We are going through a period of very intense solar activity, which means beautiful Northern Lights displays. And since I know seeing them is on many people’s bucket lists, I want to encourage you to go by the end of this year!
The peak of solar activity will be on next autumn, but there’s also time until April or so if you’re up for a last minute trip. Otherwise, wait until September at least to go hunting them. The “Northern Lights Season” is roughly from September to April, even if I’ve heard about beautiful displays in August too, but this is more like an exception.
If you’re planning to go to Iceland and your main purpose is to see the Northern Lights, first of all do it! And then keep in mind that if you are on a tight budget or you don’t have much time to travel around the country, it’s still ok because you can see amazing auroras in Reykjavik too.
The first night of my stay I drove for about one hour, destination unknown, just to be far enough from the city lights, and found myself freezing and scared in the middle of nowhere waiting for something I wasn’t sure how it looked like and where it would have come from. In the end I didn’t see anything and had to drive back for another hour.
Don’t do that (unless you know where you’re going).
There are a couple of places in and around Reykjavik that will offer you amazing views of the Northern Lights so no excuse for the lazy bums. Go book your flight to Iceland. It’s that easy!
1. Grótta Lighthouse
I am sure you’ve seen photos of the Northern Lights with amazing reflections in the water. We all look for this kind of scenic setting especially when it comes to take photos! Well, the good news is that not only this is the perfect place, but it also has a lighthouse (very photogenic!) and it’s just 5 minutes away from the center of Reykjavik. Here:
Here you can just come by car, and then wait for the show. You can either stay in the little parking, comfortably seated in your car with heating on (as I did most of the times), or walk to the beach for the best photos. In any case, if you go on the right night, you won’t be disappointed.
Even if they say that the Northern Lights show up after midnight, this is not really true… If the sky is clear you can go as soon as at 9pm or even at sunset, and find a show that will last for hours. Or maybe it will stop and come back again later. You never know! So if you want to see an aurora, you really just need one thing: sleepless nights. I met too many people that said “there were no Northern Lights last night” and I was like “uhm yes instead!” – they just didn’t wait enough time.
2. The Golf Course aka Björk Park
This is very close to the Grotta Lighthouse, just behind it really, and it still offers a view on the lighthouse but with a more frontal view on the sea. Unfortunately I don’t have photos of Northern Lights from this location but I did see a beautiful sky full of green curls from there. I just didn’t have my camera on me!
Just before the actual golf course, there’s also a small lake called Bakkatjőrn, which I guess can be good for reflections again, or creative photos of Northern Lights and… ducks. Why not?
In case you are wondering, Bjork the singer lives just a few minutes away from this place, in a black house (look for it!).
3. Þingvellir National Park
If you’re up for a short drive, the Þingvellir National Park is where you want to be during a spectacular aurora display. Unfortunately this was not my case, I’ve been there during the day only, but I head great stories (and saw beautiful photos) of Northern Lights there.
The sky will definitely be darker in Þingvellir then in Reykjavik, so the show must be literally breathtaking. Next time I am in town, I won’t miss it and you shouldn’t either.
The country’s biggest lake is there, and this is good for reflections. It’s worth going to the national park in the day too because it’s really scenic. This is usually included in the Golden Circle tours.
If you just want to see the Northern Lights, then you can do this in Reykjavik. But if you are also looking for a photographic experience, then here you have a few easy options that I hope will be helpful for you!
Just remember:
- The Northern Lights can show up anytime after sunset. You really never know, so be patient, keep checking the sky, and have your camera on you at all times. I remember having the aurora on my side all the way from the Blue Lagoon to Reykjavik, and it was only around 7-8pm.
- Any place with a dark sky is good to see the Northern Lights. So if you have time you can always experiment a bit. Just try and stay away from the city lights (unfortunately in Reykjavik the streets are very heavily illuminated).
- Be patient and wait. One night I waited for 4 hours in the cold, and there was absolutely nothing in the sky. Then just when I decided to give up, I saw the most spectacular aurora I’ve seen! So be prepared for sleepless nights. It’s ok, you’re on holiday and anyway it will be so worth it!
- The Northern Lights will usually show up from the North side, so that’s where you have to look for them. This is not always true, and when they are really strong the whole sky will be dancing above you!
Ok so now no excuses. If you want to take the Northern Lights off your bucket list, you know what you have to do. It’s that easy!
If you’ve been to Reykjavik and you have more suggestions on the perfect spot to watch the Northern Lights, then please share your tips in the comments below. Thank you! :)
37 Comments
My dream is to see the Northern Lights in person. They just look amazing. I need to make Iceland my next trip!
You have to, and this year is the perfect time to go to Iceland :)
I am so green with jealousy at these great photos! Didn’t get to see them in Finland this winter, but… will try again next year for sure. Maybe in Iceland.
Great shots.
