Ice and six months of day and night are the first two things that come to mind when we think about a place like Antarctica. In the simplest terms, that is how most people perceive the continent.
However, did you know that there is another location on our globe that enjoys continuous daylight for four months? It’s a long way from the white continent.
Between 20 April and 22 August of each year, Norway experiences natural phenomena. The region, known as the Land of the Midnight Sun, celebrates the four-month stretch of daylight with events and festivities.
Which areas experience the “Midnight Sun”?
Helgeland
Helgeland, in Northern Norway’s most southern region, is located just below the Arctic Circle. This place just gets better with every look. Follow the Kystriksveien Coastal Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives, through secluded white beach coves, sleepy communities like Brnnysund and Mosjen, and fantastic treks in mountain ranges like De syv sstre and Okstindan. No car is necessary when using the local ferries to travel between the small islands of Traena, Lovund, and Myken on your bike.
Lofoten and Vesterålen
The islands of Lofoten and Vesteralen are places of outstanding natural beauty distinguished by dramatic, rocky peaks that rise up from the sea and coastal flatlands where sheep graze. If you continue traveling to the northwest across the sea, you will arrive at these islands. Additionally, the area is filled with charming fishing villages and gorgeous white beaches. Visit the Lofotr Viking Museum to learn more about Viking culture, take a day trip to the incredibly small Trollfjord (where you’re likely to see sea eagles), and embark on a whale safari from Andenes.
Bodø and Salten
The Coastal Route extends all the way to Bod after crossing the Arctic Circle and entering the Salten region. Bod is not only a significant transportation center, but it’s also a fascinating area in its own right. Visit fascinating museums, be amazed by Saltstraumen, the strongest maelstrom on Earth, go back in time to Kjerringy, Norway’s best-preserved seaside trading station, and go hiking in the Brvasstindan mountain range. Then you can board a boat and travel to some of Salten’s magnificent islands, like Steigen, Hamary, Sttt, Bolga, and Rdy. A trip to the Svartisen glacier, which is close to Bod, is equally essential.
Troms
Troms, a bustling city in Troms County, is frequently referred to as “the Paris of the north” and enjoys an entire month of continuous sunshine. However, it’s possible that the stunning islands of Senja, Ringvassya, and Kvalya offer an even better experience of the midnight sun. Or why not visit tiny Sommary, where the residents seek to establish a “time-free zone” during the summer because there is daylight all the time and nobody follows the clock there? In the middle of a beautiful night, the mountainous Lyngenfjord region near Troms is a paradise for hiking, fishing, and cycling.
Finmark
The northernmost point on Norway’s mainland is here. The North Cape, which is the farthest point in Europe where you can drive, is where those seeking the midnight sun usually go. However, Finnmark county, the home of the king crab, is a sizable region with much unspoiled wilderness. You may explore glaciers, fjords, and sizable islands like Sri Lanka and Seiland along the shore. The Varanger region in the far east is renowned for its top-notch birdwatching. You can go through Finnmarksvidda, Norway’s largest alpine plateau, which is populated primarily by reindeer rather than humans. Sami culture, particularly in Karasjok and Kautokeino, was also born in this region.