10/23/2024 | 10:30 AM
Witnessing the colorful hues of the aurora borealis in the dark winter skies is something on many travelers’ bucket lists. Deciding when and where to see this natural wonder is the first – and perhaps most important – step in planning a northern lights trip.
The northern lights can be seen from a number of places in the auroral oval – an area of Earth’s atmosphere around the magnetic poles. On a map, the oval covers places sitting between 60° and 75° latitude, including northern parts of Sweden, Finland, Norway, Russia, Canada and Alaska, southern Greenland – and, of course, Iceland.
Of course, we naturally think that Iceland is one of the best places to see the northern lights. In this guide, we’ll explore why the Land of Fire and Ice is a top aurora-viewing destination. We’ll also break down when to visit Iceland to see the northern lights, as well as where in Iceland you should head for the most scenic viewing spots.
Iceland's latitude and proximity to the North Pole mean it's a prime spot for northern lights viewing. Alongside its ideal geographic location, Iceland's a great place to go looking for the aurora because of:
September to March is often referred to as northern lights season, providing the best chances for seeing the aurora. This period brings long, dark nights, creating the ideal conditions for the lights to be visible. The equinoxes in March and September are also considered prime viewing times as the aurora is often brighter because of the angle of the earth’s magnetic field. But, be warned, these months can also bring cloudy conditions, making it harder to see the lights.
If you’re wondering when the best month to see the northern lights is, we’d suggest planning a trip in October or December. Compared to September, October brings shorter daylight hours and more cold and clear nights, ideal for seeing the aurora.
As the peak of the season, December is another great time for spotting this phenomenon. With the longest nights of the year happening during this month, you’ll have even more chances to view the aurora. December is also a great time to visit Iceland in general with plenty of winter activities and festive celebrations taking place.
One more tip is to avoid timing your northern lights hunt with when there’ll be a full moon if you can. The light from the moon means the sky won’t be as dark, which can make it harder to see the aurora. While it should still be visible, the full moon can reduce the contrast and result in a less visually-striking display than on darker nights.
So, now you know what time of year to travel, when should you actually head outside? The best time to see the northern lights is the darkest point of the night, usually between 10pm and 2am.
Whether you’ll see the lights can depend on lots of factors like light levels, weather conditions, and the strength of the solar wind, but going out at this time of night gives you the best chances of seeing something – even if it’s a faint display.
And of course, while this is the ideal window, the lights are as unpredictable as they are spectacular so remember to be patient. You may see the display within an hour of waiting, or it could be closer to sunrise that the lights show up.
Every year brings a unique light show to the night skies, but 2024-25 is going to be one of the best times to see the northern lights in Iceland. This is because there’s an increase in solar activity from mid-2024 to mid-2025, offering some of the best conditions to see the lights in this current decade.
From city break packages to standalone tours, Icelandair offers plenty of ways to experience the northern lights. If you want to take advantage of this exciting period, make sure you book your northern lights vacation in advance so your preferred dates and activities don’t sell out.
If conditions are right, you could see the aurora absolutely anywhere in Iceland.
Depending on where you’re staying, we’ve put together a list of some of the best places in Iceland to see the northern lights. It's important to know that there's not one magical 'best' place in Iceland where you're always guaranteed to see the northern lights. Instead, there are fantastic places with dark skies for optimal viewing conditions, and with unique backdrops for capturing awesome aurora pics.
Despite the glow of the city lights, you actually have a good chance of seeing the northern lights from places in and around Reykjavík, Iceland’s capital. Within the city itself, some of our favorite spots to view the northern lights include the area near Grótta lighthouse, at the westernmost point of the city, and Öskjuhlíð hill, where you can visit the observation deck at Perlan interactive museum, offering a 360॰ view of Reykjavík and the sky above (open until 9pm or 10pm).
For travelers short on time, plenty of northern lights tours also start and end in Reykjavík itself - ideal if you’re only visiting for a few days and won’t have access to a car.
If you’re renting a car, the Heiðmörk forest and lake Kleifarvatn areas are both a short drive from town to dark skies. And on your way to Kleifarvatn, you can stop at the observatory at Aurora Basecamp to learn more about the phenomenon.
Þingvellir National Park is another popular spot within an hour's drive of the capital, as is the Garður lighthouse area not too far from Keflavík airport.
