Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a very particular expertise you’ll be able to’t miss. For this reason I’m sharing the most effective locations and methods to maximise your probabilities of recognizing them after arriving in Iceland.
In the event 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, unimaginable hikes, lovely waterfalls, and, after all, experiencing the greatest spots in Reykjavik. You’ll be spoilt for alternative of issues to do and see whenever you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Effectively, the straightforward reply could be to say ‘wherever’. In idea, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that you could think about when you’re 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 consequence of clouds and even mild air pollution in cities like Reykjavik. This isn’t all the time the case; you may be fortunate and spot the Northern Lights whereas visiting Reykjavik, however it’s definitely somewhat more difficult.
Northern Lights Excursions
So, that can assist you maximise your probabilities, it’s greatest to drive your self or e book this Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik. The advantage of reserving this tour is that you simply don’t need to stress about driving or discovering secure parking locations. The draw back is that the excursions run even on cloudy days, which makes it very exhausting 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 really exit Northern Gentle looking. This implies you’ll be able to adapt your plans to suit round clear skies fairly than staying with a inflexible tour time. In the event 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 hitch one other tour without cost 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 probably the most cost-effective method to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We suggest heading wherever on the highway in the direction of Leirvogsvatn (beneath), which we’ve added beneath. The highway is somewhat quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less mild air pollution. That’s only a private desire.
Simply ensure that to park up safely and off the principle 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’ll be able to simply sit within the automotive, within the heat, till the Northern Lights seem.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Keflavik Airport
In the event you’re nearer to Keflavik Airport, drive for about 10-Quarter-hour to close by Gunnuhver Scorching Springs (beneath). The beauty of 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 mild 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 search out the proper place to identify the Northern Lights within the sky.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland from different elements of the nation
You possibly can see the Northern Lights in Iceland from wherever 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 that to search out secure parking spots in your native space.
Find out how to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland
Probably the greatest 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 instrument considerably when travelling in Iceland. Additionally 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 number of the most spectacular shows in Iceland whereas the forecast was solely three (which is ‘energetic’).


Oh, and for the Iceland climate forecast, you’ll be able to see their maps right here.
Bear 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