You can see the Northern Lights in Iceland from about late August to mid-April, whenever the sky is dark and clear and the sun is active. The best hours are roughly 9 pm to 2 am, and your chances rise sharply once you leave the city lights behind. Plan several evenings, check the cloud forecast each day, and treat the aurora as a bonus rather than a promise. This guide is updated for the 2026–2027 aurora season and covers when and where to go, tours or self-drive, what to wear, how to photograph the lights and what to do if they do not show.
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Quick facts about the Northern Lights in Iceland
- The Northern Lights are also called the aurora borealis.
- Season in Iceland: about late August to mid-April. No aurora from May to early August because the nights are too bright.
- Often recommended months: September–October and February–March, when long nights meet milder weather.
- Best time of night: roughly 9 pm to 2 am, but any dark hour can work.
- Most common colour: green, from oxygen about 100 kilometres up. Red, purple, blue and pink appear during stronger displays.
- Iceland lies just south of the Arctic Circle, under the band where auroras are most frequent, which makes it one of the best places in the world to see them.
- You need three things together: darkness, clear or broken cloud, and solar activity.
- Sightings are never guaranteed, so leave more than one night free. Many tours offer a free second try if no lights appear.
What are the Northern Lights?
The sun sends out a steady stream of charged particles called the solar wind. When these particles reach Earth, the magnetic field steers them towards the poles, where they hit oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere and make them glow. The result is moving curtains, arcs and spirals of light that can stretch across the whole sky and change shape from one minute to the next.
The colour depends on the gas and the height. Green, the usual colour, comes from oxygen at around 100 kilometres up. Red comes from oxygen much higher, at 200 to 400 kilometres, and is seen mainly in strong displays. Blue and purple edges come from nitrogen lower down. Cameras pick up colour better than our eyes, so a faint grey-green glow to you may show as clear green on the screen.
Iceland sits just south of the Arctic Circle, close to the band where auroras are most frequent. Add long winter nights and wide, dark countryside with little light pollution outside the towns, and it is one of the easiest places in the world to see them.
The Northern Lights in Icelandic folklore
The science is only half of it. People who see a strong display for the first time often go quiet, and many describe it as one of the most moving things they have seen in nature.
You will often read that the Vikings took the lights for reflections from the armour of the Valkyries, leading fallen warriors to the afterlife. It is a good story, but the medieval Icelandic sagas hardly mention the aurora at all. The beliefs that are recorded in Iceland are later folk sayings. The lights were said to ease the pain of childbirth, yet a pregnant woman was warned not to look at them, or her child would be born cross-eyed. They were also read as a sign of the weather, sometimes warning of a storm on the way.
Many guides tell these stories while you wait in the dark, which is a good way to pass a cold half hour.
Is 2026–2027 a good time to see them?
Yes. The sun runs in cycles of about 11 years, and NASA has said that the peak of the current cycle came in October 2024. We are now in the declining phase, but that does not mean quiet skies. Strong solar storms often happen in the years after the peak, and auroras over Iceland do not need a big storm anyway. Even low to moderate activity can give a good show over the countryside.
In practice, the weather matters more than the solar cycle. A clear night with modest activity beats a cloudy night during a big storm.
Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
The aurora is up there all year, but you can only see it when the sky is dark. Reykjavík has near-constant daylight from late May to late July, so the season effectively runs from late August to mid-April. Our daylight hours guide shows how quickly the nights lengthen.
For the highest chances, plan your trip between September and April. Each part of the season has its own character:
- Late August and September: the first dark nights of the season, mild weather and roads that are easy to drive. A comfortable time to be outside at midnight. See Iceland in September.
- October and November: longer nights and autumn colours by day, a good balance between darkness and manageable conditions. The weather gets wetter and windier as winter comes on. See Iceland in October.
- December and January: the longest nights. In Reykjavík the day is less than five hours long from early December to early January, so there are close to 20 hours without the sun and the viewing window is huge, but storms and icy roads are more common. See Iceland in December and Iceland in January.
- February and March: still long nights, with more daylight for sightseeing and often more settled spells of clear weather. See Iceland in February and Iceland in March.
- Early to mid-April: the season winds down as the nights get short, but strong late-evening displays are still possible before the summer light takes over.
Best hours of the night
Most aurora activity is seen between about 9 pm and 2 am, with the hour around midnight the most common, but the lights can appear at any time when it is fully dark. In midwinter that can mean a display at six in the evening or five in the morning.
This is why most tours leave Reykjavík at around 8 or 9 pm and come back around midnight or 1 am. If you are watching on your own, be in place before 9 pm, let your eyes get used to the dark for 15 to 20 minutes, and be patient. A quiet sky can light up in a few minutes.
