Marty the Van
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01. 11. 2023 When you say seaside holidays, Norway is not the first destination that springs to mind. But the reality on the southern and south-western coast of Norway in the summertime suggests the exact opposite.
South and Southwest Coast
The south and south-west coasts of Norway are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. In summer, you can expect pleasant temperatures, if you’re lucky, climbing up to 25°C. The coastline is therefore a paradise not only for locals but also for tourists from all over the world. But don’t expect crowded beaches like in Bibione, Italy. In Norway you’ll find plenty of space, refreshing seas and great facilities.
The coast is a very popular destination for tourists who travel here by car or fly to bigger cities like Stavanger (which is the closest) or Bergen. It is also possible to get here by car from Oslo, but it is more to the southeast and it can take a couple of hours to reach the coast of southwest Norway.
Sea temperature
The sea temperature on the south-west coast of Norway is between 14°C and 18°C. The temperature can be influenced by a number of factors, including current sea currents and local weather. Warm summer days can cause a slight increase in surface water temperature, but due to the cold Gulf Stream and other sea currents in the North Sea, the water in Norway remains relatively cool even in summer. However, tourists don’t mind the water temperature too much and take it as part of their hardening off. We have witnessed children who are so used to the sea temperature that they can play in it all day.
If you don’t like cold water, don’t despair. Staying on the beach itself is a wonderful experience and offers countless opportunities for endless walks, admiring nature, playing beach volleyball or having a magical picnic on the beach. And the best experience? Watching the midnight sun set over the horizon of the sea. Not even the toughest of tough guys can resist such romance!
The beaches on Norway’s southwest coast are sandy and among the most beautiful in the country. Among them are Solastranden near Stavanger, for example, or the several-kilometre-long Borestranden.
We visited several smaller beaches during our trip, with fewer tourists and great facilities. A good example is Njervessanden beach, which is just a short walk from one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the Lindesnes Fyr area. But if you’re exploring the coast by car, head in any direction and you’re bound to come across a gem yourself.
What about the rest of Norway?
The beaches further north are more characterised by their rocky or pebbly coastline. However, you may also find a beautiful sandy beach with fine white sand. One of these is the magical beach in Hoddevik, which offers a haven to surfers from all over the world.
In Lofoten, you’ll find a paradise of clean sandy beaches with good accessibility, or unspoilt beaches that can only be reached by foot. For us, the top three beaches in the Lofoten Islands are Skagsanden, the unspoilt Kvalvika, and Haukland.
Do you prefer lakes more than the sea? Finland may be the land of a thousand lakes, but Norway won’t disappoint. Aside from the sea, there are countless opportunities to swim in clean and well-kept lakes or even fjords. The locals love swimming, hardening off and sauna bathing, which is why you can find swimming opportunities almost everywhere.
So what to expect?
Definitely not a holiday cliché. A seaside holiday in Norway is a completely different experience from the classic sunny destinations. Imagine golden sands surrounded by high cliffs, overlooking the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Uncrowded and wide beaches, beautiful nature all around, refreshing sea and many surfing opportunities.
So, are you gonna pack a swimsuit in your backpack with your socks?
