There are few better places in the world to see the Northern Lights than Iceland, owing to its position directly beneath the auroral oval and easy access to viewing locations with minimal light pollution. When the conditions are favourable, the Northern Lights can be seen anywhere in Iceland between mid-September and early April, but knowing where to go can really help you maximise your chances of witnessing this celestial phenomenon.
Without further ado, here are some of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Thingvellir National Park
One of the most famous stops on the iconic Golden Circle route, Thingvellir National Park is renowned as the place where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates diverge along a spectacular rift valley. By night, it offers perfectly dark skies, completely free from artificial light pollution, making it ideal for aurora hunting. For this reason, many guided Northern Lights tours go to Thingvellir National Park – and as it’s just a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik, you can easily go there yourself if you’re hiring a car.
Akureyri
Image via Visit North Iceland
Akureyri, Iceland’s ‘Capital of the North’, is just that little bit deeper inside the auroral oval than Reykjavik and the ever-popular destinations along the South Coast – and it tends to experience less precipitation on average, too. While it’s by far the largest town in North Iceland, you only need to head five minutes out of the centre and you’ll quickly find yourself well away from any light pollution. And, if it’s cloudy in Akureyri, it’s possible to drive in any direction in search of clear skies; for instance, north, along the Troll Peninsula, or east, towards the Myvatn region.
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Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Jutting out into the North Atlantic Ocean off the west coast of Iceland is the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, often dubbed ‘Iceland in miniature’ due to its extraordinary concentration of natural wonders. With minimal light pollution and a completely unobstructed horizon facing out towards the sea, it’s an ideal place to see the Northern Lights. Should the aurora make an appearance, there are some truly epic backdrops on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, most notably the pyramid-shaped Kirkjufell mountain – a photographer’s dream.
Reykjavik
If you’re short on time or you don’t fancy driving at night, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s perfectly possible to see the Northern Lights without leaving Reykjavik. Light pollution makes things a little more difficult, but there are plenty of easily accessible spots close to the city centre where you can get a fantastic view of the aurora; consider heading to Grótta lighthouse, Öskjuhlíð hill or even down by the waterfront near the Sun Voyager monument, facing north across the water. When the Northern Lights are strong enough, you can sometimes see them clearly enough just by looking outside, even in downtown Reykjavik.
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Vik
One of the most visited spots on Iceland’s South Coast, Vik is as good a place as any to see the Northern Lights when the conditions are right. The town’s distinctive white and red church makes a fabulous foreground for capturing the aurora on camera, while the nearby Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt sea stacks are also an irresistibly dramatic setting for Northern Lights photography.
Siglufjordur
Siglufjordur is Iceland’s northernmost town, tucked away in a fjord and surrounded by the towering mountains of the Troll Peninsula, almost skimming the Arctic Circle. This is about as far north as you can get in Iceland without leaving the mainland, making Siglufjordur a prime spot for viewing the Northern Lights – whether they appear towards the north horizon or directly overhead. It receives only a fraction of the visitor numbers seen in more renowned Icelandic destinations, but those who venture to this remote outpost will discover a vibrant, flourishing community with a fascinating history and a cluster of noteworthy attractions (including the Herring Era Museum) that warrant more than just a flying visit.
Jokulsarlon
Speaking of the perfect setting for watching the Northern Lights, it doesn’t get much more magical than Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. Here, on the fringes of Vatnajökull National Park (home to Iceland’s largest glacier), there’s the possibility of watching the Northern Lights dance above the floating icebergs while reflecting in the perfectly still, mirror-like waters of the lagoon. It’s difficult to imagine a more captivating Icelandic scene.
The Westfjords
The Westfjords encapsulate Iceland at its most remote and most dramatic. This region remains firmly off the beaten track for most visitors, in no small part due to the fact it can often be inaccessible for driving in the winter months. However, the Westfjords boast some of the country’s most sublime scenery along with exceptionally dark skies, so if you come at the right time of year – autumn being a prime window of opportunity – you can catch some truly dazzling Northern Lights displays here.
