landscape shot of southwestern Norway during the midnight sun

What Norway's midnight sun season is like—in pictures

Along Norway’s coastline, the rhythm of life slows in summer — shaped by the good weather and long hours of daylight.

In summer, sunlight lingers long into the night, softening the mountains in Norway and turning the water to liquid gold.
Photograph by David De Vleeschauwer
Story and photographs byDavid De Vleeschauwer
July 2, 2025
This story was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
Stretching from the ancient glaciers that rise in the east to the island-dotted fjords that spread out in the west, Sunnfjord in southwest Norway is a place where nature does the talking.
binoculars in southwestern Norway during the midnight sun
The region attracts all types of adventurers, whether their particular passion is fulfilled with a kayak, a pair of hiking boots or a fishing rod. Set at the confluence of two rivers in the heart of Sunnfjord, the Åmot estate is surrounded by verdant fields and soaring peaks and feels cocooned by the forest around it.
Dating back to the 19th century, the farm has been in Steinar Sørli’s family for five generations, and is now run as a nature retreat with deep roots in local heritage and culture. Guests can spend their days in quiet solitude or head out with local guides, stopping to picnic where the forest meets the shore, sharing stories over smoked fish and soft bread.
To the north of Sunnfjord, the port town of Ålesund stands out for its quiet elegance, its facades marked by art nouveau curves and carved stone details. Its centre was completely destroyed by fire in 1904 and rebuilt with great care over three years.
Today, Ålesund seems to move at its own pace. Fishing boats dock early, and the morning’s catch often ends up on a lunch plate just hours later.
In nearby waters, scallops are still harvested by hand — a careful practice that reflects the slow rhythm of life played out across the region. To the south, Bergen blends old and new with quiet confidence. The wooden buildings in the historic wharf at Bryggen lean with age, but there’s a creative energy rising — in design studios, small bakeries and a food scene that values provenance over polish.
Some of the most unique places to stay along the coastline are former lighthouses. These include Flatflesa Fyr in the north west, set on its own rocky islet and accessible by boat or helicopter. It’s a place built for peace and quiet. Inside, there are simple rooms with wood-burning stoves; outside, there’s just the sound of gulls, the slow rhythm of the sea and the endless light of summer.
There are special properties in the fjords, too, including Union Øye, a hotel in Norway’s Sunnmøre Alps. Dating back to 1891, it has hosted a distinguished cast of characters, including German kaiser Wilhelm II and English author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Today, guests can enjoy a spell in the floating sauna while gazing out at the magnificent scenery of Norangsfjorden, before leaping into its cold waters.
Published in the July/August 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).

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