This long, crescent-shaped bay in Norway's Stavanger district was named one of the best beaches in the world by the Sunday Times. Sola beach (also known as Solastranden) is a wonderful family vacation destination with fine golden sandy shores that span for 2.5 kilometers and gently drop off into shallow waters.

Wind- and water sports are popular in Sola Beach. In the southern end of the beach, there are traces of war structures. Even on a busy schedule, there is plenty of room to spread out. Volleyball, sailing, and kite-surfing are among the activities available at Sola Beach for persons of different ages.

If you are planning on staying for a few days, the beachfront Sola Strand Hotel, which has a full-service spa and a pool, as well as a new water sports center that opened in summer 2020, where you can take surfing and kite-surfing lessons and rent equipment for other water sports like Stand-Up Paddle, is a great choice.

Location: Nordsjovegen, Sola 4097 Norway

Hoddevik is a little fishing village nestled between steep cliffs in a green valley. Opposite the village is Hoddevik, a beach on the Norwegian Peninsula Stadlandet's west shore.

This beautiful beach runs for 1.5 kilometers. The Guardian named this magnificent beach on Nordfjord's west coast as one of the top surf spots in the world, thanks to its smooth white sand, crystal blue waters, and towering cliffs on each side of the bay.

The 1 km beach, which is rarely crowded and has a wonderful vibe, is home to two surf schools, Lapoint Surf School and Stad Surfing, so even when you're not a pro wave rider, you can pick up some lessons and be out on the water in no time. There are even sessions for children with Stad Surfing, and all wetsuits and equipment are offered.

If surfing is not your style, then this peaceful beach is a great site to pitch up camp, take a trek in the nearby mountains, and take in the panoramic views of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Location: Hoddevik, 6750 Stadlandet, Norway

This is one of the most picturesque and secluded beaches in the scenic Lofoten Islands. The Lofoten Islands are one of Norway's most spectacular places, with towering mountains and breathtaking landscapes of crystal-blue fjords.

To reach Bunes beach, you need to walk from the small village of Vindstad, which can be reached by ferry from Reine. If you don't like hiking, don't worry. The trails are easily accessible. It is also accessible to families with children. The journey from Reine to Bunes itself is one of the reasons why visiting this beach is so wonderful.

With its huge white beaches and sculpted cliffs encircling the bay, the beach itself is spectacular. This spot is Campers Paradise. When the summer crowds return to the village, it's a great place to enjoy the (late) sunset or pick up some of the driftwood left by the storm and enjoy a quiet evening campfire.

Location: Bunes Beach, Moskenesøya, 8390 Reine, Norway

Orrestranden, often known as Orre beach, is one of Norway's longest beaches. The 3-kilometer stretch of fine golden sand is only a 40-minute drive from Stavanger on Norway's west coast. A tranquil atmosphere combined with a variety of services at the nearby Friluftshuset recreation center, such as barbeque facilities, bathrooms, car and bike parking, and a place to dine, make it one of Norway's best beaches for families with children.

Orrestranden, like others in Jren, is a protected nature area, thus there are some regulations in order to protect the animals, such as no camping in the sand dunes and a limit on where and when certain water activities can be done. It also has a 'Blue Flag' designation, indicating that the swimming water and beach amenities are of the highest standard.

As a result, Orre Beach is a peaceful natural haven, especially in the summer, when you can unwind, soak up some rays, and cool off in the clear waters.

Location: Orrestranda, 4343 Orre, Norway

Uttakleiv Beach on Vestvågøy Island, in a peaceful location on the Lofoten Islands near Hawkland Beach, is one of Norway's most photographed beaches. It has been named the world's most beautiful beach as well as the world's third best beach by both National Geographic and The Sunday Times. This hasn't gone overlooked; Uttakleiv, a little community with only 22 residents, receives up to 200,000 visitors each year.

Uttakleiv is a perfect place to feel sand between your toes and watch the sun rise at its most gorgeous, surrounded by steep mountains and facing north. Half of the beach is covered in fine, chalky sand, while the other half is covered in smooth pebbles, making for a beautiful backdrop for your vacation photos.

The midnight sun, which can be seen directly from your tent or camper, is very popular at Uttakleiv Beach. The region features a popular campsite with guest toilets where you may park your caravan or pitch your tent for a modest cost.

Location: Uttakleiv strand, Uttakleivveien 238, 8370 Leknes, Norway

Unstad beach is reputed to be one of Norway's top surfing beaches, attracting surfers from all over the world for decades. The sandy beach is at the bottom of a vast green valley that quickly climbs up on both sides of the beach as imposing mountains. While bobbing around on a surfboard, it's a wonderful setting to look back at. In fact, it's beautiful from every perspective, and it only grows more so as the mountains are blanketed in snow.

During the autumn and winter, the tallest and most stable waves roll in, making it the best time of year for advanced surfers, while the waves at Unstad beach are a little gentler during the summer, allowing beginners and youngsters to try their hand at surfing.

You can take lessons at Unstad Arctic Surf, the world’s most northerly surfing school. Thor Frantzen, a Norwegian who considers himself to be one of Norway's first surfers, started the school. Frantzen began manufacturing his own boards in the 1960s after learning the sport while working on a cargo ship off the coast of Australia's Bondi Beach.

Location: Unstad beach, Bøstad, Norway

Kvalvika is another of Norway's most spectacular beaches, and also an excellent place to take photos.It is a remote bay on the northern side of Moskenesy that can only be accessed by foot. It feels like you're on the edge of the planet, and it's not an easy hour's walk. In this show of Lofoten at its best, blue waves crash on sands, and sheer cliffs climb into the heavens. This white - sand beach, nestled between 600-meter-high mountains, can only be reached on foot, making it popular with hikers and campers alike.

This beach is ideal for getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city and reconnecting with nature at its best. It becomes an even more unique place if you prefer trekking. The 2- to 4-hour hike from Fredvang is very straightforward and well-trodden, passing by lakes, streams, and hills along the way, making the gorgeous route to the blue waters below well worth the effort.

From the clifftops of Ryten, which overlooks the bay, you may get some spectacular views of Kvalvika Beach.

Location: øya, Moskenes, Norway

The small fishing island of Sommarøy, located approximately an hour's drive outside of Tromsø, is home to magnificent beaches with plenty of hidden coves and shallow waters for a refreshing swim.

From Stand-Up Paddle boarding and kayaking to diving and whale-watching tours, there are plenty of water activities to enjoy here. In the summer, take a thrilling RIB boat trip with the midnight sun as your guide, or in the winter, watch the shimmering Northern Lights from the shore.

If you go on a guided kayak excursion, you could see a seal or two come up to say hello, or you might even find yourself in the company of one of the killer whale pods that pass through local seas. Back on land, a bike ride around the island will provide insight into the customs of this bustling coastal village, which is one of Norway's major herring producers. This is an excellent spot for a few days of unadulterated nature, both on and off the beach. For anyone seeking experiences off the beaten path, this is a must-see.

Location: Sommarøy, Tromsø, Norway