northern lights tour in iceland

The 7 Best Iceland Northern Lights Tours [2024 Reviews]

One of the most magical experiences anyone can have is seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across the night sky in an explosion of shapes and vivid colors.

If viewing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, Iceland is undoubtedly the best place to experience this natural light phenomenon in relative comfort.

From September to April every year, dedicated tour guides take excited visitors on nightly hunts to find ideal locations to observe the beauty of nature. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the fortunate few who have witnessed Nature’s most wonderful light show.

Be sure to see our reviews of Golden Circle Tours , Whale Watching Tours and ATV Tours .

Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Quick answer: the 7 best rated iceland northern lights tours.

• Best Value Tour: Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
• Best Cruise Tour: Northern Lights by Boat from Reykjavik
• Best Private Tour: Northern Lights Private Tour from Reykjavik
• Best Adventure Tour: Reykjavik ATV & Northern Lights Tour
• Best Budget Cruise: Northern Lights Boat Cruise From Reykjavik
• Best Small Group Tour: 3-Hour Northern Lights Tour From Akureyri
• Best Multi-Day Tour: 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

Read on for our favorite Northern Lights tours in Iceland providing overviews and highlighting the details of each. We also make recommendations on staying in Iceland in our guide section.

Iceland Northern Lights Tour Reviews

1. small-group premium northern lights tour from reykjavik.

• Departure Point : Pick up service from central Reykjavik hotels
• Departure Time : 9:30 PM
• Duration : 4 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, a minibus ride into the countryside, refreshments, free-reschedule if you don’t see the Northern Lights, and free entry into the Aurora Museum

The minibus will pick you up from your hotel in Reykjavik and transport you into the depths of the Icelandic countryside. Here you will be leaving behind the light pollution of the city and seeking out the darkest places with the clearest patches of sky to view the world’s most famous light display.

With only 15 passengers on each tour, you will enjoy the intimacy of a small group sharing a journey of discovery as you hunt the Aurora Borealis.

The guide uses their local knowledge and experience, as well as communication with other guides, to find the most likely locations for clear viewing. Refreshments are provided while you continue your adventure—Icelandic donuts, hot chocolate, and fermented shark … if you’re brave enough.

The tour operators are so positive you will see the Northern Lights during your quest that they guarantee a free reschedule if you don’t. You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours beforehand with no charge. This tour also includes free entry to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. northern lights by boat in reykjavik.

• Departure Point : Reykjavik Old Harbor (Hotel pick-up available on request)
• Departure Time : 9 PM
• Duration : 2 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, boat cruise, knowledgeable guide, and onboard Wi-Fi

This is a unique and effective way of hunting for a good vantage point to view the Northern Lights unhindered by surrounding landmarks or any light pollution.

Join the friendly, experienced, and knowledgeable crew aboard a luxury boat in Reykjavik Old Harbor and sail into the North Atlantic Ocean.

You will get great views of the city lights and distant mountains. Within 30 minutes, the boat will reach a location free from light pollution where you have an excellent chance of viewing a spectacular light display.

There is Wi-Fi aboard the boat so don’t delay uploading your unique photographs of the Aurora Borealis onto your Facebook account and Instagram. Hot drinks and soup are provided.

If you need to cancel beforehand, there is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour begins.

If the weather is too rough to set sail, you will be taken on a small private bus ride to hunt the Northern Lights on land. In addition, you will receive a free ticket for the next available boat tour.

3. Private Iceland Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Hotel pickup included
• Departure Time : 9:00 PM
• Duration : 3 hours
• Includes : Private tour, expert guide

This is a unique opportunity to view the Northern Lights with a private tour. You will go to one or more of these locations: Thingvellir National Park, Hvalfjordur and the Reykjanes Peninsula.

In this rugged environment, far from civilization and light pollution, you have an excellent chance of observing the Aurora Borealis and viewing a spectacular display of dancing colors and shapes in the dark night sky.

Although you will be provided with overalls, you should dress for freezing and changeable weather. It’s a glacier! Wear gloves, headcover, waterproof pants and jacket, and good outdoor shoes.

If you discover that you cannot make the tour, free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour begins.

4. Reykjavik ATV & Northern Lights Tour

• Departure Point : Pick up from all Reykjavik hotels and guest houses
• Duration : 6 – 8 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, bus ride into the countryside, blankets, use of a camera

If you are looking for something a little different and exciting, try this northern lights tour by ATV!

You will join a small and intimate group of fellow Aurora Borealis hunters to ride deep into the Icelandic countryside in search of places free from light pollution with clear skies to view this solar wind phenomenon.

An experienced tour guide will use meteorological forecasts, their local knowledge, and intuition to find the best locations and also answer any questions you may have about the Northern Lights.

While seeking the light, you will have the chance to sample delicious Icelandic chocolate while you huddle under the warm blanket provided for your comfort during the cold Icelandic night.

Once you’ve found the world’s greatest light show, don’t worry if your camera can’t capture all the dramatic patterns and shapes dancing overhead.

You will be offered the use of a camera capable of picking out the spectacular variations of colored light in the sky.

If you don’t see the Northern Lights during your tour, you will be offered another opportunity to seek the light free of charge, and if for any reason you can’t make the tour, free cancellation is permitted up to 24 hours before the activity begins.

5. Northern Lights Boat Cruise From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Hlésgata, 101 Reykjavik Harbor
• Includes : Expert guide, 2-hour cruise, Wi-Fi, onboard toilets, and warm flotation overalls

After meeting at Reykjavik Harbor, experience a 2-hour cruise into the North Atlantic Ocean in search of an ideal location from which to observe and photograph the Northern Lights.

Here you will be far from the noise and light pollution of the city. View the city from the sea while you enjoy refreshments and snacks purchased from a heated indoor bar,

Be sure to dress in the warm flotation overalls provided and step out onto the deck to enjoy the natural lightshow outside.

The Free Wi-Fi is great for uploading your amazing shots of dancing shapes and colors in the night sky onto your Instagram account.

If you get tired, there are seats both inside the cabin and out on the deck. Because the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon, it is always possible that you won’t see the lights on any particular night. But don’t worry.

If you don’t see the Northern Lights on your first cruise, you will be offered the opportunity to try again another night. In the event that you cannot make the tour, free cancellation is permitted up to 24 hours before the cruise begins.

6.  3-Hour Northern Lights Tour From Akureyri

• Departure Point : Pick up from hotels and guest houses
• Includes : Knowledgeable guide, 3-hour minibus , Icelandic pastries, hot cocoa, and blankets

A small minibus picks you up from your guesthouse or hotel to join an intimate group of 17 other Northern Lights hunters and transports you out of the city.

Free from its noise and light pollution, deep into the remote and peaceful countryside of Iceland you can truly enjoy the show.

Snuggle under the blankets provided and enjoy traditional Icelandic pastries and hot cocoa while your expert guide strives to locate the best position to view the spectacular natural light display.

With 4 hours to spend, your minibus will travel deeper into the countryside than any other tour and spend longer searching for the lights. Don’t worry if you don’t see the Northern Lights on your first attempt.

This eager tour operator is determined that you will get to see the world’s most famous display of colors and shapes in the sky, so you will be offered a second and even a third opportunity to search with no extra charge.

If you still don’t see the Aurora Borealis after three attempts, you will receive a voucher entitling you to another trip at a future time. Free cancellations are offered up to 24 hours before the activity starts.

7. 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Pick up service from Reykjavik
• Departure Time : 8 AM
• Duration : 4 days
• Includes : Expert guide, 3 nights hotel stay and breakfast, visits to 3 waterfalls, 2 geysers, a glacial lagoon, hike along a glacier, hunt for the Northern Lights, and explore inside an ice cave.

If you are dedicated to seeing the Northern Lights but also want to experience some of the other unique natural phenomena around Iceland, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore everything that Iceland has to offer.

Watch a geyser in action, view beautiful waterfalls, explore inside an ice cave, hike along a glacier, and observe the Aurora Borealis.

On the first day of your eventful tour, you will travel to southwestern Iceland and visit Geysir, the waterfall at Gullfoss, and Thingvellir National Park.

The geyser at Geysir is the most famous in the world, and the English word “geyser” is derived from its place name.

You will also see Strokkur geyser nearby, which sprays hot water up to 98 feet into the sky every few minutes, much more frequently than its more famous neighbor. After an action-packed day, relax at a hotel in Hvolsvöllur.

On the second day, you will move on to southern Iceland and visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Following that, experience a hike across a glacier at Solheimajökull and marvel at the icy landscape of this sublime natural landmark.

Next, you will see the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before visiting Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Before heading back to the hotel, your expert guide will take you on a night hunt for the highlight of the trip—the Aurora Borealis.

On the third day, you will begin with an unforgettable trek inside a spectacular ice cave. Following that, you will visit  Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon.

The icebergs floating in the blue waters will astound you, and if the place looks familiar, that’s because it was used as a setting in many movies, including A View to a Kill , Die Another Day , Batman Begins , Beowulf and Grendel , and Lara Croft Tomb Raider .

Finally, you will return to Reykjavik filled with a wealth of memories.

Iceland Travel Guide

There are many reasons the Land of Fire and Ice has seen an explosion in tourism since 2019. Not only can you see the Northern Lights, active volcanoes, glaciers, and puffins, you can also relax in a geothermal spa and even bake bread inside a pot buried underground.

What you decide to do in this fascinating country is your choice, but you should take the time to do some research before you go. This guide is here to inform you where you can go, what you can do, and how you can get there, because we want you to have the best vacation of your life in Iceland.

Airports & Entry

Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Although Iceland only has a population of 359 thousand people, in 2018 this busy airport handled 9.8 million passengers. Despite the number of visitors, there is only one terminal. You will find the check-in times minimal, with an average 20-minute waiting time at the security check.

Inside the terminal, you will find everything clearly signposted in English. Charging points for cellphones and laptops are provided in the waiting area along with free Wi-Fi.

Strollers are provided for children, and there is a dedicated kids’ play area. The usual selection of food outlets and shops are found on the upper floor of the main building. Manned information stands are located throughout the airport.

It is 30 miles from the airport to Reykjavik, the capital city. The speed limit is 55 mph, but the drive usually takes 50 minutes due to traffic. Shuttle bus services link KEF to the city, which you can book in advance online or pay for at the airport.

Some hotels offer airport collection, and you should ask about that when you book your room. You can, of course, jump in a taxi at the airport, but it will be extremely expensive compared to the airport bus service. Car rental is available at the airport, but it is advisable to book in advance.

Planning Tips

With so many exciting things to do and see in Iceland, you’re guaranteed to have a great holiday. However, things do not always go to plan, so here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Tip #1: If you want to see the Aurora Borealis, go between September and March

It’s easier to view the Northern Lights when the sky is at its darkest. In Iceland, the nights are especially long between September and March, but the sky doesn’t grow dark enough to view this magical phenomenon during the summer months. However, do not plan a visit around a full moon, because its light can dampen the impact of this natural light display. The best days to go are around the time of a new moon.

