Sight guide · Tromsø · Norway
Visiting Midnight sun
From about 20 May to 22 July the sun does not set in Tromsø.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: The Municipality of Tromsø from Tromsø, Norway, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Midnight sun is an experience in Tromsø region, Tromsø. Allow an evening; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Experience
- Area
- Tromsø region
- Time needed
- An evening
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, after dark, couples and outdoors
- Best months
- June–July and September
About Midnight sun
From about 20 May to 22 July the sun does not set in Tromsø. Locals hike, kayak and barbecue late into the night, and midnight-sun cruises, hikes and concerts at the Arctic Cathedral are popular ways to experience it.
Tip: Take the cable car or climb the Sherpa steps around midnight for the sun circling low over the islands.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: An evening.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Tromsø region.
Best time to visit Midnight sun
Midnight sun is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- July: 15°C (59°F) highs, about 12 rainy days, busy crowds.
- June: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 11 rainy days, busy crowds.
- September: 10°C (50°F) highs, about 15 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Tromsø has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Tromsø itinerary visits Midnight sun on day 2, together with Dog sledding, Polaria and Polar Museum.
- No. 11 of the 16 sights in our Tromsø things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 2 of the 5-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Tromsø.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Tromsø.
Near Midnight sun
Also in Tromsø region, so you can walk between them:
- Reindeer and Sami culture visits — 3–5 hours, expensive
- Northern lights tours — 6–9 hours, evening into the night, expensive
If you like Midnight sun
- Arctic Cathedral — Tromsdalen, 45 minutes
- Fjellheisen cable car — Tromsdalen, 1–2 hours
- Dog sledding — Kvaløya and Tamokdalen, 4–6 hours including transfers
- Sherpa steps — Tromsdalen, 1–1.5 hours
Staying near Midnight sun
Where to stay in Tromsø compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Midnight sun?
Plan an evening. With Reindeer and Sami culture visits nearby, it fits a half-day in Tromsø region.
+Is Midnight sun free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Midnight sun?
June–July and September for the most comfortable weather. Take the cable car or climb the Sherpa steps around midnight for the sun circling low over the islands.
+Do I need to book Midnight sun in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.