Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
*This post contains affiliate links and I may be compensated for select purchases.
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those travel experiences that can be difficult to describe until you've actually stood beneath them. One minute you're looking at what seems like an ordinary dark sky, and then a faint green glow begins to appear. A few minutes later, the light may stretch across the sky, shift and ripple, and seem to dance above the landscape.
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to experience the aurora because you can combine the search for the lights with an incredible winter vacation. During the same trip, you can soak in geothermal lagoons, walk along black-sand beaches, explore waterfalls, visit glaciers, drive through volcanic landscapes, and eat wonderful food in cozy restaurants.
The Northern Lights season in Iceland generally runs from late August through mid-April, when there are enough hours of darkness for the aurora to be visible. Clear or partly clear skies are essential, however, so there is never a guarantee that you will see them on a particular night.
The best strategy is to give yourself several nights rather than planning your entire trip around one specific evening. That way, if clouds roll in one night, you have other opportunities.
Here are some of the best places to base yourself and explore while hunting for the Northern Lights.
1. Reykjavík
Reykjavík is the easiest place to begin a Northern Lights trip, particularly if you are visiting Iceland for the first time. You get all the conveniences of a capital city—restaurants, museums, shops, comfortable hotels, and tour operators—while being surprisingly close to dark skies.
You can occasionally see the aurora from within Reykjavík itself, particularly when activity is strong. Grótta Lighthouse on the Seltjarnarnes peninsula is one of the city's most popular nearby viewing spots. Other possibilities include Öskjuhlíð, Elliðaárdalur Valley, and areas around the Old Harbour.
If the forecast looks promising, you can also join a Northern Lights tour and let an experienced guide drive you away from the city lights. This can be especially helpful if you're unfamiliar with Icelandic winter roads.
During the day, explore Hallgrímskirkja, walk along the waterfront, visit Harpa Concert Hall, browse the shops around Laugavegur, and spend some time at Perlan. Perlan's Áróra experience is particularly useful on cloudy nights because it gives you an indoor introduction to the aurora.
Where to stay
Hotel Borg by Keahotels is a classic choice in the heart of downtown Reykjavík, making it easy to walk to restaurants and attractions.
For something more contemporary, The Reykjavik EDITION puts you near the harbor and Harpa Concert Hall.
Where to eat
For a special dinner, try Dill, Iceland's Michelin-starred restaurant, or Grillmarkaðinn for a more traditional Icelandic fine-dining experience.
For something casual, look for Icelandic lamb, seafood, or the city's famous hot dogs. Reykjavík is a good place to experiment with Icelandic food before heading into the more remote parts of the country.
2. Þingvellir National Park
Just outside Reykjavík, Þingvellir National Park makes an excellent Northern Lights outing because of its wide-open landscapes and relatively low light pollution.
The park is also fascinating during daylight. It is one of Iceland's most important historical sites and is where the country's national assembly was established in 930. Geologically, it is also associated with the visible boundary between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates.
During the day, walk through the dramatic landscape, visit Öxarárfoss waterfall, and explore the trails around the historic assembly site. Then, if conditions are favorable, stay into the evening for a completely different experience beneath the stars.
Visit Reykjavík recommends Þingvellir as one of the accessible dark-sky destinations for travelers based in the capital.
Where to stay
You can easily visit Þingvellir from Reykjavík, but staying farther into the countryside gives you a better opportunity to step outside your hotel and look directly into a darker sky.
ION Adventure Hotel is one of the more memorable choices. Its remote setting near Þingvellir National Park and geothermal surroundings make it particularly suited to an Iceland winter getaway. The hotel even promotes the experience of soaking beneath the Northern Lights.
Where to eat
ION Adventure Hotel's restaurant, Silfra, is convenient if you're staying on the property. For more options, plan your meals around your daytime excursions and return to Reykjavík for dinner.
3. Hella and the South Iceland Countryside
The small town of Hella is an excellent base if your primary goal is getting away from city lights without being too far from Iceland's major southern attractions.
The surrounding countryside is open, rural, and wonderfully dark at night. On a clear evening, you can step outside your hotel and have an unobstructed view of the sky rather than driving back into Reykjavík after an evening tour.
During the day, use Hella as a base for exploring South Iceland. You can visit waterfalls such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, explore nearby volcanic landscapes, and continue toward the black-sand beaches farther east.
Where to stay
Hotel Rangá is one of the best-known hotels in Iceland for Northern Lights travelers. The hotel has its own observatory, and during the winter season, local astronomers can guide guests through the night sky when weather permits.
It also has outdoor hot tubs, which creates a pretty wonderful combination: soaking in warm water while watching the Icelandic night sky.