Tip #2: Check out the SolarHam website

If you are especially interested in the Aurora Borealis and want to earn your Geek Badge, check out the SolarHam website. This techy site provides a 3-day geomagnetic forecast, which is useful for aurora hunters to select the best time to view the Northern Lights. The same site provides a satellite map of where the natural light show is right now, so you can look up if you’re near.

Tip #3: Take your time to enjoy all the attractions of Iceland

There’s so much to see in Iceland, it would be a crime not to explore and experience as much as you are able in the time you have. While you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see so many unforgettable natural phenomena in one place. There is nowhere else on the planet where you can see active volcanoes, glaciers, and or ice caves , all in one national park. For an unforgettable experience be sure to take a snowmobile tour , ATV tour of the national park!

Tip #4: Book everything in advance, especially in winter

Tourism is on the rise in Iceland, and hotel rooms, tours, and attractions get fully-booked ahead of time.  Don’t miss out on seeing the Northern Lights from the best vantage point possible because all the tours were booked-up before you arrived. Many tours like the ones detailed above offer a 24-hour-in-advance free cancellation, so you take no financial risk booking. Ask about free cancellation when buying your ticket. If you are interested in a horseback riding tour be sure to book it at least a few months in advance as they are very popular!

Tip #5: Impress your friends with quintessentially Icelandic souvenirs

The budget chain store Bonus stocks many unique Icelandic products, such as Omnom chocolate, Icelandic specialty teas, herbal sea salt blends, and licorice mixed with chocolate. At Bonus, you can pick up great, inexpensive gifts for your friends! Vinbuoin, the state-run liquor store, sells a fine selection of renowned Icelandic spirits, including Iceland’s signature tipple, Brennivin.

And if you like to sort through other folks’ debris for the hidden treasures, a special weekend market is held at Kolaportio in downtown Reykjavik where Icelanders come to sell off their unwanted goods when moving to a new house. You could find anything!

Restaurants & Eating Out

Because of Iceland’s geographical position and climate, vegetables and grains are rare in traditional foods, and many famous dishes focus on preserved seafood or meat. Also, food was scarce in yesteryears, so every part of an animal or fish was eaten. You’ll find many traditional meals involve fish or meat that is salted, smoked, dried, or fermented. Watch out for such culinary delights as baked sheep’s head and fermented shark.

Seafood restaurants are common throughout Iceland, and all serve “fish of the day”, which is usually salmon, monkfish, haddock, or cod. However, if you wish, you can seek out some of the more exotic options. Humar is a kind of lobster caught off the south coast of Iceland, renowned for its tender and tasty flesh.

It is served fried, baked or grilled, though it can also be found as a pizza topping! Plokkfishkur is a fish stew, made to the chef’s specific recipe but usually combining white fish with onions, potatoes, milk, and flour. Harofiskur is a snack you can buy in any grocery store. It is dried stockfish, eaten with butter or straight out of a bag.

Because it is difficult to grow wheat in Iceland, there are many traditional varieties of rye bread, like flatkaka, baked in thin disks on hot stones. One variety of rye bread you should try is rugbrauo, a sweet-tasting, dark bread.

The reason rugbrauo is so interesting for visitors to Iceland is that a common baking technique is to bury a dough-filled pot near one of the many hot springs, such as Fontana Hot Springs, and use geothermal heat to bake the bread. Rugbrauo baked that way is also called hyerabrauo (hot-spring bread).

Icelanders don’t only eat fish and rye bread. Sheep are the most common livestock in Iceland, so lamb is often on the menu. Sheep wander freely around the countryside, eating seaweed, grass, and berries, which tends to make lamb tender with a mild flavor.

Smoked lamb is called hangikjöt and is often served boiled during the winter holidays. Also watch out for varieties of meat you won’t see in most other countries, like puffin, horse, and whale. Despite international concern over puffins and whales, they are still commonly consumed in Iceland.

A meal on vacation isn’t complete without dessert. Popular local sweets include rugbrauosis (rye bread ice cream), pönnukökur (Icelandic pancakes), and snuour (cinnamon bread covered in caramel or chocolate). A dairy product unique to Iceland is skyr.

It is a kind of sour milk cheese eaten like yogurt and often sweetened and flavored with fruit or vanilla.

Nightlife & Entertainment

With long, cold nights throughout the winter, it’s no surprise Icelanders love their nightlife, and much of it is centered where most of the people live—Reykjavik. Because the capital is so small, most of the clubs and bars are within walking distance of one another. In fact, many are along one street, Laugavegur, the commercial artery of downtown.

Most social venues are informal and entrance fees rare. When Icelanders go out for the night, they tend to begin late, and many clubs and bars don’t get busy until after midnight. This is in part because alcohol in bars is expensive, so locals drink at home before setting out.

Many clubs and bars stay open as late as 5 am. Cocktail bars are a recent addition to Iceland’s nightlife, but with the booming tourist trade, they are rapidly expanding.

And don’t worry too much about safety at night. In 2019, the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney ranked Iceland the most peaceful nation on Earth for the 12 th year running. Crime rates in Reykjavik are probably lower than anywhere you have ever lived.

Getting Around

Iceland is a small country covering an area slightly smaller than Kentucky. If you wanted to drive from Reykjavik on the west coast to Faskruosfjorour on the east coast, the 425 miles route would take only 8½ hours.

However, because of its small population outside of the capital, you cannot rely on public transport to go sightseeing around the country or reach the best place to view the northern lights. This leaves you with two options: hiring a car or booking a coach tour, like the 3-day Golden Circle tour detailed above.

Within the capital and its immediate area, you do have more options: bus, taxi, bicycle, or walk. The public bus service is inexpensive and efficient, and you can ask for help to find the right bus from your hotel reception. Given that Reykjavik is so small a city, taxis are affordable.

If you want a little exercise, bicycle rentals are available in many hotels, and the city is crisscrossed by dedicated bicycle paths. If you decide to walk, make sure you wrap up well. The weather can deteriorate rapidly in Iceland.

Accommodations

Over the past few years, Iceland has seen a huge expansion in tourism. With a 378% increase since 2010, hotel rooms fill up quickly. Through Christmas and summer, hotels are usually fully booked. Since 228 of Iceland’s 359 thousand citizens live within the capital and its immediate hinterland, settlements throughout the rest of Iceland are small and rooms for visitors limited. Most hotels are in the capital.

You will probably find it most convenient to stay in Reykjavik. You will find a broad range of hotels there, it is near the airport, and many of the attractions along with most of the nightlife are found there or nearby. Many organized tours to other parts of Iceland and major tourist attractions set out from Reykjavik, such as most of the Northern Lights tours detailed above.

Within the downtown and central area of Reykjavik you will find a choice of luxury hotels, like the Hotel Borg downtown and The Icelandair Hotel Marina, overlooking the harbor. If you head a little more out of the center, you’ll find more affordable hostels, such as The Capital Inn and Bus Hostel Reykjavik .

There are some popular hotels outside of the capital near to tourist attractions, such as Hotel Skaftafell in the Vatnajökull National Park, which offers spectacular views of Iceland’s largest mountain, or Skyrhusid Guesthouse near Lake Jökulsarion in the south. Wherever you decide to stay, the important thing is to book in advance. If you don’t, you will miss out on the best rooms.

Iceland is not the place to go if you want year-round sunshine and dry weather. In fact, on 22 nd December there are only 4 hours of daylight, because that is the shortest day. That’s great if you want to see the Aurora Borealis, since it can only be seen during dark nights, but not so good for other sightseeing. In contrast, the longest day boasts 21 hours of daylight, 21 st June.

The “warm” summer period covers June, July, and August, with an average daily high of 55 0 F and a low of 46 0 F. Yes, 55 0 F is their summer high! Summers are short and cloudy. The winter period covers November through March, two months longer than summer, and is cold, wet, windy, and overcast, with frequent snow. The average daily high drops to 35 0 F in January with a low of 27 0 F.

If your main interest is the Northern Lights, you should go anytime September through March, because the sky is dark enough to view those fantastic electromagnetic displays. If the Aurora Borealis does not interest you, you’ll get the warmest weather and longer days from the end of June to mid-August.

Attractions

The Aurora Borealis is not the only unique and fascinating attraction in Iceland. The Land of Fire and Ice is the best place in the world to see and experience the majesty and power of two extremes in Nature: glaciers and volcanoes. These attractions are all part of what is called the “Golden Circle”. Taking a day tour of the Golden Circle with a guide is a great way to take in all of the best sights.

12 miles from KEF is the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Here you can laze in pools of hot, milky blue water heated by a lava flow. Nearby stands the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which uses superheated water from the lava flow to generate electricity and also provide heat for a municipal water heating system.

There are geothermal spas like the Blu Lagoon throughout Iceland, so wherever you choose to stay, you can find one near you and experience the power of molten rock.

If ice and Arctic landscapes interest you, head 140 miles east from Reykjavik to Vatnajökull National Park , which is centered on Vatnajökull glacier and the surrounding beautiful landscape. This park covers 14% of Iceland and is filled with glacial rivers and active volcanoes.

Vatnajökull glacier empties into the glacial lake of Jökulsarion in the south, where you can see 100-feet-tall icebergs freshly broken away from the glacier. Jökulsarion served as a setting in several major Hollywood movies. On your drive back to Reykjavik, you can see two beautiful waterfalls around Skogar. The first, Skogafoss, is an impressive waterfall and a popular destination for Icelandic day-trippers.

18 miles west of Skogafoss is picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall . A path allows sightseers to pass behind the curtain of water as it falls into the crystal-clear plunge pool.

If it’s man-made cultural and historical attractions you seek, you’ll find plenty to do and see around Reykjavik. The capital’s earliest history stretches back to 874, but it only became a true city in 1785.

Perhaps one of the most unique attractions is seeing the continental plates splitting apart at Silfra. Here the North American and Eurasian plates are separating. If you are daring you can take a snorkel tour of Silfra and see it for yourself!

Around Reykjavik, you’ll find an interesting assortment of museums and tourist attractions, like the National Museum of Iceland and the Reykjavik Maritime Museum.

A famous landmark visitors flock to see is the Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is the largest church in Iceland. This unique structure was designed by a local architect to resemble the glaciers and mountains of Iceland.

Tour Guides

The Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik is our Editor's Choice for the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland.

Robert Baker

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10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik)

Home | Travel | Europe | Iceland | 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik)

Booking a Northern Lights tour in Iceland is the best way to increase your chances of seeing the famous aurora borealis. While it’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland on your own, a guided tour will give you the most enjoyable experience since the guides can expertly predict the Northern Lights forecast .