September and March sit around the equinoxes, when auroras tend to be a little more frequent. Together with milder weather, that is why those months are so often recommended.
How to read the aurora forecast
The Icelandic Met Office (vedur.is) publishes a free aurora forecast. It has two parts, and you need both.
The first is an activity number from 0 to 9. Do not ignore the low numbers. The Met Office itself notes that a 2 can be beautiful and a 3 can be dazzling. The second is a cloud map of Iceland. On this map green means cloud and white means clear sky, which catches many visitors out. Slide through the hours to find where and when the gaps in the cloud will be.
The same page shows sunset, darkness, sunrise and moonrise times for Reykjavík. Look at the forecast in the afternoon, then again before you head out, because cloud can move quickly.
Best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
The aurora can appear almost anywhere in the country. What you need is a dark spot away from street lights, with a clear view to the north. Reykjavík sometimes gives faint glimpses, but your chances rise sharply once you are out in the countryside. Here are good areas by region.
Whichever spot you choose, remember that clear sky matters as much as solar activity. Even at the most famous location, cloud can block the view completely. This is the main reason people choose guided tours: the guide drives to wherever the sky is clearest that night.
Near Reykjavík
If you are staying in the capital and do not want to travel far, there are good options within an hour's drive. You can sometimes see strong displays from the city itself, but light pollution hides the fainter ones. Our guide to the Northern Lights in Reykjavík covers the best city spots.
- Grótta: the lighthouse at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula is where many locals go for a quick look. Some city glow remains, but on a clear, active night you can watch the lights from the shoreline.
- Þingvellir National Park: a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 45 minutes from Reykjavík. It is very dark, and the open rift valley and the lake can give reflections of the aurora. It is also the first stop on the Golden Circle, so it is easy to combine with daytime sightseeing.
- Around Esja and Hvalfjörður: about 30 minutes north of the city, with darker skies and wide views across Faxaflói bay. A good choice if you want to get out of the city without driving far.
South Coast
The South Coast is one of Iceland's most scenic regions by day, and its waterfalls, black beaches and ice make strong foregrounds at night.
- Reynisfjara and Vík: black volcanic sand and the Reynisdrangar sea stacks under the aurora. The sky here is very dark, which photographers like. Stay well back from the water; the waves here are dangerous, especially in the dark.
- Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach: green light reflected in still water between blue icebergs, and ice on black sand next door. It is one of the most photographed aurora scenes anywhere. It is a long way from Reykjavík, so stay the night nearby or join a glacier lagoon tour of two days or more.
West Iceland and Snæfellsnes
West Iceland has big landscapes and far less light pollution than the south-west corner.
- Snæfellsnes peninsula: often called "Iceland in miniature" because it packs lava fields, a glacier and a rugged coast into one peninsula. Kirkjufell is probably the most photographed aurora scene in Iceland. See our Snæfellsnes tours.
- Borgarfjörður: combine Hraunfossar and Deildartunguhver by day with a quiet, dark night in the countryside. It is less busy than the South Coast.
North Iceland
If you are travelling further, the north has long, dark nights and is often clear when the south is under cloud.
- Akureyri: the capital of the north, surrounded by mountains at the head of a long fjord. The town itself is lit, but a short drive out gives dark skies.
- Mývatn: one of the best aurora areas in Iceland, with wide volcanic landscapes, steaming geothermal ground and very little artificial light. See our North Iceland tours, or the Akureyri Northern Lights Tour if you are staying in the north.
Should you book a tour or go alone?
It is one of the first questions people ask. Both work. For most first-time visitors in winter, a tour is the easier and safer choice, because the aurora depends on solar activity, cloud and darkness all at once, and a guide's job is to put those three together for you.
Why a tour helps:
- Forecasting: guides follow the aurora and cloud forecasts all evening and change route on the spot to find clear sky.
- Safe transport: winter roads can be icy, snowy and very dark. On a tour you do not have to drive them after a long day.
- Local knowledge: guides know safe, dark places to stop, away from the crowds.
- A better evening: you get the stories and folklore, and help with your camera settings.
- A second chance: many tours offer a free retry on another night if no lights appear. Always check the exact terms when you book.
Seeing the Northern Lights on your own
With a rental car you have full freedom, and it is perfectly possible to find the lights yourself. It suits experienced winter drivers who are comfortable on Icelandic roads in the dark. Keep three things in mind: you will need to study the aurora forecast and cloud map carefully, winter driving outside the Reykjavík area can be demanding, and the well-known spots can be busy, with no obvious plan B if the cloud moves in.
