Summer’s here with daylight hours stretching well into the evening. The extra sunshine brings all sorts of added fun as well as bright opportunities to explore exciting destinations during the most vibrant time of year. Nowhere is this more true — or more truly fabulous — than in the far north where summer days last the longest and the sun sets late (if at all).

With summer solstice coming soon, we thought now would be an ideal time to take a look at a few of our favorite far north cities so you can find cheap international flights to go experience the midnight sun in its full glory.

Anchorage, Alaska

During the longest day of the year, Anchorage beams with 22 hours of daylight. Citywide celebrations such as Downtown Days, the Mayor’s Marathon and Half Marathon, an array of outdoor activities, and concerts galore are big draws and great reasons to visit the friendly Alaskan city.

Akureyri, Iceland

Interested in some midsummer magic? Then the northern Icelandic city of Akureyri’s Midsummer Magic festival is for you, with live music throughout the day and night and activities for all ages. According to Akureyri folklore, seals turn into humans and cows can speak during this magical time of year! Off the coast of Akureyri and inside the Arctic Circle, is the island of Grimsey, where the summer solstice comes with a huge party and the opportunity to get down with the locals, visitors from across the globe, and thousands of very cute puffins.

Ready to travel this summer? Check out these cheap international flights that can help you save on your trip!

Nuuk, Greenland

A gateway to one of the world’s last untouched wilderness areas, the quaint outpost of Nuuk, Greenland, is an ideal setting for soaking up the northern sunshine at the height of summer. Take a dip in hot springs, hike along the Arctic Circle, sail past icebergs, and discover a unique culture while visiting this fascinating town on the edge of inhabitable conditions for human life.

Riga, Latvia

The picture-perfect capital of Latvia, Riga is an excellent place to experience the summer solstice. Here, the solstice is known as “Jani” and is celebrated with plenty of dancing, eating, and drinking alongside ancient folk traditions such as making wreaths with flowers, building bonfires, and staying up all night to collect the first drops of morning dew. About an hour away for Riga is Turaida, famous for its historic gothic castle, gardens and forests, and for its authentic recreation of ancient Latvian solstice traditions during Jani.

Rovaniemi, Finland

The capital of Finnish Lapland and purported hometown of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is becoming an increasingly popular Arctic destination for winter play. Some of the best chances to see the aurora borealis occur in this region, and Sami (the indigenous people of northern Europe) traditions are designed to maximize merrymaking during the snowiest part of the year. But, summer is amazing here too. Rovaniemi receives a full 24 hours of daylight during the solstice. People here like to stay active while the sun is shining with a mix of activities such as jet skiing, horseback riding, and taking river cruises. Visitors are more than welcome to join while also getting to see how the reindeer play during their off-season!

Heading north for some summer fun? We would love to hear about how you plan to spend your solstice.