Besides, there are several amazing Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik , so as long as you’re in the capital city, you’ll have lots of options to choose from. Just be sure to travel during the Northern Lights season so you get the most magnificent show possible!

We run photo tours to Iceland every year to enjoy this fascinating natural phenomenon, although the excursion is designed for landscape photographers. If you’re not an avid photographer, but you still want to go aurora hunting in Iceland, I highly recommend taking one of these aurora tours from Reykjavik :

• The best Northern Lights tour
• The cheapest Northern Lights tour
• Small group Northern Lights tour
• Private Northern Lights tour
• Best Northern Lights boat tour
• Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour
• Whale watching & Northern Lights tour
• South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier Northern Lights tour
• Golden Circle & Northern Lights tour
• Multi-day Northern Lights tours

1.  The best Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Without a doubt, this excursion  is the  best Northern Lights excursion in Iceland .

During this tour, an expert guide will take you to an area with zero light pollution so you can fully enjoy this natural spectacle. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Northern Lights, including curiosities and superstitions revolving around this unique phenomenon.

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll have free time to take photos, walk around the area, or simply gaze in wonder at the Green Lady. Also, this tour includes round-trip bus transportation, making it one of the top excursions from Reykjavik, especially if you don’t plan on renting a car.

• Highlights : Northern Lights Observation
• Duration : 3 hours
• Number of participants : 50
• Price : $62/person

2. The cheapest Iceland Northern Lights tour from Reykjav ík

If you’re looking for another cheap Northern Lights tour in Iceland , I recommend booking this tour . It departs from Reykjavik and includes admission to the Northern Lights Center, a scientific museum all about the aurora borealis. It has all kinds of interactive exhibits that teach you what the Northern Lights are and how they form.

2. The cheapest Iceland Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík

If you take this tour, you’ll wait until nightfall to explore the best places to see the Northern Lights , as predicted by meteorologists and experts. Hopefully, there will be clear skies, but if you don’t have any luck seeing the aurora, you can retake the tour for free on another day. I recommend taking this tour on the first day of your trip, so you have time in your itinerary in case you need to retake it.

• Highlights : Admission to the Northern Lights Center and Northern Lights observation
• Duration : 4 hours
• Price : $55/person

3. Small group Icelandic Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik

A small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland is ideal for those who want to experience the aurora in a calmer, more exclusive setting. This tour is a great option since it departs from Reykjavik in a comfortable luxury minibus.

You’ll head to an area with zero light pollution and optimal weather conditions, creating the perfect environment to witness the dancing aurora. Be aware that you can only take this tour between September and April, and if you don’t have any luck seeing the Northern Lights the first time, you can retake the tour for free.

Moreover, this Iceland aurora tour includes admission to the Northern Lights Center, one of the coolest attractions in Reykjavik where you can learn more about this natural light show. You’ll also be able to enjoy light refreshments during the tour.

• Highlights : Admission to the Northern Lights Center and Northern Lights observation in a small group
• Number of participants : 18
• Price : $87/person

4. Private Northern Lights tour in Iceland from Reykjav ík

If you want to see the aurora in privacy but you prefer having a guide, consider this tour . It’s one of the best Northern Lights excursions from Reykjavik and it even includes hotel pick-up.

Once you board the bus, you’ll travel to the best viewing spot to see the Northern Lights, with optimal conditions and zero light pollution. Depending on the day, you may go to Thingvellir National Park, Hvalfjordur, or the Reykjanes Peninsula, all beautiful places to watch the Green Lady.

4. Private Northern Lights tour in Iceland from Reykjavík

Your guide will tell you all about this natural phenomenon and the legends surrounding it. You’ll have about an hour to marvel at the dancing lights, then you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Without a doubt, this is the best private Northern Lights tour in Iceland , although I also recommend staying in one of Iceland’s Northern Lights hotels so you can continue enjoying the show.

• Highlights : Private Northern Lights Tour
• Number of participants : up to 3 people
• Price : $70/person

5. Best Northern Lights boat tour in Reykjavik

A Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik is one of the most unique experiences, so I highly recommend it. While gliding along the sea, you’ll witness the Green Lady and the beautiful mountains and fjords in the background, so it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable trip.

If this sounds good to you, then book this excursion , which begins at the port in Reykjavik. There, you’ll board the boat and sail along the coast of Iceland until you reach the point where you’ll have the highest chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Keep in mind that this tour only operates if the weather conditions are favorable for sailing. We’ve always had luck during our trips, but if you run out of luck on your scheduled tour date, you can retake the excursion for free. This is the best Northern Lights boat tour in Reykjavik , so it’s definitely worth it!

• Highlights : Northern Lights Boat Tour
• Duration : 2.5 hours
• Number of participants : 200
• Price : $88/person

6. Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik, Iceland

Another interesting aurora borealis tour in Iceland is this excursion , which includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon . Not only will you get to witness the spectacular Northern Lights show, but you’ll also experience Iceland’s geothermal waters.

At the Blue Lagoon, you can take a relaxing soak and enjoy one of the treatments offered here, like a silica mask. The waters are said to have health properties and benefits like smoother and firmer skin, so you’re sure to feel refreshed after your visit.

At night, you’ll take a guided tour to see the Northern Lights, and your destination will depend on that evening’s weather conditions. If you don’t have any luck, you can retake the tour on another day free of charge.

Finally, this Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour in Iceland includes all transfers, including to and from the Blue Lagoon, so you won’t have to worry about transportation.

• Highlights : Blue Lagoon admission and Northern Lights
• Duration : 8 hours
• Price : $217/person

7. Whale-watching and Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Among all the amazing things to do here, whale-watching in Iceland is our personal favorite. Did you know that you can combine this activity with a Northern Lights boat trip in Reykjavik ? This excursion is one of the most magical experiences, so I highly recommend it if you want to enjoy two unforgettable attractions in one tour.

During the trip, you’ll take a boat to an area commonly inhabited by minke and humpback whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises. Of course, remember that these are wild animals that live freely in the sea, so it’s not possible to predict their movements with 100% accuracy. That said, the tour operators have been in business for years, so they’re the best experts on scouting out these magnificent creatures.

Any time we’ve done this type of excursion, we’ve seen several species of cetaceans, so I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Be aware that you can retake the tour for free if you don’t have any luck, so it’s best to take this tour on your first day in Iceland.

This whale-watching and Northern Lights tour in Iceland includes an evening session to hunt the aurora among the mountains and fjords. It’s an incredible experience, so bring your camera!

• Highlights : Whale Watching and Northern Lights Boat Tour
• Duration : 6 hours
• Price : $167/person

8. Northern Lights tour through Iceland’s South Coast & S ólheimaj ökull Glacier

While visiting Reykjavik, you may want to discover other parts of Iceland, so consider this excursion to see the Northern Lights and some top attractions in the southern region of the island.

During this guided Northern Lights tour in Iceland , you’ll visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the Sólheimajökull glacier. You’ll learn how the glacier formed, as well as other interesting facts about the area. One of the coolest parts of the tour was hearing the sound of the moving ice, which we thought was quite impressive.

8. Northern Lights tour through Iceland’s South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier

Other stops on this excursion include the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the Reynisdrangar cliffs, and the Skógafoss waterfall, among other top sights in Iceland . After touring the southern coast and enjoying a warm dinner, you’ll begin your Iceland Northern Lights tour , heading to an area with the most optimal conditions to see the Green Lady.

• Highlights : Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Northern Lights
• Duration : 16 hours
• Number of participants : 10
• Price : $220/person

9. Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Another Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik that will pique your interest is this one , which includes a tour of the Golden Circle .

Exploring the Golden Circle is one of the best ways to discover this island country, which is known as the Land of Fire and Ice. You’ll see why as you visit sites like the Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll be able to see the Strokkur geyser in action.

At night, you’ll depart from Reykjavik and spend a few hours hunting the aurora borealis in the sky. It’s a full itinerary, so this Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour in Iceland is one of the best excursions you can do if it’s your first time in the country.

• Highlights : Golden Circle and Northern Lights
• Duration : 9 hours
• Price : $115/person

10. Multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland from Reykjav ík

Renting a car in Iceland is the easiest way to see different places in the country, but if you don’t want to drive, you can take an organized tour.

10. Multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland from Reykjavík

There are even multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland in which you can see several attractions in one trip. These are the ones I recommend:

• 4-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll visit the Golden Circle, Iceland’s south coast, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as well as go hunting for the Northern Lights. Includes three nights of accommodation with breakfast.
• 6-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll go all the way around the island, passing through the Golden Circle, south Iceland, the East Fjords, and the Lake Mývatn geothermal area. You will also have time to enjoy the Northern Lights. This tour includes accommodation for five nights with breakfast.
• 8-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll take a tour around the island and discover the Golden Circle, south Iceland, the East Fjords, the Lake Mývatn geothermal area, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You’ll also see the Northern Lights. Includes seven nights of accommodation with breakfast.

These excursions are super convenient and thorough since they take care of transportation and accommodation and include guided Northern Lights tours in Iceland . So, if you don’t want to worry about anything, I recommend checking them out.

Price of Northern Lights tours in Iceland (Reykjav ík)

The price of a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik varies depending on the size of the group, the duration, and any included activities or attractions. To make it easier for you to choose, here is a chart comparing the prices and important details for the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland :

I hope this guide helped you find the perfect aurora tour in Reykjavik ! Keep in mind that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon affected by several factors like solar activity and cloud cover. If you book an excursion and it’s canceled due to poor weather conditions, or you take the tour but don’t see the Northern Lights, you can retake it on another day for free.

Therefore, I recommend booking your tour for the first day of your trip, so you have time to retake it. You could also take a multi-day trip to see the Northern Lights , which will grant you more time to witness this marvelous spectacle.

Finally, I recommend checking out our guide on how to photograph the Northern Lights so you can return home with some amazing memories. Also, our article on where to stay in Iceland has the best accommodation options, including places where you can see the aurora from your room.

Feel free to leave your questions or comment below; I’d love to hear from you! With that, I wish you a wonderful time during your Northern Lights tour in Iceland !

Ascen Aynat

2 replies on “ 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik) ”

Myself and my friend are very much interested to go to escorted 8 days tour in Iceland to watch Northern lights in Fen 2024. Can you get in touch with me to organise it. Thank you

Hi, That sounds like a fantastic trip! You can organize that 8-day Northern Lights excursion by following the link and booking a spot.

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What our guests say, five star service.

We’d highly recommend using Heimir at Aurora Experts – Iceland. He had a small group guarantee, is so knowledgeable on the island, the lights and so much more. He had some Icelandic treats for us to sample while we were waiting for activity including some much needed hot chocolate. We could tell it was as fun for him as it was us. So happy we booked with him instead of one of the big tour groups. The personal service was unforgettable!

