Table of Contents
- What Are the Northern Lights?
- Quick Facts About the Northern Lights
- When Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
- What Conditions Give You the Best Chance?
- How to Read Iceland’s Aurora Forecast
- Is Iceland a Good Place to See the Northern Lights?
- What Are the Northern Lights in Iceland Really Like?
- Are Northern Lights Guaranteed in Iceland?
- What is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
- Where are the Best Places in Iceland to See the Northern Lights?
- Top Aurora Viewing Locations Near Reykjavik
- Preparing for Your Northern Lights Hunt in Iceland
- Safety Tips for Self-Driving Aurora Hunters in Iceland
- How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland
- The Northern Lights are Waiting
There’s nothing quite like the northern lights. When the night sky suddenly comes alive with waves of green, pink and violet dancing across the horizon, it feels truly magical. It’s no wonder that seeing the aurora borealis sits high on so many travellers’ bucket lists — and Iceland is one of the best places in the world to experience it.
That said, the northern lights aren’t something you can simply turn up and see at any time of year. Timing, weather, darkness and a bit of luck all play a role. If you’re planning an aurora-hunting trip to Iceland, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know — from when and where to see the northern lights, to how to chase them safely on a self-drive adventure.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display caused by charged particles from the sun colliding with gases in Earth’s atmosphere. These collisions release energy in the form of light, creating shimmering curtains and arcs across the night sky. The colours you see depend on the type of gas involved — oxygen produces green and red hues, while nitrogen can create pink, purple or blue tones.
Because this phenomenon is closely linked to Earth’s magnetic field, auroras are most commonly visible near the poles. Iceland’s location places it right in the heart of the Northern Lights Belt, making it an ideal destination for aurora watching.
Quick Facts About the Northern Lights
Before you head out hunting, here are a few fun facts to impress your travel companions:
- The term aurora borealis comes from the Latin name for the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for north wind, Boreas.
- The lights appear between roughly 90 and 130 kilometres (55-80 miles) above the Earth’s surface.
- Auroras can occur at any time of day, but they’re only visible at night when the sky is dark.
- Green is the most common colour, though red and blue displays are rarer and particularly special.
- The first photograph of the northern lights was taken in 1892.
- Modern cameras often capture stronger colours than the human eye can see.
- Studying the northern lights is a real scientific field, and today’s research has led to excellent forecasting tools for aurora hunters.
When Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Iceland’s northern lights season runs from late August to mid-April, when nights are dark enough for aurora viewing. The best months are September to March, with the highest chances typically around the equinoxes in September and March. During summer, your chances of seeing the aurora borealis are virtually non-existent, as the sun stays up in Iceland for nearly 24 hours a day during peak summer months.
Best Time of Day
Any fully dark hour can be suitable, but aurora activity is most commonly spotted between 9:30 pm and 1:00 am. That said, strong displays can happen earlier or later, so it’s always worth keeping an eye on the sky.
What Conditions Give You the Best Chance?
Even during peak season, northern lights sightings are never guaranteed. These factors make the biggest difference:
- Clear skies – Cloud cover is the number one obstacle.
- Low light pollution – Get away from cities and towns.
- Moon phase – A bright full moon can reduce visibility.
- Aurora activity level – Tracked using forecast tools.
Artificial light matters too. Once you find a good viewing spot, turn off car headlights and avoid phone screens where possible to let your eyes fully adjust to the darkness.
How to Read Iceland’s Aurora Forecast
One of the most useful tools for aurora hunting is the forecast provided by the Icelandic Met Office. It predicts activity up to three days ahead and uses a scale from 0 to 9.
- 0 means very little chance of activity
- 3 is already considered good
- 5+ indicates strong activity (and very lucky conditions)
Most nights fall between 1 and 3, and that’s perfectly normal. Many tours — and plenty of successful self-drivers — head out when the forecast is at level 3.
The forecast map also shows cloud cover:
- White areas = clear skies
- Green areas = clouds (the darker the green, the thicker the cloud cover)
Aim for white areas combined with moderate to high aurora activity for the best odds.
Is Iceland a Good Place to See the Northern Lights?
Absolutely. Iceland sits between 64° and 66° north, right in the Northern Lights Belt. Combined with relatively low light pollution and excellent road access to remote areas, it offers outstanding aurora-viewing opportunities.
Compared to some northern destinations, Iceland is also milder in winter, making long nights outside a little more comfortable — especially when dressed properly.
What Are the Northern Lights in Iceland Really Like?
It’s important to manage expectations. While dramatic multi-coloured displays do happen, they’re rare. More often, you’ll see a soft green glow or slowly moving arcs across the sky.
These subtler displays are still incredibly beautiful — and often look even better in photos than to the naked eye.
Are Northern Lights Guaranteed in Iceland?
No. Even with perfect planning, the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and can’t be guaranteed. The best approach is to stay flexible, set aside multiple evenings, and enjoy the experience of being out under Iceland’s night skies — lights or not.
