This Town ‘Banned’ Time and Ditched All Clocks — Here’s How Its 300 Residents Live Without Schedules
This Town ‘Banned’ Time and Ditched All Clocks — Here’s How Its 300 Residents Live Without Schedules
Sommarøy, Norway: Nestled about 36 kilometres west of Tromsø in Northern Norway, the small island of Sommarøy is known worldwide for its unique relationship with time. With turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and sweeping Arctic horizons, it resembles a summer postcard — but it is the island’s approach to living without the constraints of the clock that sets it apart.
In 2019, Sommarøy’s residents drew global attention when they removed their watches and hung them from the local bridge, symbolising a break from schedules and deadlines. The move was tied to a petition urging lawmakers to declare Sommarøy the world’s first “time-free zone.” Although part of a tourism initiative, the campaign reflected a genuine local mindset: life here follows the rhythms of nature rather than the ticking of a clock.
From May 18 to July 26, the island experiences the midnight sun, with 69 days of continuous daylight. Daily activities — fishing, barbecues, even swimming — often happen at unconventional hours. Conversely, from November to January, Sommarøy is immersed in polar night, when the sun never rises, offering spectacular views of the northern lights.
Seasonal festivals, community gatherings, and outdoor activities strengthen the island’s close-knit spirit, with celebrations often taking place under endless daylight. Residents live intuitively — eating when hungry, resting when tired — free from rigid schedules.
For the people of Sommarøy, this way of life is not a rejection of modernity but an embrace of a slower, more present existence. Here, the concept of time loosens, and life is guided by nature’s own rhythm.
