![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/shutterstock_2031226544-e5b2.jpg\")
\n\t\tA postcard-perfect village known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters (Picture: Shutterstock\/ArtBBNV)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tA postcard-perfect village known for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters (Picture: Shutterstock\/ArtBBNV)<\/p>\n
In 2019, a tiny island in northern Norway<\/a> bid farewell to time. It pretended to, anyway.<\/p>\n Sommar\u00f8y, a fishing hub west of Troms\u00f8<\/a> inside the Arctic Circle, is one of many Nordic islands<\/a> that experience \u2018Midnight Sun\u2019, a polar phenomenon where the sun shines 24 hours a day during the summer.<\/p>\n On TikTok, the island has been dubbed the \u2018Arctic Maldives.\u2019<\/p>\n Now, we know what you\u2019re thinking: where hasn\u2019t been compared to the Indian Ocean archipelago<\/a> at this point?<\/p>\n But when you see Sommar\u00f8y\u2019s shimmering turquoise water and lunar white sands, the comparison is undeniable. <\/p>\n Especially when, from May to July, these natural wonders can be seen at whatever time of day \u2014 or night \u2014 you fancy.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up to The Getaway newsletter\t\t\t<\/p>\n Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration.\u00a0Sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2018If we want to take a swim at 4am, we will,\u2019 is the mantra of its 300 residents.<\/p>\n And though the \u2018abolition of time\u2019 turned out to be a publicity stunt \u2014 residents symbolically tied watches to the bridge leading to the island \u2014 it certainly did the trick.<\/p>\n Sommar\u00f8y is now a hotspot for adventurers looking for off-the-beaten-track experiences, from Midnight Sun in summer to Northern Lights<\/a> in winter.<\/p>\n And if the Aurora Borealis is on your bucket list<\/a>, you\u2019d better start planning your trip now.<\/p>\n \t\t That\u2019s because this winter is set to be one of the best times to see the natural light display, as the Earth is approaching a \u2018solar maximum.\u2019 <\/p>\n This happens once every 11 years, when magnetic activity increases, causing more spectacular and more visible aurora.<\/p>\n The current stretch of heightened activity lasts until March 2026, meaning the next time the Northern Lights achieve this quality will be in 2037.<\/p>\n The land that time forgot<\/p>\n Sommar\u00f8y \u2014 also known as \u2018Summer Island\u2019 \u2014 is blessed with breathtaking scenery.<\/p>\n Jay Wirsig, an outdoor travel expert and CEO of\u00a0KayaArm<\/a>, who has spent time on the island, tells Metro <\/strong>that it\u2019s one of those special places that remind you why you travel in the first place.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u2018What captivated me first was the water,\u2019 Jay recalls. <\/p>\n The fjords and sheltered inlets surrounding Sommar\u00f8y are built for paddling, with calm stretches perfect for kayaking.<\/p>\n Excursions are available all year round, but the most exciting \u2014 and unique \u2014 are the Midnight Sun guided tours. It\u2019s not unusual to see seals, sea eagles, otters, and sometimes small porpoise whales.<\/p>\n With Norwegian Travel<\/a>, adult sessions cost 1789 NOK (\u00a3133) per person. <\/p>\n Planning on kayaking during winter? The 69NORD Sommar\u00f8y Outdoor Center \u2014 which also offers hiking and camping \u2014 run kayak excursions and rentals.<\/p>\n Hire a kayak for 320 NOK (\u00a323), or head on a half-day guided trip for 1350 NOK (\u00a3100). <\/p>\n A change of perspective<\/p>\n Jay visited Sommar\u00f8y during the Midnight Sun season, and he says it changes how you think about time.<\/p>\n \t\t Instead of planning a hike or climb against the threat of nightfall, you can wander knowing daylight will be there when you finish.<\/p>\n \u2018Trails 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,\u2019 Jay says.<\/p>\n Due to its size (the village is just 100 acres), hiking routes are limited but spectacular.<\/p>\n AllTrails, a website dedicated to pairing picturesque nature trails with avid hikers, recommends three routes in Sommar\u00f8y.<\/p>\n \t\t Hilles\u00f8ytoppen takes you to a small but beautiful peak on the edge of the Kval\u00f8ya peninsula. It\u2019s a family-friendly marked trail that ends with stunning views of the bay.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also the 3.1km Hilles\u00f8ytoppen loop, a circular route that showcases the beauty of the coast and land, where traditional Scandinavian wooden cabins are sandwiched between lush greenery.<\/p>\n The third is Hilmarstranda, an easy 30-minute loop close to the bridge connecting Sommar\u00f8y to the larger islands.<\/p>\n A warm and welcoming community <\/p>\n According to Jay, the people who live there are what make Sommar\u00f8y truly special.<\/p>\n \u2018The conversations I had with locals revealed lives tied closely to the sea and the seasons,\u2019 he remembers.<\/p>\n He says their generosity made visitors feel less like outsiders and more like part of the community.<\/p>\n \u2018That 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.\u2019<\/p>\n Embrace Nordic culture<\/p>\n No trip to Sommar\u00f8y is complete without a traditional sauna experience.<\/p>\n Norwegians have a deep connection with nature, and the ritual includes alternating between the hot sauna and the cold outdoors<\/a>.<\/p>\n So taking a dip in the icy fjords is non-negotiable. Many hotels on Sommar\u00f8y have saunas for guests to use. <\/p>\n The Sommar\u00f8y Arctic Hotel Troms\u00f8<\/a> is one of them, where they encourage you to \u2018meet your inner Viking\u2019 by taking a plunge in the turquoise lagoon. Standard twin rooms from \u00a3133 per night.<\/p>\n \t\t Expect hearty meat dishes like mutton, lamb, and reindeer. Plus, root vegetables like potatoes and carrots. And, of course, buckets of seafood.<\/p>\n Norway is also famous for its brunost (sweet brown cheese), which is often enjoyed with waffles or bread.<\/p>\n According to TripAdvisor, beachfront Prestvika Strandkafe og Gjestgiveri is one of the best restaurants on the island.<\/p>\n Sven, a previous diner, raved about the local rhubarb cake. He also said it\u2019s the perfect place to experience what life is like in the Arctic.<\/p>\n That\u2019s our 2025 winter trip sorted, then.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"Sommar?y](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/SEI_268660939-66d8.jpg\")
\n\t\tSommar\u00f8y sits in the northernmost part of Norway (Picture: Metro)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2219442029-8765.jpg\")
\n\t\tSommar\u00f8y has been nicknamed the \u2018Arctic Maldives\u2019 (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-2203618084-9979.jpg\")
\n\t\tTraditional wooden cabins on the island (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/GettyImages-504024228-43a0.jpg\")
\n\t\tSommar\u00f8y is the perfect place to see the Northern Lights (Picture: Getty Images)
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