Lofoten Handbook

Svolvær beach

The beach at the entrance to Svolvær on Austvågøya, known locally as Under Fjell. It is used for bathing, kayaking and by local schools and nurseries. Tents are banned in summer and motorhomes may not park there overnight.

Last verified 16 September 2026

Nearest place to stay: Svolvær

Rules

  • Camping. Tents are not allowed from 1 May to 1 October (Lofoten outdoor recreation regulation, map 1-1).
  • Drones. Visit Lofoten's drone guide lists Svolvær as a no-fly area because of Svolvær airport.
  • Fires. Norway's general ban on lighting fires in or near forest and other uncultivated land runs from 15 April to 15 September. Visit Lofoten says fires remain allowed where there is clearly no fire hazard, such as grilling on a beach well away from vegetation, or at municipal fire pits, unless the fire service declares a total ban, which also covers beaches and fire pits. The Lofoten outdoor recreation regulation recommends against disposable grills and recommends using designated fire sites.

Good for

  • a swim close to Svolvær
  • kayaking

Getting there

Vågan municipality describes the open area and bathing beach as at the road into Svolvær; its 2021 plan lists safer pedestrian access from the east and west as a planned improvement.

Parking

The Lofoten outdoor recreation regulation bans parking caravans and motorhomes in the Stranda under fjellet car park between 24:00 and 06:00.

Swimming

Vågan's outdoor recreation mapping (Naturbase, 2014) lists it as a bathing place used for kayaking and by nurseries and schools.

Facilities

Vågan municipality's plan (May 2021) reports toilets built at Under Fjell and NOK 1 million set aside for a service building, including an accessible route from the car park to the beach.

Places to stay near Svolvær beach

  • Lofoten Rorbuer

    Rorbu in Svolvær

    A family-run rorbu business in Svolvær harbour, based in an 1828 pier building that was taken down on Svinøya in 1937 and rebuilt at Marinepollen in 1938, with 16 rooms and rorbu suites for two to five people.

    • Waterfront
    • Northern lights
    • Couples
    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

    1.2 km away in a straight line

  • Svinøya Rorbuer

    Rorbu in Svolvær

    A rorbu resort on Svinøya, a small island in Svolvær harbour joined to the town by a bridge, with fishermen's cabins, rorbu suites, historic houses, modern apartments and a manor house set between a fish landing station, quays and fish racks.

    • Northern lights
    • Couples
    • Sauna
    • Kitchen
    Price
    Check current price

    1.4 km away in a straight line

  • Rorbuanlegget Svolvær Havn

    Sea house with rorbuer in Svolvær

    A small group of modern sea houses on Svinøya at the entrance to Svolvær harbour, run by ByLofoten, with six four-bedroom units, a villa with a sea view and a larger residence let on request.

    • Waterfront
    • Sea view
    • Couples
    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

    1.6 km away in a straight line

  • Fast Hotel Lofoten

    Hotel in Svolvær

    A 25-room self-service hotel in a quiet residential street in Svolvær, about 500 m from the town square and beside the Svinøya bridge, run by Fast Hotels without a reception.

    Price
    Check current price

    1.6 km away in a straight line

  • Anker Brygge

    Rorbu in Svolvær

    Rorbu cabins and suites on Lamholmen, a small island in Svolvær harbour, around a former fish factory that now holds Restaurant Kjøkkenet, the Bryggebaren bar and suites. The site dates the main building to about 1860, though one line on its restaurant page says 1880.

    • Waterfront
    • Sea view
    • Couples
    • Families
    Price
    Check current price

    1.7 km away in a straight line

  • Scandic Svolvær

    Hotel in Svolvær

    A 146-room Scandic hotel on Lamholmen in Svolvær harbour, with some balcony rooms facing the sea or mountains and a breakfast room looking over the harbour.

    • Sea view
    Price
    Check current price

    1.8 km away in a straight line

Questions

Is there a beach in Svolvær?
Yes. Stranda under fjellet, locally called Under Fjell, is the bathing beach at the entrance to Svolvær.
Can you camp at the Svolvær beach?
Not between 1 May and 1 October, and motorhomes and caravans may not park there between midnight and 06:00.

Sources

Details last verified 16 September 2026.