Grøtfjord

The basics

Some sightseeing and northern lights tours departing from Tromso stop at the beach, but with a car, you can easily visit from Tromso on your own. Keep in mind that the beach is rather small (this is no beach paradise) and usually too cold for swimming, but it does have camping facilities, barbecue stations, and campfire pits. It also offers hiking opportunities, in particular on Smørstabben mountain.

Things to know before you go

• The beach is suitable for children and families

• It has wheelchair-friendly facilities.

• The beach has paid indoor restrooms—credit cards accepted.

• Parking and camping require cash payment made in the mailbox near the parking lot.

How to get there

Grøtfjord is about 22 miles (36 kilometers) from Tromso, and the most convenient way go is by car, which takes about 45 minutes. Once-daily bus service (weekdays) on route #425 heads to Grøtfjord from Tromso in the afternoon. The return bus departs early in the morning, so an overnight stay in Grøtfjord is necessary if you're using public transportation.

When to get there

Visit Grøtfjord in the summer for the best swimming and camping weather and to observe the midnight sun in the Arctic Circle. For hiking, summer and autumn are best; for the best chance to see the northern lights, visit from September to April. In the fall and winter, there are often good surfing conditions in Grøtfjord.

The northern lights from Grøtfjord

Visit Grøtfjord—and anywhere near Tromso, for that matter—between April and September, and there’s a good chance you’ll see the northern lights. Tromso lies in the center of the northern lights' “oval,” where you can see the light phenomenon even when the activity is low. The best locations to see the lights are typically dark places outside town, where most northern lights tours go.