When and how to see the northern lights in Iceland

Witnessing the ethereal beauty of the northern lights in Iceland – also known as the aurora borealis – is on many a travel bucket list. The rippling ribbons of green, purple, blue, or even red or pink are simply breathtaking, and there are few better places to see this stunning natural phenomena than in Iceland. 

If you are hoping to take a trip to ‘the Land of Fire and Ice’ to view the spectacle, then here are a few pointers to help you in your decision making. Of course, if you would like a hassle-free vacation that integrates some aurora-chasing, our local travel experts in Iceland are always ready and waiting to plan a perfect trip that gives you the best possible chances of seeing them.

When is the best time to see Iceland’s northern lights?

If you’ve got your heart set on seeing the northern lights in Iceland, you’ll need to make sure you go at the best possible time in terms of light and visibility. Contrary to popular belief, the northern lights are actually present year-round but the long summer days mean you simply won’t be able to see them outside of a few key months. The best time to head to Iceland to see the aurora borealis, therefore, is from September to April. Throughout this period the nights are closing in, the skies are fully darkening and these glorious dancing lights are finally visible. Though conditions can be harsher the deeper into the season, you’re also more likely to see them in the months with shorter daylight hours – December and January.

It’s certainly cold at this time, but there is a lot to do in Iceland during this unique season when the aurora borealis is at its brightest. Hiking over glaciers, ice climbing, and exploring glistening ice caves are popular activities from November to March. The crowd-pleasing sights of the Golden Circle are still mostly accessible, and soothing your limbs in the powder-hued waters of the Blue Lagoon comes as a warm relief.

Christmas and New Year are typically festive, with Icelandic traditions such as the 13 Yule Lads (mischievous elf types who visit children in the lead-up to the 25th) and brilliant firework displays; and if February is your chosen month, don’t miss the stunning Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavik to add some sparkle to your trip.

Is it guaranteed that I will see the northern lights if I visit Iceland in winter?

Unfortunately, spotting the northern lights on a trip to Iceland is not guaranteed. Like any natural phenomenon, the appearance of the northern lights is dependent on certain conditions; both the solar activity in the atmosphere and what the weather is like on the ground. Luckily, just like a weather report, the ‘aurora forecast’ predicts cloud cover and solar activity, so you can stay informed over which dates of your vacation you’re most likely to see them. A full moon is also worth bearing in mind, as this may produce so much brightness that it will dull the glow of the aurora – so it’s wise to plan your vacation around dates the moon is not at its fullest.

When you’re in Iceland, the aurora forecast is something you’d check regularly, much like a weather forecast. People typically check it through the Icelandic Meteorological Office. Their aurora forecast typically shows a cloud cover map, visibility predictions and a Kp-index. The Kp-index is a measure of solar activity from 0-9, where higher numbers mean higher visibility of the lights from further south.

You could also use apps like Aurora Forecast, My Aurora Forecast & Alerts or Northern Lights Aurora Alerts. These apps tend to offer real-time notifications, to let you know instantly whether conditions for the aurora have improved or changed.

All of this said, if you book a northern lights tour in Iceland, the guides often rely on these forecasts to choose locations with the best chances of clear skies and strong activity.

Where is best to see the northern lights in Iceland?

If you’re not too fussy over the quality and strength of the northern lights, you might be lucky enough to spot them from all over Iceland. However, in rural areas it’s darker and you’ll have less light pollution to deal with, meaning the aurora will hopefully appear brighter and more luminous.

Seeing the northern lights in or around Reykjavik

If you’re short on time and staying in a city, even in the capital of Reykjavik there are stretches where the northern lights can be seen, so long as you’re far enough away from the light pollution. Check the aurora forecast and if it looks promising, try heading to larger parks like Klambratún or Laugardalur, or to the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula by the Grótta Lighthouse – a popular spot for aurora enthusiasts for its minimal artificial light and proximity to the city.

Go off the beaten path for unrivaled views

Alternatively, you can arrange to be in a more rural location for a good part of your trip in order to maximise your northern lights experience. Some of Iceland’s biggest tourist sites are excellent places to watch the show – Thingvellir National Park, for example, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with wide, open landscapes and almost no light pollution, making it the perfect spot (though be aware it attracts a fair amount of fellow aurora chasers!).

Another great spot is the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, approximately 370km (230 miles) from Reykjavik, near the small village of Höfn. It also sits at the edge of the Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, an outlet of Vatnajökull, which is Europe’s largest ice cap and yet another UNESCO-protected site. Watching the northern lights dance overhead as icebergs float in the lagoon beneath makes for an unforgettable, otherworldly scene, and is truly a photographer’s dream. It’s also a haven for seabirds and other wildlife, if you want to make a full day immersed in what natural wonders this area has to offer before night falls.

Vík and its black-sand beaches also make the perfect place to combine aurora watching with daytime exploration. During the day, you can wander the black sands of Reynisfjara beach, admiring its basalt sea stacks; hike across a glacier or scale a volcanic crag; then wrap up warm and settle down at night to watch this magical spectacle of the skies unfold, with no unnatural light to tarnish your view.

In western Iceland, the oft-photographed Kirkjufell Mountain, often called the ‘Church Mountain’ due to its distinct, steeple-like shape, is another prime aurora-chasing spot. It is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, near the town of Grundarfjörður, which is an atmospheric fishing town that’s a joy to visit.

Embark on a northern lights cruise

Another popular option is to view them from the deck of a boat. Set out from Reykjavík into Eyjafjörður Fjord, or from the city of Akureyri into Faxafloí Bay – and marvel at the mirage-like, reflected beauty of the green and purple lights in the water. There are plenty of guided boat tours set up specifically to capture the best viewing spots for the northern lights – or you can ask one of our local travel guides to include a boat tour in your Iceland itinerary before you go.

Make it happen

Our local experts in Iceland are lucky to have the northern lights dancing over their heads year-round, so there’s no one better placed to plan a perfect trip for you to see them. Simply send an enquiry and they will be back in touch to create your tailor-made trip to Iceland.