9 Best Beaches in Norway

The sea and the high mountains create a majestic setting around this beautiful beach at Flakstad in Lofoten. With its fine sand and turquoise water, Rambergstranda is considered to be one of the prettiest beaches in this region, and is a favourite among visitors looking for good conditions for activities such as kayaking or kiting. Even Crown Prince Haakon visits this beach from time to time. The water temperature can often be relatively fresh, but it's not unusual for people to take a dip here on a hot day - and for a truly unique experience, come here on a clear summer night to see the beach reflected in the reddish light from the midnight sun.

Ytresand is located right next to the fishing village Fredvang on Moskenesøya in Lofoten. This shallow, slightly secluded beach is the perfect place to visit for those who want to enjoy the region's distinctive nature in peace and quiet, with only the sea and mountains as your neighbours. As well as being an excellent place for activities such as surfing, kayaking and kiting, Ytresand offers a number of good hikes. Follow the path from the car park up to Ytresandsheia and enjoy the picturesque view of the unique landscape in the area, or just take a leisurely stroll along the water's edge and pick shells with the kids as you listen to the waves gently lapping. Ytresand is an excellent example of how even the lesser known beaches in Lofoten can provide unforgettable experiences.

Uttakleiv on Vestvågøy in Lofoten is a Norwegian beach that should be on everyone's visitor list. It has been covered by a number of Norwegian and foreign media, and was named the world's third best beach in the British media in 2010. Here you'll find sea-cut pebbles, fine sand and untouched Lofoten nature, and the beach is perfect for relaxing and getting that holiday feeling. Uttakleiv has everything from volleyball nets to places for bonfires and barbecues, so you can easily plan to spend your whole day here. And as the beach has also been voted Europe's most romantic, we strongly recommend that you visit it with your loved one on a bright summer's evening for a little romance in the ocean gap...

With its 5 kilometres of sand, Orrestranda on Jæren is Norway's longest sandy beach, and the white dunes and turquoise sea can easily fool you into thinking you are in more southern climes. To protect the nature here, there are some restrictions regarding things like water sports and camping that you should check before visiting. The fact that Orrestranda is protected also means that this beach offers a completely unique nature experience, with many rare plant and bird species. It is also great for swimming, surfing and general beach fun. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag environmental certification, as it is disability friendly and maintains a high European standard for water quality and cleanliness.

Solastranden is located just outside Stavanger and is a popular hiking and swimming area with 2.3 kilometres of soft dunes. This beautiful beach actually ranks 6th in the list of the world's top beaches. With its shallow waters it is ideal for families with children, and is also a popular spot for kiting, surfing, walking, barbecuing and beach volley. There is even an 18-hole golf course nearby, and at the south end of the beach you'll find several war memorials - including bunkers and cannon positions - making this the perfect getaway for almost anything you fancy!

Paradise Bay on the north-west side of Bygdøy in Oslo was once royal property, but was taken over by Oslo Municipality in 1929 as it had become a popular destination for the city's residents. And this child-friendly beach remains as popular today, and when the sun comes out, it can often get very crowded. There are some great swimming spots here, while the surrounding area is well suited for walking, running and cycling. Paradise Bay has a kiosk and other facilities, as well as a memorial to the 2004 tsunami disaster. Find a rock or a peaceful place on the sand and settle down, relax and enjoy paradise on one of Oslo's absolute beach gems…

Beautiful sandy beaches may not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to North-West Norway. But Seljesanden in the heart of the Selje in Stad municipality is a superb sandy beach, which is excellent for swimming, kayaking and other water sports. It has most of the facilities you need for a great family day out at the beach. You also get a view of the island of Selja, which is located nearby and can be reached by boat from Selje in just 15 minutes. Alongside the excellent hiking opportunities, you can also see the ruins of the thousand-year-old Benedictine monastery here, so do set aside some time for a proper visit.

Even though Kvalvika on Moskenesøy can't be reached by car, it is known as one of Lofoten's real beach gems, and a visit here is perfect for hikers and nature-lovers. The easiest way to get to Kvalvika is to drive past the fishing village of Fredvang, until you reach a car park with a hiking trail that will take you the few kilometres to the beach. Once you arrive, relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery with the sea, mountains and chalk-white sand. We also recommend you stop for photos from the top of Ryten mountain, where the view of the beach and the Lofoten countryside is truly unbeatable. A great opportunity to create some envy on social media…!