In higher latitudes, such as parts of Northern Europe, summer days commonly exceed 15 hours of daylight, producing very short nights and drawing tourists eager to experience prolonged light.
Why days are long
Because Earth’s axis is tilted, regions nearer the poles receive sunlight for much longer portions of each 24‑hour rotation during their summer months, lengthening daytime and shortening night hours.
How long and where
In northern Europe many locations see more than 15 hours of daylight around midsummer, and above the Arctic Circle the Sun can remain above the horizon for 24 hours for weeks at a time, creating the midnight sun phenomenon.
Midnight sun experience
The midnight sun produces long twilight colours and a sustained glow that feels like an extended sunset and sunrise combined, a unique atmospheric effect celebrated in Nordic countries and enjoyed by visitors on cruises and land tours.
Tourism and practicalities
Regions that host midnight‑sun experiences, such as northern Norway and Svalbard, attract tourists for outdoor activities at unconventional hours, though travellers should plan for disrupted sleep cycles and seasonal service schedules in remote areas.
Takeaway
Summer in high latitudes brings very long days—often over 15 hours—and, above the Arctic Circle, continuous daylight for periods around midsummer. The midnight sun is both a striking natural phenomenon and a major seasonal draw for visitors.