Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a completely particular expertise you possibly can’t miss. This is the reason I’m sharing the perfect locations and methods to maximise your probabilities of recognizing them after arriving in Iceland.
Should you’re something like me, and I’m positive you’re, you need to take advantage of out of your journey to Iceland whenever 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 whenever you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Nicely, the straightforward reply could be to say ‘anyplace’. In principle, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that that you must take into account 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 as a result of clouds and even gentle air pollution in cities like Reykjavik. This isn’t all the time the case; you might be fortunate and spot the Northern Lights whereas visiting Reykjavik, but it surely’s actually just a little tougher.
Northern Lights Excursions
So, that can assist you maximise your probabilities, it’s greatest to drive your self or guide this Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik. The advantage of reserving this tour is that you simply don’t must stress about driving or discovering secure parking locations. The draw back is that the excursions run even on cloudy days, which makes it very onerous to identify the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Reykjavik


The advantage of driving to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is that you simply’ll get to regulate the place and when to truly exit Northern Mild looking. This implies you possibly can adapt your plans to suit round clear skies slightly than staying with a inflexible tour time. Should you can, we’d say drive; it’s all the time the higher choice. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they offer you a lifetime assure to affix one other tour free of charge if you happen to don’t see them.
Better of all, when driving, you solely must drive round 20 minutes from the centre of Reykjavik, and also you’ll be in full darkness. It’s essentially the most cost-effective approach to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We suggest heading anyplace on the highway in direction of Leirvogsvatn (beneath), which we’ve added beneath. The highway is just a little quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less gentle air pollution. That’s only a private choice.
Simply ensure to park up safely and off the primary highway. All the time make sure you’re parked in a layby or small parking areas they’ve alongside the highway itself. Oh, and take a scorching tea of espresso with you – it’s very nice as you possibly can simply sit within the automotive, within the heat, till the Northern Lights seem.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Keflavik Airport
Should you’re nearer to Keflavik Airport, drive for about 10-Quarter-hour to close by Gunnuhver Scorching Springs (beneath). The wonderful thing about transferring 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 may rapidly drive additional down the roads to seek out the proper place to identify the Northern Lights within the sky.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland from different components of the nation
You possibly can see the Northern Lights in Iceland from anyplace that’s darkish and with a transparent night time. So, if you happen to’re travelling additional east to locations like Vik or north to areas round Akureyri, simply ensure to seek out secure parking spots in your native space.
Easy methods to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland
Among the finest instruments for the Northern Lights forecast is right here.
It’s the Icelandic Met Workplace, which particulars when and the place you will notice the Northern Lights in Iceland. We use this software considerably when travelling in Iceland. In addition they word all of the cloud cowl you would possibly encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply make sure to word the quantity from zero to 9. The upper the quantity, the extra intense the Northern Lights in Iceland. Don’t simply suppose you want a excessive quantity—we’ve seen among the most spectacular shows in Iceland whereas the forecast was solely three (which is ‘energetic’).


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