The “midnight sun” is one of our planet’s most fascinating natural phenomena: the sun remains above the horizon even during the night. This phenomenon occurs in regions located within the polar circles, namely the Arctic Circle and the Antarctic Circle, during the summer months of their respective hemispheres. In those places, for a few weeks or even several months, the sun never sets completely, creating days characterized by continuous light. The cause of this phenomenon is linked to the tilt of the Earth’s axis, which is tilted approximately 23.5 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun. During the Earth’s revolution, this tilt ensures that, in summer, one of the two poles is constantly illuminated.
Where can you admire this phenomenon?
The midnight sun can be observed in several countries in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, northern Russia, Canada, and Alaska. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, there are no inhabited nations in the area where this phenomenon occurs, so only scientists working in Antarctica (the South Pole) can admire it.
In recent years, Iceland has become a popular tourist destination. Some agencies and tour operators organize late-night events and activities specifically to let visitors experience the thrill of this magical nighttime light. For the island’s inhabitants, the midnight sun—which lasts most of June and July—represents a season of energy and outdoor life, after the long winter months characterized by low light, and tourists are also drawn into this vibrant change. Here, we suggest some Icelandic locations where you can experience the midnight sun in a fun and unique way.
You can arrive in Iceland by flying into the capital’s two international airports, Reykjavik Keflavik (KEF) or Reykjavik (RKV). From both, with the chauffeured vehicles we provide, you can organize quick, practical, and above all, comfortable trips to certain stops on the itinerary.
Itineraries under the Midnight Sun
Here are some suggestions for exciting activities to enjoy at day times you’d never imagine! Diving after midnight, walking at 3 a.m., hiking on glaciers at dinnertime… in full light and with magical colors! Are you curious to embark on this adventure?
Silfra
Silfra is a place created by a fault line created by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. This is one of the places where the two enormous continental plates—European and American—meet and collide. Located within Þingvellir National Park, near Lake Þingvallavatn, it can be reached in just over an hour’s drive from Reykjavik. The valley is cut cleanly by the fault line, and along it lie caves and canyons of rare beauty. In some places, the fracture is flooded by an aquifer, and you can dive to explore its depths: imagine doing it at 1:00 AM, with the faint light of the eternal summer sunset filtering through the water’s surface…!
Glaciers
Experiencing the midnight sun among Iceland’s glaciers is a unique way to spend a special June! We suggest starting in Skaftafell, on Iceland’s south coast. It’s 377 km from the capital, so it can be reached by long-distance bus or regional flights (the nearest airport is Hornafjörður). It’s part of Vatnajökull National Park…which protects one of the world’s largest glaciers…in an environment so rugged and wild that there are no roads! It’s essential to go with a local guide and follow their advice without rushing! You’ll see: a glacial plain formed by black sand debris, a series of extinct craters, the magnificent “black” waterfall that cascades down a lava cliff in columns and waves of ice frozen in time and by time…!
Bárðarbunga also rises in the heart of the Vatnajökull glacier. This volcano, with its funny name, fortunately erupts only once every five or six centuries because, being completely covered in ice, its explosions cause devastating pyroclastic flows. However, when it’s quiet, like now, you can climb its slopes… and in summer, you can even do so in the dead of night, admiring spectacular views. You can get there on regional flights that land at the smaller airport of Egilsstaðir. The ice caves and Dettifoss waterfalls are must-sees. Here, too, it’s essential to have an expert guide with you.
Akureyri
Ajureyri has its own airport that handles domestic flights from the capital, allowing tourists to enjoy numerous midnight sun activities.
Located in the north, on the shores of the Eyjafjörður fjord, it is one of the most charming cities in the country, despite its compact size, offering numerous attractions and an ideal starting point for exploring the region’s spectacular landscapes. Its urban area is surrounded by snow-capped mountains, green valleys, and deep waters, creating a particularly evocative natural setting, especially during the summer, with long sunny days that allow for outdoor activities. Stroll to discover the monuments (Akureyrarkirkja Church, the turf houses, the botanical garden), museums, art galleries, and traditional eateries where music and cultural festivals are held. The surrounding area is home to spectacular natural sites, such as the Godafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn, and volcanic areas characterized by geothermal phenomena.
The Midnight Sun on volcanoes
A short distance from the capital, with transfers never exceeding three hours by car, you can reach some of Iceland’s most fascinating volcanoes. The closest is Katla, but Mount Hekla and the restless Eyjafjallajökull are also within reach! Katla volcano, located beneath the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, is one of Iceland’s largest and most powerful volcanic systems. Its caldera measures approximately 10 km in diameter and has been responsible for numerous explosive eruptions throughout history. Katla’s eruptions produce ash, lava, and large glacial floods called jökulhlaups. The volcano is constantly monitored by scientists to predict future activity and protect nearby communities.
Hekla volcano is one of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes and is located in the southern part of the island. It is an active stratovolcano, often called the “Door to Hell” in ancient European traditions. Its elevation reaches approximately 1,491 meters and has produced numerous eruptions throughout history. The first documented dates back to 1104, while modern eruptions have been observed in the twentieth century and more recently. Hekla is known for its lava flows and the combination of lava and volcanic ash.
The Eyjafjallajökull volcano (known in Europe as the “volcano with the unpronounceable name”) has erupted quite frequently since the Ice Age. Before 2010, the last eruption, which caused a gigantic cloud and grounded flights across Europe, had caused extensive damage between 1821 and 1823, including a “jökulhlaup” (ice melt flood) that caused considerable damage.
Climbing these volcanoes, or exploring their calderas (not all are mountains), during a nighttime excursion under the light of the great northern sunset will be an unforgettable experience.
