WHAT ARE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis in the Northern Hemisphere, is a natural phenomenon seen in the sky, primarily around the polar regions. They appear when charged particles from the sun, carried by the solar wind, interact with the Earth’s magnetic field.
Have you ever wondered why the Northern Lights can flash in different colors? The secret lies in the atmosphere’s gases. When particles collide with gases in the atmosphere, they release energy in the form of colorful streaks. Green is the most common hue, but you may also see pink, red, blue, and even purple. Each tint is created by different gases and their reactions with solar particles.
Auroras are usually seen near the magnetic poles, where the Earth's magnetic shield is weaker. These areas are Scandinavia, Iceland, northern Canada, Greenland, and northern Russia—known as the auroral zone.
❯ One of the most interesting Northern Lights facts is that during periods of strong activity, they can be visible all night.
Long before we understood the science behind the mysterious glow, people created fascinating myths to explain them. Eskimo tribes thought these lights were their ancestors' spirits, while some Inuit feared them as evil entities. Europeans imagined them as sky warriors.
In Norse mythology, they were believed to be reflections from the Valkyries' armor or the bridge connecting Earth to the gods' realm. Icelandic folklore explained them with elves and magic or with superstitions ranging from harmful effects on pregnant women to being a lucky sign during childbirth.
HOW TO SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND?
It’s a common myth that seeing the Northern Lights depends on it being super cold.
In reality, there are three main factors that make the aurora visible: darkness, clear skies, and strong solar winds. Iceland meets all of the ideal conditions, and its location within the auroral zone makes it perfect for viewing.
Other elements like moonlight, snow reflection, and urban infrastructure can affect your experience, but they don’t prevent you from seeing Aurora Borealis. During the dark seasons, clouds and auroral activity are the key factors.
❯ If you’re exploring on your own, here are some quick tips:
You don’t need special gear to see the auroras - just the right timing and location. Fortunately, Iceland’s prime season gives plenty of chances to witness this natural spectacle.
Join daily Northern Lights guided excursions to boost your chances and stay comfortable. We often use specialized super-jeeps to go off the beaten track to hunt magical Lights, reaching remote and dark sites away from urban areas. Knowledgeable guides handle the logistics and forecasts. This means you can relax and enjoy the experience, knowing you're in the best hands as you search for the celestial glow.
The aurora season in Iceland is winter and runs from late September to early April, giving you up to 7-8 months to watch this stunning phenomenon.
It extends into parts of fall and spring, as there are only two main seasons in the country: winter and summer. During this time, the long nights provide the perfect canvas for the Arctic glow. This makes the dark season the best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Iceland because of the longer night hours.
So, if you’re wondering how often you can see the Northern Lights in Iceland, it’s around 200 chances each year. That’s plenty of opportunities for observation of the neon-lit sky. It's definitely worth a try, don’t you think?
BEST TIME TO SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND
Based on local statistics, the best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are September to April. This period includes peak activity around the equinoxes in fall and spring.
According to scientists, during the equinoxes, the Earth's and Sun's magnetic fields align just right, which is why these stunning light shows happen more often. However, viewing is a bit more challenging in late October and mid-winter due to harsher weather conditions.
There is no specific hour of the day when to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Generally, they are most active a few hours after sunset, especially around midnight. Usually, during Icelandic winter, the sun sets around 3:30 PM, leaving you with plenty of darkness to work with.
Our best advice? Stay outside as much as you can, keep checking the sky, and keep your fingers crossed. It’s unpredictable, but when you do see them, it’s nothing short of magical.
For more details on timing and locations, you might find this best place and time to see the Northern Lights guide useful.
WHERE TO SEE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND?
There isn’t a bad place to go for this exciting hunt. In Iceland, you have a great chance of seeing the Northern Lights from almost anywhere in the country if they're active that evening.
Fortunately, the wide-open landscapes make it easy to find dark areas. Here are some of our favorite locations to catch the northern skies’ illumination:
Thingvellir (Þingvellir) National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the three main Golden Circle wonders. There are a few parking lots to set up your observation. The large hill that rises above the park is a great viewing point.
Mývatn Geothermal Area: This idyllic nature reserve is known for its blue lakes, volcanic craters, and hot springs. It's a perfect spot for stargazing because there are no trees or glaciers to block the view. You're in luck if the aurora leads you there!
Jokulsarlon (Jökulsárlón) Lagoon: The deepest lake in Iceland, filled with countless floating icebergs. With the added beauty of the shimmering glow reflecting on the icy water, it becomes a truly magical place to be.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula: Empty roads, vast lava fields, and shockingly beautiful landscapes. What can be better for Northern Lights watching? This area is featured in several music videos and movies, but the nature show is best to see there.
Kirkjufell Mountain: Kirkjufell is one of the most photographed places in Iceland. Everybody who's been there understands why. Now imagine adding one of the world’s most beautiful phenomena to this equation. It’s so majestic, and even the toughest ones might shed a tear or two.
CAN YOU SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN REYKJAVIK?
Reykjavík is the only capital city besides Nuuk, Greenland, where you can see the Northern Lights. You can even view them in the heart of the capital, but you have to be lucky. Observing the sky from urban areas is more difficult because houses, shopping malls, and streetlights all create light pollution.
However, if the aurora forecast looks promising, you don't have to travel far to find a good observation point. Here are a few locations within a short drive from the city center:
If you're looking for a romantic and calm cosmic light experience, enjoy the show from the water on the boat tour from Reykjavík Harbor.
HOW TO PHOTOGRAPH THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
So here you are, looking at the true wonder of nature, wanting to keep a piece of it with you forever. Not everyone has a professional camera, but you can still take great shots with a smartphone. It might even capture the glowing sky better than you can see it with your eyes.
For the best aurora shots, turn off your flash unless photographing someone in front of the lights. Use Night Mode if available. Otherwise, switch to Pro/Manual mode, set ISO to 1600+, adjust white balance to 3200K, and tweak shutter speed based on aurora brightness (1-5 seconds for bright lights, 20-30 seconds for dim ones).
In general, try to use something to keep your phone very still. Apps like NightCap Camera (iOS) or ProCam X Lite (Android) can also improve your shots.
There is also a small hack to create a long exposure photo on your iPhone. Turn on Live Photo, take your picture, then tap "Live" in the Photos app and choose "Long Exposure" to blend the movement into a smooth effect.