Where to eat
Hotel Rangá's restaurant is the easiest choice if you're staying there, with Icelandic ingredients and international influences on the menu.
For a casual lunch while exploring the South Coast, stop in Hella or Hvolsvöllur for soup, sandwiches, coffee, or a warm meal before heading back out into the cold.
4. Vík and the South Coast
Vík is one of Iceland's most dramatic small towns and makes a wonderful base for combining Northern Lights hunting with some of the country's most recognizable landscapes.
During the day, visit Reynisfjara black-sand beach, where enormous basalt formations rise from the sea. Continue to Dyrhólaey for coastal views, and visit nearby waterfalls such as Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss.
At night, the rural surroundings around Vík offer much darker skies than Reykjavík. The combination of mountains, coastline, and open countryside can also create beautiful foregrounds for Northern Lights photography.
Just remember that Reynisfjara is a powerful and potentially dangerous beach because of its sneaker waves. Keep well back from the water and follow local safety warnings.
Where to stay
Hotel Kría is a comfortable, modern option in Vík, with views toward the surrounding mountains.
For something more remote, look for countryside guesthouses outside the town where there is less artificial light.
Where to eat
Drangar Restaurant at Hotel Kría is a convenient choice, particularly after a long day exploring the South Coast. The menu focuses on Icelandic ingredients while offering a comfortable setting for a winter evening.
5. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
If you want a Northern Lights setting that feels almost unreal, it is hard to beat Jökulsárlón.
During the day, enormous pieces of glacial ice float through the lagoon before making their way toward the ocean. Across the road, Diamond Beach is scattered with chunks of ice that have washed onto the black sand.
Then stay into the evening.
On a clear night, the aurora above the lagoon can reflect in the dark water and illuminate the ice. It is one of those places where the landscape is already spectacular before you add the Northern Lights.
Because this area is considerably farther from Reykjavík, it works best as part of a South Coast road trip rather than a quick evening excursion.
Where to stay
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is one of the most convenient upscale choices in the area. Its location makes it easy to explore Jökulsárlón, Diamond Beach, and nearby attractions.
You can also find guesthouses around Höfn and along the South Coast.
Where to eat
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon's restaurant is convenient if you're staying there. If you continue to Höfn, the town is famous for its langoustine, so seafood should definitely be on your list.
6. Höfn
Höfn is a small harbor town in southeast Iceland and makes a practical base for exploring the glacier region.
The town itself is surrounded by dramatic scenery, with glaciers and mountains in the distance. Once night falls, the lack of major urban light pollution gives you a good opportunity to look for the aurora.
Höfn is also known for its seafood, particularly langoustine, making it one of the better places in Iceland to combine Northern Lights viewing with memorable meals.
During the day, explore the harbor, take a scenic drive, or use Höfn as a base for excursions toward the glaciers.
Where to stay
Hotel Höfn offers a convenient base near the harbor.
For a more secluded experience, look at guesthouses in the surrounding countryside.
Where to eat
Pakkhús Restaurant is one of the best-known places to try local seafood in Höfn. Order the langoustine if it's available and in season.
7. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is sometimes described as Iceland in miniature, and it's easy to understand why. Within a relatively compact area you'll find mountains, lava fields, fishing villages, beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, and glaciers.
It is also an excellent Northern Lights destination because you can get away from the major population centers while still having plenty to explore during daylight.
Kirkjufell, the distinctive mountain near Grundarfjörður, is one of Iceland's most photographed landscapes. Seeing the Northern Lights above Kirkjufell can make for an extraordinary photograph.
You can also visit Arnarstapi, walk along the coast, explore black-sand beaches, and drive around the peninsula at a relaxed pace.
Where to stay
Hotel Búðir is one of the most atmospheric hotels in Iceland. Its isolated location near the coast makes it particularly appealing for aurora viewing, while its surroundings are beautiful during the day.
Kirkjufell Hotel is another convenient option if you want to stay closer to Grundarfjörður.
Where to eat
Hotel Búðir's restaurant is a good choice if you're staying there, particularly because there aren't endless dining options in the remote countryside.
Around Grundarfjörður, look for small local restaurants serving seafood and traditional Icelandic dishes.
8. Akureyri
Akureyri is the unofficial capital of North Iceland and an excellent base for travelers who want a combination of town comforts and easy access to darker skies.
The region has long, dark winter nights, relatively low light pollution, and broad open landscapes. Visit Akureyri notes that the Northern Lights can frequently be seen in the region from late August through mid-April on clear nights.
Spend your daytime exploring Akureyri's botanical gardens, shops, cafés, and waterfront, then venture outside town after dark.
