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The midnight sun

Turn your sights northward to the Arctic Circle in Greenland to find relaxation and new energy in the land of the midnight sun.

MIDNIGHT SUN IN GREENLAND

The sun is one of the most ordinary elements in life, rising and setting every day to create day and night. But every summer north of the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun foils this conventional understanding of time.

Stark white daylight turns into warm evening hues, but still the sun remains in plain sight for one perpetual day. Though you may not be looking for it when you come to Greenland, the inner peace, rejuvenation, and inspiration you find here will be a welcome surprise.

“If you have not seen the Midnight Sun setting behind the wall of icebergs, then you have missed something fundamental in your life!”

Package Tours

Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

Take a whale safari in Disko Bay and have a unique experience.

FROM €160
Disko Line: Icefjord Cruise

Disko Line

Icefjord Cruise

Get closer to the impressive Greenlandic nature with Icefjord Cruise.

FROM €93
Disko Line: Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Disko Line

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

FROM €327
Greenland Travel: Summer impressions in Greenland

Greenland Travel

Summer impressions in Greenland

Greenland’s most popular sites: the Greenland Ice Sheet at Kangerlussuaq, the capital of Nuuk and, the world-famous Ilulissat Ice Fjord.

From €3,625
Show More

A LIFE RE-ENERGIZED

The midnight sun and the endless days it creates are, at best, a fabled tale for many people. But standing in Greenland, where the midnight sun circles overhead and adds a bit of softness to the rough landscape, there is suddenly a dose of reality to the legend. It gives a new perspective to see that such simple and natural elements do exist in a world that is too often clouded by busy lifestyle and concrete jungles.

Without the white sandy beaches and the scorching temperatures, the Arctic may seem like an unlikely place for a relaxation holiday. But basking in the midnight sun, and embracing the new outlook it causes, provides the same sense of renewal one often seeks in the southerly latitudes. It is quite common to feel energized by the midnight sun in Greenland, feeling that you can stay up long into the night as your body begins to sync with the sky overhead.

  • Where to see the midnight sun in Greenland:
    Anywhere above the Arctic Circle. The midnight sun arrives first in Greenland’s northernmost towns – like Qaanaaq, Upernavik and Uummannaq.
    Here, it also stays the longest.

  • When to see the midnight sun in Greenland:
    Summer. The midnight sun is visible between late-April and late-August in Greenland’s northernmost towns. Closer to the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun is visible between early-June and mid-July.

  • The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon in which the sun does not set for a matter of days or months.

  • Many towns offer evening excursions to showcase the midnight sun

  • Hotels and accommodations are outfitted with blackout curtains to block the midnight sun at night.

TWICE THE LIGHT, TWICE THE DAYS

Greenlanders take much pride in their culture, which is still deeply entwined with nature despite an otherwise modern lifestyle. As a nation of pioneering people we have an uncanny ability to read the environment, and we always accept what it gives us. So when the summer months grant us the midnight sun, we take full advantage. We spend as much time outdoors as possible, letting the extra light give us a surplus charge in our batteries for the coming winter.

With daylight limitations a distant memory from the south, your own energy level and thirst for exploration are free to set the schedule. At the harbor, fishing boats file in one by one after a full day at sea. Watch as they return home with long shadows trailing in their wakes. Or push forward into the night on your outdoor adventure to see the mountains and sea cloaked in every shade of gold.

Tour operators are also keen to relish in the midnight sun in Greenland, and many offer nighttime excursions to admire the lovely sky. Indeed, one of the finest experiences north of the Arctic Circle is midnight sun sailing through waters spotted with ice. Whether you weave between the mammoth icebergs outside the Ilulissat glacier or navigate through pack ice off the northeast coast with an expedition ship, the sight of the midnight sun playing amongst the ridged and angled ice is an essential experience.

WHITE NIGHTS

The full midnight sun in Greenland is spectacular, but we will let you in on a little secret – its effects can actually be felt all over Greenland, so don’t fret if you cannot make it past the Arctic Circle this time. Even in Greenland’s southernmost towns like Qaqortoq and Nanortalik, there are nearly 20 hours between sunrise and sunset, and the nights are still quite light by typical standards.