Check road conditions on road.is and safety advice on safetravel.is before you leave. Never stop on the road or on a narrow verge to look up. Pull into a proper parking area, turn off your headlights and keep hazard lights for real emergencies. For a self-drive trip with a good route, see our self-drive tours.
Types of Northern Lights tours in Iceland
See all our Northern Lights tours. The main types are:
- Small group bus and minibus tours from Reykjavík: the best value and a sociable choice, good for solo travellers and anyone on a budget. Usually 3–5 hours, with pick-up in the city.
- Super jeep tours: small groups in modified 4×4s that can reach quieter, more remote spots, such as the Northern Lights Super Jeep. See super jeep tours.
- Private tours: your own guide and vehicle, good for families, couples and photographers who want to set the pace. Try the Northern Lights Private Tour from Reykjavik. See private tours.
- Photo tours: guides help with settings and composition. See photo tours.
- Boat and yacht tours from Reykjavík harbour: the aurora over the sea, away from the city lights, with the skyline in the distance. See Northern Lights by Boat.
- Combination tours: sightseeing by day and aurora hunting at night, for example the Golden Circle, the South Coast or a soak in the Blue Lagoon first. These run from about 6 hours to a very long day of 12–15 hours.
- Multi-day winter tours: spend nights in the countryside, where every clear evening is a chance. Our 8 Day Iceland Northern Lights Tour Package goes around the Ring Road with two aurora outings included. See winter Ring Road tours, or pair them with ice cave tours by day.
What to wear and bring on a Northern Lights tour
Aurora hunting means standing still outside in the cold, often in wind, sometimes for an hour or more. Even on a bus or super jeep tour, most of the evening is spent outdoors. Dressing well is the difference between shivering through the night and enjoying it.
Think in layers instead of one heavy coat, so you can adjust between a warm vehicle and the open air. Our winter packing list has the full list.
- Base layer: thermal top and leggings in wool or synthetic fabric. Avoid cotton, which stays damp and cold.
- Mid layer: wool jumper, fleece, light down jacket or insulated vest to hold the heat in.
- Outer layer: windproof and waterproof jacket and trousers. Snow, rain and strong wind are all common.
- Warm hat or headband that covers your ears.
- Scarf or neck gaiter against the wind.
- Gloves or mittens in wool or with insulation. Photographers like thin gloves under thick mittens.
- Insulated waterproof boots with thick soles and room for warm socks.
- Wool socks, plus a spare pair.
Packing checklist for Northern Lights hunting
Beyond clothes, a few small things make a long, cold wait much more comfortable.
- Flask with hot chocolate, coffee or tea.
- Hand and foot warmers to tuck into gloves and boots.
- A blanket or sitting pad if you expect to be out for a long time.
- Head torch with a red-light mode, so you keep your night vision and do not dazzle others.
- Camera, wide-angle lens, tripod and spare batteries kept warm in an inside pocket.
- Fully charged phone, and a power bank if you use it for photos.
- On a self-drive night: extra layers, snacks, a torch and a full tank, in case you end up waiting longer than planned.
How to photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland
Catching the aurora on camera is almost as rewarding as seeing it, and a camera often records more colour and detail than your eyes do. To do it well you need a camera with full manual control (DSLR or mirrorless), a wide-angle lens of about 14–24 mm with a fast aperture, and a tripod. The tripod is not optional: exposures last several seconds and the smallest movement blurs the picture.
A remote release or the self-timer stops the camera shaking when you press the button. Cold drains batteries fast, so keep spares in an inside pocket close to your body. Bring a large memory card, because you will take many test shots. A head torch with red light lets you change settings without ruining your night vision.
The lights vary a lot in brightness, so treat these settings as a starting point and adjust:
- ISO: 800–3200. Start at 1600 and adjust to the brightness of the display and how much noise your camera shows.
- Aperture: as wide as your lens allows, ideally f/2.8 or lower.
- Shutter speed: 5–20 seconds. Use shorter exposures (5–10 seconds) for fast, bright auroras so the shapes stay sharp, and longer ones (15–20 seconds) for faint, slow ones.
- Focus: switch to manual and focus on a bright star or distant light. Autofocus rarely works in the dark.
- White balance: around 3500–4000K for natural colours.
- Composition: include a mountain, a waterfall, icebergs or a person for scale. Look at the spot in daylight first if you can.
Can you photograph the Northern Lights with a phone?
Yes. Recent iPhone, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones have a night mode or astrophotography mode that handles the aurora surprisingly well. The results will not match a proper camera, but they are worth having.