One of the region's great advantages is the variety of Northern Lights experiences available. You can take a guided aurora tour, explore nearby landscapes, or combine your evening with geothermal bathing.
Where to stay
Hotel Kea by Keahotels is centrally located and makes a convenient base for exploring Akureyri.
For a more intimate experience, look for boutique guesthouses around the fjord.
Where to eat
Strikid is a popular choice for dinner in Akureyri, particularly if you're looking for a nicer meal with views over the town and fjord.
For something casual, explore the cafés and smaller restaurants around the center.
9. Goðafoss
Goðafoss, the "Waterfall of the Gods," is one of the most beautiful Northern Lights photography locations in North Iceland.
The waterfall is easy to reach from the Ring Road, which makes it particularly convenient for travelers driving between Akureyri and Lake Mývatn.
During the day, the horseshoe-shaped waterfall is impressive enough on its own. At night, the possibility of seeing the aurora above the cascading water adds another layer to the experience.
North Iceland tourism specifically highlights Goðafoss as an accessible Northern Lights location and notes the appeal of photographing the aurora with the waterfall as a foreground.
Where to stay
Base yourself in Akureyri or continue to the Lake Mývatn area.
Hotel Laxá near Mývatn is a particularly appealing option for travelers who want to spend several nights exploring the region.
Where to eat
Hotel Laxá has an on-site restaurant, while Akureyri offers a much wider selection if you'd rather make dinner part of your evening in town.
10. Lake Mývatn
Lake Mývatn is one of the most interesting regions in Iceland, and it becomes particularly atmospheric in winter.
During the day, explore the volcanic landscape around the lake, visit the geothermal areas of Námaskarð, see the unusual formations at Dimmuborgir, and warm up at the Mývatn Nature Baths.
Then, when darkness falls, the area's relatively remote setting makes it a wonderful place to look for the aurora.
One of the pleasures of staying here is that you don't necessarily have to turn Northern Lights hunting into an elaborate excursion. If the sky is clear, you can simply step outside and look up.
Where to stay
Hotel Laxá is a comfortable choice with a remote setting and easy access to the region's attractions.
For a more rustic experience, there are also guesthouses and farm stays around the lake.
Where to eat
Hotel Laxá's restaurant is convenient, while Vogafjós Farm Resort offers an especially interesting experience. The farm's restaurant uses local ingredients, and you can learn more about Icelandic farming while you eat.
11. Ísafjörður and the Westfjords
For travelers who want to get farther away from Iceland's most visited routes, the Westfjords offer a much quieter experience.
Ísafjörður is the largest town in the region and makes a good base for exploring the dramatic fjords, fishing villages, mountains, and coastal roads.
Because the area is remote and sparsely populated, light pollution is minimal. On a clear winter night, the sky can feel enormous.
The Westfjords are particularly beautiful if you want your Northern Lights trip to feel like a genuine escape rather than a tour from one major attraction to another.
Where to stay
Hotel Ísafjörður Torg offers a comfortable central base in town.
For something more secluded, look for guesthouses outside Ísafjörður along the fjords.
Where to eat
Tjöruhúsið in Ísafjörður is famous for its seafood-focused meals and is a particularly fun choice if you want to experience local cooking in a historic setting.
Because restaurants in the Westfjords can have limited hours in winter, check opening times and make reservations when possible.
12. Reykjanes Peninsula
The Reykjanes Peninsula is particularly convenient for travelers arriving or departing through Keflavík International Airport.
It's close to Reykjavík but offers wide-open volcanic landscapes and numerous areas with much less light pollution.
Good viewing locations include the Krýsuvík area, Garðskagi, Kálfatjarnarkirkja, and the area around the Bridge Between Continents.
The peninsula also has plenty to do during daylight. Explore geothermal areas, lava fields, rugged coastline, and volcanic landscapes. You can also visit the Blue Lagoon, although volcanic activity and operational conditions can affect access, so check current information before planning around it.
Where to stay
The Retreat at Blue Lagoon Iceland is the obvious splurge if you want to combine geothermal bathing with a luxurious Iceland experience.
For something closer to the airport, Courtyard by Marriott Reykjavik Keflavik Airport is practical for an early flight.
Where to eat
The Retreat's Moss Restaurant offers a special-occasion dining experience. Around Keflavík, you'll also find smaller restaurants specializing in seafood and Icelandic comfort food.
How to Choose the Best Place for Your Trip
There isn't one single "best" Northern Lights destination in Iceland. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, so clear skies and solar activity matter more than simply standing in a particular town.
Instead, choose your base according to the kind of Iceland trip you want.
For convenience and city life, choose Reykjavík.