What is the Best Way to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
One of the most effective — and rewarding — ways to hunt the aurora in Iceland is by self-driving. Having your own rental car gives you complete freedom to adapt to changing conditions, which is often the key to a successful sighting.
With a car, you can:
- Leave towns and cities behind to escape light pollution
- Change plans at short notice if cloud cover moves
- Follow aurora forecasts rather than fixed tour schedules
- Go out on multiple nights instead of relying on one attempt
This flexibility is especially valuable in Iceland, where weather conditions can vary dramatically from one region to another on the same evening.
For winter travel, a 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended. Snow, ice, wind and unlit rural roads can all make driving more challenging, and a 4x4 provides better traction, stability and peace of mind. It also allows you to reach quieter viewing spots safely, rather than sticking only to main roads.
Where are the Best Places in Iceland to See the Northern Lights?
Based on all of the above, there are some general best places in Iceland to see the northern lights. You’ll want to go somewhere that’s…
- Away from the city or town (in other words, get out of Reykjavik!)
- Marked “white” on the aurora forecast map
- And somewhere marked as “high activity” on the aurora forecast map’s 0 to 9 rating scale
Top Aurora Viewing Locations
Vik (South Coast)
On Iceland’s South Coast, Vik is a remote, small village right on the ocean, with minimal artificial illumination to block your view of the northern lights. Here, you’ll enjoy the amenities of being in a village, so you can see the lights without heading off into the middle of nowhere in the middle of the night.
Vik is a convenient spot to stop for a while and look for the northern lights, especially if you’re on a South Iceland road trip. Vik offers some spectacular, dramatic scenery that perfectly complements the northern lights, such as the Reynisfjara black sand beaches, the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar and the rock arch of Dyrhólaey.
Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
The Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon is an excellent spot to watch the northern lights as well. The lagoon is far away from light pollution and it offers gorgeous scenery that comes alive in a wash of bright colours when the northern lights pop up. Just about any traveller could agree that there’s just something magical about watching the green lights reflected on the lagoon's calm surface.
This glacier lagoon is filled with icebergs and, when you have the northern lights right above them, the entire lake lights up in a colourful, beautiful display. Located in the southeast of Iceland, the glacier lagoon is very easy to reach and a lovely spot for aurora borealis sight-seeing when the conditions are right. One other cool reason to visit? During Iceland's northern lights season, the lagoon also hosts hundreds of seals.
Kirkjufell and the Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Some of the most popular Iceland northern lights photos that you’ll see were taken on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with one prominent landmark in the foreground: Kirkjufell. This mountain, which translates to “church mountain,” is already the most photographed mountain in Iceland, due to its unique shape and surrounding landscape. The northern lights playing in the sky around it only make for a more jaw-dropping photo.
If you are travelling to the northern part of Iceland, the Myvatn area, the countryside of Akureyri, or small towns around the Ring Road will also be good spots for aurora hunting.
Thingvellir National Park
If you're looking for a particularly convenient place to see the northern lights, and you maybe don't want to drive that far from Reykjavik, you can take the Golden Circle and stop by Thingvellir National Park for some northern lights sightseeing.
Ásbyrgi Canyon (North Iceland)
Asbyrgi Canyon is frequently named one of the best spots to see the northern lights. The hiking hot spot is situated in northern Iceland, making it a top pick if you're already in the area.
Top Aurora Viewing Locations Near Reykjavik
While the countryside offers the best conditions, it is still possible to catch the lights from Reykjavik on a clear, active night — especially from these darker areas. If you're in Reykjavik, there are several spots where you can go to see the northern lights without travelling too far from the city centre. Most of these spots face the coast or another body of water so that you can see the lights without the city’s light pollution interfering.
Grotta Lighthouse and Harpa Conference Hall both face the coast, so they’re good spots to go to for viewing in the area. Likewise, Reynisvatn is a Reykjavik lake where light pollution is minimal. For a hilltop view of the lights, go to Perlan, a glass dome surrounded by a forest.
You can also go to Reykjavik’s city parks for views away from the downtown lights, such as Hljómskálagarður, Klambratún, Laugardalur and Elliðaárdalur.
Preparing for Your Northern Lights Hunt in Iceland
A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to northern lights chasing. Beyond choosing the right season and location, planning for comfort and flexibility will make the experience far more enjoyable.
- Travel during peak season (September–March), ideally allowing several nights for aurora hunting
- Build flexibility into your itinerary, so you can head out when conditions are best
- Check weather and cloud forecasts daily, not just aurora activity levels
- Dress warmly with layers, insulated boots, gloves and a hat — standing still in the cold can feel much colder than expected
- Pack essentials for your car, including a phone charger, hot drinks in a thermos, blankets and a basic emergency kit
Being comfortable means you’ll be more patient — and patience is often rewarded when it comes to the northern lights.