Local providers

Double bed at Nuka Hostel in Ilulissat, North Greenland. Photo by Nuka Hostel

Hotel Nuka

Ilulissat, Kussangajaannguaq 32,
3952,
Phone: +299 94 24 24 / +299 54 24 24More information
Red view from livingroom, Photo by Ilulissat Guesthouse

Ilulissat Guesthouse

Ilulissat, Qupaloraasuk 56,
3952,
Phone: +299 27 89 80More information
Frontal view of the Sisimiut Youth Hostel with mountain in the background. Photo by Sisimiut Youth Hostel, Visit Greenland

Sisimiut Youth Hostel

Sisimiut, Kaalikassap Aqq 25,
3911,
Phone: (+299) 522 514More information
Dogs on a dog sledding trip near Ilulissat in Greenland fanning out in typical west Greenlandic fashion. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Albatros Arctic Circle

Kangerlussuaq, Mittarfiit Aqq.
3910,
Phone: +299 84 16 48More information

Skansen - Your Home

Qeqertarsuaq, Siorarsuit B 350,
3953,
Phone: (+299) 583 645More information
The Red House, Photo by Ulrike Fischer2

The Red House

Tasiilaq, Napparngummut B 1025,
3913,
Phone: (+299) 981 650More information
Qaanaaq Accommodation in Winter, North Greenland. Photo by Qaanaaq Accommodation

Qaanaaq Accommodation

Qaanaaq, B-140A
3971,
Phone: +299 97 10 82More information
Guests at the Old Camp Hostel enjoying the sun and views in Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Johanna Himstedt

Old Camp Hostel

Kangerlussuaq, c/o Kangerlussuaq Tourism
3910,
Phone: +299 84 10 16More information
Ilulissat in midnight sun, seen from the sea, by Iurie Belegurschi

Kangia Race

Ilulissat, B–
3952,
More information
View of Ittoqqortoormiit Guesthouse in Winter in East Greenland. Photo by Ittoqqortoormiit Guesthouse

Ittoqqortoormiit Guesthouse

Ittoqqortoormiit, B 230
3980,
Phone: +299 58 12 80More information
Unnuisarfik Accommodation 03

Unnuisarfik Accommodation

Ililussat, Peter Rosingip Aqq. 5,
3952,
Phone: (+299) 944 210, (+299) 546 944More information
Hotel Sisimiut 01

Hotel Sisimiut

Sisimiut, Aqqusinersuaq 86,
3911,
Phone: (+299) 864 840More information
Hotel Qaanaaq 01

Hotel Qaanaaq

Qaanaaq, Postbox 88
3971,
Phone: (+299) 971 234More information
Hotel Nordlys in the village Oqaatsut in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Hotel Nordlys

Oqaatsut, Oqaatsut B 123,
3952,
Phone: +299 58 28 20More information
Hotel Nordbo 01

Hotel Nordbo

Nuuk, Vandsøvej 13,
3900,
Phone: (+299) 326 644More information
Hotel Kulusuk 01

Hotel Kulusuk

Kulusuk, B-1500
3915,
Phone: (+299) 986 993More information

Hotel Icefiord

Ilulissat, Jørgen Sverdrupip Aqq. 10,
3952,
Phone: (+299) 944 480More information
Hotel Disko Island in summer. Photo by Topas

Hotel Disko Island

Qeqertarsuaq, Ph Rosendahlip Aqqutaa 9,
3953,
Phone: +299 92 16 28More information
Hotel Avannaa in Ilulissat in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Hotel Avannaa

Ilulissat, Box 142
3952,
Phone: +299 94 40 02More information
Hotel Arctic 11

Hotel Arctic

Ilulissat, Mittarfimmut Aqq. B1128,
1501,
Phone: (+299) 944 153More information
Woman mask dancing on a sunny day in Aasiaat. Photo by Honest Greenland - Visit Greenland

Honest Greenland

Aasiaat, Qimmeqarfik 60,
3950,
Phone: +299 27 77 90More information
Morning light over Tasiilaq in East Greenland covered in deep snow

Discovery Lodge

Tasiilaq, Jens Emiilip Aqq B-47,
3913,
Phone: +299 98 15 06More information
Tiny dog sleds in the huge East Greenland landscapes between Tasiilaq and Sermilik

Dines Tours

Tasiilaq, Gentoftevej B-924,
3913,
Phone: +299 98 21 43 / +299 59 87 59More information
The harbour in Uummannaq in Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Cafémma

Uummannaq, B-799
3961,
Phone: +299 95 13 40More information
Photo of the Bed & Breakfast from outside. Photo by Bed & Breakfast Paa and Jannik

Bed & Breakfast Paa and Jannik

Ilulissat, Alliit Aqq. 4B,
3952,
Phone: +299 54 54 86 / +299 22 86 96More information
Sarfaq Ittuk cruising in the Disko Bay outside Ilulissat ice fjord in Greenland. Visit Greenland

Arctic Umiaq Line

Nuuk, Aqqusinersuaq 48 A,
3900,
Phone: +299 34 91 90More information

World of Greenland

Ilulissat, Kussangajaannguaq 7,
3952,
Phone: (+299) 944 300More information
A view of two Air Zafari flightseeing planes over the Greenland Ice Sheet near Kangerlussuaq Airport

Air Zafari

Nuuk, Box 568
3900,
Phone: +299 58 40 68 / +299 24 85 54More information

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