What is the Midnight Sun
The midnight sun of the Lofoten Islands is the time when the sun does not set at night. The Lofoten Islands are located above the Arctic Circle and are an amazing place to observe this beautiful natural phenomenon. The Lofoten Islands are located just 200 km north of the Arctic Circle, and the sun is above the horizon for almost two months.
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Midnight Sun, like the Northern Lights is an exotic sight for residents of the middle and southern latitudes.
The Midnight sun in Norway
| Location | Dates | |
| The Arctic Circle | 12 June–1 July | |
| Bodø | 4 June–8 July | |
| Svolvær | 28 May–14 July | |
| Harstad | 25 May–18 July | |
| Bardufoss | 23 May–19 July | |
| Andenes | 22 May–21 July | |
| Tromsø | 20 May–22 July | |
| Bossekopp | 19 May–24 July | |
| Vardø | 17 May–26 July | |
| Hammerfest | 16 May–27 July | |
| Berlevåg | 15 May–28 July | |
| The North Cape | 14 May–29 July | |
| Longyearbyen | 20 April–22 August |
The Lofoten Islands are the land of the midnight sun. And if it’s good, clear weather, you’ll admire it.
I, like thousands of other travellers, force myself to go to bed with difficulty because of the strong daylight at night. But like a lot of people, I’m breaking the daily regime.
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I tried to get to the Lofoten Islands, avoiding the midnight sun. I am a landscape photographer and I need a special time of day: sunset, dawn, twilight, darkness, etc.
I once convinced my wife to visit the Lofoten Islands. She likes warmth, sea, and sun.
A week later I convinced her that the Lofoten Islands have beautiful beaches, sea, and in July the sun does not set at night. I presented my best photographs in the hope that this would confirm my words, and she finally agreed. The day before the trip, I advised her to take all the warm things just in case. My wife was a little confused, but it was too late to change our plans, so we went to the Lofoten Islands on July 7th.
I knew I would see the midnight sun and it might interfere with my landscape photography. Everything was pretty good for everyone and we both enjoyed this extraordinary experience.
During one of our amazing days on the Lofoten Islands, we decided to spend the night in an orange tent near the beach. To my surprise, I couldn’t sleep despite the late hour and pain in my legs after a whole day of walking among the mountains.
Sometime later I started writing my travel notes, which calculated that it might help me sleep faster, but it did not work. Two hours later, just in case, I left the tent with my camera and tripod and headed for the beach. Suddenly, I noticed that many travelers were also walking and watching the amazing sunset of the Lofoten Islands. The time was 1 a.m.
While I was filming, I noticed that the sun was beginning to rise above the horizon, so it meant a new day had begun.
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It’s very difficult to fall asleep during the Midnight Sun. It looks like the sun is charging you with energy so you can see more beautiful places and forget about time limits.
When can you see the Midnight Sun in the Lofoten Islands?
The midnight sun sets on the Lofoten Islands from 26 May to 17 July.
Although May and the first half of June is not a good time to visit the Lofoten Islands, there is little time to see the midnight sun.
After 17 July, the sun starts to sink beyond the horizon but daylight will last until mid-August, it would be useful to mention that you will not see darkness at night – it will be twilight.
If you want to get really good pictures of the nature of the Lofoten Islands, you should go to the mountains after 10 pm. and go back even the next day in the morning. The midnight sun will be a wonderful addition to your trip.
TOP 10 the best place to see the midnight sun in Lofoten.
People often ask me: where can I observe the midnight sun? I made a top list of the best places.
Eggum
Eggum is a popular place to watch the Midnight Sun. It really is. Sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. But for landscape photography, it’s not the best place to visit.
Unstad beach
You can watch the Midnight Sun here or walk to Eggum along the coast.
Uttakleiv beach
Uttakleiv beach is a famous beach in the Lofoten Islands and one of the best beaches to watch the midnight sun of the Lofoten Islands.
Read my article: The 5 best beaches of Lofoten Islands
Mannen mountain.
If you want to enjoy the stunning views from Mannen Mountain, you should start at Haukland Beach and after 30-40 minutes you will be there. All of the Lofoten Islands are overlooking from Mannen. You will have a great pleasure if you go hiking in the mountain at night.
Holandsmelen mountain.
Mount Holandsmelen is also located near Haukland Beach. The best way to get to Holandsmelen is to drive from Haukland Beach to the beginning of Holandsmelen. Parking is close by.
Hiking to Mount Holandsmelen is not difficult but takes more time than to Mannen. From Holandsmelen you also have a magical view of the Midnight Sun and the Lofoten Islands in all parts of the world.
Myrland
It’s a tiny fishing village. Not far from this village there is a very small but beautiful beach with expressive boulders. It is a very good point of view for taking pictures and observing the Midnight Sun.
Storsandnes beach
It is also a very beautiful place, located near the road to Myrland. If you have the necessary tourist equipment, you can set up wild camping here. I highly recommend this beach.
Skagsanden beach
If you go down from the parking lot to the beach and turn right, you can find a good foreground for your pictures. The midnight sun is here.
Fredwang Strand
This is one of the best beaches where you can see The Midnight Sun. Nothing blocks the view of the horizon and the mountain peaks that frame the beach. In my personal opinion, you should not camp in this place due to the very used equipment, high prices, and not friendly staff.
If you are not planning to stay here, the best option is to go to the beach along the coast because the owner of the camping site attacks and shouts at everyone who has traveled without paying for the camping site.
Ryten
It’s a real adventure.
Kvalvika Beach and Ryten are the most popular places in the Lofoten Islands. Midnight sunshine can be seen from Kvalvika beach until mid-July. If you want to see the vast Atlantic Ocean and the Midnight Sun, you should climb to the top of Ryten.
Booking.comThe Midnight Sun of the Lofoten Islands is an amazing natural phenomenon and it will really impress you.
Tips for photographing the Midnight Sun
- to shoot when the sun is close to the horizon. It’ll be interesting.
- Avoid glare. Flare often appears in the sun when taking pictures. Look at the pictures.
3. Place any subjects in the foreground and background and show beautiful sunlight and long shadows.
4. Take interval shots if your camera has this function. Start shooting when the sun goes out of the horizon, and finish when it starts to rise. This will be a very interesting video.
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