A postcard-perfect village known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters (Picture: Shutterstock/ArtBBNV)
In 2019, a tiny island in northern Norway bid farewell to time. It pretended to, anyway.
Sommarøy, a fishing hub west of Tromsø inside the Arctic Circle, is one of many Nordic islands that experience ‘Midnight Sun’, a polar phenomenon where the sun shines 24 hours a day during the summer.
On TikTok, the island has been dubbed the ‘Arctic Maldives.’
Now, we know what you’re thinking: where hasn’t been compared to the Indian Ocean archipelago at this point?
But when you see Sommarøy’s shimmering turquoise water and lunar white sands, the comparison is undeniable.
Especially when, from May to July, these natural wonders can be seen at whatever time of day — or night — you fancy.
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‘If we want to take a swim at 4am, we will,’ is the mantra of its 300 residents.
And though the ‘abolition of time’ turned out to be a publicity stunt — residents symbolically tied watches to the bridge leading to the island — it certainly did the trick.
Sommarøy is now a hotspot for adventurers looking for off-the-beaten-track experiences, from Midnight Sun in summer to Northern Lights in winter.
And if the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list, you’d better start planning your trip now.
Sommarøy sits in the northernmost part of Norway (Picture: Metro)
That’s because this winter is set to be one of the best times to see the natural light display, as the Earth is approaching a ‘solar maximum.’
This happens once every 11 years, when magnetic activity increases, causing more spectacular and more visible aurora.
The current stretch of heightened activity lasts until March 2026, meaning the next time the Northern Lights achieve this quality will be in 2037.
The land that time forgot
Sommarøy — also known as ‘Summer Island’ — is blessed with breathtaking scenery.
Jay Wirsig, an outdoor travel expert and CEO of KayaArm, who has spent time on the island, tells Metro that it’s one of those special places that remind you why you travel in the first place.
He raves about its beaches, specifically Sandvika, Reina, and Krinta, a long stretch of white sand in the northeast of the island, where reindeer are often spotted sharing the beach with locals.
‘What captivated me first was the water,’ Jay recalls.
The fjords and sheltered inlets surrounding Sommarøy are built for paddling, with calm stretches perfect for kayaking.
Excursions are available all year round, but the most exciting — and unique — are the Midnight Sun guided tours. It’s not unusual to see seals, sea eagles, otters, and sometimes small porpoise whales.
With Norwegian Travel, adult sessions cost 1789 NOK (£133) per person.
Planning on kayaking during winter? The 69NORD Sommarøy Outdoor Center — which also offers hiking and camping — run kayak excursions and rentals.
Hire a kayak for 320 NOK (£23), or head on a half-day guided trip for 1350 NOK (£100).
A change of perspective
Jay visited Sommarøy during the Midnight Sun season, and he says it changes how you think about time.
Sommarøy has been nicknamed the ‘Arctic Maldives’ (Picture: Getty Images)
Instead of planning a hike or climb against the threat of nightfall, you can wander knowing daylight will be there when you finish.
‘Trails that would normally feel rushed become relaxed, open-ended journeys. It creates a freedom that few places can offer, where exploration feels guided not by hours but by curiosity,’ Jay says.
Due to its size (the village is just 100 acres), hiking routes are limited but spectacular.
AllTrails, a website dedicated to pairing picturesque nature trails with avid hikers, recommends three routes in Sommarøy.
Traditional wooden cabins on the island (Picture: Getty Images)
Hillesøytoppen takes you to a small but beautiful peak on the edge of the Kvaløya peninsula. It’s a family-friendly marked trail that ends with stunning views of the bay.
There’s also the 3.1km Hillesøytoppen loop, a circular route that showcases the beauty of the coast and land, where traditional Scandinavian wooden cabins are sandwiched between lush greenery.
The third is Hilmarstranda, an easy 30-minute loop close to the bridge connecting Sommarøy to the larger islands.
A warm and welcoming community
According to Jay, the people who live there are what make Sommarøy truly special.
‘The conversations I had with locals revealed lives tied closely to the sea and the seasons,’ he remembers.
He says their generosity made visitors feel less like outsiders and more like part of the community.
‘That warmth transformed beautiful landscapes into meaningful experiences. It was a reminder that the greatest journeys are not only about the places you reach but the spirit of the people who live there.’
Embrace Nordic culture
No trip to Sommarøy is complete without a traditional sauna experience.
Norwegians have a deep connection with nature, and the ritual includes alternating between the hot sauna and the cold outdoors.
So taking a dip in the icy fjords is non-negotiable. Many hotels on Sommarøy have saunas for guests to use.
The Sommarøy Arctic Hotel Tromsø is one of them, where they encourage you to ‘meet your inner Viking’ by taking a plunge in the turquoise lagoon. Standard twin rooms from £133 per night.
Sommarøy is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights (Picture: Getty Images)
Food and drink
Expect hearty meat dishes like mutton, lamb, and reindeer. Plus, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots. And, of course, buckets of seafood.
Norway is also famous for its brunost (sweet brown cheese), which is often enjoyed with waffles or bread.
According to TripAdvisor, beachfront Prestvika Strandkafe og Gjestgiveri is one of the best restaurants on the island.
Sven, a previous diner, raved about the local rhubarb cake. He also said it’s the perfect place to experience what life is like in the Arctic.
That’s our 2025 winter trip sorted, then.
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