5 places where the sun never sets (or never rises): How travellers experience it

The midnight sun is remarkable on its own, but what makes it truly magical is how it transforms the experience of Svalbard—letting travellers enjoy sunlight around the clock. As evening sets in, the Sun dips lower in the sky, washing the landscape in a golden glow and, on clear days, creating a soft, radiant haze. It’s the perfect moment to venture outdoors: guided mountain hikes, late-night snowmobile trips, kayaking along the fjord, or scenic boat excursions all become unforgettable under this light. For those who prefer moving at their own pace, private guides from local activity operators can arrange safe, personalised evening adventures into the wilderness beyond Longyearbyen.

The midnight sun is remarkable on its own, but what makes it truly magical is how it transforms the experience of Svalbard—letting travellers enjoy sunlight around the clock. As evening sets in, the Sun dips lower in the sky, washing the landscape in a golden glow and, on clear days, creating a soft, radiant haze. It’s the perfect moment to venture outdoors: guided mountain hikes, late-night snowmobile trips, kayaking along the fjord, or scenic boat excursions all become unforgettable under this light. For those who prefer moving at their own pace, private guides from local activity operators can arrange safe, personalised evening adventures into the wilderness beyond Longyearbyen.

The Alaskan town of Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), home to about 4,600 people, saw its last sunset of the year on November 18, marking the beginning of its annual polar night — a period of around 65 days without direct sunlight. Located approximately 483 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, this northernmost community in North America enters extended darkness as the Northern Hemisphere tilts away from the Sun between the September and March equinoxes. As a result, daylight steadily diminishes at high latitudes and reaches its deepest point near the December solstice.

The midnight sun remains above the horizon from 22 May to 23 July, lasting 63 days, while the period of continuous winter darkness is shorter — the polar night extends from 2 December to 10 January, spanning 40 days. Summer in the world’s largest Arctic city feels endlessly active, with harbour walks and outdoor cafés operating under perpetual day. Winter brings dim blue hours, snow-heavy streets, and northern-lights tours.

In Greenland, summer brings the enchanting midnight sun, turning each day into an endless adventure. Children skate down streets at midnight under the low-hanging sun, while small motorboats leave the harbor and people gather on hillsides, all bathed in the surreal, dreamlike light. North of the Arctic Circle, time seems to blur as the sun refuses to set. During this period, the low sun casts warm shades of pink, purple, yellow, and red, illuminating hilltops, icebergs, and fjords. The soft, lingering rays create an otherworldly panorama of Greenland’s rugged landscape, offering travellers a view unlike any other.

From late May to late July, Tromsø experiences the midnight sun season, which offers travellers the perfect reason to stay up all night long. One can take advantage of those endless daylight to go and experience activities like mountain hiking, biking, or simply spend time with friends and family. Then there are local activity providers too who offer guided midnight sun tours, whether by RIB, boat, or along scenic fjord drives, there’s a unique way to experience the long summer nights.