The Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights, is an amazing natural phenomenon that everyone should take the opportunity to see at least once. The awe-inspiring light show has been calling people from all over the world to Iceland for a very long time.
Grab a blanket, a cup of coffee, and your winter gear. The best times to see the northern lights in Iceland are in the winter months. With winter weather as cold as -10C you want to make your night sky viewing as comfortable and stress-free as possible. That means planning ahead on how you want to view the northern lights and where you will stay in Iceland during your trip. Here at Nordic Stay, we offer amazing accommodations all over the island, so pack your bags for an unforgettable excursion to the land of fire and ice.
What are the northern lights?
The northern lights are part of an atmospheric phenomenon called the polar lights that are actually created by solar storms on the surface of the sun. Sometimes the particles from these storms reach Earth’s atmosphere where they are attracted to the north and south poles. These particles slam into atoms within our atmosphere causing the sky to turn those notorious shades of red, green, yellow, and blue. Did you know you can see the same show in the southern hemisphere? They’re called the Aurora Australis.
The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland
You might be wondering when you should book your flight to Iceland for a northern lights adventure. Honestly, the best time to see them is between September and mid-April. Keep in mind that Iceland experiences 24 hours of sunlight from mid-April to mid-August so you won’t be able to see the northern lights during the summer. And, because the lights are a naturally occurring event, they are not always easy to predict. The optimal viewing times are in September and March during the fall and spring equinox.
Things to consider when planning your northern lights trip:
- Time of year – winter is best!
- Try to pick a night that is dark. You’ll want to avoid the full moon.
- Clear skies with little to no cloud cover.
- Where you will stay.
- You’ll need to stay up late so take advantage of an afternoon nap!
- Dress to stay warm. We suggest layering up and investing in some gloves.
- Be sure to bring a thermos with a hot beverage and snacks because you may have to wait on the lights.
Once you’ve got your trip booked you can utilize Iceland’s aurora forecast. Just remember the weather is constantly changing so it can be tricky to plan out far in advance.
Where to see the northern lights in Iceland
Iceland is a magical land offering some very spectacular places to view the northern lights. We have accommodations for rent all over the country that will make it easy for you to pick and choose your home base when admiring the northern lights.
Grótta Lighthouse
It’s totally possible to see the northern lights without having to travel too far from Iceland’s capital. This is great news for you guys that may only have a few days to spend in Iceland.
It can be a bit difficult to see the aurora borealis from the city because of light pollution. If you really can’t make it out of the city then venture to the shoreline.
Just outside of Reykjavik on the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula sits Grótta Lighthouse. This little lighthouse rests just north of the city. Within a 10 minutes drive, you can be far enough away from Reykjavik to enjoy the dark night’s sky. Nordic Stay offers car rental discounts to our guests if you’re looking to get yourself a car during your stay with us.
Heads up…because the lighthouse is so conveniently located you will most likely be sharing your viewing space with tourists and locals alike. Don’t let this shy you away from snapping some amazing pictures of the northern lights. You can take advantage of using the lighthouse as a phot backdrop.
Lake Kleifarvatn
Just a 30-minute drive south of Reykjavik is Lake Kleifarvatn. This thermal lake is one of Iceland’s largest lakes and offers some amazing landscapes covered in lava, hot springs, and rows of volcanoes. The shoreline is an ideal location to view the northern lights. You’re still close enough to the city if you want to head back after sky gazing, or you can take advantage of one of our rental accommodations in the Reykjanes Peninsula.
Akureyri
In the far north of Iceland sits the city of Akureyri. Sometimes referred to as “Iceland’s Capital of the North”, Akureyri is closer to the Arctic Circle and about a 4.5 hour drive from Reykjavik. You can stay in one of our rental homes in Norðurland and explore the natural wonders nearby at night to catch a stunning glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
Here is a list of our top recommended spots for northern lights viewing in Akureyri:
- Gasir – 8 miles north of the city
- Hlíðarfjall Ski resort – you’ll be viewing the lights from above Akureyri
- Krossanesborgir – see the northern lights dance across the fjords north of town
- Ljósavatn – the 35 minute drive is worth it because you will be in the middle of nowhere!
Unique ways to see the northern lights in Iceland
A fun way to see Iceland’s northern lights is to book a tour. There are many tours catering to people wanting to see the lights. You can book a boat tour from Reykjavik, a snowmobile tour on a glacier, or chase the lights in a jeep excursion!
There are northern lights tours all over Iceland. We’ve provided a quick guide for some of our top picks. Enjoy this bucket list opportunity by making it an epic adventure you won’t soon forget!
- Leave by boat from Reykjavik and cruise out into the North Atlantic ocean with an expert tour guide. There are many great boat tours leaving from the city.
- Sign up for a backcountry tour that takes you high up on Langjökull Glacier to see the Aurora Borealis away from Reykjavik on a snowmobile.
- Relax and enjoy chasing the northern lights from the comfort of a super jeep. There are many different jeep tours that offer northern lights tours in Iceland.
- Take advantage of two of Iceland’s biggest attractions by pairing a trip to the famous Blue Lagoons and a northern lights bus tour. Soak it up in some geothermal waters before boarding a bus to catch the northern lights. Iceland offers many different packaged tours.
The northern lights are a truly unique experience that can be captured on your trip to Iceland. There is nothing like seeing those vivid colors dance across the night sky. From September to April of each year Iceland becomes a world of opportunity for those who want to brave the cold for the beautiful Aurora Borealis. And here at Nordic Stay, we offer the best accommodations for whichever Icelandic destination you choose for your northern lights vacation.
