The island of Sommarøy (often spelled Somroy for simplicity), located in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle, near Tromsø, has an absolutely fascinating feature: it made headlines worldwide by attempting to become the world’s first officially « Time-Free Zone. »
A small fishing island, unique in the world
In 2019, the inhabitants of Sommarøy launched an official campaign to abolish the concept of time.
Their argument was simple: since the island experiences the midnight sun for 69 days (from mid-May to the end of July), clocks are meaningless.
In Sommarøy, it’s not uncommon to see children playing football at 2 a.m., neighbors painting their houses in the middle of the night, or fishermen heading out to sea at any hour.
The symbol of the bridge: Upon arriving on the island, visitors cross a bridge whose railings are not covered with love locks, but with clocks.
People hang them there to signify that they are entering a space where time no longer exists.
The Midnight Sun and Polar Night Phenomenon
Its unique character also stems from its extreme geographical location: For more than two months (69 days) in summer, the sun never sets.
This constant light disrupts the biological rhythm and creates a unique social energy.
Conversely, the island plunges into polar night from November to January, when the sun does not rise at all, giving way to the spectacular Northern Lights.
The Caribbean of the Arctic
Visually, Sommarøy is unique, offering a striking contrast: it boasts ultra-fine white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters reminiscent of the lagoons of the Maldives or the Caribbean.
Yet, the water temperature rarely exceeds 10-12°C, and the island is surrounded by rugged, snow-capped peaks.