To find the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, a few factors have to cooperate together. Chief among them are:

Clouds are a surprise heavy-lifter in aurora viewing, because regardless of if the lights are out or not- if the clouds are between us, we miss out on the show. Knowing how to navigate this information can save you a lot of time on your hunt, and can be a great way to know when to head in for the night, or even when to wake up!

If you do see clouds in the forecast, hope is not lost! Weather systems can move quickly in Iceland, and some clouds in the foreground can add great texture to that ultimate dream photo. They can also help you orient yourself visually, while you watch. Nighttime viewing can be a lot of work on the human eye- and user mileage may vary. 

Forecasts like this can be new to many- so don’t hesitate to share your questions with our experienced guides on your personal tour. Our staff are happy to help.

City life in Iceland is bright, but we still get our fair share of Northern Lights. On a good night, you can see many aspiring photographers setting up their tripods for the night’s performance. If you’re out late, they can be a good indicator that something might be headed our way.

If you’re visiting the capital and you ask for a great viewing spot- many locals will point you towards Grótta, a lighthouse and island at the very tip of Reykjavik’s Seltjarnarnes peninsula. After the walk down, you can even dip your feet in a tiny geothermally heated pool while you wait. Be mindful of the tide while you visit, as the very end of Grótta becomes inaccessible during high tide.

Grótta is a popular spot, but even closer to downtown is the Sæbraut walking path along the waterfront. This vantage point puts most of the city light behind you, and gives you an unobstructed view north towards the mountain Esjan. Keep an eye out for photographers on the rocks, a Northern Lights show with Sólfar (The Sun Voyager) in the foreground is a special sight to behold indeed!

Tucked away on the outskirts of town in the Heiðmörk reserve, Rauðhólar is right off of the main road, and might as well be another planet. Named for its waves of red lava, this is a popular recreation area that is often overlooked for aurora viewing, and very much worth a stroll.

If your travels for the evening take you towards the north, you’re in luck. There are countless hidden spots here that are not popularly frequented by crowds, that provide great vistas for a night of light watching.

Cross one of the longest bridges in Iceland on your northward trek, to enter the town of Borgarnes. Close to Reykjavik and bordered by gorgeous snowy mountains, this can be a great location to grab a dinner or snack beforehand, while also being out of the larger glow of the city. No aurora hunt is complete without a bag of fresh Icelandic doughnuts, or, kleinur.

Borgarnes opens up into the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Often described as the whole of Iceland in a day, this region boasts endless stretches of black sand beaches, and one of our most famous mountain vistas, Kirkjufell. Snæfellsnes has stood in for many fantastical places from popular fiction- from Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, to “Beyond the Wall” in the popular Game of Thrones television series, it is no wonder that Snæfellsnes has caught so many eyes. What is still very much a wonder, is how much of it you will have to yourself on a Northern Lights hunt.

The Reykjanes peninsula is just in our backyard, and is home to some of the most exciting geothermal spots in the region. Easy to drive and dotted with observation points- Reykjanes is a favorite route for auroral viewing.

We would be hard pressed not to mention the nearly neon waters of the Blue Lagoon, or, Bláa Lónið. While it is magical to watch the skies from the lagoon itself- did you know that you can also hike nearby? Located in a A UNESCO Global Geopark, the lava fields surrounding this gem are nearly 2000 years old, and filled with recognized hiking paths. These paths are mostly flat, and boast some of the easiest hiking in the area. Great for people who are keeping their eyes on the sky!

The largest lake on the peninsula, Kleifarvatn is situated in a steaming geothermal zone, and was once rumored to be the home of a mysterious monster the size of a whale! Whether that is true or not we cannot say- but we can tell you that the still surface of the lake can be a phenomenal mirror for an aurora reflection.

Named for the giantess Oddný who liked to bathe here, Brimketill is a small natural rock pool just protruding from the edge of the land into the ocean. Now outfitted with a viewing platform, it’s a great spot to watch the occasional stillness of the pool, next to the great movement of the wild sea.

Home to the original gathering spot for the Icelandic parliament (Alþingi), people have been viewing the lights from this region for nearly as long as the world’s longest running parliament has been around! Like them, now you too can add to the ancient chain of amazed eyes on the dancing skies.

