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Iceland’s northern lights: The best time to catch them
If you dream of seeing the northern lights in person, look no further than Iceland. This sparsely populated island in the North Atlantic, near the Arctic Circle, is known for its spectacular landscapes and is also the perfect place to catch them. The “Aurora Borealis”, to use its scientific name, regularly appears here, bathing the island’s waterfalls, glaciers, ice caves, volcanoes and geysers in mystical light. If you love nature, a trip to see the northern lights in Iceland should be at the top of your list.
This guide covers the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland, where to catch them and the best spots for photos.
Book your northern lights trip to Iceland on discover-airlines.com and get ready to see one of the most spectacular sights on Earth.
What makes Iceland a great place to see the northern lights
Iceland’s location beneath the auroral oval makes it one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. The auroral oval is a zone around the geomagnetic North Pole where the northern lights appear most frequently. Iceland also has very little light pollution outside the capital region, so even just beyond Reykjavík’s city limits, you’ll have a good chance of spotting them. Many hotels outside the capital also offer an “aurora wake-up service” to alert guests as soon as the northern lights appear.
In the winter months, nights are long, which increases your chances of spotting them. Getting to viewing locations is also easy, whether you go by car or as part of a guided tour. All of this makes Iceland a popular destination for seeing the aurora.
The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is between late September and early April, when it gets dark enough at night to be able to see them. October to March is particularly popular as you’re more likely to get clear skies during this period. If you travel to Iceland in October, you’re already within one of the best windows to see the northern lights. Fall also brings stable weather and colorful scenery that pairs beautifully with the dancing lights up above.
Solar activity will also affect your chances of seeing the northern lights. The stronger the solar activity, the more intensely the aurora glows. Although impossible to predict far in advance, various apps and websites provide current forecasts. Choosing the right viewing location matters too. The farther you get from artificial light sources, the better, as just a small amount of light pollution can affect the aurora’s visibility. That’s why it’s a good idea to seek out more remote locations or well-known aurora-viewing spots.
The best places to spot the northern lights in Iceland
How to make the most out of your northern lights trip to Iceland
A little preparation goes a long way toward a successful northern lights trip to Iceland. Pack warm, weatherproof clothing and layer it appropriately. A hat, gloves and well-insulated shoes are absolutely essential, as you’ll be standing for long periods outdoors. Thermal underwear and a well-insulating outer layer will also help you handle the cold.
Take a tripod and a camera with manual settings if you want to photograph the northern lights. Exposure times between 5 and 30 seconds at a low ISO are recommended. Smartphones that have a night mode can also deliver surprisingly good results.
Many travelers book guided northern lights tours of Iceland as the guides know the best places to spot them and keep up to date with current weather conditions. Guides will take you by bus, super jeep or small minivan to the best viewpoints. Some providers also let you combine northern lights spotting with visits to hot springs or a traditional Icelandic dinner.
You can also rent a car to have more freedom to explore different regions. Just keep in mind that you should have some experience driving on ice and snow to be able to handle the conditions.
Remember that there’s no guarantee of seeing the northern lights, which is why staying for several nights is a good idea. Plan your itinerary so you have exciting things to do if the sky clouds over, like visiting the glacier caves, going snowshoe hiking or visiting one of the island’s museums.
For a quieter experience that you can tailor more to your interests, visit outside peak northern lights season. Traveling in March or October gives you the perfect balance of liveliness and tranquility, and during these months you’ll find good deals and less busy accommodations.
It’s also a good idea to check the weather and any aurora apps you’ve been using before you head out. Try to keep your devices’ batteries warm and take spare batteries with you as the cold will significantly reduce battery life. And remember that even if you’re not lucky enough to catch the aurora, a trip to Iceland in winter can still be full of magic.
Book your trip to see the northern lights on discover-airlines.com and prepare to be swept away by the magic of Iceland.
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