During the summer months, near the polar circle, the sun does not set. This time of year, which is called “Midnight Sun” or “Polar Day”, is a special time that locals and visitors enjoy.
Midnight Sun in Iceland
The Polar Day lasts longer and longer as one moves closer to the North Pole. The more you go north in summer, the more you will enjoy the polar day. On the summer solstice day (around June 21), at the northernmost point of Iceland, you can enjoy 24 hours of sunshine on the island of Grímsey. Grímsey is a small Icelandic island of about 5 km2 which is located 41 kilometres north of Iceland. The island is growing in popularity because the Arctic Circle crosses it. And it is the only place in Iceland where you can experience the “true” Midnight Sun, that is, above the horizon for 24 hours.
However, at latitudes below the Arctic Circle, as is the case elsewhere in Iceland, another phenomenon occurs around the summer solstice. At night, the Sun, although lying down, does not descend sufficiently below the horizon to allow the night to become completely black. Therefore the night never appears during the summer months in Iceland.
In Reykjavík, for example, the sun descends below the horizon around midnight and returns around 3 am. From mid-May to mid-August, daylight is constantly present; Ideal for enjoying the sights any time of the day and making new discoveries! This phenomenon of “sleepless nights” exists in all Nordic countries except Denmark.
Some people find it difficult to sleep, although all hotels and guest houses have heavy curtains. Take a small cloth mask in your luggage if you are travelling in the summer. This will help you if the outside brightness prevents you from sleeping.
Many travel agencies offer evening excursions to enjoy the clarity of summer, the Golden Circle, a sleigh ride, a horse-riding tour, a snowmobile tour and many other alternatives are available to you to enjoy the Icelandic polar day!
Photography
Everyone knows that Iceland is a paradise for photographers, whether professional or amateur. Waterfalls, deserts, geysers, volcanoes, flora and fauna and Icelandic life are all subjects that you will have the opportunity to photograph. For lovers of photography, the Midnight Sun offers magnificent opportunities to take pictures of beauty. If the weather is with you, the polar day will offer you landscapes with beautiful bright colors and pastels.
The most extraordinary thing about the Midnight Sun is that you can go absolutely anywhere without having to worry about the darkness because it never appears. What a pleasure to drive on a trail in the middle of Iceland in the middle of the night, hike at two in the morning, enjoy the scenery at any time of the day and night! And what could be more enjoyable than enjoying so much light! When we know that night will come again (too soon)?
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