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The midnight sun

See the warm and magical light of the midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle, which makes it possible to go sailing or hiking no matter what time of day it is.

THE LAND OF MIDNIGHT SUN

Midnight sun in Greenland is practically a state of mind, and it makes the traditional concept of time lose all its meaning. You may as well leave your watch in your suitcase, because the day has neither a beginning nor an end.

Children on roller skates dash down the street in the middle of the night with the sun hanging low on the horizon. Small motorboats chug out of the harbour and groups of people sit dotted around the hills enjoying the never-ending rays of sunshine.

During the summer, small communities buzz with life until the early hours.

WHERE TO SEE THE MIDNIGHT SUN

So where and when is it best to see the midnight sun? Midnight sun can be experienced north of the Arctic Circle for a period lasting from a single day to five months, depending on how far north you travel.

In central Greenland the sun does not set from the end of May until the end of July. During this period, the soft, warm rays from the low-lying sun make the surrounding scenery appear almost dreamlike; icebergs and hilltops are bathed in a surreal palette of pink, purple, yellow and red.

"During the summer, small communities buzz with life until the early hours."

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Are you dreaming of going to Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €24
Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM 830€
Tasermiut Expeditions: Greenland Northern Lights

Tasermiut Expeditions

Greenland Northern Lights

Admire northern lights from mid August to Sept. in one of the best spots: Qaleraliq Glacier camp. Hikes & Zodiac navigation among icebergs

FROM €2,195
Icelandic Mountain guides: From Sun Gate to Icefjord

Greenland Adventures by Icelandic Mountain Guides

From Sun Gate to Icefjord

This trip will instill peace and quiet in you as you take in the Greenland ice cap, a massive ice field, ancient and still.

FROM €2,100
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THE SUN’S RAYS ON TOP OF THE WORLD

This unusual phenomenon is due to the tilt of the Earth’s axis and its orbit around the sun.

The relationship of the two means that, during summer north of the Arctic Circle, the sun is visible around the clock. In contrast, the region is characterised by dark polar nights during the winter.

In the southerly regions of Greenland that do not lie above the Arctic Circle, there is no midnight sun, although the nights certainly do remain light during the summer months.

SUMMER SUNSHINE AND WINTER DARKNESS

The number of days of continuous summer sunshine and winter darkness depend on the latitude of the places you visit.

The most northerly town, Qaanaaq, has both the highest number of days with midnight sun and the most winter darkness. However, reflections of moonlight in the snow and the glow from the Northern Lights help to light up the landscape during this period.

Midnight Sun - Two hikers enjoying the sunset near Qenertivartivit in Ammassalik Fjord near Kulusuk in East Greenland
Ilulissat in midnight sun, seen from the sea, by Iurie Belegurschi
A hiker descending the mountain Ukkusissaq - Store Malene in the midnight sun outside Nuuk in Greenland
A hiker on Ukkusissaq - Stroe Malene in the midnight sun overlooking Sermitsiaq near Nuuk in Greenland. By Mads Pihl

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Icebergs I photographed this group of photographers in the Disko Bay one early morning. I still think they were pushing the limits a little bit with regards to how close to the edge of ice they seem to be, but I'm guessing the captain was in 100% control. By Stian Klo Northern lights over mountains. By Mads Pihl The northern lights
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