6 Places on Earth Where the Sun Never Sets

Norway

The Kingdom of Norway is a country in Northern Europe, where it sits on the Scandinavian Peninsula and covers an area of more than 148,000 square miles. The country also contains remote Arctic islands and territories. Norway is also known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun.” For around 76 days out of the year, Norway, which is situated in the Arctic Circle, never sees the Sun set.

The Sun shines continuously from mid-April to late August in Svalbard, Norway. In other places in Norway, the Sun shines from May to late July and residents live in sunlight for around 20 hours a day. The sky during this period gives a reddish-yellow light, which appears like a sunset and sunrise mixed together. Summer nights in Norway are definitely special. If you get the opportunity to trek through the wilderness during this time, you will see nature and wildlife in a truly unique way.

Canada

This North American country is the second largest in the world by total area. It also contains the world’s longest coastline and international border. Canada is a sparsely populated country with 40% of its land mass residing in the Arctic and northern territories, such as Nunavut, Yukon, and other parts of the Northwest Territories. For about 50 days during the summer, places in the Arctic Circle experience constant sunlight. Nunavut is two degrees above the Arctic Circle and sees two whole months a year of sunlight 24 hours a day. In contrast, it’s plunged into darkness for 30 consecutive days during the winter.

Iceland

The Nordic island country of Iceland sits between the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, between Europe and North America. This far northern country is sparsely populated due to its harsh climate and landscape. The season of the midnight sun occurs mid-May to mid-July, where the sky never gets entirely dark. Instead, it casts a magical twilight glow throughout the days and nights. In Reykjavik, Iceland’s largest city, you can experience 24 hours of light from mid-June until the end of the month. During this period, the Sun doesn’t set until after midnight. While there is much to see and explore with more hours of daylight, Icelandic people have to ensure they still get proper rest. This is true for all countries that experience midnight suns.

Alaska

Alaska is a non-contiguous state in America bordered by British Columbia and Yukon in Canada. It’s located in the far northwestern corner of North America and is the largest state by area. Canada has more land than Texas, Montana, and California combined. Alaska’s North Slope and Brooks Range comprise the region of the state within the Arctic Circle. Fairbanks is known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun” in Alaska, as the Sun shines 24 hours a day during the summer. The midnight sun season runs from mid-April to mid-August and the Sun never fully sets. You can wake up in the middle of the night and still find people walking the dog and gardening.

Sweden

Officially known as the Kingdom of Sweden, this Northern European country is on the Scandinavian Peninsula. Like other countries on this list, Sweden has several Arctic territories, such as Vasterbotten and Norrbotten. About 15% of Sweden’s land falls within the Arctic Circle, although these areas are mostly uninhabited. From early May to late August, Sweden residents experience Sun for most of the day. It doesn’t set until after midnight and is right back at 4:30 am.

Finland

The Republic of Finland is another Nordic country in Northern Europe. One-third of Finland’s territory is above the Arctic Circle, which is referred to as Lapland, or the Finnish Arctic. Lapland experiences daylight for two to four months during the summer, depending on how far north you are. On average, the area experiences the midnight sun for 73 days.