My family is Swedish, and I have always relished Scandinavian summers, when everything emerges from its winter hibernation and the days seem to stretch endlessly. But it wasn't until traveling to Northern Norway that I understood the true meaning of the Midnight Sun. To peek through my curtains in the middle of the night or set out on a hike, only to be greeted by a radiant golden light, felt truly surreal, like being wide awake inside a dream. The world is supposed to be asleep, yet somehow it feels fully alive, waiting for you to step outside and take on the day.
Each day in Norway, my mom and I set out on a new quest, exploring the breathtaking Norwegian landscape from sea to sky, winding through fjords and climbing into the fjell (mountains). I want to share what is possible when you have nearly 24 hours of daylight, the gift of the midnight sun. I have to admit, I never actually stayed awake for 24 hours straight, but the endless light stretched our days, awakened our sense of adventure, and made it feel like there was always more to discover.
24 Hours in Northern Norway
6 am — Can't ignore the light
In Norway, I found myself waking up early each morning. The sun would peek through the blinds of our hytte (cabin), while birds chirped outside. It was easy to get out of bed when the morning light greeted you so warmly.
7 am — Scandinavian Breakfast
The breakfast routine was on repeat; French press coffee, soft-boiled eggs served in egg cups, rye bread, thin slices of Norvegia cheese, and filmjölk, a runny Scandinavian yogurt.
9 am — Morning Dip
There is nothing better than starting your morning with a dip in the fjords. These glacially carved inlets took my breath away, each one with its own unique shape with striking blue water. Looking up from the water at the towering Norwegian peaks made the landscape feel especially dramatic, as if the mountains and ocean were meeting at the water’s edge. The water is icy cold, but incredibly refreshing and clean. The ocean here feels especially alive, home to coral, kelp, salmon, and even orca whales. You feel completely immersed in a vibrant, thriving world.
10 am — To the Mountains
With no fear of the sun going down, you can start a hike at almost any hour of the day. Dawn patrol takes on a whole new meaning here, reserved not for early morning surfers, but for those looking to catch a glimpse of the midnight sun.
Everywhere you look, spectacular peaks seem to explode into the sky out of nowhere. Winding roads and tunnels lead around every bend to another breathtaking view. Each day, we would pick a different peak and make our way up the trails. Many were uncrowded and well marked, but extremely steep, making for a rewarding climb.
I would highly recommend visiting Senja, an island southwest of Tromsø. There are plenty of relatively easy to intermediate peaks to explore, with spectacular views overlooking the fjords and surrounding mountains. If you're looking for something more extreme, head to Lyngen. The mountains there are no joke!
1 pm — Lunch with a View
By 1 pm we usually made it to the top of a peak, ready for lunch with breathtaking surroundings. You're completely surrounded by mountains and water with an epic 365 degree view.
Our classic lunch was canned mackerel in tomato sauce, with seedy crackers, an apple, and dates with peanut butter.
2 pm — Hit Another Peak
On Senja, you can often hit multiple peaks in a single day, with many connected by ridgelines. Without the ticking clock of the sun going down, the only things stopping you from keeping the adventure going are your energy levels and the amount of water in your bottles.
One of my favorite things to see was the breathtaking wildflowers. Different elevations brought different vegetation, making every stretch of the hike feel a little different. It was also lovely to see reindeer roaming across the mountains. On hot days they would congregate on leftover snow patches to cool off. They are excellent mountaineers!
4 pm — Descend and Dip in a Mountain Lake
On the descent, after a long day of hiking, there is nothing better than a dip in an aquamarine mountain lake. Few feelings match the intensity and euphoria of plunging into icy water after hours on the trail. It is the perfect way to refresh, reset, and soothe sore muscles.
We hiked in our Seea suits and really put them to the test day after day. Seea isn't designed specifically for hiking, but the thought that goes into each piece makes them ideal for all kinds of activities. The C-Skin fabric is incredibly soft against the skin and great at wicking away sweat. I also loved hiking in the Royale Shorts, which were lightweight and breathable. Then, whenever we came across a body of water, all I had to do was jump in. Everything dried quickly, making it easy to keep moving from the trail to the water and back again.
My Favorite Suits for a Day Full of Hiking and Swimming
Pacific One Piece — Great body suit, sweat wicking, light, dries quickly, easy to swim in!
Royale Shorts — These are truly my favorite board shorts ever! So light, great to hike in and they fit like a glove. Can't say enough good things about them!
Leo Surf Tee — Got so many compliments on this top while hiking! Sweat wicking and stylish!
Georgia Bikini — Best sporty but chic bikini and the top doubles as a sports bra! Wear it under a shirt and then you can jump in the water whenever you would like!
Uma Jacket — My mom and I would fight over this as a hiking layer. When it got a little breezy we would throw it on!
6 pm — Back at the Car
Feet are tired and hearts are happy as we make our way back to the car after many miles of walking. There is something so satisfying about the end of a long day outside, sore legs, sun-warmed skin, and the feeling that you have spent the day moving through the mountains. Tired in the best way, we pile back into the car, ready for a cold drink, a good meal, and a well-earned rest.
8 pm — Late Dinner
My mom and I would get creative in our tiny hytte kitchen, but one of our easiest and favorite meals was a Norwegian classic. We picked up some smoked salmon from a little roadside house and boiled potatoes with fresh dill. Simple, fresh, and so distinctly Norwegian, it tasted like Scandinavian summer.
9 pm — Knit and Read
I always love ending the night with a cup of rooibos tea and a few cookies, winding down after a long day of exploring with my knitting and a good book. I spent hours in a yarn store in Norway, picking out yarn for a green and red striped sweater that became my evening project throughout the trip. There was something so special about settling in at the end of the day and knitting a few rows while the sun was still glowing outside.
Another Norway find came from a local thrift store: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Finding an old favorite in a secondhand shop felt so nostalgic, and once I started reading, I truly couldn't put it down!
10 pm — Late Night Dip
When my mom and I were feeling energized, we would head out for a late-night dip. There was something so magical about swimming beneath the Midnight Sun, surrounded by the quiet of the evening and knowing there was no ticking clock. With the sun still hanging in the sky, it felt like the day could stretch on forever.
12 am — Lights Out
I wish I could say I stayed up for all 24 hours, but that never quite happened! Instead, we would hang a towel over the windows to block out the light, full and tired after a long day, and finally say goodnight to the sun. Even though it never truly disappeared, we still had to surrender to sleep.
Northern Norway truly feels like something out of a storybook. When you’re awake, it feels like a beautiful dream, and when you finally fall asleep, you know you’re still somewhere magical.
Want to Read More Travel Pieces?
