Are you wondering how to see the northern lights in Iceland on your trip? Youāve come to the right place!
For so many travelers, seeing Icelandās aurora is a total #BucketListMoment.
And I want to help you make it happen!
In this post, Iāll give you the necessary knowledge and tips so that you can experience the magic of the northern lights in Iceland for yourself. From technical tips on how to see them, to when to go and where to go, youāve got everything you need for the best viewing experience possible in this guide.
Table Of Contents
- The Science Behind The Northern Lights
- How To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Factors That Affect Viewing
- When To Go: The Best Time To See Northern Lights In Iceland
- Finding The Perfect Spot: The Best Places To See Northern Lights In Iceland
- ReykjavĆk Northern Lights: Top 5 Places
- Further from ReykjavĆk: More Locations To See Iceland’s Aurora
- Aurora Trackers Iceland
- How To Photograph Northern Lights
- Northern Lights Tours In Iceland
Get ready for a journey into Icelandās aurora! āØ
Understanding the Northern Lights
Let’s dive into the world of the northern lights, and explore more about the science behind this magnificent natural phenomenon, as well as factors that affect viewing.
The Science Behind The Northern Lights
Alright, a quick science lesson on the Northern Lights – because who doesn’t love a bit of science, am I right?
The mesmerizing northern nights start their journey from our life-giving star – the Sun. Our Sun periodically releases solar flares that head toward Earth as high-energy electrons. But our planet has its own defense mechanism – a geomagnetic field, acting as an invisible shield.
These solar flares hit the Earth’s magnetic field and start wrapping around our planetās atmosphere. Then, they separate at the poles, creating these stunning lights in the process. That’s why you can only see them from the extreme hemispheres.
And here’s a fun tidbit for you – there’s a Southern counterpart to the northern lights, known as Aurora Australis. These lights can be seen from places like Antarctica, Australia, and New Zealand. So, no matter which hemisphere you’re in, you can catch a glimpse of these fantastic light shows. Pretty cool, huh?
Now, letās get into factors that affect viewing, so you can have the best chance possible at spotting these beauties!
How To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Factors That Affect Viewing
There are really two main factors that affect being able to see the northern lights.
- Light Pollution
Avoid as much light pollution as possible. This means getting out of ReykjavĆk! Or any city you are in. The darker the area around you, the better. If you are in ReykjavĆk and donāt have a car to drive away from the city, GrĆ³tta Lighthouse is a great place to view the northern lights not far from ReykjavĆk and is accessible by bus. Iāve put more info on my favorite viewing spots below! - Cloud Cover
Cloud cover is the most important factor. The sun could be throwing huge flares for days, but if the clouds are heavy in the sky, thereās no chance youāll catch a glimpse of the northern lights… Make sure to check the cloud cover forecast for the evening. Iāve listed a few websites below!
šJUMP to aurora checkers š
And then of course, you also have to take into account whether itās the right time of the yearā¦ā¬ļø
When To Go: The Best Time To See Northern Lights In Iceland
So, letās chat about the aurora season in Iceland!
Icelandās northern lights season runs from the end of August until April, with the most intense colors in October and April. The tourist season in Iceland runs from May-August, and those are also the months with the most daylight!
Therefore, visiting Iceland in winter definitely has its advantages!
If seeing the aurora is on your must-do list, then the best time to visit Iceland for northern lights would probably be the winter months from November to February. These dark months will give you the most opportunity to see this mesmerizing light show.
Just remember, if you visit Iceland during this time, there will also be limited daylight for exploring. It all depends on your priorities! For more pros and cons of each time of the year, read this guide to Icelandās seasons.
Finding The Perfect Spot: The Best Places To See Northern Lights In Iceland
Whether youāre looking to see the northern lights in ReykjavĆk or youāre willing to travel a little more off the beaten path, youāll be able to find a viewing spot on this list for you!
Just note: you will need to get OUT of the city, so while these first options Iāve listed are close to ReykjavĆk, itās not possible to see the aurora within the cityās confines.
ReykjavĆk Northern Lights: Top 5 Places
Here are three of the best places to see the Northern Lights near ReykjavĆk!
GrĆ³tta Lighthouse
The first viewing spot just outside ReykjavĆk is The GrĆ³tta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. Here, youāll find a relaxed spot where both locals and tourists gather to escape the city lights and get some insta-worthy shots of the aurora. So just remember, while itās an easy, convenient spot not too far from downtown, you wonāt exactly have the place to yourself!
Bonus points: if you donāt have a car, The GrĆ³tta lighthouse is accessible by bus. Just take bus 11 from City Hall all the way to Lindargata Road (stop HofgarĆ°ar). From there, itās just a 5-minute walk to the lighthouse! You could also take a quick 10-minute taxi if you donāt mind paying a bit more!
