The Midnight Sun in Norway: Your Official Guide for Campers

The Midnight Sun in Norway is something everyone should experience at least once in their life. For some, it’s the perfect excuse to party all night long, for others it’s the perfect opportunity to tackle the ultimate trip itinerary – but, whatever the reason, this natural phenomenon is not to be missed, offering a unique experience that comes with a few additional perks.

The best way to have the Midnight Sun Experience of your dreams is by chasing adventure in one of our campers. This immediately opens the door to a legion of opportunities that those stuck on a tour or left without transport won’t be able to have. Here’s why it promises to be the experience of a lifetime:

Why is Norway Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”?

Ever heard real estate agents proclaim “location, location, location!”? Well, when it comes to experiencing the Midnight Sun in Norway, it couldn’t be more on the nose. If you can picture one of those old school globes, one found on the desks of very important men back in the day, you might remember the strange tilt.

The world looks like a slightly tipsy tourist cruising the Las Vegas strip – always curiously leaning at an angle. In the Earth’s case, that tilt is an exact 23.5 degrees towards the sun. This means that the northern part of the earth (everything North of the Arctic Circle) gets 24-hour days midsummer, even despite the sun taking a quick dip behind the horizon in most regions.

So, why is Norway known as the Land of the Midnight Sun? Well, have you ever been to the North Pole? Except for polar bears, seals, endless landscapes of ice, and a mythical man handing out presents once a year, it doesn’t have a lot going for it. So, unless you’re a researcher, biologist, or climate activist, a Midnight Sun experience in most far-north regions probably won’t be the highlight of your year.

Norway offers spectacular natural beauty, but with the perks of civilization. A Midnight Sun here can mean going to a music festival, partying with friends in town, going on late-night hikes or fishing, having chats around a campsite fire, taking a relaxing stroll through a small town’s streets, or just enjoying the phenomenon from the window of your comfy accommodation.

Whatever you envision your Midnight Sun experience to be, Norway will be able to deliver based on your specific needs and personal preferences.

Why a Campervan is a Good Option for Your Midnight Sun Adventure in Norway

Just like the Midnight Sun, a campervan also has a few additional perks:

• It’s budget-friendly. If you rent a campervan, you take care of both your transport and accommodation.
• You’re in control. With your hands firmly on the steering wheel, you are the captain of your own Midnight Sun adventure. Where you go, when you go, and how long you want to stay is ultimately up to you and your party.
• It’s flexible. By pre-booking traditional accommodation or booking a spot on a tour, your trip itinerary will be pretty set in stone. With a camper, you can honestly go when and wherever adventure takes you. And, as long as you’re respectful and follow the rules of Allemannsretten (Right to Roam), wild camping along the way is also a possibility.
• It’s Immersive. The only way you can be more immersed in the Norwegian landscape is if you go camping with a tent. A camper will allow you to go to places and have experiences that more traditional tourists will never get to see or experience.
• It’s UBER comfortable. How could it not be? You’ve essentially turned yourself into a snail, where you’ll have all your creature comforts with you wherever you go.

What’s the Best Time to See the Midnight Sun in Norway?

The answer to this question will once again rely on location. Remember, the closer you are to the North Pole, the sooner your Midnight Sun experience will begin and the longer it’ll last.

Therefore, the best time to see the Midnight Sun in Norway will differ (and become a longer period of time) the further north you go. Generally speaking, you can have a Midnight Sun experience in Norway from late May to late July, although this depends on where you are in the country:

Where to See the Midnight Sun in Norway

There are a number of popular Midnight Sun destinations here in Norway, and, as you may have already guessed, most are in the northern parts of the country.

These locations include Tromso, the Lofoten Islands, Kirkenes, the North Cape, and Svalbard (the latter gets a bit technical when it comes to being part of Norway and is also probably the closest you’ll get to that North Pole experience we were talking about earlier).

Here are the best times to experience the Midnight Sun in these locations:

Is the Midnight Sun in Norway Really Worth the Travel?

Absolutely! The once-in-a-lifetime experience of such a natural phenomenon, the social setting and celebrations, the outdoor activities – it all just accumulates into memories that’ll last a lifetime! Just take note of the following when you plan your Midnight Sun trip:

• Bring a sleep mask and set reminders on your phone for when it’s time to go to bed and get up. The constant daylight can really do a number on some people’s circadian rhythms.
• Pace yourself. Some get overly excited and overdo it on their jam-packed trip itineraries (and you don’t want to be burnt out by day 3).
• Focus on layers when packing. You’ll mostly be in Northern Norway, where it’s generally colder (yes, even in summer), but it can be pretty toasty indoors or while busy with activities outdoors. By wearing layers, you’ll always be able to take something off or put something on depending on the situation.

Time to Prep!

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Then get planning and prepping! Remember, summer is peak season here in Norway, and you can’t leave bookings to the last minute, or you’ll surely be disappointed.

So, book that flight, book your campervan rental in Norway, and book any specific activities and tours, such as the whale watching boat tours, so you’re ready to head out and explore from the moment you arrive. Happy travels and enjoy your 24-hour days!