Above the Arctic circle

Scandic has hotels in very many areas in northern Sweden, Norway and Finland, from where you have a great opportunity to experience both the amazing northern lights and the midnight sun. Have you ever tried kayaking or playing golf around midnight in sunlight?

Northern lights in Harstad, Norway. Photo: Visit Norway.

Did you know?

  • The northern lights are caused by electrons and protons from the sun colliding with gas particles in the earth's atmosphere.
  • The northern lights are formed in the polar regions because the particles are drawn to the poles by the earth's magnetic field.
  • The best time to see the northern lights is on a cloudless night between October and March.
  • The most common colour of the northern lights is light green.
  • The northern lights usually occur at an altitude of about 100 km.

  • The sun stays up from April to late August in the Arctic Island of Svalbard and in the Swedish and Finnish Lapland you can experience sunlight between May to July.
  • You can find activities that are open at night during these endless days, such as midnight golfing and sea kayaking, or maybe just find a nice spot to sit and enjoy the scenery.
  • Polar nights is the opposite to the midnight sun, or a “polar day. 21 of June is the longest and brightest day of the year - the "summer solstice".