You have probably heard Norway referred to as ‘the land of the midnight sun’ due to periods of the year when the sun never sets. But what causes this fascinating phenomenon and where can you experience it for yourself?
What is the Midnight Sun?
The midnight sun is just as it sounds; instead of going down as usual, the sun remains in the sky. It occurs in places south of the Antarctic Circle and north of the Arctic Circle – including Northern Norway where it can be seen from late April until August. The reason why it occurs is complex but there’s a good explanation here.
Is the night exactly like the daytime?
Not quite. The further away one is from the Arctic the weaker the strength of the midnight sun. In Norway the light is dappled around the midnight mark and it looks more like early evening than night. After this point the sun starts to get brighter again as it rises.
Where are the best places to experience it?
Svalbard
In Svalbard, the northernmost inhabited region of Europe, there is no sunset from around April 19 to August 23. If you are keen to experience 24-hour daylight, this is the place to go.
Tromso
Locals embrace the long ‘white nights’ in this lively university city. Dance the hours away at the Bukta music festival or sign up to run the Midnight Sun Marathon.
Sommaroy
Prepare to lose all sense of time if you visit this island in western Tromso. In 2019 the 300 inhabitants announced their intention to become a ‘time-free’ zone during the 70 days of midnight sun the island experiences each year. “If we want to cut the grass at midnight we will. If we want to take a swim at 4am we will,” they state in their campaign video.
Cape Nordkinn
Experienced hikers will be rewarded with one of the best views in the country on trails from Mehammn or Sandfjordvannene out to the Cape. The Cape is the northmost point on the European mainland and offers the sight of the midnight sun poised just above the horizon.
What can you do when the sun never sets?
Imagine any activity you would usually do in the day and then plan to do it at 2am. Hang out on the white sand beaches around Tromso and take a dip at midnight. Join a guided glacier hike or kayak fjord tour in Svalbard. Go for a bike ride or throw yourself into some 24-hour partying at one of the country’s many midnight sun festivals.
Whatever you do, you’ll create memories to last a lifetime. Don’t let transport slow you down – book your rental car today.