Picolo recommends · Hotel on Sommarøy, Norway
Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
A small island hotel west of Tromsø, where cabins sit at the water's edge and white sand, fishing boats and peaks fill every window.
Out here the loudest sound is often the waves against the rocks. The island of Sommarøy lies on the open coast west of Tromsø, ringed by pale beaches, small fishing boats and steep mountains across the sound.
You can sleep in the main building or in one of the small cabins by the shore. Either way, the sea is what you see first in the morning, and breakfast comes with a view of skerries and open water.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
We chose Sommarøy for travellers who want the Arctic coast without the city around them. With almost no light pollution, it is a fine place to wait for the aurora, and it suits couples and photographers.
It is quiet, and that cuts both ways. There are no museums or restaurant streets nearby, and you need a car to get here, so first-time visitors who rely on tours may be happier in Tromsø with a day trip out.
What you get
- Sea on three sides
- Cabins at the water's edge
- White sand beaches nearby
- About an hour's drive from Tromsø
- Breakfast with views over the sound
A day at Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
- Morning
- Breakfast by the window as the fishing boats head out.
- Midday
- A walk along the white beaches in the low Arctic light.
- Afternoon
- A drive past the fjords and mountains of Kvaløya.
- Evening
- Out on the shore in the dark, watching the sky.
Location
Sommarøy, Troms, Norway
Open in MapsQuestions about Sommarøy Arctic Hotel
How far is Sommarøy Arctic Hotel from Tromsø?
The island is roughly an hour's drive west of the city, so a hire car makes the stay much easier.
Can you see the northern lights from Sommarøy Arctic Hotel?
The island is dark and far from city light, which gives good conditions on clear nights between autumn and early spring.
What kind of rooms does Sommarøy Arctic Hotel have?
Choose between rooms in the main building and little waterside cabins: both put the sea in front of you.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
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