Northern lights in Iceland
One of the best places in the world to see this spectacular show
You can view the northern lights in Iceland in lots of places during your stay. As Iceland and Reykjavik is so far north the lights are often on show with certain times of the year being better than others. Everything depends on the weather and time of year with this natural phenomenon, so it is not always a guarantee you will see them. But you’ll have a pretty good chance.
The northern lights can be elusive, but when seen are an incredible and life affirming moment.
There are few better places in the world to witness the majesty of the northern lights than in Iceland
Can you see the Northern lights in Iceland
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are a natural light display that occurs in the polar regions. Iceland is a popular destination to witness this natural phenomenon due to its location in the high latitudes and clear skies.
Best time to see Northern Lights in Iceland
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is from September to mid-April, with peak activity occurring in December and January. However, viewing the lights is dependent on a number of factors, including weather conditions, solar activity and light pollution.
To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, it’s best to get away from city lights and find a location with a clear view of the northern horizon. You can also join a tour group that specialises in Northern Lights viewing, as they have experienced guides who can take you to the best locations and provide information about the phenomenon. You may find yourself driving from spot to spot, chasing the lights or waiting for the lights, so it is always a bit of an adventure hunting them down.
Can you see northern lights in Reykjavik
It is possible to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik, but it’s not very common. Reykjavik is a city with significant light pollution, which can interfere with viewing the lights. For the best views, the lights are more visible in darker, rural areas with clear skies and lower light pollution. However, you can sometimes see them dancing over Reykjavik horizons.
If you are in Reykjavik and want to increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, try to find a spot away from the city lights. It’s also important to check the weather forecast and the aurora forecast to see if there is a good chance of seeing the lights before you set out.
If seeing the Northern Lights is a priority for your trip to Iceland, we recommend you travel outside of Reykjavik to more rural areas where there is less light pollution and better visibility. There are many tour operators that offer Northern Lights tours departing from Reykjavik to areas with a higher chance of seeing the lights (see below).
Northern lights tours in Iceland
Explore the most popular northern lights tours in Iceland. Most begin and end in Reykjavik.
What causes the northern lights
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, are caused by interactions between particles from the sun and the Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere.
The sun constantly emits a stream of charged particles, called the solar wind, which travels towards Earth. When these particles reach the Earth’s magnetic field, they are deflected towards the poles, where they interact with the Earth’s atmosphere.
The charged particles from the sun collide with the particles in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to become excited and emit light. This is similar to how a neon light works. The different colors of the Northern Lights are caused by the different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, such as oxygen and nitrogen, and their altitude.
The intensity and frequency of the Northern Lights are influenced by solar activity, particularly by solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can cause an increase in the number of charged particles that reach the Earth’s atmosphere.
The Northern Lights are a spectacular and beautiful natural phenomenon that can only be seen in certain parts of the world, typically in polar regions such as Iceland, Norway, and Alaska.
