Sommarøy Arctic Hotel is a very different kind of Tromsø stay. Instead of the city, you get an island on the Arctic coast, linked to the mainland by bridges, with sheltered white-sand beaches, low hills, fishing boats and a sky that feels enormous. It is roughly an hour by road from central Tromsø, along the fjord and coast road that many day tours follow, and that distance is exactly the appeal. At night the lights of the city are far away, so on a clear night the aurora can be seen from near the hotel without a long drive. By day, the scenery is soft and bright in summer and blue and snowy in winter, with walks along the shore, short hikes and a slow, peaceful rhythm. The hotel is built around the sea, with rooms that look across the water and a setting where local fish and seafood are the natural thing to eat. It suits travellers who want to feel they are in the far north, not just visiting it from a city hotel.
Location and getting around
The hotel is on Sommarøy, on the west side of the Tromsø archipelago, beyond the island of Kvaløya, and the easiest way to reach it is by car. The drive from Tromsø is scenic and takes about an hour in good conditions, and winter driving needs care, so check the weather and road reports. Buses run on the route, but services are limited, so plan carefully or join a tour. Many travellers combine a night or two here with a few days in the city.
Rooms and facilities
Expect comfortable rooms in a coastal setting, with an emphasis on views, quiet and simple comfort rather than city-style extras. Dining is mostly at the hotel or close by, because there are few other options on the island, so check opening times and meal arrangements when you book. Facilities such as a sauna, a hot tub or boat trips may be available at certain times of year, but rules and seasons vary, so ask before you arrive.
Who it suits
Couples, photographers and aurora hunters who prefer dark skies, and travellers who find city hotels too busy. It is less suited to anyone who wants to wander between restaurants and museums on foot or who does not want to drive. If you are happy to trade convenience for atmosphere, a night at Sommarøy can be the most memorable part of a Tromsø trip.
Pack warm layers, a headlamp and a thermos, and let the weather decide your evening plans. Between aurora hours, the beaches, the light on the water and the stillness of the island are reason enough to stay.
Why stay here
- ✓Seaside island setting
- ✓Coastal walks nearby
- ✓Beaches nearby
- ✓Dark skies for aurora watching
- ✓Private bathrooms
- ✓Heated rooms
- ✓Quiet, remote atmosphere
- ✓Reached by car or tour
Good questions
How far is Sommarøy Arctic Hotel from Tromsø?+
It is roughly an hour by road west of the city, across the island of Kvaløya, so a car or a tour is the easiest way to get there.
Can I see the northern lights from the hotel?+
On a clear night with active aurora, yes. The island has far less light pollution than the city, but no hotel can promise the lights.
Is it a good base for the city sights?+
Not really. It suits a quiet coastal stay, so many visitors split their trip between Sommarøy and a hotel in Tromsø.
