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Travel advice for Iceland
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written by Kirsten Powley
updated 27.04.2023
Witnessing the northern lights is one of the best things to do in Iceland. The viewing conditions are often favourable, and the mountain peaks, mythical basalt stacks, sparkling waterfalls, electric-blue glacial lagoons and wide-open skies make a great backdrop. We've rounded up some of the best places and times to see the northern lights in Iceland to help you experience this spectacular phenomenon.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Iceland, your essential guide for visiting Iceland.
The northern lights are elusive; you hear about them constantly from what seems like everyone, waxing lyrical about the curtain of bright green and blue wisps prancing gracefully through the sky. Yet the chances of seeing them can be limited, to say the least. You need to be in the right country, in the right season, with the right weather – and this last is completely out of your control.
Iceland: A Game of Thrones Road Trip
This themed road trip will take you around Iceland, home to many filming locations of the hit TV series, Game of Thrones. Travel around the country's coastline, past the many dramatic glaciers and cliffs, relax in geothermal spas, and spot whales in the rough seas. Warning: Spoiler alert!
customize ⤍Iceland's Wild West
Welcome to the road trip of a lifetime, which will bring you to some of western Iceland’s wildest and most remote spots. On this adventure, you will pay unforgettable visits to Hraunfossar Waterfalls, as well as the Barnafoss and Deildartunguhver hot springs, and much more!
customize ⤍Iceland's Highlights from East to West
Take a flight to the East where you get to enjoy the enchanting Eastfjords before you drive south. If you are looking to focus on a few regions with a mix of the most popular sights and something off the beaten path; and to avoid backtracking with a one-way domestic flight, this is the perfect trip.
customize ⤍Discover North Iceland and Snaefellses
Discover the best of North Iceland and Snaefellsnes! The area around the volcanic Lake Myvatn is surrounded by impressive geological sights, stunning waterfalls and mighty canyons! The Snaefellsnes peninsula is known as “miniature Iceland” for the diversity of landscape it offers.
customize ⤍Best of the West
Take the road less travelled around the Westfjords and Snaefellsnes peninsulas. Visit places unspoiled by humans and see the wonders and creativity of nature at their very best! The wild Westfjords feature a stunning landscape of towering mountains, deep blue fjords, and thundering waterfalls.
customize ⤍East to West with the Westmand Islands
Drive around the Lake Lagarfljot and visit Hengifoss waterfall and the Hallormsstadur forest. Continue to the South Coast with its beautiful waterfalls, glacier lagoons and black sand beaches. Take a detour to spend a day in the stunning Westman Islands and end your trip with the Golden Circle.
customize ⤍All of Iceland in 13 days
In just under 2 weeks, explore the highlights Iceland has to offer. From the popular Golden Circle, follow the Ring Road and explore waterfalls and lagoons on your way around the island. This itinerary leads you all the way to the North and the Westfjords of Iceland.
customize ⤍Incredible Iceland in 12 days
This driving trip trip will take you to some of Iceland’s most incredible sights and natural wonders. Drive through glacial valleys and across towering mountains as you gaze over stark landscapes of shining silver steaks and marble lava fields patched with emerald green moss...
customize ⤍West & Arctic Coast Way Highlights
The area around the volcanic Lake Myvatn is surrounded by impressive geological sights, stunning waterfalls and mighty canyons. Visit the 'capital of the North' Akureyri before continuing to the Snaefellsnes peninsula, known as “miniature Iceland” for the diversity of landscape it offers.
customize ⤍Exploring the South Coast and Snaefellsnes
Glaciers, volcanoes, black sand beaches, lagoons - Iceland offers stunning landscapes to explore. This itinerary allows you to discover the south in your own rental car. Drive the famous Golden Circle and discover waterfalls along the way.
customize ⤍If you're visiting Iceland in winter, remember to wrap up warm as temperatures can dip to -10°C and you'll likely be waiting for some time outdoors in the cold. In December, the sun rises around 11 am and starts setting not long after 1 pm - bad news for your internal clock, but good news for your chances of seeing the northern lights.
So you're not left in the dark (pun intended), keep an eye on the Aurora Forecast so you know how likely it is that activity will occur on any given night.
It's also worth noting that the further north you go, the better your chances will be, as the natural phenomenon is triggered by the North Pole. Take a look at the best places to stay in Iceland: an expert's guide.
It was the site of Iceland’s Parliament between the 10th and 18th centuries and where the Silfra drift (the meeting of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates) is located. More importantly for you, it offers the clear night skies necessary to see the aurora.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Reykjavik
Covering eight thousand square kilometres, almost 150km wide and up to 1km thick, Vatnajökull’s vast size gradually sinks in as it floats inland hour after hour. As you drive past, its glacier tongues flow in slow motion from the heights to sea level, grinding out a black gravelly coastline as they go.
Located in the southeast, bordering Vatnajökull National Park, the crystal-clear ice boulders on the black sand beach pick up the red and green glow of the aurora borealis, creating a kaleidoscopic effect. This is a particularly good location for photographers.
Legend has it that the basalt stacks were once trolls who tried to guide a ship to shore, and when daylight broke they transformed into the sharp needles of rock you see now, forever stranded out at sea. At least they always have a front-row seat to the aurora.
Well, not exactly, it’s in southern Iceland between Reykjavík and Vík. A cosmic light show plus sublime bath-water temperatures? If you ask us, Seljavallalaug is hands down one of the best places to see the northern lights in Iceland.
Compared with the neighbouring West Fjords, the scenery of Northwest Iceland is much gentler and less forbidding – undulating meadows dotted with isolated barns and farmhouses are the norm here, rather than twisting fjords, though there are still plenty of impressive mountains to provide a satisfying backdrop to the coastline.
Kirkjufell makes you fall deeper in love with this varied country and provides a stunning backdrop to the light display to boot. Located on the north coast of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, it's just over two hours drive from Reykjavík.
Roads up here can often be difficult to navigate or simply closed due to harsh weather conditions in winter, so always check before travel if driving yourself (if you're comfortable driving in snow and ice), or organise professional transport or a tour.
Your local expert is based in Iceland and works for a carefully selected local tour company, readily equipped with the best contacts to create your ideal trip. Modify existing itineraries like East to West, Classic Ring Road with Snaefellsnes, Total Immersion Road Trip or the West and North Combo trip or start from scratch by sending your comments here.
Get matched with your local expert today to discover fascinating Iceland at your own pace and in your style.
Ready for a trip to Iceland? For inspiration, use the Iceland itineraries from the Rough Guide to Iceland and our local travel experts.
Inspired by our list of things to do in Iceland? If you're thinking of planning a trip, we can help! Try our tailor-made travel service and enjoy a fully personalized trip planned by a local expert.
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written by Kirsten Powley
updated 27.04.2023
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