Janine Muckelroy – 27. November 2021

THE BEST AURORA EXPERIENCE

Unreal experience Aurora Experts in Iceland, the enthusiasm of the tour guide on was amazing, they really want us to had the best experience ever, they had jumpsuits to keep us warm which was a lifesaver and they had traditional Icelandic food. They also took amazing photos of us all, and the overall experience was incredible. Cannot recommend it enough. They let us stay for as long as we wanted, and that also made the experience even more enjoyable. it was AMAZING, lifetime experience.

Bruna Dontal – 18. November 2021

Highly Recommend - Incredible Experience

This tour was absolutely incredible! Heimir stayed in constant contact with us throughout the week on weather conditions and the best day/time to see the lights. We were able to see the lights and had amazing pictures of us taken. Despite it being cold, they provided extremely warm overalls that kept us comfortable and even brought traditional Icelandic foods for us to try which were amazing! They let us stay as long as we wanted so we could really enjoy the moment. This experience was top of my bucket list, and I highly recommend Heimer and Aurora Experts – Iceland for all future Northern Lights Tours!

Elaine – 20. November 2021

10/10 best tour guides

These guys are amazing!! Heimir had excellent communication with our group to make sure we had the best chance of seeing the lights. The whole experience was perfect. We saw the lights and got wonderful professional photos! They also make sure everyone is warm with the provided jumpsuits. We will definitely book with Heimir the next time we’re in Iceland.

Kristin G – 18. November 2021

The BEST Northern Lights Tour!!

Our group of 7 had the absolute best time!! We were thrilled to find a personalized experience and were blown away with the communication with Heimir prior to our tour and our overall tour! I felt like I couldn’t have trusted a better person to give us the best opportunity to see the northern lights on our trip of a lifetime! We saw them, have wonderful pictures to remember them by and also got to experience local eats and drinks during the tour! It truly couldn’t have been better. We have already told others planning their trips about this tour and we plan to come back!!

Heather – 17. November 2021

The personal service was unforgettable!

Just got home from our week long trip where the weather was cold, cloudy and not the best for viewing the lights. We had a KP2 on our last night so we went for it with help from a private guide that was bound and determined to make sure we didn’t leave the island without a show. We’d highly recommend using Heimir at Aurora Experts – Iceland. He had a small group guarantee, is so knowledgeable on the island, the lights and so much more. He had some Icelandic treats for us to sample while we were waiting for activity including some much needed hot chocolate. We could tell it was as fun for him as it was us. So happy we booked with him instead of one of the big tour groups. The personal service was unforgettable!

Lovetravel94767 – 1. December 2021

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Beyond the trip, our goal is to make you love Iceland as much as we do!

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Northern Lights Tour

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"Amazing Northern lights tour"

Tour Highlights

• Maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights on this evening tour
• Your guide takes you to the best places to spot the elusive phenomenon
• If you don‘t see any lights, you can re-book again for another night free of charge
• Seasonal tour available from September to mid-April

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Northern Lights Quest of Iceland

Starting from $2,845

• The Experience
• 6 Days In 2024
• 6 Days In 2025

Journey on a quest to see the famous Northern Lights 

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Tour start Reykjavik

Tour end Reykjavik

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01 Apr 2024 - 31 May 2024

Featured attractions

Northern Lights Quest Boat Cruise

Sail away from shore to get the best views as you hunt for the aurora borealis.

The Blue Lagoon

Enjoy a soak in this geothermal spa, set among the lava fields.

Diamond Beach

See the glittering slivers of glaciers that wash up on this black sand beach.

Skogafoss Waterfall

Find the rainbows at Iceland's incredible waterfall.

Explore Iceland's warm and welcoming capital city, with its cozy cafes and shops.

LAVA Center

Learn about Iceland's volcanic past—and what it means for the future of this incredible island.

Golden Circle

Travel along Iceland's most popular scenic drive, where you'll encounter craggy landscapes of lava rock, dramatic geysers and waterfalls, and crystalline pools.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Enjoy the stunning beauty of the glaciers and black sand beaches—including the sparkling bits of ice that wash up on nearby Diamond Beach.

Secret Lagoon

Enjoy an incredible hot spring experience at this off-the-beaten path lagoon.

Thingvellir National Park

See how volcanic activity has shaped this incredible natural landscape, with craggy cliffs and deep, crystalline springs.

Strokkur Geyser

Watch the spectacle as this geyser blasts hot water and steam high into the air every five to ten minutes.

Black Sand Beach

Walk along the beautiful Black Sand Beach of Reynisfjara, created when hot lava from a nearby volcano met the ice-cold sea – and see the distinctive basalt columns rising out of the ocean, which legend says were once sea trolls.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Reykjavík Panoramic Tour | Perlan Observation Deck | Northern Lights Quest

Day 2 golden circle | secret lagoon | friðheimar tomato farm, day 3 lava center | skógar folk museum | skógafoss waterfall | black sand beach, day 4 jökulsárlón glacier lagoon | diamond beach | skaftafell wilderness area, day 5 seljalandsfoss waterfall | reykjavík | the blue lagoon, day 6 tour ends in reykjavík, where you’ll stay.

Fosshotel Reykjavik (EUR) Reykjavik, Iceland

Fosshotel Reykjavík, Iceland’s largest hotel stands prominently in Reykjavík’s business district,...

Stracta Hotel (EUR) Hella, Iceland

Stracta is a family owned hotel located on the south coast of Iceland, about an hour drive from...

Fosshotel Nupar (EUR) Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Iceland

Located off the Route 1 highway, Fosshotel Nupar offers panoramic views of Vatnajokull’s lava...

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What's included?

• Full daily breakfast and many meals*
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• Welcome drinks with your group
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• Comprehensive travel itinerary and documents

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

• A travel backpack
• Travel adapter
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• Documents wallet

A hidden gem

We're thrilled to offer this Northern Lights Quest tour - brand new for 2020! We think our guests will love hunting for the Northern Lights as they see so many of Iceland's highlights and hidden gems.

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Fosshotel Reykjavik (EUR), Reykjavik

Fosshotel Reykjavík, Iceland’s largest hotel stands prominently in Reykjavík’s business district, only a short walk from the main shopping area. Here, from the heart of the city, you can easily explore Reykjavík's magnificent architecture, captivating history, vibrant markets and culture. With 16 floors, many of our rooms offer magnificent views of the city and the bay area. Unwind at the Beer Garden with local Icelandic draught beer and enjoy select dining at Fosshotel Reykjavík's restaurant.

Fosshotel Reykjavik Exterior

• 24-hour Front Desk
• Business Center
• Coffee Shop
• Disabled Facilities
• Dry Cleaning
• Fitness Center
• Laundry Facilities
• Wifi in Public Areas (Complimentary)
• Cable/Satellite Television
• Daily Maid Service
• In-Room Wifi (Complimentary)
• Luggage Racks
• Private Bathroom
• Room Service
• Work Desk & Lamp

Reception Area

Haust Restaurant

Standard Double Room

Double Tower Bedroom

Standard Bathroom

View from hotel room

Haust Restaurant Bar

Stracta Hotel (EUR), Hella

Stracta is a family owned hotel located on the south coast of Iceland, about an hour drive from Reykjavík and close to many of the most spectacular natural wonders on the island. The second-floor dining room features stunning views of the beautiful nature that surrounds the hotel such as Eyjafjallajökull and Hekla. Stracta Hotel is an ideal place to explore the Northern Lights. The lights around the hotel are specially designed and face down to avoid light pollution. Our guests can stay in the hot tubs in the garden and enjoy the fabulous view of the sky. They also offer a Northern Lights wake up call, so that you'll never miss the splendor of the auroras. The view around Stracta Hotel is one of the best views in Iceland, as on a clear day guests can see the Westman Islands to the south, the volcanoes Hekla and Eyjafjallafjökull with their glaciers to the east and the mountains of the Reykjanes peninsula to the west.

Fosshotel Nupar (EUR), Kirkjubæjarklaustur

Located off the Route 1 highway, Fosshotel Nupar offers panoramic views of Vatnajokull’s lava fields, mountains and glaciers. Skaftafell National Park is 28 miles away. Each heated guest room at Fosshotel Nupar has a work desk and private bathroom with shower. Some rooms include a seating area. Guests can enjoy Icelandic dishes at the in-house restaurant. The bar is ideal for a relaxing drink in the evening. Staff can help arrange guided area tours during summer. 

Fosshotel Nupar

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Twin Bedroom

Fosshotel Nupar - Exterior

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Double Bedroom

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See what people are saying about this trip

Tracey ann keyes.

It was well worth the price. I loved the trip.

Jessica M Corson

I loved everything about this tour and company!

CIE Tours Customer

While not a cheap trip I thought was worth it due to Iceland being such a fantastic place to visit.

Anthony Delagarza

Worth every penny. Loved the experience.

Nancy Breier

More than I wanted to spend but worth it.

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Luxury Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Searching for a top-class northern lights touring experience? Look no further, as our luxury tours of Iceland will allow you to discover exceptional destinations such as Reykjavik and Thingvellir National Park. Taste the adventure and discover new cultures while enjoying premium services and facilities.

8 Luxury northern lights tours in Iceland with 26 reviews

• Northern Lights
• Christmas & New Year

6 Days Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour - Private tour

I had such a lovely time. My itinerary was very well organized. The location of my hotel was wonderful. I will definitely use tourradar again.

Iceland Northern Lights

The experience was fantastic. It was a great way to get acquainted with Iceland. Our guide Petur is an expert on the country, its history and all of the sites that you are seeing. He genuinely enjoyed sharing his country with our tour group. The accommodations were nice, clean and comfortable. The trip exceeded my expectations!

Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights (Classic, 7 Days)

Northern Lights Quest of Iceland - 6 Days/5 Nights

My tour was amazing. David was the best tour guide I ever had. I was fortunate that we had a wonderful group of people. Highly recommend this!!

• Hiking & Trekking

New Year under Northern Lights - 7 days

5 Days Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Coast Tour - Private tour

This trip was wonderful. Iceland is a magnificent country and everything we saw was magical. Volcanoes, mountains, glaciers, lagoons, fjords, lava fields, the ocean and waterfalls. The city is adorable. The food was delicious and the hotels were great. Our guide, Snorri, was the perfect blend of fun loving and silly along with trustworthy. He was a safe and efficient driver, knew detailed information about all of the natural wonders and peoples of Iceland, was always on time and right there waiting for us any time we finished something, took us to many out of the way sites, and kept a smile on his face all the time. He was a great and professional Tour Guide. He wouldn't let me out of the car to chase sheep to pet them, but, alas, I guess he was right...... My son and I had a trip we will always cherish!

