Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a completely particular expertise you possibly can’t miss. For this reason I’m sharing the perfect locations and methods to maximise your probabilities of recognizing them after arriving in Iceland.
In case you’re something like me, and I’m positive you’re, you need to take advantage of out of your journey to Iceland if you go to. From discovering all of the greatest locations to see, unbelievable hikes, lovely waterfalls, and, after all, experiencing the greatest spots in Reykjavik. You’ll be spoilt for selection of issues to do and see if you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Nicely, the simple reply can be to say ‘anyplace’. In concept, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that you must contemplate when you find yourself recognizing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights In Iceland from Reykjavik


One of many key issues to recollect concerning the Northern Lights in Iceland is that they are often current and dancing away, however you won’t see them because of clouds and even gentle air pollution in cities like Reykjavik. This isn’t at all times the case; you will be fortunate and spot the Northern Lights whereas visiting Reykjavik, however it’s definitely slightly tougher.
Northern Lights Excursions
So, that will help you maximise your possibilities, it’s greatest to drive your self or ebook this Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik. The good thing about reserving this tour is that you just don’t should stress about driving or discovering secure parking locations. The draw back is that the excursions run even on cloudy days, which makes it very laborious to identify the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Reykjavik


The good thing about driving to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is that you just’ll get to regulate the place and when to really exit Northern Gentle looking. This implies you possibly can adapt your plans to suit round clear skies quite than staying with a inflexible tour time. In case you can, we’d say drive; it’s at all times the higher choice. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they provide you a lifetime assure to affix one other tour without cost in the event you don’t see them.
Better of all, when driving, you solely have to drive round 20 minutes from the centre of Reykjavik, and also you’ll be in full darkness. It’s essentially the most cost-effective strategy to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We advocate heading anyplace on the highway in the direction of Leirvogsvatn (beneath), which we’ve added beneath. The highway is slightly quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less gentle air pollution. That’s only a private desire.
Simply be sure to park up safely and off the primary highway. At all times make sure you’re parked in a layby or small parking areas they’ve alongside the highway itself. Oh, and take a sizzling tea of espresso with you – it’s very nice as you possibly can simply sit within the automobile, within the heat, till the Northern Lights seem.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Keflavik Airport
In case you’re nearer to Keflavik Airport, drive for about 10-Quarter-hour to close by Gunnuhver Sizzling Springs (beneath). The wonderful thing about shifting to see the Northern Lights in Gunnuhver, Iceland, is that there’s parking out there, which makes it really easy to cease.
Plus, going through south provides you an uninterrupted view and minimal gentle air pollution.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Selfoss
Travelling close to Selfoss? Then, head to the coast by routes 33 and 34 close to Eyrarbakki (beneath). It’s so shut, and you’ll rapidly drive additional down the roads to seek out the right place to identify the Northern Lights within the sky.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland from different elements of the nation
You’ll be able to see the Northern Lights in Iceland from anyplace that’s darkish and with a transparent night time. So, in the event you’re travelling additional east to locations like Vik or north to areas round Akureyri, simply be sure to seek out secure parking spots in your native space.
Easy methods to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland
The most effective instruments for the Northern Lights forecast is right here.
It’s the Icelandic Met Workplace, which particulars when and the place you will note the Northern Lights in Iceland. We use this device considerably when travelling in Iceland. In addition they observe all of the cloud cowl you would possibly encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply you’ll want to observe the quantity from zero to 9. The upper the quantity, the extra intense the Northern Lights in Iceland. Don’t simply assume you want a excessive quantity—we’ve seen a few of the most spectacular shows in Iceland whereas the forecast was solely three (which is ‘lively’).


Oh, and for the Iceland climate forecast, you possibly can see their maps right here.
Keep in mind, you’re trying to see that the Aurora Forecast quantity is larger than zero and that there’s no cloud cowl in your space.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Iceland