I remember you didn’t get to see them while in Finland, I was really hoping you would! Yes you have to try again, and if you go to Iceland now you know where to look for them:)
Happy you liked the photos!
northern lights so on my top things to do this year…
That’s look amazing, too bad I cannot got there to see it in person. I’m so envy…
Northern Lights are always on my list… one day!! Great shots by the way!! Just wow!! :)
Thanks Mo, I wish you to see them some day!
hi,
i have such pleasure only reading and see your site! so so beautiful!
wonder if you can help me-we want to travel to iceland on march 2014.
too much snow?too much cold? too much money?our dream is to see the northern lights with our 2 teenagers…hope they will find it nice…what do you think?
and we are short with the money…if you got good tips for us-it would be great!
thank you for the nice picts ,and the warm wards of every place you have been.
tsoofit
Hi Tsoofit,
I think there’s no “cheap cheap” way to see Iceland especially in the winter (when you can’t camp etc, but you need to sleep in guesthouses or hotels, etc). For the weather, that’s too unpredictable – I’ve been there in February and it was sunny most of the time, but then it rained a lot the following week – so you have to be lucky. If you only want to see the Northern Lights though, Iceland may not be the best place as it tends to be very rainy. But there are so many beauties to see on the island!
The website accommodation.is will give you a better idea on the prices for the accommodation. Then you need to move around the island (rent a 4×4 car or a driver). I also used wimdu.com to sleep in Reykjavik.
Good luck and enjoy your trip! :)
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I’m going there this Friday… praying hard for clear ‘northern light’ filled skies
Good luck!!! Feel free to share your photos and experiences :)
Great article and amazing pics :) I’m in Reykjavik this Saturday and the aurora forecast is looking good- will be heading to Grotta with my fingers crossed on Saturday night.
Good luck!!! And please share your pics :)
Just returned from 8 glorious days in Reykjavik where we decided last minute to go on the Aurora tour (I looked at the predictions before we left but I accepted that the conditions might not be right and wasn’t going to book the tour). On the first night we were at a place near the tectonic plates of Europe and America but it was too cloudy. Our camera could pick up feint lines but we couldn’t see anything with the naked eye. We were given a second chance following night to a location near the airport/ex-naval base. The first snow had fallen on the mountain that day so it was quite cold. The tour dropped us off right in the middle of the open skies. This time we were actually able to see the stars. After a few minutes we started seeing green movements on one side and thereafter a great show! My jaw was on the floor throughout it all. The Auroras do actually dance, its like hearing music, such an enchanting feeling. Knowing that my camera wasn’t hi-tech, I just took in every corner of the sky and have it stored in my memory forever. It has always been a dream of mine to see the Auroras (being from the Southern hemisphere we don’t see this) so this was a dream come true for me. I’m still on a high just writing about it. There is a website that does Aurora predictions, so if you are in Iceland between from end September, check the prediction and book a tour (or head out in your rental car) if it seems that they might be out.
PS: Apparently the Aurora are in the sky everyday but due to there being light, it is only visible in the dark months.
going to book for nov 2015
thinking of hiring a car and sleeping all day so awake all night
really want to see lights and get loads of pics is this good time to go
read feedback from coach trips and they dont look good
any tips would be most gratefull
I think that’s a good plan!!! I also rented a car and did that. Spent many hours waiting and it was well worth it…
thank you for this suggestion! we could faintly see the northern lights in reykjavik city center on a very cold night, and your post brought us to grótta lighthouse and a breathtaking view of the vast aurora borealis in clear sight independent of a tour group. thank you!
I am so happy that you got to see them, and that my post was helpful! Yay :)
Hi Giulia,
We are due to visit Iceland on March 19th 2015 for 3 days and plan to be in the Thingvellir National Park after our trip to Gullfoss and Geysir.
Of the fantastic pictures you took of the Northern Lights on your visit, what ISO settings, Lens, exposure time did you use? I have only recently purchased a Canon 70D Mk2 camera so getting used to it but any tips will be welcomed.
Thanks
Steve
Hi! If I remember well, I used ISO 800 to 1600 and the widest possible aperture. Time between 2 and 20 seconds… depends on intensity and speed of auroras. I hope you get great pics!!! Feel free to share :)
Hi Giulia,
Are there high chances to see the lights in November. I am going alone so was a bit concerned about staying at the light house till late night. And how does it cost to go to the national park from city.
Prateek
November is perfect! The most important thing is that the sky is clear :)
There are always many people by the lighthouse waiting for aurora, don’t worry.
About the national park: I know there are many organised trips for that, but I don’t know the cost. Anyway no need to reserve from home, just land in Reykjavik and in city center you will find many many options.
Enjoy :)
magnificent view. I’ve followed your blog for two days but really admire your journeys. Thanks all.
Thank you so much Linda!
If you’re up for a short drive, the Þingvellir National Park is where you want to be during a spectacular aurora display.
it makes me so excited for this travel.
Exactly, it’s on the list! :-) enjoy your trip!
VERY NICE :)
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I am so green with jealousy at these great photos! Didn’t get to see them in Finland this winter, but… will try again next year for sure. Maybe in Iceland.
Hope you make it to Finland or Iceland soon :)
It’s an amazing information, Thanks for sharing !
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Hi, You said in one of your comments that Iceland isn’t the best place to see the northern lights. Do you have a recommendation for where would be a better place?
Thank you!
Iceland is GREAT to see the northern lights but there are high chances of bad weather. Someone says the best place is Abisko in Sweden or Tromso in Norway. More up north. :)