7 Days Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik - Private tour

Iceland Luxury Adventure - *Winter Northern Light, Winter Wonders & Blue Lagoon Retreat*

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• Iceland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 7 Day Iceland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
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• What is the best time to visit Iceland in 2024/2025?
• Weather in Iceland in 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in February 2024/2025
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• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in March 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in April 2024/2025
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International Versions

• Deutsch: Luxus Island Polarlichter Reise
• Français: Circuits Aurores boréales Luxury en Islande
• Español: Circuitos Luxury de Aurora Boreal por Islandia
• Nederlands: Luxury Noorderlicht Rondreizen in Ijsland

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Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Iceland with helpful guides and tips!

10 Best Iceland Northern Lights Tours Worth Your Money

June 26, 2020 //  by  Iceland Trippers //   Leave a Comment

Are you looking for the best Iceland northern lights tours? Luckily for you, this guide has all of the best northern lights tours in Iceland .

While Iceland is filled with amazing things to see during the day, including waterfalls , hot springs , and glaciers , the country is just as beautiful at night, thanks to the northern lights . Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the northern lights are beautiful waves of green, blue, and sometimes red that flow through the night sky.

Scientifically, the northern lights are solar particles from the sun’s solar wind that emit brilliant colors when they collide with the particles found in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is from late fall to early spring. And the best way to see these stunning waves of color is to take one of the Iceland northern lights tours.

After all, having someone with all of the local insight about the northern lights will be particularly helpful. Don’t forget to check out our Tips For Photographing The Northern Lights!

Get a FREE printable “Hidden Gems In Iceland” E-book by joining our private  Iceland Facebook Group  and share your photos and ask for tips and tricks.

Why Take A Northern Lights Tour In Iceland?

There are many reasons why you should take one of the Iceland northern lights tours. First of all, if you drive yourself, you have to focus a good amount of energy on driving.

Depending on the time of year, Iceland’s roads can be slick with ice, which means you really can’t just stare at the northern lights as you drive. As a matter of fact, if you do choose to drive to see the northern lights, there’s a good chance that you’ll make one of these seven mistakes while driving in Iceland .

If you take a tour of the northern lights, however, you won’t have to worry about those mistakes. You won’t be responsible for driving, so you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Another reason to take one of the Iceland northern lights tours is because they aren’t all that expensive at the end of the day. You can find tours to see the northern lights as low as $40 to $50 per person! While there are, of course, more expensive tours, if you’re on a budget, a tour of Iceland’s northern lights is still doable!

Finally, the best reason to take a tour of the northern lights in Iceland is for the local knowledge. There’s a good chance that your guide during the northern lights tour will be an Iceland local. Consequently, he or she will know all the best places and the best tips to see the northern lights. If you want to see the Northern Lights Near Reykjavik , this is a great option!

Maybe he or she will even have a ton of fun facts to whip out about Iceland’s northern lights. If you try to see the northern lights on your own, you might struggle a bit more than you need to. Instead, skip the struggle of catching the elusive colorful curtains in the sky and take one of the Iceland northern lights tours!

Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavik [4 Hours]

Most people who take northern lights tours from Reykjavik take a bus tour. It’s very convenient, and it’s more affordable than some of the more adventurous transportation alternatives on this list.

As with all of the best northern lights tours in Iceland, the tour guides on this bus tour from Reykjavik follow the meteorologists’ predictions for the best views of the northern lights each night.

Who knows where this amazing adventure will take you in Iceland? And after watching the turquoise lights snake through the sky, this tour also grants you admission to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik, where you can learn even more about this special phenomenon.

Book Here: Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavik

Northern Lights Cruise From Reykjavik [2 Hours]

While most people opt to take a bus to see the northern lights, you can be a little different and take a boat instead. This northern lights cruise departs from Reykjavik Harbor and heads into Faxaflói Bay for a spectacular view of the Aurora Borealis. Be sure to bring warm clothing and maybe even a blanket to ward off that chill ocean breeze and frosty night air.

Just as a note, many people have reported it’s more difficult to capture pictures of the northern lights while on a boat, due to the constant rocking.

Book Here: 2-Hour Northern Lights Cruise From Reykjavik

Northern Lights And The Golden Circle [9 Hours]

While the northern lights are fantastic on their own, many Iceland northern lights tours combine this natural phenomenon with other Iceland attractions. For example, this northern lights tour also includes the Golden Circle .

The Golden Circle is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Iceland. With Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geyser, and Kerid Crater, the Golden Circle is filled with breathtaking natural landscapes.

As one of the most magnificent national parks in Iceland , Thingvellir National Park boasts many coveted titles, including UNESCO World Heritage Site and Game of Thrones filming location . While there, you can go for a dive in the Silfra Fissure, visit Thingvellir Church, or simply take in the beautiful scenery.

Situated in the Haukadalur Valley is the Geysir geyser. This powerful geyser shoots water an average 60 feet high, with reports claiming that the water has reached over 130 feet high!

Lastly, the Golden Circle is home to Kerid Crater. This volcanic caldera is streaked with red and green before pooling at a brilliant blue lake at the bottom. You can even walk the entire perimeter of the caldera or trek down to the lake, if you would like.

Simply put, this Northern Lights tour includes both the beauty of the northern lights and of the Golden Circle.

Book Here: Aurora Borealis & Golden Circle

Northern Lights And South Coast Small Group [17 Hours]

Visitors to Iceland often find themselves debating if they should visit the Golden Circle or the South Coast . Just like the Golden Circle, the South Coast is filled with some of Iceland’s most amazing landscapes, including Seljalandsfoss, Solheimajokull Glacier, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. So why not tie in these stunning sights with this northern lights and South Coast tour ?

The South Coast is dotted with some of Iceland’s best waterfalls. While Seljalandsfoss is one, this part of Iceland is also home to Haifoss, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, and Gljufabui. Similarly, the South Coast is filled with glaciers, including Solheimajokull Glacier and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Unlike the waterfalls and glaciers, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a standalone black sand beach on the South Coast. Filled with obsidian sand and towering basalt columns, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is one of the best black sand beaches in Iceland .

As an added bonus, this particular norther lights tour is a small group tour. This means that you’ll easily be able to ask your guide as many questions as you want, while also embracing a level of flexibility that you wouldn’t be able to get with a larger group tour.

Book Here: South Coast & Northern Lights Small Group Winter Adventure

Blue Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour [8 Hours]

The Blue Lagoon may be Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction – so why not combine it with a view of the northern lights with this Blue Lagoon and northern lights tour from Reykjavik !

The Blue Lagoon is the most popular natural hot spring in Iceland. Between the striking blue color and the steady 102-degree-Fahrenheit temperature, it’s no wonder why this Iceland attraction draws in thousands of visitors every year.

Plus, it’s the perfect activity to do right before seeing the northern lights. Get yourself all warmed up before braving the chilly night for the Aurora Borealis.

Book Here: Blue Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

Secret Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour [6 Hours]

If you’re looking for a hot spring that’s a little less tourist-filled, consider taking a northern lights tour that includes the Secret Lagoon instead! While the Secret Lagoon isn’t all that much of a secret, you’ll feel like you’ve become an insider, because you’ll definitely see more locals than tourists at the Secret Lagoon.

As the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, the Secret Lagoon holds a special place. While the Secret Lagoon is manmade, the heated water is all-natural from the ever-present geothermal activity in Iceland. The water hovers at a toasty 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

This tour combines the warmth and relaxation from a day at the Secret Lagoon with a chilly night filled with colors in the sky.

Book Here: Iceland Secret Lagoon, Dinner, and Northern Lights Hunt From Reykjavik

Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Cruise From Reykjavik [2.5-3 Hours]

While I’ve already recommended a northern lights tour on a boat, this option is a little different: a northern lights tour on a yacht . Sail from the Reykjavik Old Harbor into Faxa Bay aboard a luxurious, modern vessel, before seeing the colorful swaths of painted light known as the Aurora Borealis dance through the sky.

When aboard the yacht in Faxa Bay, you may even see the northern lights illuminate some of the best things to do in Reykjavik . See the colorful lights shimmer on the stainless steel of the Sun Voyager sculpture and bask in the beauty of the HARPA Concert Hall.

Book Here: Northern Lights Luxu r y Yacht Cruise From Reykjavik

Northern Lights And Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour [2 Days]

When most people think about one of the many Iceland northern lights tours, they think about ones that start after dark and end in a few hours. But this northern lights adventure , which is combined with a visit to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, lasts a whole two days!

While the Snaefellsnes Peninsula has a lot to offer, by far the most popular thing to do in the area is check out Kirkjufell Mountain. Kirkjufell Mountain, and its accompanying waterfall known as Kirkjufellsfoss, create one of the most unique landscapes in all of Iceland (which is saying something, since Iceland is filled with otherworldly landscapes). As a matter of fact, Kirkjufell Mountain is the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland!

Book Here: Iceland Two-Day Northern Lights And Snaefellsnes Adventure

Northern Lights And Langjokull Glacier Snowmobile Tour [4 Hours]

So far on this list of Iceland northern light tours, I’ve included tours by bus, by boat, and by yacht. For those with an adventurous heart, I’ve also decided to add another option: by snowmobile .

Before you get to see the northern lights, you’ll start your tour by navigating your snowmobile to the Langjokull Glacier. While most of the excitement of Langjokull Glacier is found beneath the surface within its ice tunnels, you’ll still get to enjoy the view of this massive glacier from above.

Then, it’s time to strap on the snowmobile headlights and drift further into the snow-covered landscape. By heading further from the lights of cities and towns, your view of the northern lights will be even more spectacular. Once you and your guide have reached the ideal lookout point, simply gaze at the swaying streaks of color decorating the night sky. Then, hop back on your snowmobile and zoom back to Gullfoss.

Book Here: Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour From Gullfoss

Northern Lights Small Group Tour [3 Hours]

Sometimes you don’t want anything fancy. You don’t want other stops or a ton of other visitors on your northern lights tour. You simply want to relax and watch nature’s colors dance across the night sky. If that sounds like the northern lights viewing experience that you would enjoy, consider booking this northern lights small group tour .

During the three hours of this northern lights tour, you’ll be transported in a small, comfortable minibus. And as you wait for the elusive Aurora Borealis to make an appearance, warm yourself with a toasty cup of hot chocolate and a few ginger biscuits.

Book Here: Small Group Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

These Iceland northern lights tours will have you packing your bags to see the colorful streamers of light flit across the sky! These are some of the best northern lights tours in Iceland, so we hope you enjoy them! Please let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or just want to share what you think are some of the top things to do in Iceland.

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NORTHERN LIGHTS

Why should I book a Northern Lights tour?

Booking a Northern Lights hunting tour with Troll Expeditions ensures an unparalleled experience. Expert Guides offering in-depth knowledge guarantee you the best viewing locations.

You will explore secluded spots, minimizing light pollution for an enhanced aurora spectacle, and enjoy a personalized adventure in small groups, with guides capturing magical moments for stunning Northern Lights photographs.

