Find Midnight Sun Tours in Iceland

1. Can I see the Midnight Sun in August?

Not officially, as the sun will descend beneath the horizon for a few hours, but the nights will still be very bright. If you come at the end of August, there will be a few hours of darkness each night, which is also when the Northern Lights will begin to appear.

2. When do Midnight Sun tours operate?

Midnight sun tours operate throughout the night, usually beginning in the evening and finishing in the early hours of the morning.

3. Is the midnight sun visible all around Iceland or only in certain areas?

During the summer months, the midnight sun is equally visible all around Iceland.

4. Where is the best spot in Iceland to see the Midnight Sun?

The midnight sun is a phenomenon that occurs all across Iceland, meaning that the specific location only depends on what scenery you want to witness. We personally recommend the seaside and shores to see the midnight sun reflecting in the ocean.

5. Why does the Midnight Sun only shine during summer?

Because of the earth’s axial tilt, the polar circles of the planet boast seasonal differences. During summer, the earth is on the side of the sun, where the North Pole is closer, while in winter, the earth is on the opposite side of the sun, where the pole lies further away. This results in longer periods of daylight and darkness each season.

6. Is the Midnight Sun visible in other parts of the world?

Yes - the midnight sun happens during the summer months in places north of the Arctic Circle and south of the Antarctic Circle. Settlements where you can witness the midnight sun, besides from Iceland, include Canada, Nunavut, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Greenland, Denmark, Russia and Alaska.

7. Is it safe to look directly at the Midnight Sun?

Doctors and scientists advise people never to look directly at the sun. The human eye is very sensitive and prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to eye problems and even blindness. With that said, advocates of sungazing believe looking at the sun to be restorative and therapeutic, but the practice is performed at sunrise and sunset (the midnight sun functions as a prolonged sunset), 10 seconds at a time.

8. Does the Midnight Sun change colour like the Northern Lights do?

The midnight sun is basically a prolonged sunset, meaning the sun can turn to deeper shades of orange and red than its daytime counterpart, depending on the atmospheric conditions.

9. Can you sunbathe under the Midnight Sun?

Technically yes, but you don’t get many opportunities to sunbathe in Iceland and the temperatures are rarely high enough for it to be warm. However, people often get a tan in Iceland, especially if spending time on glaciers that reflect the sunlight.

10. Is it as warm during the night under the midnight sun as it is during the day?

No - since the sun is much lower in the sky during the night, temperatures drop, resulting in cooler weather. However, the weather at night is often calmer than during the day, resulting in a more temperate weather.