Midnight Sun is a natural phenomenon rather than a building, and it is best experienced as a viewpoint at Nordkapp, on the island of Magerรธya in Finnmark, northern Norway. Here the sun stays visible through the night during the summer months, a effect of the region's position above the Arctic Circle.
What to expect
During the midnight sun period the light never fully fades. The sun may dip toward the horizon in the small hours and climb again, so the sky keeps a golden glow at any hour. Visitors often find that the usual rhythm of day and night loosens, and that time seems to stretch out on the cliffs.
- A clear sky gives the best view of the sun over the open Arctic Ocean.
- The viewpoint is exposed to wind, so bring warm layers even in summer.
- Because the light lasts all night, the phenomenon suits late-evening and early-morning walks as much as the afternoon.
Getting there and around
Nordkapp is reached by road across the North Cape plateau, and the address given is 9764 Nordkapp, Norway. The surrounding landscape of bare tundra and sheer coast is part of the appeal, so allow time to look around the area as well as at the sun itself.
The midnight sun is an experience to plan around the season rather than a fixed event, since it is tied to the summer months. For a visitor drawn to northern light and open horizons, a night at Nordkapp offers something few other places in Europe can give.
