About 1,800 kilometres separate the sandy beaches of Lista in the southernmost part of Norway from the dunes near Vadsø in the far north.
The world's second longest shoreline has numerous beaches that are as diverse as the rest of Norway. And if that's not enough, you have free access to the many lakes covering around three percent of the mainland as well.
While some Norwegian beaches are well-known leisure spots where you'll meet everyone from local families to foreign surfers, far more just happen to appear in front of you when you're not even looking – like a paradise you stumble into and get the sense that only you have found.
Gentle climate
The climate and water temperatures are often surprisingly mild in the summer season, thanks to the Gulf Stream that heats up the whole Norwegian coast, even the northern parts. It all depends on what you are used to, of course – some beautiful beaches that face the open sea in Northern and Western Norway are not for wimps – but in Southern Norway, the water temperatures can reach 23 degrees Celsius in high summer.
Warmer temperatures open up for many water and beach activities. Managing the waves on a surfboard or stand-up paddleboard (SUP) is excellent exercise before a hearty picnic in the sand or on the sloping smooth rocks.
Swim in the city – or far away from it all
If you are planning a city break and would like to spend some time by the water, many urban areas have upgraded their beach facilities or created new ones to boost the quality of city life.
On the other hand, at a selection of northern beaches, you can expect to see lots of wildlife, and you might find yourself in the middle of a spontaneous and unexpected whale or sea eagle safari. With 239,057 islands along a shoreline that equals two and a half trips around the globe, relaxing Norwegian beaches will probably never stop to surprise you.