And, of course, we can’t talk about where to see the northern lights in and around Reykjavík without mentioning the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon! During northern lights season, these lagoons are usually open until 10pm or 11pm, meaning you could catch a glimpse of the lights as you soak in the warm waters – just make sure to book your tickets in advance!
With its waterfalls, glaciers, volcanoes, and beaches, South Iceland is home to some of Iceland’s most well-known natural wonders. These iconic locations are also great places to view the aurora, with minimal light pollution and scenic backdrops for your pictures.
The coastal village of Vík (pictured) is one of our top picks for where to go to see the northern lights in Iceland. This village experiences very little light pollution, leading to great viewing conditions. It sits right within the auroral oval, so is a hub for northern lights displays, and the black sand beaches create a striking image as the lights dance in the skies above.
For budding photographers, we also have to mention Skógar and Skógafoss waterfall. The tiny village of Skógar is surrounded by nature, meaning you’ll experience some of the darkest skies in the region, perfect for snapping some unbeatable pictures of the lights. The Skógafoss waterfall sets the scene for the impressive display above.
Further east, the vast Vatnajökull National Park is another remote spot that provides ample open space to see the aurora. Within the park's boundaries is Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, where you can see the lights reflected in the ice and waters, creating a mesmerizing, mirrored display. Traveling to the southeast corner of the country you'll reach Stokksnes beach, where Vestrahorn mountain creates another favorite photo backdrop.
West Iceland is another prime location for northern lights seekers, especially the iconic Snæfellsnes Peninsula. This area is known for its diverse landscapes and breathtaking natural beauty, and makes a great destination for a few days' break from Reykjavík.
Aside from the gems of Snæfellsjökull National Park, you’ll find iconic, much-photographed Kirkjufell mountain (pictured), which looks wonderful silhouetted against bright aurora above.
The Westfjords region is well worth a visit for some aurora hunting, thanks to its remoteness and its stunning natural wonders like Dynjandi waterfall and Rauðisandur beach. We especially recommend heading to Ísafjörður, the largest of the Westfjord towns. You can take a domestic flight here, or enjoy a scenic 400km (250-mile) drive from Reykjavík.
Getting away from light pollution will maximize your chances of seeing the aurora, so many who hunt for the lights travel to North Iceland. Not only is this region quite isolated, but it’s also close to the Arctic Circle, meaning it’s one of the best places in Iceland to see the northern lights.
Akureyri is a small city with a big heart and is the cultural hub of North Iceland. It’s also the perfect base for those looking to explore northern lights viewing spots in this area, with domestic flights available from Reykjavík.
From here, you can take your pick of dazzling settings from which to watch the lights, with multiple natural wonders located along the region’s Diamond Circle tourist route. The area around Lake Mývatn is home to stunning sites like the unique lava formations at Dimmuborgir and the steaming vents at Hverir. Not far away is the majestic Goðafoss waterfall.
Another northern favorite is Hvítserkur (pictured), a peculiar basalt formation standing tall in the sea, which makes for a great focal point for photographs. It's in the northwest of Iceland.
The town of Egilsstaðir is the gateway to East Iceland and plenty more epic locations for viewing the lights. East Iceland is one of the less-visited parts of the country, full of wilderness spots, wide open spaces and expansive horizons – ideal for viewing the lights. Domestic flights link Egilsstaðir and Reykjavík a few times daily.
From Egilsstaðir itself, you can drive out to locations like Borgarfjörður Eystri, a small fjord settlement overlooked by mountains. Speaking of mountains, Dyrfjöll and its surrounding structures rise up out of the landscape, making a distinctive border in photos of the aurora dancing in the skies above.
Near Egilsstaðir, Vök Baths (pictured) is another must-visit destination for those looking to enjoy two Icelandic experiences in one – spotting the northern lights and soaking in a geothermal bath. Located on Urriðavatn lake, the baths grant visitors a view of the area’s untouched landscapes. This location is ideal for the aurora, and you may be lucky enough to see the lights reflected in the surrounding lake. The baths are open until 10pm during northern lights season, lining up with the best viewing window.
So, there you have it. We hope our guide on when and where to see the northern lights in Iceland has given you some inspiration. From hotspots close to Reykjavík to more remote parts of Iceland, there are many wonderful locations to head to for an unforgettable view of the aurora.
Ready to take your own northern lights trip? Check our range of northern lights vacation packages or choose one of our day tours and start planning your visit today!