view of the beach.
It’s a popular place among photographers, and many people choose to camp overnight here.
Bunes and Horseid beaches, both reached via short ferry rides followed by hikes, offer even greater solitude. These vast expanses of pale sand are framed by some of Lofoten’s most dramatic mountain walls, rewarding the effort it takes to get there.
Closer to the main E10 road, Skagsanden is one of the easiest Lofoten beaches to reach, and also one of the most photogenic.
The wide bay near Flakstad has become a favourite among photographers thanks to its foreground patterns of rippled sand and seaweed set against sharp mountain peaks. In winter, it is a popular spot for northern lights photography, while in summer it draws both surfers and families.
Another favourite is Haukland Beach, often topping lists of Norway’s best beaches. Its fine white sand and turquoise water could easily be mistaken for the Caribbean on a sunny day, while surrounding mountains offer rewarding hikes such as the trail up to Mannen, which delivers breathtaking views down over the bay.
Just around the corner lies Uttakleiv, a wilder beach exposed to the open sea, popular with campers and known for its boulder-strewn shoreline. The short coastal walk linking Haukland and Uttakleiv lets you experience both in a single trip.
Further east, Ramberg Beach sits right in front of the small village of Ramberg. Its long arc of sand is backed by red fishing huts and simple cabins, making it one of the most accessible beaches in Lofoten. It’s a place where locals walk their dogs in all seasons, and in summer it becomes a lively social spot.
Together, these beaches showcase the diversity of Lofoten: from road-accessible bays where you can pull over for a picnic to wild, remote stretches of sand that require a day’s hike and a willingness to camp.
Vesterålen
Quieter than Lofoten, Vesterålen has its own coastal gems, with Bleikstranda the undisputed star. The pale sand arcs for more than a mile beside the fishing village of Bleik, and from the shoreline you can see Bleiksøya, a steep-sided island home to one of Norway’s largest puffin colonies.
That wildlife connection gives the beach a unique atmosphere. From late spring through summer, puffins, sea eagles and kittiwakes fill the skies above the bay, while whale-watching tours depart from nearby Andenes.
Tour boats also leave Bleik harbour to explore the cliffs of Bleiksøya, making it easy to combine a beach stroll with birdlife or whale encounters.
Further north, Nordmela beach is another long, sandy stretch backed by dunes and heather. It’s particularly popular with campers and road trippers because of its open horizon to the west — perfect for enjoying the midnight sun or photographing winter auroras.
Hovden, at the tip of Langøya, offers yet another take on Arctic beaches. Here the sand is framed by rugged rocks and fishing huts, with views across to the small skerries scattered offshore.
It’s an atmospheric stop for those driving the outer-coast road and a reminder of how closely fishing culture and coastal nature are intertwined in Vesterålen.
Tromsø
At the southern tip of Tromsøya, Telegrafbukta is the city’s most beloved beach. It may not be vast, but its grassy lawns, pebbly shoreline, and sweeping mountain views make it a natural gathering point.
Families set up picnics on warm days, while students often bring guitars and light small campfires during the long evenings of the midnight sun.
The beach is also a cultural hub. Each July it hosts the Bukta open-air rock festival, when thousands of people descend on the waterfront to enjoy live music against the backdrop of the fjord. The rest of the year, the atmosphere is more low-key and local.
For something quieter, Grøtfjord lies about half an hour’s drive west of Tromsø. This broad sandy bay is backed by steep mountains and feels wild and remote, despite being so close to the city.
It’s a favourite weekend escape for locals, with a handful of cabins scattered along the shore. In summer it’s ideal for a picnic or a swim, while in winter the beach becomes a hauntingly beautiful spot to look for northern lights.
Another option is Sandvika on Kvaløya, a small but sheltered beach with shallower waters. It’s popular with families on hot days and has the added appeal of being near some excellent hiking routes, so you can combine a mountain walk with a refreshing dip in the sea.
Kristiansand city beach
Kristiansand is often referred to as Norway’s summer city, and its beaches are a big part of that identity.
Bystranda, the city beach, is the most accessible. It’s sheltered by breakwaters, with calm waters, a lifeguard service in high season, and a lively promenade atmosphere. Families can spend all day here without leaving the city centre.
Just east of town, Hamresanden stretches for nearly two miles and is backed by campsites and holiday parks, making it a favourite with domestic holidaymakers.
Farther along the coast, smaller coves like Lomsesanden and Sandviga offer more secluded alternatives.
Trøndelag (Central Norway)
Central Norway might not be the first place that comes to mind for beaches, but Trøndelag has a few gems of its own.
Just south of Trondheim, Øysand is a popular summer hangout with a wide sandy shoreline and shallow waters that warm up quickly on sunny days. Farther along the coast, the Fosen peninsula offers several small, sheltered bays ideal for picnics and paddling.
While these beaches lack the drama of Lofoten or the vastness of Jæren, they’re much-loved by locals and provide a taste of Norwegian beach life in the heart of the country.
Oslo beaches
While not a beach destination in the traditional sense, Oslo does offer plenty of places to swim and sunbathe in summer.
Sørenga, right in the heart of the modern Bjørvika waterfront, has become the capital’s most popular urban beach. Opened in 2015, it’s a purpose-built seawater pool complex with floating pontoons, diving towers, and a small sandy section where families spread out their towels.
On hot days, the Sørenga promenade buzzes with life as swimmers, kayakers, and paddleboarders make the most of the Oslofjord just steps from the Opera House and Munch Museum.
For a more traditional experience, Huk on Bygdøy is the city’s classic choice. With grassy areas, sandy patches, and even a separate naturist section, it has long been a summer gathering spot for Oslovians.
Ferries from Aker Brygge connect the city to the islands of the inner Oslofjord, where Hovedøya and Langøyene provide sandy beaches, clear water, and a sense of escape just minutes from the capital.
On warm days, Oslo’s islands fill with picnickers, swimmers, and kayakers, reminding visitors how much Norwegians value outdoor living. Whether you want an urban swim with skyline views or a more natural fjordside setting, Oslo has surprisingly good options.
Practical Tips for Visiting Norway’s Beaches
Norway’s beaches are stunning, but they aren’t always like those in southern Europe. Even in summer the water can be brisk, so a quick dip is often the order of the day unless you’re hardy or wearing a wetsuit.
Facilities also vary: while city beaches such as Sørenga and Bystranda offer cafés, showers, and changing rooms, many of the most beautiful stretches of sand are completely undeveloped.
Safety is another point to bear in mind. There are rarely lifeguards, and conditions can change quickly. Strong currents and cold water are common, so always take care when swimming, especially with children.
Good shoes are useful if you plan to explore rocky sections or hike to more remote beaches, and always dress in layers, even in July, the weather can turn suddenly.
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