Easily accessible from Reykjavik, Þingvellir is named for its role as the assembly place for the early Icelandic parliament. Today, it remains a favorite gathering place of nature and culture enthusiasts alike. Detached from the major sources of light pollution, and populated by many observation points; Þingvellir is ideal for safely parking a vehicle to watch from, and has proximity to restroom facilities.

On a long night out, these things can’t be beat! (If the restroom detail is important to your plans, check with the Visitor’s Center for additional information about service hours and availability. Winter is a quiet season for much of Iceland, and these schedules can change based on seasonal volume and maintenance.)

Near the southern end of the Golden Circle route, Kerið is a volcanic crater lake that boasts some of the greatest colors and easiest hikes in the region. Believed to be nearly 3,000 years old, Kerið can be viewed via a short walk from the parking lot, or entered from a small built path.

Brúarfoss is a fairly level hike, and one of the lesser known jewels of the Golden Circle route. Easily recognized by its shocking glacial blue color, and linked in a chain to a multiple waterfall system, this may be a spot that you have to visit again in the daylight!

Home to some of Iceland’s greatest treasures, this stretch of land is populated by hundreds of our island’s most famous sights. From waterfalls, to gaping caves, to dramatic columns of basalt rock- the cliffs and valleys of the south coast region are second to none.

Bring a raincoat, because this is a waterfall you can walk behind! Positioned with a wide, sweeping view of the southern sky from the cavern behind the falls- many an auroral night have been spent near the waters of Seljalandsfoss. Don’t forget to visit nearby neighbor, Gljúfrabúi while you’re there! This tiny crevasse treasure is worth braving the spray. 

Busy producing countless rainbows during the day, Skógafoss shines under the northern lights at night. Home to a lofty observation deck and emptying into a fairly flat surface, one can easily view the vista of this waterfall from afar, or right up close. If you’re looking for a versatile spot to spend time in, this may be for you. (Be careful of the ice created by the spray in winter, and consider bringing a walking aid if you plan on venturing close to the falls.)

Though the Vestrahorn mountains rightly belong in the eastern category, one can access them at the end of a long (and adventurous) south coast drive. Resting on a vast beach that often holds water after the tide goes out- Vestrahorn’s jagged peaks have created many a breathtaking scene in those surprisingly shallow reflections. If you’re looking for mountain drama right off the roadside, don’t sleep on this remote spot.

If the weather is calm and conditions are fair, the old plane wreck at Sólheimasandur can be an otherworldly location to watch auroras from. Abandoned here in 1973, the grounded shell of the aircraft stands vigil near the sea even now- and makes for a haunting stop both day, and night.

Only a half hour outside of Reykjavik, the Reykjadalur Valley hike is a steaming climb into the mountains of the Hengill area near Hveragerði. This flowing hot river is an unparalleled reward after a scenery packed walk, and is a popular local spot to lay and gaze for Northern Lights. Because of the graded nature of the path, this location is further down the list due to ease of access- but for a basic hiker, this can be an accessible trail. Remember to bring a torch if you are hiking at night, and exercise caution in all seasons, as the terrain can change quickly here.

Accessible only by 4×4, and standing on bedrock believed to be nearly 2 million years old- Fjaðrárgljúfur is a cascading, bending delight to behold. A reminder of the power of nature, and possible to hike both inside and on top of, Iceland’s feather canyon can be an intimate spot to catch the elusive polar lights.

Home to jagged peaks and rounded caves, “roof canyon” is a popular local recreation area. In the summer, Þakgil fills up with campers, but in the winter it can be a quiet amphitheater of vantage points for the perfect aurora sighting. Home to many treasures in its own right, Þakgil is located within the Katla Geopark, and is the starting place of many of Iceland’s most famous myths, folktales, and fantastical stories. (Not hard to believe, considering its many volcanic neighbors!)

These are only a few of our favorite spots- and depending on the route you plan to take, there are countless more to visit. Our staff are always happy to provide further insight, and would like to remind you to keep an eye on the weather in the quickly changing winter season. The status of any road you may plan to take can be checked on www.road.is, and if you are hiking, you can leave a travel plan on https://safetravel.is/.

Weather alerts are easily accessible here, along with important safety tips and area information. If you plan to attempt one of the more adventurous routes, one can also rent a Personal Location Beacon from this site, or skype with a safety agent for advice. Remember, when viewing Northern Lights it is imperative that you park your vehicle in a safe location, and do not pause in a roadway, despite the temptation. Good luck, clear skies, and happy aurora hunting!