Travelling from Canada to the magical city of Bodø in Northern Norway this summer? Don’t let jet lag get you down – instead, use it to your advantage to experience the enchanting phenomenon of the midnight sun! Here are few tips to make the most of those extra wakeful hours under the golden glow of the nighttime sun:
- Adjust your sleep schedule before you go. Bodø is ~8-~9 hours ahead, so start shifting your bedtime and wake time earlier in the days leading up to your trip. This will ease the transition once you arrive.
- Take an overnight flight and try to sleep onboard. SAS offers convenient flights from Toronto to Copenhagen and Stockholm, with wonderful connections to Oslo and Bodo. When you land in Bodø in the morning/afternoon, fight the urge to nap. Get outside, soak up the daylight, and let your body clock reset.
- Stay up late to marvel at the midnight sun. In Bodø, it doesn’t set at all from late May to early July! Go for a nighttime hike, have a midnight picnic, or just bask in the surreal light.
- Be flexible with meals at first. Let yourself eat when you’re hungry rather than at typical times. Many Bodø grocery stores are open from 7:00 a.m. until 23:00 and offer amazing Norwegian products to midnight sun chasers with extended hours.
- After a late night, feel free to sleep in. There’s no need to follow a rigid schedule. Embrace the chance to experience the nightlife and daytime attractions at unconventional hours.
- Take a midnight sun drive to enjoy the magically calm and quiet beaches. Spot seals, otters and seabirds under the soft glow. Say hi to local Moose. Stay at a safe distance!
- Go on a midnight hike up Keiservarden hill overlooking Bodø. The views of the city and sea awash in orange light are breathtaking.
- Visit the world’s strongest maelstrom, Saltstraumen, at midnight to see whirlpools illuminated by the low-hanging sun. The lighting accentuates this natural wonder. The photo in this blog post is taken at Saltstraumen.
- Soak up the festive atmosphere as locals celebrate the return of the midnight sun. Check out special events, extended hours at attractions, and an extra spring in everyone’s step.
With the midnight sun, Bodø becomes a 24-hour city. Jet lag gives you a headstart on adjusting to and taking advantage of the long days and short nights. Use that extra boost of energy to experience the magic of summer above the Arctic Circle!
The post is written after the inspiring midnight sun drive in Bodo during the Arctic Congress in 2024.
Leave a Reply