Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a very particular expertise you may’t miss. This is the reason I’m sharing the very best locations and methods to maximise your possibilities of recognizing them after arriving in Iceland.
If you happen to’re something like me, and I’m positive you might be, 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, stunning 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? Nicely, the straightforward reply could be to say ‘wherever’. In concept, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that it is advisable to think about if 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 may not see them resulting from clouds and even mild 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 definitely just a little 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 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 may adapt your plans to suit round clear skies reasonably than staying with a inflexible tour time. If you happen to can, we’d say drive; it’s all the time the higher possibility. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they provide you a lifetime assure to hitch one other tour totally free when 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 approach to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We advocate heading wherever on the highway in the 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 mild air pollution. That’s only a private choice.
Simply be certain 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 scorching tea of espresso with you – it’s very nice as you may simply sit within the automobile, within the heat, till the Northern Lights seem.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Keflavik Airport
If you happen to’re nearer to Keflavik Airport, drive for about 10-Quarter-hour to close by Gunnuhver Scorching Springs (beneath). The beauty of shifting to see the Northern Lights in Gunnuhver, Iceland, is that there’s parking obtainable, 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 may shortly 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’ll be able to see the Northern Lights in Iceland from wherever that’s darkish and with a transparent evening. So, when you’re travelling additional east to locations like Vik or north to areas round Akureyri, simply be certain to seek out secure parking spots in your native space.
The way 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 instrument considerably when travelling in Iceland. Additionally they be aware all of the cloud cowl you would possibly encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply you’ll want to be aware 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 ‘lively’).


Oh, and for the Iceland climate forecast, you may see their maps right here.
Keep 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