Does it ever get dark in Norway in summer?
Midnight sun in the north, light nights in the south and dates by place.
Short answer
North of the Arctic Circle the sun does not set for weeks in summer, and in southern Norway the nights stay light even though the sun sets. In Tromsø the midnight sun lasts from 20 May to 22 July. In Oslo the sun sets at 22:43 and rises at 03:53 at midsummer.
Why
- Visit Norway gives the midnight sun period as 12 June to 1 July at the Arctic Circle, 4 June to 8 July in Bodø and 14 May to 29 July at the North Cape.
- On Svalbard the midnight sun lasts from 20 April to 22 August, according to Visit Norway.
- Visit Norway says that from late June to early August, the nights never get really dark anywhere in the country.
Details
In the south the sun does set: MET Norway's data for 21 June 2026 give sunset at 22:43 and sunrise at 03:53 in Oslo, and 23:11 and 04:09 in Bergen. In Trondheim the sun is below the horizon from 23:38 to 03:02, and only about 3 degrees below it at solar midnight. In winter it is the other way round: from mid-November to the end of January, the sun does not rise, or only briefly, in most of Northern Norway.
Tip
If you sleep badly when it is light, pack an eye mask for a summer trip anywhere in Norway.
What may differ
The further north you go, the longer the midnight sun lasts, so the dates depend on where you are; in Lofoten, for example, it lasts from 28 May to 14 July.
Common misconception
The whole of Norway has the midnight sun in summer.
What actually happens
Only the areas north of the Arctic Circle do. Oslo, Bergen and Trondheim have light nights in summer, but the sun sets there every day of the year.
People also ask
- Does the sun ever set in Norway?
- Where in Norway does the sun not set?
- Does Norway have 24 hours of daylight?
Sources
- Visit Norway: The midnight sunChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Summer in NorwayChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Winter in NorwayChecked at:
- MET Norway: Sunrise and sunset data, OsloChecked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026.
When to see the midnight sun in NorwayRelated questions
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What does 'there is no bad weather, only bad clothing' mean in Norway?
The saying means that bad weather is no reason to stay indoors, because the right clothes let you enjoy being outside in rain, wind or cold.
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Do I need sunscreen in Norway?
Yes, you need sunscreen in Norway, especially in spring and summer, on snow in the mountains and on the water, where reflection makes UV radiation stronger.
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Do I need ice grips (brodder) on my shoes in a Norwegian winter?
Ice grips, called brodder in Norwegian, are worth packing for a winter trip, because temperatures around freezing often leave pavements and paths icy.
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What shoes should I bring to Norway?
Bring sturdy shoes that handle rain and rough paths, and in winter warm boots with room for wool socks and a good grip on ice.