Know Before You Go: Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland

Spotting the northern lights is easily one of the best things to do in Iceland, but what even are they, anyway? Put simply, they're a natural phenomena that occurs in Earth’s atmosphere above the most northerly latitudes of the planet. The aurora borealis are bands of colored light and are seen in green (the most common color), pink, red, purple, white and even yellow and are the result of particles from the sun that collide with our atmosphere and interact with our atmospheric gases. The colors appear to dance across the sky during the darkest months of the year (December through March) and have captivated humans for millennia.

Due to its prime geographical location, low light pollution, and typically clear skies, Iceland is considered one of the best places in the world for seeing the northern lights. And as Guðrún Dagmar Haraldsdóttir, a Gray Line guide who leads northern lights tours around Iceland, notes: “To see the lights, you need a lot of darkness.” Luckily, Iceland can offer that. Thanks to its long winter nights, the country is plunged into darkness throughout most of the midwinter, with an average of around four hours of daylight in December. That makes seeing the northern lights easiest between September and early March for aurora hunters.

And what about summer? Although Iceland receives nearly 24 hours of daylight during the height of summer, the aurora can sometimes be spotted late at night during the warmer months. Late August offers the greatest chance of catching warm weather sightings of the northern lights. However, the chances of a sighting are very low from April through September, so if you’re set on seeing the northern lights, don’t book a trip in the summer.

In summary, September to March is generally considered to be the prime time to see the northern lights in Iceland, but Haraldsdóttir recommends following an online aurora forecast to see the intensity of upcoming aurora activity. And while technically you may see the northern lights in summer, if you really want to increase your chances, opt for a midwinter trip to Iceland instead.

If you're wondering what to pack to see the northern lights in Iceland, wonder no more. “In Iceland, we never talk about bad weather—we talk about bad clothing,” Haraldsdóttir says. She recommends aurora hunters bring thermal underwear in addition to warm layers and outerwear. Think winter coat; snow pants and shoes; and thick hats, gloves, and socks. “A thin pair of gloves (merino wool or polyester) inside your thicker pair can be helpful when you’re taking pictures,” Haraldsdóttir adds.

This is because the aurora arrives in Iceland during the coldest, darkest months of the year, even though, generally, the country doesn’t get as frigid as its name suggests. The expected weather conditions in Iceland during the winter include temperatures which hover around 32°F (0°C), higher than those seen in other northern lights destinations such as Alaska or Finland.

There are several ways to get great photos of the northern lights, but they require a bit more thought than "point and shoot" ... and definitely no flash!

How to take photos of the northern lights with a manual camera:

• You need a camera with manual settings.
• Don’t use your flash.
• Bring a tripod: A long exposure is necessary, and without a tripod, you’ll end up with an even blurrier photo.
• Set a focus point.
• Adjust the ISO, shutter speed (between 12–20 seconds), and aperture (f4 is recommended).

How to take photos of the northern lights with an iPhone:

• Night mode automatically comes on in low light.
• Turn off the flash.
• Click the camera menu button at the top of the phone and adjust the exposure time to max.
• Keep the camera as still as possible to reduce the blurriness, even better if you have a tripod.

You can still see the northern lights from the Icelandic capital, you just need to choose your viewing point carefully to avoid the bright city lights. Here's how.

• Night cruises: The still waters of Faxaflói Bay make it an ideal spot for aurora watching.
• Coach tours from downtown: Led by experienced aurora-hunter guides, northern lights bus tours visit nearby spots where you’re most likely to witness the aurora, depending on the evening’s conditions of course.
• Independently by rental car: Keep warm in the car while you wait to spot the northern lights on an independent excursion. Top spots to visit within a short driving distance of downtown include Grótta—a nature reserve just 3 miles (5 kilometers) away that's known for its lighthouse, birdlife, and dark skies—and Öskjuhlið Hill, one of Reykjavik’s highest points and home to the glass-domed Pearl (Perlan) landmark. (If you don’t have any luck with the night sky, visit the Pearl Planetarium before 9pm for a simulated aurora viewing.)

And once you're finished hunting down the northern lights, there are lots more things to do in Reykjavik. During the day, take a downtown walking tour to see such sites as the striking Hallgrim's Church (Hallgrímskirkja) and waterfront Harpa (Reykjavik Concert Hall and Conference Centre). Then, by night, hit the always-lively bars of Reykjavik on a runtur (bar crawl).

