A Guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland

A Guide to the Northern Lights in Iceland

The Northern Lights are one of the world's great natural migrants. Many flock to Iceland to see the Northern Lights because it is simply one of the best places to see the phenomenon.

What is the Aurora Borealis?

The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis is a spectacular show of natural light. This is caused by solar particles that collide with gases as they enter our atmosphere. Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a great option as this phenomenon only occurs near the magnetic poles.

What is the best time to see the Northern Lights?

Due to Iceland's high latitude, the seasons determine not only the weather, but also the amount of daylight. Many choose to visit Iceland during the colder and darker months to maximize their chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

The season is from the end of August to mid-April. However, from October to February you have the highest chances of seeing them due to the early sunset. For best results you need complete darkness.

Many other factors, including aurora activity, cloud cover and light pollution, affect your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland. A good resource to look for a forecast is the Aurora Forecast website.

Where and how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

So you made it to Reykjavik? I remember how excited I was when I checked into my hostel. Luckily, if you're in the right season, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights from the city!

Best place to see the Northern Lights near Reykjavik

If the conditions are right, you might be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights without traveling too far from the capital. For the best aurora, it is important to have as little light pollution as possible. A great spot not too far from the city is a hill next to the University of Reykjavik.

Follow the map below to get to the university. You will see a path leading up the forested hills where you can find some secluded spots to view the Northern Lights. We were lucky enough to witness an amazing aurora spectacle over Reykjavik on our first night in Iceland.

On the way

It's true that the best Northern Lights in Iceland are a little off the beaten path. Heading away from the city and into the vast countryside offers the best viewing conditions. There are several tour operators operating in Reykjavik. Some hostels even organize excursions.

With that said, by far the best way to see the Northern Lights is to have your own car. Many choose to travel Iceland along the famous Ring Road. If you choose this option, and I highly recommend it, you will be rewarded with some amazing auroras.

Check out my review of how I drove the Ring Road for under $50 a day here.

Photography tips for capturing the Northern Lights

The best way to search for activity is to use your camera! Your camera's sensor, which is more sensitive to light than the human eye, often detects aurora activity in front of you.

A tripod is a must

A tripod, Gorillapod, or makeshift stabilization device is crucial for capturing the Northern Lights. Since you are photographing the night sky, a slow shutter speed is important and hence the need to hold the camera steady. There's nothing worse than capturing epic aurora rays but everything else is out of focus.

Use a wide aperture

Widening your aperture to the lowest size your lens allows will give you sharp images without having to increase your ISO. It's important to take ambient light into account, but generally a 30 second shutter, an aperture of 2.8 or 4, and 800 ISO are enough.

Remember to enjoy the moment

There's a reason you flew to the Arctic Circle and climbed a mountain in the middle of the night. Seeing the Northern Lights with your own eyes is one of the most amazing experiences you can have. Taking an epic shot is great, but don't forget to enjoy the moment.

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