Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a very particular expertise you may’t miss. That is why 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 wish to take advantage of out of your journey to Iceland once you go to. From discovering all of the greatest locations to see, unimaginable hikes, lovely waterfalls, and, in fact, experiencing the greatest spots in Reykjavik. You’ll be spoilt for alternative of issues to do and see once you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Effectively, the simple reply could be to say ‘wherever’. In principle, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that it’s worthwhile 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 won’t see them as a result of clouds and even mild 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, nevertheless it’s definitely slightly 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 protected 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 manage the place and when to truly exit Northern Mild searching. This implies you may adapt your plans to suit round clear skies slightly than staying with a inflexible tour time. If you happen to can, we’d say drive; it’s at all times the higher possibility. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they provide you a lifetime assure to affix one other tour at no 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 essentially the most cost-effective technique 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 (under), which we’ve added under. The highway is slightly quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less mild air pollution. That’s only a private choice.
Simply ensure that 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 may simply sit within the automotive, 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 Sizzling Springs (under). The beauty of transferring 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 (under). It’s so shut, and you’ll rapidly drive additional down the roads to search out the right 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 wherever that’s darkish and with a transparent evening. 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 protected parking spots in your native space.
Methods to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland
Top-of-the-line 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 notice all of the cloud cowl you would possibly encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply make sure you notice 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 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 may see their maps right here.
Bear in mind, you’re trying to see that the Aurora Forecast quantity is increased than zero and that there’s no cloud cowl in your space.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Iceland