For luxury and easy access to the South Coast, consider Hella and Hotel Rangá.
For dramatic scenery and glaciers, head toward Jökulsárlón and Höfn.
For a quieter, more remote experience, consider the Westfjords.
For northern landscapes and dark skies, Akureyri and Lake Mývatn are excellent choices.
For photography, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Goðafoss, Jökulsárlón, and the South Coast offer particularly dramatic foregrounds.
When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Northern Lights season generally runs from late August through mid-April. You need darkness, sufficient auroral activity, and clear or partly clear skies to have a chance of seeing them.
September and October can be appealing because nights are becoming longer while conditions can still be relatively manageable for driving and sightseeing.
November through February provides the longest hours of darkness, but winter weather can also make roads and travel more challenging.
March and early April offer another good balance of dark skies and somewhat longer daylight hours for exploring.
There isn't a single magic month. Weather and solar activity vary, so staying several nights is generally more useful than trying to pick one perfect date.
What Time of Night Can You See the Aurora?
The Northern Lights can appear at different times, but Visit Iceland notes that they are, on average, most frequently seen around 11 p.m. and recommends being outside roughly between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.
That doesn't mean you should give up if you don't see anything at 11:15. The aurora can appear for minutes or remain visible for much longer, and conditions can change quickly.
This is another reason not to schedule yourself too tightly. If you're serious about seeing the lights, you'll want a few evenings when you can stay up late.
Should You Take a Northern Lights Tour?
A tour isn't required, but it can make the experience easier, particularly if this is your first winter trip to Iceland.
Experienced guides watch cloud cover, weather, and aurora forecasts and can decide where to go each evening. This saves you from spending hours driving around unfamiliar roads in the dark.
North Iceland tourism also notes that local guides know the region's viewing locations and can combine aurora hunting with activities such as geothermal bathing, photography, and other evening experiences.
If you are renting a car, you can absolutely hunt for the lights independently. Just take Icelandic winter driving conditions seriously. Check road conditions before leaving, don't drive beyond your comfort level, and be willing to abandon an outing if weather deteriorates.
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
You don't need an expensive professional camera to capture the aurora, but a tripod is extremely helpful.
A smartphone can often capture more of the aurora than your eyes can see, especially with a night mode. If you're using a dedicated camera, a wide-angle lens and manual settings will give you more control.
More importantly, don't spend the entire evening looking at the Northern Lights through a screen.
Take a few photographs, then put the camera down.
The memory of standing in a quiet Icelandic landscape while green light moves across the sky is likely to mean much more than getting the perfect photograph.
What to Wear
Northern Lights hunting involves standing outside for potentially long periods, often late at night, and Iceland's winter weather can be cold and windy.
Dress in layers and bring:
Thermal base layers
A warm insulated jacket
Waterproof and windproof outerwear
Warm gloves
A hat that covers your ears
Wool or thermal socks
Waterproof winter boots
Hand warmers
A thermos with a hot drink
You may feel comfortable walking around during the day and still become very cold after standing still for an hour waiting for the aurora.
Warmth matters.
Give Yourself More Than One Chance
This may be the most important piece of advice for planning a Northern Lights trip to Iceland.
Don't book a two-night vacation with the expectation that you will definitely see the aurora.
The lights are not a scheduled attraction. Clouds can roll in, solar activity can be quiet, or the aurora may appear for only a short time.
Instead, stay for several nights and give yourself multiple opportunities.
North Iceland's tourism organization estimates the chance of seeing the Northern Lights at around 66 percent during a three-night stay and 90 percent during a five-night stay, though those figures are regional estimates rather than guarantees for any individual traveler.
And remember that Iceland itself is part of the adventure. Even if one night is cloudy, you may spend the following day standing beside a waterfall, soaking in a geothermal pool, walking across a black-sand beach, or watching icebergs float through a glacier lagoon.
Make the Northern Lights Part of a Bigger Iceland Adventure
The best Northern Lights trip isn't necessarily the one where you spend every evening driving around looking at the sky.
Instead, build an Iceland itinerary that gives you incredible experiences during the day and several opportunities to see the aurora at night.
Spend a few days in Reykjavík, drive the South Coast, visit the glaciers and waterfalls, explore a remote peninsula, or head north toward Akureyri and Lake Mývatn. Stay somewhere with dark skies, enjoy long dinners, soak in geothermal water, and give yourself time to simply look outside after sunset.
Because when the Northern Lights finally appear, you don't want to be rushing through your itinerary.
You want to be somewhere quiet, bundled up against the cold, looking up at the sky—and realizing that all that waiting was worth it.
LEARN MORE:
*As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Comments