- Rest the phone on a small tripod or something solid. Handheld shots blur.
- Turn on night mode.
- Set the exposure time to 5–10 seconds or more if the app allows it.
- Shoot in RAW if your phone offers it, for more room when editing.
- Turn off the flash and lower the screen brightness.
Tips for better aurora photos
- Scout the location in daylight, so you know the ground and have a composition in mind before dark.
- Put something in the foreground: a mountain, a waterfall, icebergs or a person gives scale.
- Be patient and keep shooting. The aurora changes quickly and each minute can look different.
- Stay warm. Photography means standing still, so wear an extra layer and you will not have to stop early.
- Edit afterwards. A small adjustment to exposure, contrast and white balance is usually all a good frame needs.
What if you do not see the Northern Lights?
It happens, even to people who come for a week. The aurora needs darkness, clear sky and solar activity at the same time, and nobody controls the last two. If one of them is missing, there is no show.
Free retries: most Northern Lights tour operators know this and offer a free second try if no lights appear. On group tours that usually means joining the next evening's departure. Private tours tend to reschedule around your plans. A few give a voucher for a later visit if your trip is too short. The terms differ, so read them when you book.
Keep your evenings flexible: the best defence is time. Book your Northern Lights tour early in your trip, so a retry still fits if the first night is cloudy, and do not fill every evening with fixed plans. If the forecast changes, you can move things around.
Enjoy the night anyway: a night out in the countryside is still worth it. On clear nights without aurora you get more stars than most city dwellers ever see, and sometimes the Milky Way. Glaciers, waterfalls and black beaches under a full moon are a sight of their own, and so is the silence.
If cloud rules it out: you can relax in a geothermal lagoon such as the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon (see our comparison), visit the Áróra planetarium show at Perlan, which tells the aurora story on Iceland's only planetarium dome, or settle into a good restaurant in Reykjavík and try again tomorrow. For more ideas, read our guide to alternatives when tours are cancelled.
Tours to book
We are a local travel agency in Iceland, and our Northern Lights tours run with local guides who know where to go on any given night, in small groups or privately. You can also combine an aurora evening with other experiences during your stay. These are the tours we would look at first:
- 8 Day Iceland Northern Lights Tour Package: a guided Ring Road trip from September to April, with two aurora outings included.
- Northern Lights Private Tour from Reykjavik: your own guide chasing clear sky, at your pace.
- Northern Lights Super Jeep: a small group that can go further from Reykjavík when the cloud is close to the city.
Questions people ask
When is the Northern Lights season in Iceland?
From about late August to mid-April. The aurora cannot be seen from May to early August because the nights are too bright. September–October and February–March are popular because they combine long nights with milder weather.
What months are best for the Northern Lights in Iceland?
September and October start the season with mild weather and dark nights. November to January have the longest nights but the roughest weather. February and March bring long nights with improving weather and more settled spells.
Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?
No. You need dark, clear skies and solar activity at the same time. Plan several nights, and look for tours that offer a free second try if no lights appear.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík?
Sometimes, during strong displays, especially from darker spots such as Grótta and along the shoreline. City lights hide fainter auroras, so you usually see more in the countryside.
How long does a Northern Lights tour take?
Most evening tours from Reykjavík last about 3–5 hours. Super jeep and private tours can run longer because they chase clear sky further. Combination tours with daytime sightseeing take from about 6 hours to a full day of 12–15 hours.
Do weather conditions affect Northern Lights tours?
Yes. Clear sky matters as much as solar activity; even a strong aurora is invisible behind thick cloud. Guides often drive a long way to find a gap, and wind, snow and road conditions can cancel a departure.
What should I bring on a Northern Lights tour?
Warm layers: thermal base layer, wool or fleece, a windproof and waterproof shell, hat, gloves, scarf and insulated boots. Add a tripod and camera, or use night mode on your phone, and a flask with a hot drink.
Can children join Northern Lights tours?
Yes, most tours welcome families. Bus, minibus and super jeep tours usually set a minimum age of six to eight, while the boat tour and private tours take all ages. The late hours can be tiring for young children, and a private tour lets you set your own pace.
Are Northern Lights tours suitable for seniors?
Yes. Bus and private tours involve very little walking, though you will stand outside in the cold. If mobility is a concern, a private tour gives the most flexibility.
Can I photograph the Northern Lights with my phone?
Yes. Recent iPhone, Pixel and Galaxy phones have a night mode that works well. Use a tripod or a steady surface, keep the phone still and choose a longer exposure.