Helpful Apps and Tools for Your Northern Lights Hunt
There are plenty of useful tools that can significantly improve your chances of spotting the northern lights in Iceland.
The Aurora Forecast app is one of the most popular resources among travellers and aurora hunters alike. It provides predicted auroral activity levels, highlights when the lights are expected to be most active, and offers easy-to-read forecasts for each day.
You can also rely on the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s aurora forecast, which serves as a trusted local source. Alongside aurora activity predictions, it includes a detailed cloud cover forecast — an essential tool, as even strong auroras won’t be visible if the sky is overcast.
For real-time updates, many travellers turn to community-based tools. Facebook groups such as Northern Lights Alert share up-to-the-minute sightings across Iceland, while the Hello Aurora app allows users to report live aurora activity, helping you see exactly where the lights are appearing and join in if you’re nearby.
If you’d like to plan a few days ahead, SolarHam is a favourite among experienced aurora chasers. It shows geomagnetic forecasts up to three days in advance, making it easier to plan your route and adjust your plans around the best potential viewing windows.
Safety Tips for Self-Driving Aurora Hunters in Iceland
Go slow, safe and familiar
Iceland’s more rural roadways are not lit. While this means less artificial light, which makes for better aurora borealis viewing, it also makes for potentially more dangerous driving conditions. This is especially the case during the winter season when roads can already be a little more hazardous due to snow and ice. With this in mind, take things slow to keep yourself safe and stay on familiar roadways.
We recommend our customers stay in one of the more rural areas where they plan to hunt for the northern lights. This allows them to learn the area during the day to more easily and quickly get back to their accommodations once night falls. This is especially a good idea during the winter months, as Iceland’s hazardous weather can crop up in an instant, surprising you and potentially leaving you stranded. And here are some of the best hotels in Iceland to see the Northern Lights we recommended.
Check the weather and road conditions ahead of time
Before driving in Iceland in winter, always check the weather and road conditions regardless of day or night.
Additionally, make sure to use the helpful tools offered by safetravel.is, such as the service’s trip itinerary feature, which allows you to upload your itinerary online, giving rescuers a better idea of your location in the event of an emergency.
You can learn more about travelling around Iceland during the winter, with our winter Iceland driving guide.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland
Be sure to bring a camera — or at least your smartphone — when heading out to see the northern lights. Modern cameras and phones are often better at picking up aurora colours than the human eye, meaning your photos may look even more vibrant than what you see in real time.
Using a Camera
For the best results with a DSLR or mirrorless camera:
- Switch to manual mode
- Turn flash and image stabilisation off
- Use a tripod to avoid camera shake
- Start with a shutter speed of around 8 seconds, then adjust depending on how bright and fast-moving the aurora is
- Use a wide aperture (low f-number) and a higher ISO if needed
Using Your Phone
Yes — you can photograph the northern lights with your phone, especially newer models.
- Use Night mode or Pro/Manual mode if available
- Keep the phone as still as possible — a small tripod, car roof or stable surface works well
- Turn off the flash and avoid using digital zoom
- Increase exposure time if your phone allows it
- Tap to focus on the sky and slightly lower brightness if the image looks washed out
One final tip: don’t spend the entire time behind the lens. Take a few photos, then put the camera down and enjoy the moment — seeing the northern lights dance across the Icelandic sky is something you’ll remember long after the photos are taken.
The Northern Lights are Waiting
Seeing the northern lights in Iceland is never guaranteed — but with good planning, flexibility and a little luck, it can become one of the most unforgettable moments of your life. Give yourself time, choose the right conditions, and enjoy the adventure of chasing the aurora beneath Iceland’s vast winter skies.
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Lights in Iceland
When can I see the northern lights in Iceland?
You can see the northern lights in Iceland between late August and mid-April, when nights are dark enough for aurora viewing. The best chances are typically from September to March, with peak conditions often occurring around the equinoxes in September and March. During summer, the midnight sun keeps the sky too bright for the northern lights to be visible.
Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavik?
Yes, it’s possible — but conditions need to be right. On clear nights with strong aurora activity, you can sometimes see the lights from darker areas of Reykjavik, such as coastal spots or city parks. However, for the best experience, heading outside the city to avoid light pollution is strongly recommended.
Do you need a tour to see the northern lights in Iceland?
No. While tours can be convenient, many travellers successfully see the northern lights by self-driving. Having your own car allows you to chase clear skies, follow aurora forecasts and go out on multiple nights rather than relying on a single tour.
How long do the northern lights last once they appear?
Displays can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Activity often comes in waves, so if the lights fade, it’s worth waiting — they may return shortly afterwards.
Are the northern lights as bright as in photos?
Not always. Many photos you see online are taken with long exposure settings, which enhance colour and brightness. In real life, the aurora often appears softer and more subtle — still beautiful, just different from heavily edited images.
