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  1. Home
  2. Our Destinations
  3. Norwegian Coast
  4. Norway: Travel Guide
  5. Attractions along the Norwegian Coast
  6. The Arctic Circle
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  • The Arctic Circle monument in winter
    1/4 The Arctic Circle marks the southernmost point for the Midnight Sun in summer and the dark months in winter Photo: Sigrid Peters - Gästefoto Photo
  • Arctic Circle baptism on deck
    2/4 Passengers crossing the Arctic Circle for the first time are given a baptism by King Neptune Photo: Simen G. Fangel Photo
  • Passengers photographing the Arctic Circle monument
    3/4 The Arctic Circle monument can be seen from deck Photo: Madis Särglepp Photo
  • The Vikingen island with a lighthouse and the Arctic Circle monument
    4/4 The small Vikingen island is home to both a lighthouse and the Arctic Circle monument Photo: Nathalie Thill Weber - Gästefoto Photo

The Arctic Circle

Crossing the line to the land of the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights.

An invisible line sweeps across Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland - a line that also splits Norway in two. The magic number 66° 33’ marks this line, the Arctic Circle, north of which the midnight sun shines. Above the line, you can see the sun 24 hours a day throughout the summer - or the Northern Lights in the winter, weather permitting.

On Hurtigruten Voyages along the Norwegian coast, we often celebrate crossing the line with rites such as whistle signals and symbolic on-deck baptisms. You will see the line marked on a globe on the small islet of Vikingen, in Rødøy Municipality between Nesna and Ørnes. To the west of this point is the island of Hestmannen, which was depicted in the Nordland legend about trolls that were suddenly turned into stone, becoming the mountains along the Nordland coast. Eastwards, Mefjorden continues up to the Svartisen glacier.

The exact location of the Arctic Circle varies each time you travel past it. Over the course of a full year, the virtual line shifts by almost 15 metres – while Vikingen and its Arctic Circle Monument remain firmly in place. The exact position of the line depends on the angle of the earth’s axis compared to the plane of its orbit at the time.

Related cruises

  • Multiple offers
    12 days Regular departures

    The Classic Roundtrip Voyage

    • Discover our entire original coastal route with 34 ports of call, sailing past more than 100 fjords and 1,000 mountains
    • Cross the Arctic Circle and hunt the Northern Lights in winter, or enjoy 24 hours of daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer
    • Spring and Autumn voyages showcase the brilliant colours, magical light and fascinating culture of Arctic Norway
    • Wide choice of optional excursions and onboard Hurtigruten Guides who lead included activities and interpret the cultural and natural treasures on your voyage
    Price from
    1754 €
  • Multiple offers
    6 days Regular departures

    Classic Voyage South

    • Experience the natural wonder of Lofoten
    • Explore the beautiful and exciting Norwegian coastline
    • Search for the Northern Lights in winter, and the Midnight Sun in summer
    • Join exciting sea and land-based activities
    Price from
    1017 €
  • Multiple offers
    7 days Regular departures

    Classic Voyage North

    • Discover countless fjords, mountains, islands and waterfalls
    • Cross the Arctic Circle to hunt the Northern Lights in winter, and enjoy around the clock daylight under the Midnight Sun in summer
    • Enjoy adventurous and exciting land and sea excursions
    • Learn from our Hurtigruten Guides as they lead lectures and activities both at sea and on shore
    Price from
    1193 €

Further reading

  • Attractions along the Norwegian Coast
  • North cape – visit Nordkapp and explore the amazing view

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The leopard seal is named for its spotted fur coat. Famous for their fierce nature, these animals are one of the primary predators in Antarctica, using their powerful jaws and long teeth to hunt fish, squid, penguins, and even other seals.  Fascinatingly, leopard seals have no ear flaps, but rather hear from the inside.
📷: @fotografkalvig /Hurtigruten
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #wildlife #seal #leopardseal We agree with @nytimes—there are so many places to love on earth, and Svalbard is definitely one of our favorites, too. What's one place you hope to visit in 2021? Read the article at nytimes.com. 
📷: Espen Mills / Hurtigruten
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#svalbard #weexplore #hurtigruten #nytimes #newyorktimes Deception Island is a distinctive ring-shaped volcanic caldera, a portion of which has collapsed and created a navigable opening into the flooded interior. The natural harbour within includes Whalers Bay, home to an abandoned whaling station known as Hektor, as well as a derelict British base. Do you have Deception Island on your bucket list?
📷: Karsten Bidstrup / Hurtigruten .
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #deceptionisland #adventuretravel #expedition #travel #bucketlist

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