Troll adapts to unpredictable weather with flexible tour schedules, optimizing your chances of ideal viewing conditions. You will travel in comfort with other travelers seeking to see the magic, ensuring your journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

Choose Troll Expeditions for an unforgettable, safe, and expertly guided Northern Lights experience.

Northern Lights Tours

Let's go hunting for AURORA BOREALIS this winter!

Northern Lights Hunting

Join us on a guided Aurora Borealis hunting! Hot chocolate and typical icelandic chocolate bars will make it even more special!

Join us on a more private & customised experience to the Aurora Borealis hunting! Hot chocolate and typical icelandic chocolate bars included.

Included (in the price)

Warm and Comforting drink

Replenish your energy with Hraun Chocolate Bar.

English Speaking Guide

Few people on every tour for maximum comfort

Internet access on board our minibus

Multi-Day Tours

Excursions featuring accommodations conveniently located within a brief walking distance for observing the Northern Lights.

2 Day South Coast

Explore Iceland's South Coast on a guided tour. Ice Cave & Northern Lights exploration.

3 Day South Coast

See Hidden Gems of Iceland's South Coast. Glacier Hike, Ice Cave. 2 Nights Hotel & Breakfast included

4 Day Snæfellsnes & South Coast

Explore the South Coast of Iceland and see all the wonders. 3 Nights Hotel & Breakfast included

5 day South Coast & Snæfellsnes

Adventure tour to the West and South Coast of Iceland! 4 Nights Hotel & Breakfast included

6 Days Around Iceland

Travel the ring-road in all the comfort of a guided tour. Plenty of fun activities: Glacier Hike, Ice Cave, Whale Watching, Northern Lights & much more. 5Nights Hotel & Breakfast included.

8 Days Around Iceland

Join the complete ring-road in the comfort of a guided tour. Plenty of fun activities: Glacier Hike, Ice Cave, Whale Watching, Northern Lights & much more. 7 Nights Hotel & Breakfast included.

Northern Lights

Watch the video to see more about the Northern Lights

Northern Lights in Iceland

Embark on an adventure to the land of ice and fire, where the Northern Lights take center stage in a celestial performance like no other! Iceland, with its enchanting natural wonders, invites you to be a spectator to the cosmic ballet of the Aurora Borealis, pirouetting gracefully across the canvas of its breathtaking landscapes.

Picture this: a symphony of colors dancing in the Arctic night sky, painting an awe-inspiring masterpiece that will leave you utterly spellbound. Thanks to Iceland's minimal light pollution and perfect positioning on the map, you're in for a front-row seat to a mesmerizing Northern Lights extravaganza.

Prepare to be whisked away on an extraordinary journey as you immerse yourself in the magic of the Arctic skies. Each night brings a unique spectacle, and from September to April, the lights illuminate the darkness, turning it into a canvas of celestial wonders. It's not just a trip; it's a rendezvous with the extraordinary.

So, why should you add witnessing the aurora borealis to your bucket list? Because Iceland is not just a destination; it's a portal to a realm where nature's grandest light show unfolds, making every visit an unforgettable chapter in your travel diary!

Why is it better to join a Northern Lights Hunt?

Here are several reasons to participate in a Northern Lights expedition instead of attempting to find them on your own.

#1 Professional Guides

Meet our Northern Lights Wizards! Our team of Pro Guides is like the Sherlock Holmes of the aurora scene. They dive into the forecast, making sure to outsmart the cosmic weather gods and find you the absolute best spot to catch the celestial dance each night. Their insider knowledge is your golden ticket to a front-row seat in the aurora show—increasing your odds of a mind-blowing viewing experience!

#2 Knowledge

Say hello to our Tour Gurus, the ultimate wizards of local secrets! Armed with insider knowledge and a treasure trove of tips, they'll whisk you away to those hidden gems for Northern Lights viewing. These spots are so stunning, they're like the ninja warriors of beauty – easily missed when you're on a solo adventure. Let our Guides be your magical map to uncover the awe-inspiring, lesser-known wonders of the aurora spectacle!

#3 Meet People

Get ready to roll with a squad of fellow thrill-seekers, all decked out for an Icelandic escapade! Watching the Northern Lights is like stepping into a fairy tale, but guess what makes it even more epic? Doing it with your adventure buddies who are just as stoked as you are! The shared oohs, ahhs, and gasps create a bond that's practically unbreakable – it's like forging friendships under the magical glow of the Northern Lights. Get ready for a camaraderie-filled journey that'll make your Icelandic adventure a tale to tell for ages!

Picture this: you, part of a legendary squad, conquering the wild and untamed lands of Iceland! Safety is our superhero, and in the unpredictable realms of the unknown, a group tour is your trusty sidekick. It's like having a team of travel superheroes by your side, ready to swoop in and save the day if any unexpected twists try to sneak up on you. So, buckle up, because in our group tours, safety is not just a feature – it's an epic superpower!

#5 Cheaper and Easier

Say goodbye to budget blues and the headache of renting a car, battling tricky weather, and doing the GPS dance toward all the wrong places to catch the Northern Lights. Let's make life easy – kick back, relax, and let our guide be your personal navigator through the aurora chase.

And guess what? If the lights decide to play hide-and-seek, no worries! We've got your back with a second shot at the spectacle, absolutely free. It's the ultimate cosmic guarantee – the Northern Lights or round two is on us!

What should I bring with me?

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Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Explore the Land of Fire and Ice on an Iceland northern lights tour and you could witness the aurora borealis in all its multi-coloured, enchanting beauty. These self-drive and guided packages are curated by local experts and include accommodation, local transport and more.

37 tours available

Prices per adult based on bookings for two

• Iceland winter trips
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Iceland Full Circle Classic - Winter

South iceland at leisure - winter, northern lights circle tour.

Winter Highlights & Northern Lights

Ice cave & glacier lagoon.

Best of South & West Iceland - Winter

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1217702 ISK

Iceland Full Circle Classic - Winter - Private

1598386 ISK

Golden Circle & South Coast - Winter - Private

Iceland luxury adventure - winter, northern lights, winter wonders & blue lagoon retreat.

1157452 ISK

Iceland Luxury Escape - Winter

Northern lights, south iceland & blue lagoon retreat.

1794264 ISK

Iceland Luxury Escape at Leisure - Winter

2328410 ISK

Iceland Luxury Adventure at Leisure - Winter

1639689 ISK

South & West Iceland Classic Winter - Private

1220182 ISK

Countries Visited Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark

Best of Scandinavia & Iceland - Winter

Train, cruise & minibus, best of scandinavia - norway cruise & iceland - winter, need any help so far talk with our local experts.

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About Your Iceland Northern Lights Package

Picture yourself chasing magical, flickering displays of the aurora borealis in Iceland. Crafted by Reykjavík-based experts, these winter itineraries will get you to the right place at the right time for spotting the northern lights*. Plus, with insider tips from your dedicated travel consultant, you’ll have an unforgettable time exploring the country’s top spots and hidden treasures.

When you book an Iceland northern lights vacation with Nordic Visitor, you can expect:

• An authentic travel experience operated by a trusted local company • A dedicated travel consultant who will arrange your tour • Opportunities to hunt for the aurora , whether you choose a self-drive or guided trip • A comfortable journey in your chosen rental car or on your minibus tour • Handpicked accommodation for a relaxing stay in Iceland • 24/7 phone support during your adventure for peace of mind

1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor tour 2. Confirm (or customise) your package 3. Check your confirmation email 4. Book your flights 5. Get ready for your trip

*Please note, the northern lights are a natural phenomenon so sightings aren’t guaranteed.

Why choose Nordic Visitor

Book With Confidence

Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our cancellation insurance free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.

Trusted travel experts

Established in 2002, Nordic Visitor is a leading tour operator based in Reykjavík. With local experts that live and breathe Iceland, you’ll have a better chance of seeing the lights. Along with discovering the best aurora-watching spots, you’ll get insight into the must-see attractions and beyond.

Great reviews

Nordic Visitor is dedicated to the best service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travellers say they would recommend us to friends and family.

Customisable tour options

Your travel wish list is unique to you, so why not personalise these Iceland northern lights tours to match? Book online to see what optional extras are available for your trip. For instance, you could extend your stay with additional nights, upgrade your accommodation and choose from handpicked excursions.

Full financial protection

With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your tour arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.

You are in good hands

When you travel with us, you’re never alone. Should any unforeseen events or weather issues arise, speak to a local travel consultant by calling our 24/7 helpline. If needed, they’ll rearrange your accommodation and activities to ensure your journey is memorable for all the right reasons.

Handpicked hotels

Your accommodation has been specially chosen and tested by us to ensure you’ll have a relaxing visit. So get ready to check in and recharge your batteries. Depending on your trip, you might be staying in the countryside. And low light pollution is ideal for seeing the northern lights more clearly.

Reviews for Aurora Tour Packages

Find out what guests loved most about chasing the northern lights in Iceland.

Janice United States

I cannot thank Nordic Visitor enough for providing me with a wonderful and memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience.... read more

I cannot thank Nordic Visitor enough for providing me with a wonderful and memorable once-in-a-lifetime experience. Everything was seamless, from the pickup at the airport, to the excellent hotels, delicious food served and our friendly, knowledgeable guide, Jakob. Nothing was too much trouble - we all thoroughly enjoyed our experience in Iceland, and all came away with wonderful memories of many of the amazing sights of such a scenic country. We were even lucky enough to see the northern lights. I will certainly travel with Nordic Visitor again and would recommend them to anyone thinking about visiting the countries where they offer tours. Thank you Nordic Visitor!

Duncan Australia

The tour was a great experience, and particularly for us with the good conditions. The amazing northern lights... read more

The tour was a great experience, and particularly for us with the good conditions. The amazing northern lights display we saw on the last night will be something we will never forget (and we have the photos!). The accommodation was really good throughout and was a real surprise as we moved away from Reykjavík. There was plenty of time through the tour to explore waterfalls and glaciers. I would absolutely recommend this to everyone who wants to experience the whole of Iceland. 

Your Northern Lights Trip Highlights

Imagine the cool winter air in your lungs, a clear night sky above and your camera at the ready as you hunt for the aurora. Visit Iceland and you could…

• Venture into the countryside to look for enchanting displays of the northern lights
• Explore the Golden Circle’s iconic sights: Gullfoss waterfall, Geysir , and Þingvellir National Park
• See icebergs bobbing on the turquoise waters of Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
• Marvel at cascading waterfalls, such as Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss , when they’re frosted with icicles
• Experience Iceland’s dazzling ice caps on a guided hike or opt for an Into the Glacier excursion
• Unwind in the mineral-rich waters of the Blue Lagoon , perhaps even surrounded by snow-dusted lava fields
• Soak up wintry scenery in the wild Westfjords and stunning Snæfellsjökull National Park
• Wander along the black volcanic sands of Reynisfjara beach and gaze out at the troll-like sea stacks
• Immerse yourself in Icelandic culture in Reykjavík , and in the capital of the north, Akureyri

Advice for Northern Lights Holidays in Iceland

Check out these travel guides before your magical northern lights tour.

