A Winter Guide to Sommarøy, Norway
As part of Mum and Dad’s winter visit to Tromsø, they also took an overnight trip to the little island of Sommarøy, around a 1 hour ride out from Tromsø. Sommarøy in winter is truly magical, and with the sun up for only a few short hours each day, it casts a beautiful pink, gold and blue glow across the sky. I decided it was just too beautiful not to share individually.
How to get to Sommarøy
Sommarøy is just a short drive from Tromsø, the entry city to this wonderful island. You can hire a car from the airport in Tromsø and arrive here in just over 1 hour. Alternatively, you could book transport with a local driver or tour company if you’re not confident driving yourselves in the snow.
The drive between Tromsø and Sommarøy is fairly straight forward as the roads are well maintained and kept relatively clear. That said, it is still important to be mindful when driving in winter and a 4×4 might be a good choice.
The drive is incredibly scenic, and Mum and Dad even saw a reindeer at the side of the road!
Things to do in Sommarøy
The Views from Ørnfløya
One of the most magical spots on the island is at the top of Ørnfløya. Hiking up is a common thing to do in winter and Mum and Dad completed the hike independently, having been provided with snow spikes by their hotel. The hike does require a level of capability, given that it’s quite strenuous and at times depends on ropes to get up (and down). For Mum and Dad they didn’t quite make it to the top, but the views were stunning nevertheless.
Visit Sommarøy’s Beaches
The beaches of Sommarøy are absolutely gorgeous. There are lots of them all around the island’s perimeters which you can drive around to enjoy.
Enjoy the Aurora Camps
Sommarøy has lots of places to watch the Northern Lights, and they have camps where you can drop in for coffee, tea, biscuits and soup in little wooden huts with seats and tables draped in blankets and flags. You can then nip in and out to watch the lights.
Other Important Information about Sommarøy in winter
Sommarøy’s winters are no doubt beautiful, but the sun never truly rises meaning it’s also incredibly cold. Be prepared for temperatures well below 0, meaning base layers, thermals, big coats and spikes and poles for walking. The short days also mean there’s not a whole lot of time to fit things in, so make sure you’re only planning one big thing per day.
The roads are well maintained in winter, and largely cleared of snow, but it’s still important to be careful when driving. It’s definitely recommended to hire a 4×4 during the winter months for additional safety.
Where to stay in Sommarøy
Mum and Dad chose to stay in the 4-star Sommarøy Arctic Hotel. It features a number of guest rooms and suites in the main hotel building, as well as individual cabins on the seafront. It’s a peaceful hotel, with lots of views out to the sea, as well as a lovely onsite sauna which can be used for free, and the option for dips in the local freezing fjord!
What do you think of Sommarøy? To me it’s so beautiful and well worth seeing in winter, but you do have to be prepared to be completely freezing the entire time! I hope you enjoyed my Mum and Dad’s posts from Norway – stay safe and happy travelling!
