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  1. Home
  2. Our Destinations
  3. Norwegian Coast
  4. Norway: Travel Guide
  5. The Midnight Sun
Updating your booking
  • Hurtigruten sailing during one of those never-ending summer days in Norway
    1/8 Hurtigruten sailing during one of those never-ending summer days in Norway Photo
  • “In recent days, I’ve thought and thought about the eternal summer days in Nordland.” (Knut Hamsun, Nobel Prize winning Norwegian author)
    2/8 “In recent days, I’ve thought and thought about the eternal summer days in Nordland.” (Knut Hamsun, Nobel Prize winning Norwegian author) Photo
  • A sunset over a body of water
    3/8 Photo: Catrin Lehnert Photo
  • Capture the Midnight Sun along the Norwegian Coast
    4/8 Capture the Midnight Sun along the Norwegian Coast Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen Photo
  • Midnight Sun on deck
    5/8 24 hours natural reading light on deck with the Midnight Sun Photo: Stein J Bjørge Photo
  • You shouldn't wait to go to bed until the sun goes down - you might have to wait a month
    6/8 You shouldn't wait to go to bed until the sun goes down - you might have to wait a month Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo Photo
  • Enjoy the view from deck all day and all night
    7/8 Enjoy the view from deck all day and all night Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo Photo
  • Experience the Midnight Sun from the deck on MS Midnatsol
    8/8 Experience the Midnight Sun from the deck Photo: Ørjan Bertelsen Photo

The Midnight Sun

What is this phenomena, and when can you see it?

It is past midnight, you check your watch but cannot really believe you've got the right time. You should have been sleepy, but there is not even a hint of a yawn. The reason for all the confusion is right above you. Bright and shiny, the sun seems to be oblivious of time as you sail past fjords, islands and mountains in full daylight, in the middle of the night. You are north of the Polar Circle and experiencing the Midnight Sun.

What is the Midnight Sun phenomenon?

The Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon that occurs north of 66° N 33’, between the vernal equinox and autumnal equinox. During the midnight sun period the sun does not go under the horizon at all.

To experience the Midnight Sun you must go north of the Polar Circle, the fine theoretical line that traverses Sweden, Finland, Russia, Alaska, Canada, Greenland and Iceland. This line also divides Norway into two. You don’t see it, but you most certainly notice the difference when you go north of it. There you will see the sun all day long throughout summer – as long as the weather holds.

When can I experience the Midnight Sun in Norway?

Above the Arctic Circle you can experience the Midnight Sun season from May till end of July, depending on where you are. You can find dates and times of Midnight Sun in Norway below:

LOCATION FIRST DAY LAST DAY
North Cape 13 May 31 July
Hammerfest 16 May 28 July
Vardø 16 May 28 July
Tromsø 20 May 25 July
Harstad 24 May 20 July
Svolvær 28 May 17 July
Bodø 03 June 11 July

 

 

Summer is the most popular time to visit Norway, and here you'll see just why...

Instead of forcing yourself to go to bed, how about bringing Hemingway or Hamsun up on deck with you, take a seat and enjoy the world´s most beautiful natural reading light? Or just let your thoughts wander while you watch the light reflect from the surface of the ripples, or study the ship's shadows playing in the water?

The Midnight Sun is just as much a feeling as it is something to see. You will find warmer places pretty much all over the world, but the warm feeling of the Midnight Sun is something special – a feeling that will stay with you for a long time.

  • Experience the Midnight Sun on a cruise with Hurtigruten

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

  • The Norwegian Fjords
  • The Northern Lights

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What's better than a warm embrace from someone you love? We hope we can all hug each other soon again. For now, we're sending you a virtual hug for National Hug Day. 📷: Chelsea Claus / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #nationalhugday #hug #penguin #antarctica #travel #adventuretravel #wildlife For Penguin Awareness Day, here are some facts you might not know about everyone's favorite flightless bird: 
- Their black and white "tuxedo" is a smart camouflage called countershading
- You'll never actually see them with polar bears (despite what you've seen in classic cartoons)
- Penguins huddle together to protect themselves—or to stay warm
- You can see this fascinating creature if you go with Hurtigruten to Antarctica (but this we bet you knew already!)
 📸: Ingemund Skålnes / Hurtigruten The Lemaire Channel is a narrow strait surrounded by cliffs and glaciers that runs seven miles in length and just under a mile wide. This scenic route is one of the most photogenic spots in all of Antarctica, and has even been dubbed the 'Kodak Gap.' Grab your camera and get ready for some amazing photos and breathtaking landscapes. 
📷: @glr.photo / Hurtigruten 
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#hurtigruten #weexplore #antarctica #lemairechannel #naturephotography #sunset #travel

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