Northern Lights Guide

Learn more about this natural wonder and how to prepare for seeing it

What to pack

Layers, layers, layers! Come prepared for all types of weather

Climate & weather conditions

How icy is Iceland? You might be surprised

Winter driving in Iceland

In a country where 'ice' is part of the name, it's good to be prepared

Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Lights Tour Packages

Check out the answers to these most frequently asked questions to find out more about northern lights trips in Iceland. Plus, browse this Iceland Travel Guide for useful tips and information.

It’s also good to know that when you choose Nordic Visitor, you can Book With Confidence , safe in the knowledge that your payments are protected. Please read our FAQs and booking terms , for details about our booking process, payments and more.

1. What causes the northern lights?

While the northern lights, or aurora borealis, do look otherworldly, there’s a scientific explanation for this breathtaking natural phenomenon.

It all starts with solar storms around the sun that send blasts of electrically charged particles towards Earth. When they collide with the upper atmosphere, they produce glowing emissions. If a lot of these reactions take place at the same time, it causes a jaw-dropping light show that you can see in the sky.

The movement, shapes and colours you’ll witness depend on the type of atoms involved. Other factors include the intensity of solar activity and the pull of Earth’s magnetic forces.

For instance, green is often the most common colour you’ll notice during an aurora event. But if the levels of solar activity are high, you might also catch flashes of blue, purple and red.

Delve deeper into what causes the northern lights .

2. Is Iceland good for the northern lights?

Absolutely! Visit Iceland in winter – October to March – and you’ll discover it’s an excellent place to go if you want to hunt for the aurora.

This is because you’ll need darkness if you’re to see the northern lights, making Iceland’s long winter nights ideal. Low light pollution, high solar activity and cloudless skies are the other key things you’ll need to come together. Happily, you can also experience these in Iceland.

You’ll also find that the country has large unpopulated regions where there’s little or no light pollution – perfect for chasing the aurora. Plus, as it lies within the “northern lights belt” (or “aurora zone”) there’s lots of solar activity in the skies above Iceland.

Just wait for a night with clear skies, keep an eye on your aurora forecast app , and you could glimpse the northern lights. Uncover top tips and more in this guide to the aurora in Iceland .

3. When can you see the aurora borealis in Iceland?

The winter months of October to March are the best time for you to see the northern lights in Iceland . This is because, across the Northern Hemisphere, the nights are long and dark at this time of year.

In fact, during mid-winter – December and early January – the days can be so short that you’ll have around 19 hours of darkness. And the longer the nights, the more chances you’ll have to spot the aurora.

For more information on daylight in Iceland , check out this travel guide.

4. Can you see the aurora borealis in May, June, July or August?

There are plenty of reasons to visit Iceland in summer , but don’t travel in May , June , July or August if you want to see the aurora. This is because you need dark skies to see the northern lights. And during summertime, the nights are not dark or long enough to see them.

Instead, you’ll want to visit between October and March – the Icelandic winter – when your chances of seeing the lights are much better. It’s also possible to glimpse the aurora in early spring ( April ) and autumn ( September ).

Discover more about the best time to explore Iceland , depending on your interests.

5. Where can you see the northern lights in Iceland?

Thanks to winter’s long nights, you can see the northern lights all over Iceland at this time of year.

What’s more, the country sits within a zone called the “northern lights belt”, a band encircling the globe at latitudes of 65-72°N. With the most frequent and intense levels of solar activity, this region is the best place to go to if you want to see the aurora.

Remember, for the brightest and clearest displays, head away from any nearby light pollution. By venturing into the countryside, where it’s darker, you’ll get to enjoy this natural spectacle at its most vibrant.

Explore other places to see the northern lights on these aurora trips in Northern Europe .

6. How often does the aurora borealis occur in Iceland?

The aurora borealis can happen at any time throughout the year. But over the spring and autumn equinoxes, you’ll find that solar activity ramps up. This means displays of the aurora could occur more frequently around these dates in March and September respectively.

Compared to the middle of winter, the nights are shorter over the equinoxes. So although the northern lights might not be dancing quite as much in winter, you’ll have a better chance of seeing them during these darker months.

Along with the solar activity that causes the aurora, you’ll need a few other key factors to come together at the same time. These are clear skies, darkness and low levels of light pollution.

One of the most convenient ways to keep an eye on the levels of solar activity is to download an aurora app to your smartphone. Combine this with a local weather forecast, and you’ll get a good idea of when you might be able to see the northern lights. So keep a look out for when a cloudless night and high solar activity match up.

It’s worth bearing in mind that even if you do have the right conditions for the northern lights, they may not appear when you want them to.

7. What is the best way to see the northern lights?

The best way to see the northern lights depends on how you want to experience Iceland. Not to mention the other things you’d like to see and do while you’re here.

With Nordic Visitor, you can choose the travel style that works for your northern lights getaway. Take your pick from self-drive, small group and privately guided tour packages, along with stays in Reykjavík that include guided excursions.

To embrace the freedom of going at your own pace while chasing the northern lights, choose a winter self-drive tour in Iceland . Your package will include accommodation, a rental car, daily breakfast and more. You’ll also benefit from the insider know-how of your dedicated travel consultant who’ll make all the arrangements for you.

They’ll give you a detailed itinerary and hand-marked map, complete with recommendations on where to stop along the way. And with a car, you can make spontaneous stops on your trip. So if the aurora appears unexpectedly, you can hop into your car and pick a good viewing spot.

But if you’d rather leave the winter driving to someone else, opt for a small group tour of Iceland . This way, a professional guide will show you the country’s iconic spots and hidden gems, and share their local knowledge with you. On winter tours, they’ll also be keeping an eye on when the northern lights might appear.

If you’d like to be accompanied by a driver-guide while having the freedom to customise your trip, pick a privately guided tour . This option gives you the flexibility of an independent trip while benefitting from the expertise of a local guide.

Plus, if you have specific interests, we’ll select a guide to match. Not to mention you’ll be able to choose your travel companions – perfect for a break with friends or family.

On the other hand, multi-day tours are ideal if you’d like to stay in one location during your time in Iceland. Most of these packages are based in the bustling capital of Reykjavík.

As well as accommodation, your trip comes with handpicked excursions into the stunning countryside. This lets you discover top spots such as the Blue Lagoon and Golden Circle without needing to unpack and repack your bags.

8. How to photograph the aurora borealis in Iceland?

Seeing the aurora with your own eyes is a spellbinding experience you’ll never forget! But capturing the lights on camera can be tricky if you don’t take some time to get to know your camera’s settings.

An SLR camera with manual focus works well. And it helps to have a tripod to avoid blurry images. Here are some top tips for getting the best shots of the northern lights:

• Shutter release: For even steadier shots, get a remote shutter release so you don’t have to touch the camera at all when taking a picture.
• Spare batteries: Cold temperatures tend to deplete the life of your battery levels faster, so make sure to bring 1 or 2 spares.
• Head torch: This will be essential to let you see what you’re doing when you’re shooting in the dark.
• Image stabilisation: If your camera has this, turn it off.
• ISO: To increase your camera’s sensitivity to light, set the ISO to around 400, 800, or higher if possible.
• Aperture (f-stop): Set your aperture as low as possible. This will result in more light coming through the lens. On most cameras, you’ll find you can get this down to about 3.5.
• Shutter speed: Use a long exposure of 15 to 30 seconds. The longer the exposure, the more light your camera will capture.

9. Can I customise my tour package?

All of these northern lights packages have been curated by Iceland-based experts to ensure you’ll have an unforgettable trip. But it’s also possible to personalise your tour by extending your stay or adding optional activities to your itinerary.

In fact, it’s easy to tailor your trip when you book online. You can choose from extra night options and additional excursions. For instance, you could chase the northern lights by boat or super jeep. Or why not try activities such as relaxing in the Sky Lagoon, snowmobiling on a glacier, and exploring ice caves?

For the ultimate tailored travel experience, opt for a privately guided tour of Iceland . Not only will your dedicated travel consultant customise your itinerary to your needs, but you’ll also get a guide with similar interests.

If there’s something specific you want to do during your trip, just ask your travel consultant – they’ll have the inside scoop.

10. Can I choose the arrival date?

Travel with Nordic Visitor and you can choose from a variety of northern lights trips in Iceland with availability from September to April.

On self-drive, privately guided and multi-day packages, you can pick any of the available start dates in the tour’s online calendar. Meanwhile, on guided small group trips, select the date that works for you from the list of available departures.

Meanwhile, northern lights Christmas and New Year packages in Iceland are available over the festive period with selected December departure dates. If you want to travel at this time of year, make sure to book early so you don’t miss out.

To see which start dates are available for the tour you are interested in, check its availability calendar online.

11. When should I organise my flights?

We recommend checking to see what flights are available before booking your trip. That said, it’s best to hold off on purchasing your flights until after your dedicated travel consultant has finalised the arrangements for your tour.

Once you’ve heard from them, you can go ahead and confirm your plans for getting to Iceland.

12. What to wear to see the northern lights in Iceland?

The weather in Iceland is known for being unpredictable. There’s even a popular Icelandic word, “gluggaveður”, which translates as “window weather” in English. This is when it might look warm from the inside, but in fact it’s a cold day outside.

What’s more, when you’re chasing the northern lights, you’ll be out and about at night, so be sure to wrap up warm. With this in mind, it’s best to bring plenty of layers for your winter getaway. Here’s a list of what to pack for Iceland to get you started:

• Winter boots with good grip
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal baselayers
• Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• Thick hiking socks
• Reusable water bottle
• Flask for a warm drink

For more tips on how to dress for the seasons, check out this blog on what to wear in Iceland .

Get in touch with us, whether you have a question about northern lights tours in Iceland or want to start planning your trip. Our Reykjavík-based travel experts want to help you make the most of your winter escape to Iceland.

Our Icelandic phone number is +354 578 20 80

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Top 5 northern lights hotels in iceland, how to see the northern lights: viewing tips, best times and places to see the northern lights in iceland, top 10 things to do in iceland in winter.

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Price: kr. 6.499

• Location: Reykjavík
• Length: 3.5 hrs
• Availability: Aug - Apr

Northern Lights Tour Iceland

See the glory of the northern lights in Iceland! Unforgettable experience!

Our tour takes you to see a spectacular phenomenon that can be seen from late August to mid-April. The northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the Magnetic Pole .

Why take a guided tour to see the northern lights in Iceland?

Choosing a guided tour increases your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland. Our team of experts reviews and studies the weather, locations, and aurora forecast on a daily basis to determine if the odds are in our favor.

