Imagine going days without seeing sunlight and living for a few months in a colorless setting during the day, as if it were always night. In winter, the world's northernmost polar regions bring together natural phenomena that attract curious tourists. One of them is “polar night “, a situation that occurs when the sun does not rise above the horizon at this time of year.
During this period, residents and visitors to regions in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Canada and Greenland become accustomed to the dark, or the gloom of an endless twilight.
A true dream for nightlife fans, these places reserve cozy accommodations that explore other natural phenomena from this period, such as the Aurora Borealis, and various outdoor activities that explore the snow.
According to a survey carried out by Booking.com with a group of around 28 thousand travelers, 70% of those who intend to take a trip in 2024 will seek a cooler destination this year. In another survey, 58% of people interviewed by the platform want to focus on sleep on vacation. And what better opportunity than the polar night to combine business with pleasure?
Check out some places where sunlight doesn't illuminate winter:
Fairbanks, Alaska
In the state of Alaska, south of the Arctic Circle is the city of Fairbanks, home to 33 thousand residents and the largest settlement for hundreds of kilometers. Northern lights activity is concentrated in a ring-shaped area over the far north. To alleviate the low temperatures, hot mineral rock pools are part of the Chena Hot Springs complex, about 1h15 from Fairbanks. The polar night in Alaska is usually seen between November and January.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
The Norwegian archipelago of Svaldbard is halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. With extreme weather, glaciers and vast ice fields, its main city is Longyearbyen – to get there you need to take a flight to Svalbard Airport. For those looking to experience the “polar night”, the trip needs to be scheduled between mid-November and the end of January. In addition to this phenomenon, tourists can experience the Northern Lights there, as well as other experiences, such as snowmobile safaris, fjord cruises and exploring ice caves. Walking along Plateau Mountain is also one of the programs chosen by tourists, who want to admire the best view of Longyearbyen. The city also has a museum that explores exhibitions and information about local nature.
Kiruna, Sweden
Located further north in Sweden, the city of Kiruna is painted white in winter, with its entire landscape covered in snow. Tourists can find some adventure activities there, ranging from sleigh rides to snowshoeing, exploring mountains such as Kebnekaise, the highest in the country. This region has different accommodation options that explore the climate and landscape – it is there that the world's first ice hotel, the IceHotel, is located in Jukkasjärvi – about 20km from the city.
Ilulissat, Greenland
The largest island in the world and a territory of extremes, Greenland is located within the Kingdom of Denmark. One of its prominent destinations is the coastal city of Ilulissat, famous for its Icefjord, considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its immense icebergs. To get there you need to take a boat or plane from Iceland. Among the activities, tourists can take a cruise, participate in snowmobile tours in the hills around the city or sign up for excursions during the polar night to the darkest places, also in search of the much-desired northern lights.
Iqaluit, Canada
Known for its ice-capped mountains and tundra climate, Iqaluit is located on Baffin Island, at the northern end of Frobisher Bay, and is another destination for those looking to witness the polar night and also the northern lights. If you belong to this team, plan your trip for the period between October and April, when the phenomenon tends to be more visible. In winter, the colorful city contrasts with its climate, where the light comes from the white snow. One of its tourist attractions is Saint Jude's Cathedral, which has an igloo-shaped structure. Its location around the bay allows you to see whales, reindeer and arctic foxes, as well as other attractions, such as a sleigh ride. Its population is 80% Inuit and in the city it is possible to visit the Nunatta Sunakkutaangit museum, which contains exhibits and information about this culture.
Nuorgam, Finland
The small village of Nuorgam gives travelers an authentic arctic experience. In the far north of Finland and with a population of 200 inhabitants, tourists have snow activities at their disposal. From snowmobile tours to night snowshoe hikes, safaris and ice fishing, travelers also explore the culture of the Sámi people, the oldest in Lapland, and their fauna. Lakes, trails and viewing the Northern Lights make up the experience in a city in the country that barely sees sunlight in winter.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