Sitting within the famous Golden Circle, Thingvellir National Park offers little light pollution yet is still close to Reykjavik, making it great for convenient northern light hunting.

• Super Jeep tours: Thankfully, Super Jeeps can navigate Iceland's off-road trails, cross rivers, and wind up narrow mountain roads to reach remote areas around the park. For example, nearby Nesjavallir's landscape of lava rock and moss make a great foreground for photographing the lights. Set on a volcano, Nesjavallir and the Hengill Geothermal Area have many hiking trails, dramatic views, and bubbling hot springs. (For the most part the springs are too hot to bathe in, but they let off warm steam.)
• Independently on foot: Hike through the geothermal area and find a remote spot to watch the lights.
• Coach tours: Choose a combo tour to explore the Golden Circle (Gullni Hringurinn) by day and night.

And when you've had your fill of northern lights, there are lots more things to do in Thingvellir National Park. Join a snorkeling tour to swim between tectonic plates at the park’s Silfra Fissure, or visit the Reykjadalur valley in Nesjavallir for the chance to bathe in a thermal river.

Vík offers plenty of chances (and places from which) to spot the northern lights, plus it's within easy reach of the capital, Reykjavik.

• Coach tours: On a full-day South Coast tour which passes through Vík, you can see some of Iceland’s top natural landmarks, including Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Sólheimajökull Glacier, all before hunting the lights at nightfall.
• Independently on foot: If you’re staying in town, it’s just a stroll down to Reynisfjara Beach, which provides a dramatic foreground to the northern lights.
• Super Jeep tours: Head off-road on a guided adventure in a sturdy Super Jeep to catch the northern lights away from the crowds.

And once you've finished looking skyward, be sure to check out the other things to do in Vík. Saddle up and ride a surefooted Icelandic horse across the black-sand beach for views of the Reynisdrangar sea stacks, or walk across pure ice on a guided Sólheimajökull Glacier hike.

There are many ways to seek out the northern lights in Akureyri, the ideal destination for adventurous northern light seekers in Iceland.

• Jeep tours: Traveling by 4WD vehicle through Akureryi is the ideal way to hunt for the aurora, as a driver-guide takes you deep into the wilderness as well as to nearby waterfalls, craters, and lakes.
• Coach tours: In the company of an experienced aurora hunter, you’ll maximize your chances of spotting the sometimes elusive lights with the added bonus of round-trip transport in and out of the city.
• Independently by rental car: Several ideal aurora locations are within an easy driving distance of Akureyri—and you can plan your own itinerary. For example, Gásir, an old medieval trading site about 8 miles (13 kilometers), or a 35-minute drive, outside of Akureyri, is far enough from town to be away from the light pollution but still easily accessible. Just remember to check your route before departing—road conditions can be poor, and some roads may even be closed during the winter.
• Night cruises: By getting out on the water, you’ll avoid the light pollution of the city streets.

And when you're done hunting for the aurora, there are plenty more things to do in Akureyri. For example, explore the famed turf houses on horseback, or keep warm at Mývatn Nature Baths, then take advantage of the city’s northern location by taking a day trip out to Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss waterfall, or Goðafoss waterfall.

If you plan to take a northern lights tour in Iceland, check with the provider ahead of time as many tour experiences take visitors to rugged environments that are not wheelchair accessible. A good alternative is Perlan in Reykjavik, which is fully wheelchair accessible and offers good aurora-spotting opportunities—Perlan’s Planetarium also has a simulated aurora experience. Throughout Iceland, look for the green Gott aðgengi í ferðaþjónustu (“Good Access in Tourism”) label, which indicates restaurants, hotels, museums, and tour companies that have been vetted for accessibility for wheelchairs; for the blind and visually impaired; and for the deaf and hard of hearing.

• What are the best weather conditions for seeing the northern lights? Clear and dark skies are essential for spotting the northern lights, as cloud cover will obscure the view. If you’ve booked a northern lights tour in Iceland, your guides should keep you up-to-date on any weather changes that might impact your viewing of the aurora. If possible, try to be flexible with your travel dates to give yourself the best chance for perfect weather conditions.

• Where are the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland? You can see the northern lights from nearly anywhere in Iceland, even in Iceland’s capital city, Reykjavik (where most travelers stay while in the country, even for a few days). In Reykjavik, there are elevated spots and easily accessible places that are near the city yet far away from the modest city lights. Other top spots for seeing these incredible atmospheric light displays in Iceland include Vík, Akureyri, and Thingvellir National Park.