ĆskjuhlĆĆ° Forest near Perlan
If you’re up for a little drive, just around the corner from the city is the ĆskjuhlĆĆ° Forest, right around Perlan. Itās a little further out, but hey, thatās part of the adventure, right? Plus, getting even further away from the city lights only going to improve your viewing experience. Trust me, itās worth the mini road trip!
ElliưarƔrdalur
Next, we’re heading over to this lovely park, ElliĆ°arĆ”rdalur ā yeah, try saying that five times fast! š
This is a nature loverās paradise: itās a park with beautiful leafy trees, brimming with the sounds of running water. There is such a peaceful vibe to this place, itās like a little oasis tucked right outside the city! Itās just far away enough from ReykjavĆk that youāve got a clear sky and ample viewing opportunities.
BONUS: Aurora Museum ReykjavĆk
While not technically a viewing spot, The Aurora Museum ReykjavĆk is a great way to take your northern lights knowledge further. This museum is located downtown and itās super impressive – their motto is āWhere the Northern Lights are always on display!ā
The museum has interesting information about the mythology and science of the northern lights, and of course, the photos are incredible! Thereās even an amazing widescreen room where you can watch time-lapse video footage of the northern lights captured from all around Iceland.
Side effects of visiting may include an intense desire to hike to remote locations through Iceland in the dark and freezing cold just to become a professional northern lights photographer! š
Admission price: 1600 krĆ³na.
Further from ReykjavĆk: More Locations To See Icelandās Aurora
If you have a car and donāt mind getting a little further outside the city, I have a few other two solid options for you to catch the northern lights in Iceland!
Theyāre not too far away, so just be sure to plan ahead, look at the northern lights forecast and youāll be able to time it perfectly.
Heiưmƶrk
This is a stunning 3,000-hector nature conservation area just outside of ReykjavĆk. Surrounded by volcanic hills, called RauĆ°hĆ³lar, and the beautiful Lake ElliĆ°vatn, this is one of my favorite places to catch the lights!
Reykjanes Peninsula
Another one of the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland is along the Reykjanes Peninsula. Sure, it’s a bit of a drive, but trust me, the epic light show youāll witness once youāre there is so worth it. Some of my go-to spots are the Gardur Lighthouse and Kleifarvatn Lake. Absolutely jaw-dropping views, my friends, so have your cameras ready! šø
Ćingvellir National Park
And last but certainly not least when it comes to spots to catch the northern lights in Iceland is Ćingvellir National Park. This isn’t just any park, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with some pretty incredible geological wonders!
Tucked far away from city light pollution, Ćingvellir gives you fantastic viewing abilities when it comes to Icelandās aurora.
Aurora Trackers Iceland
While itās never a *guarantee* that youāll see the northern lights in Iceland, if you visit during the right time of year, and consistently check the aurora forecast in Iceland, your chances of spotting them are highly likely!
Here are my favorite Aurora trackers and forecasting tools!
- Iceland Weather + Aurora
- Shows cloud cover
- Shows cloud cover
- Geophysical Institute
- Rating of how likely/intense they will be
- Rating of how likely/intense they will be
- Soft Serve News
- Breaks down kV activity in half-hour increments
These sites are going to be your best friend when trying to see the northern lights in Iceland!
How To Photograph Northern Lights
Okay, so now that you know how to see the northern lights in Iceland, you want to be sure to capture a memorable photo! Here are the general rules:
- Long exposure time, i.e. 20 seconds
- Mid-range ISO. I like to keep it around 800 (this will be different depending on surrounding light pollution).
- Aperture between f/2.8 and f/5.6
- Keep the camera completely still. A tripod is a must for this. If you have a shutter release that would be extra helpful to minimize any blurring.
Get your camera ready and prepare to be amazed!
Northern Lights Tours In Iceland
If youāre wondering how to see the northern lights in Iceland without chasing them around yourself, there are more guided options available. There are plenty of companies that offer Northern Lights tours, ready to do the heavy lifting for you! šŖ
They’ll take care of the details – you’ll be collected right from where you’re staying, or from a pre-arranged meeting point. Then, they’ll whisk you away from the hustle and bustle of ReykjavĆk, steering you directly to the best spots to see the lights.
You don’t need to worry about finding the right location, just set yourself up at the spot they take you to and get ready to enjoy the show. These tours will guide you to prime viewing spots of the aurora, making your northern lights experience as easy as pie while you’re visiting ReykjavĆk.
This is your hassle-free pass to one of nature’s greatest performances!
I hope this guide has given you everything you need for a successful and memorable northern lights adventure in Iceland!
Happy planning,
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