The Midnight Sun in Norway
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The Midnight Sun

From late May to late July the sun never completely descends beneath the horizon in areas north of the Arctic Circle - hence Norway being known as the "Land of the Midnight Sun".

Sunlight all night long

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The midnight sun is occurring in summer months in the northern parts of Norway. The sun remains visible the whole night.

The number of days per year with potential midnight sun increases the farther poleward one goes.

In Svalbard, Norway, the northernmost inhabited region of Europe, there is no sunset from approximately 19 April to 23 August.

The opposite phenomenon of the midnight sun is polar night, which occurs in winter when the sun stays below the horizon throughout the day.

When and where to experience the midnight sun

The Midnight Sun in Norway: The dates when the whole sun is above the horizon.

Place First time Last time
Svalbard 19 April 23 August
Nordkapp 13 May 29 July
Hammerfest 16 May 26 July
Vardø 17 May 25 July
Tromsø 20 May 22 July
Harstad 24 May 18 July
Svolvær 28 May 14 July
Bodø 03 May 08 July
Arctic Circle 12 May 01 July

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