The sun is up at 12AM. That is why they call it the midnight sun in Iceland.
Iceland may be known for their Northern Lights, but what you don’t hear about as much is the magic of the midnight sun. The sky never goes black and it definitely takes some getting used to. In contrast, during Winter there's only four hours of daylight, between 11AM and 3PM.
How does this happen? In short, the country sits just south of the Arctic Circle. But for today’s science lesson, it’s about the elliptical orbit. The earth’s axis is tilted away from the sun for 6 months during Winter, and towards the sun during the Summer.
Fun fact: Reykjavik is the northernmost capital in the whole wide world!
I went to Iceland last month and stayed in the countryside at Hotel Rangá, where I chased those MF waterfalls, went ATV riding on black sand beaches and hiked through glaciers. It’s been a hotspot for celebrities from the likes of Kim and Kourtney Kardashian, Kanye West, Justin Bieber, Jake Gyllenhaal and George Clooney to name a few.
It has a cabin-in-the-woods vibe (hot tubs outside, yes) that’s cozy and feels like home. You can find the owner, Fridrik, at breakfast and dinner hanging around the bar, getting to know guests while providing recommendations for what to see. He insisted to try the reindeer carpaccio on the dinner menu which was delicious.
But most importantly, Hotel Ranga is a short drive from one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland which is arguably even better in the midnight sun.
Maybe you’ve seen it? Justin Bieber shot a music video there.
Remember that you won't see the Northern Lights during the warmer months.
If you’re traveling to Iceland between April and August, don’t expect to see the Northern Lights. But honestly, the midnight sun is just as cool. Although it’s Summer, it’s still cold AF and rains a lot so pack lots of layers. If you heard a rumor that Iceland doesn’t have any trees…it’s true…I didn’t see a single one.
The sun doesn’t set and it’s so freaking cool.
The Northern Lights have been on my bucket list, but I was more excited to see the midnight sun. It’s mesmerizing, surreal and hard to describe, to visit a place where the weather is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Imagine leaving the bars in Reykjavik at 3AM after a night out and it’s completely bright outside.
Pro tip: visit the tourist spots at night.
Take advantage of the midnight sun and explore touristy spots at night to avoid crowds. Golden hour is around 10PM and it truly is a sight to see. Also, having a post-dinner adventure is always more fun.
Go chase those damn waterfalls!
Yes, what TLC said. I never thought I’d be so happy standing behind a waterfall, getting completely soaked in my winter jacket. The waterfall I visited is named Seljalandsfoss – you can walk behind it on a trail with full-on rainbows and it's simply just mesmerizing.
And by the way, this is my 40th issue, and the newsletter has surpassed 3,000 subscribers this week. Thanks for getting lost with me, for reading and sharing with your friends.
Be good,
JB
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