The Northern Lights Tour Iceland is weather-dependent and sightings are not guaranteed. However, you will experience Icelandic nature during the night, the Milky Way, stars, moon, clouds, and total darkness. Please note that indicated return times can vary.

If you don‘t see any northern lights during this tour, you are invited to join the tour again, free of charge.

Passengers can buy waffles and hot drinks on-site, at an extra cost, when available, to enjoy while looking up into the sky.* *Waffles and hot drinks are only available on the 21:00 departure.

Where do we go to see the northern lights in Iceland?

Our experts decide where the best location is each night so the exact route is not known in advance. One of the most important factors is that we go away from the city lights. Based on the weather and aurora forecast, we decide if it is worth going at all. If yes, our experts decide on the best place to go.

What to expect on your northern lights tour:

It may be cold outside even though our buses are warm and comfortable. You will have plenty of time to take photos and therefore we recommend that you dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes. We recommend three layers, a cap, gloves, warm socks, and a warm jacket.

Despite all our efforts, we cannot guarantee that you will see the aurora. If we do NOT see northern lights on the tour, passengers can rebook for another evening.

When we go on the tour and we do not see the northern lights, a refund is not possible.

Your rebook ticket is only valid for you, you can not assign your ticket to someone else.

The tours are planned using larger buses, so large groups. Small group tours are also available – see “Northern Lights – Small Group Tour”.

You will get some basic information from our guides on how to get the best pictures of the lights.

Our guides are experts in the aurora, where to hunt them down, and how to take pictures of the lights, so please do not hesitate to ask them about the northern lights or for assistance with your photography.

Children are welcome on the tour, however, this can be a long and cold night and therefore it may not be suitable for children younger than 6 years old.

Please note that looking for the aurora is a hunting tour. Civilization is left behind (including conventional WCs) in order to increase our chances of seeing the aurora. Auroras are best seen outdoors at night in Iceland’s winter. Your personal well-being on the tour depends on your own clothing.

Want to know more about our Golden Circle Day Tours

FAQ about this northern lights tour:

How can I rebook? Visit www.re.is/rebook and log your booking number to choose a new date.

Why was the tour canceled tonight? A team of experts considers the weather and aurora forecast every day to see if the conditions are favorable or not. If the odds are against the aurora being visible for some reason, we cancel the tour.

If we cancel the tour and you are unable to attend at a later date you can get a refund.

We did not see the lights on the tour yesterday and we are not able to join the tour again during our stay now. Can we then have a refund? If you were on the tour a refund is not possible. However, your ticket is valid for 2 years for rebooking. Save your booking number and visit www.re.is/rebook to choose a new date.

How far away from the city do you go and where? The average time heading out to the first stop is usually within an hour. The direction of the tour is decided shortly before departure and based on the weather forecast.

They took my voucher on the tour last night so I don’t have my booking number. If you don’t have your voucher in your email and no information about your booking number, please call us and have the information ready on when you were originally booked and under which name your tour was booked.

When is the best time of the year to see the lights? From late August until mid-April.

Why do I not see the lights as in the photos? The human eye usually sees the northern lights as faint colors of light green, grey, and white. Camera sensors do not have our eye limitations as they have long exposure features and other factors.

Additional information:

Remember to dress warmly.

This tour depends on weather and activity, so sightings are not guaranteed.

Indicated return times can vary due to road & weather conditions.

If you don’t see any lights on the tour you can re-book again for free.

The tour is scheduled daily, however, we do cancel the tour if the forecast for the weather- and the aurora is not promising enough. When a tour is canceled, those who are booked can change their booking to another date or get a full refund, given that they have not been on the tour before.

Quick Links

• Lagoons in Iceland
• Golden Circle Iceland Tours
• Visit Westman Islands
• Visit Vík í Mýrdal
• Visit Húsavík Iceland
• Tours from Keflavík Airport

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Golden Circle Iceland is operated by eTravel ehf which is a licensed tour operator founded in 2014

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Northern Lights Exploration

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• We are here to serve you
• Over 90 years of experience
• You can expect a real Icelandic experience and a trip of a lifetime!

Need more information?

Simply give us a call or send us an email. We have a team of travel specialists that are here to help you.

+354 520 5200

[email protected]

Explore the best of West & South Iceland

Discover the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Black lava beaches. Climb a volcano, learn about Iceland’s earliest days at a Settlement Center, meet Icelandic horses, see turf farmsteads and churches. There is an optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier from October-April (weather permitting) and an optional Northern Lights by boat cruise from Reykjavík. Our Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to include the highlights of Iceland and aim to maximise the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, most nights are spent in the darkness away from light pollution.

• Regular departures (maximum 40 people) on Fridays
• Small group departures (maximum 16 people) on Tuesdays
• German departures (maximum 40 people) on Sundays

Discover the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Black lava beaches. Climb a volcano, stop at a shark farmer, meet Icelandic horses, see turf farmsteads and churches. There is an optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier from mid-November to mid-March and an optional Northern Lights by boat cruise from Reykjavík. Our Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to include the highlights of Iceland and aim to maximise the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, most nights are spent in the darkness away from light pollution.

• Big groups (maximum 45 people) departures on Fridays.
• Small groups (maximum 16 people) departures on Tuesdays.

Highlights & Experiences

• Track record of 85-98% chance of seeing the Northern Lights
• See amazing Icelandic landscapes mixed with soft adventure and cultural experiences during the day
• Climb a volcano crater and walk between two continental tectonic plates
• Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes
• Descend 35m underground into Vatnshellir cave situated under Snæfellsnesjökull glacier
• Relax in the Blue Lagoon and learn about living with volcanoes
• See Icelandic horses and taste freshly baked hot spring bread
• Five evenings Northern Lights Academy
• Program offered in two group sizes: maximum 16 or 40 persons
• Optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier for departures between October-April (weather permitting)

Click on each day for more details

Day 1 Arrival Day

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.

Overnight location: Hotel Klettur or similar. Dinner is on your own. (50km / 31mi)

Day 2 Reykjavik City Tour & Borgarfjordur Saga Valley

At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then we head west. We stop in Borgarnes and learn about Iceland’s earliest days at the Settlement Center. Next we head to Borgarfjörður, known as the Saga Valley because of its many important historical events. Get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. Barnafoss – the Children’s falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale. The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights. After dinner, step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.

Overnight location: Hotel Hamar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (245km / 152mi)

Day 3 Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Lava Cave

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“, juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. One of the most photographed and famous mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell, can be seen jutting out into the bay. Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.

Overnight location: Hotel Hamar or similar. Breakfast & Lunch included. Dinner on your own. (300km / 186mi)

Day 4 Golden Circle, Geothermal Taste & Icelandic Horse

Travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord. The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel the Golden Circle route, see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields. The chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs and herring. On we travel to double waterfall of Gullfoss. In the afternoon, learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse, before reaching the accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights in the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.

Overnight location: Landhotel in Hella or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (260km / 162mi)

Day 5 Natural Wonders of South Iceland & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Today we travel along the South coast. At the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center, learn about geology and active volcanoes. Further east we visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland. We spend two nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.

Overnight location: Fosshótel Núpar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (225km / 140mi)

Day 6 Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier including Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. We travel to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the amazing site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach, the so-called Diamond beach, where large icebergs get stranded. In the afternoon we visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location, or you may miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.

Optional Ice Cave Tour offered between October-April (weather permitting), unveils an extraordinary journey through Iceland’s icy landscapes. Lasting approximately 2.5 hours, the tour commences with a scenic 30-minute 4×4 drive from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, followed by a 5-15 minute hike to the cave entrance. Once inside, you’re enveloped in a surreal world of breathtaking beauty. Nature’s artistry is on full display as you behold awe-inspiring ice formations, their hues of blue evoking a sense of otherworldly wonder. The air is crisp, the silence profound, creating an ethereal ambiance that captivates the senses. This adventure offers a rare glimpse into the raw power and majesty of Iceland’s icy terrain—a memory to cherish for a lifetime. Priced at ISK 23,000 per person, the tour requires good hiking boots and warm, waterproof clothing to ensure comfort and safety. With a minimum age requirement of 10 years old, booking is available on day 2 of the Northern Lights Exploration tour. After the cave exploration, participants are escorted back to the hotel, while the remainder of the group continues the official tour program. The ice cave explorers will miss out on some of the official tour program, as there is not time for everything. The stop and visit at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is included for all group members., ensuring a comprehensive and unforgettable Icelandic adventure.

Overnight location: Fosshótel Núpar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (200km / 125mi)

Day 7 South Shore & Blue Lagoon

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. In the afternoon we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. We reach Reykjavík around dinner time for one last night.

Overnight location: Hotel Klettur or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (365km / 227mi) The Blue Lagoon visit is in the afternoon. Tour ends around 7pm.

Day 8 Departure Day

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport.

Breakfast included. (50km / 31mi)

NOTE:  Accommodations are subject to change.

NOTE:  Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

Cancellation policy for the tour

Price & Details

Sep '23 | price, inclusions & exclusions.

EUR 2.180  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.440  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 195  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 240  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

EUR 120 per car Upgrade for private airport transfer one-way 1-6 persons

Price Includes • 7 nights accommodation at comfort tourist-class hotels • 7x breakfast • 1x lunch • 6 days escorted bus tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide • Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide) • Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes • Guided tour into Vatnshellir cave • Hot spring Tasting with geothermal cooked bread & eggs • Visit Icelandic horse stable & geothermal greenhouse • Visit Lava Exhibition Center • Skógar folk museum & turf houses • Entrance with towel to Blue Lagoon • Northern Lights program

Price Excludes • Any private expenses • Any additional services • All meals not listed under “included” • Single supplement (mandatory when in a single room)

Complementaries • Entrance fees • Free Wi-Fi on the bus • Use of crampons for shoes • Use of flashlight

Additional services • Extra night in Reykjavik before/after the tour – on request • Upgrade for private airport transfer • Optional ice cave visit October-April (weather permitting)

Oct '23 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 1.990  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.240  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 150  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 190  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Nov '23 - Apr '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 1.850  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.100  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 120  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 150  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Sep '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.540  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 3.600  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 250  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 280  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Price Includes • 7 nights accommodation at comfort tourist-class hotels • 7x breakfast • 1x lunch • 6 days escorted bus tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide • Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide) • Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes • Guided tour into Vatnshellir cave • Hot spring Tasting with geothermal cooked bread & eggs • Visit Icelandic horse stable & geothermal greenhouse • Visit Lava Exhibition Center • Skógar folk museum & turf houses • Entrance with towel to Blue Lagoon • Northern Lights program

Oct '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.180  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.890  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 195  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 220  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Nov '24 - Apr '25 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.040  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.630  per person (single room, breakfast included)

Children discount: 20% discount for children 8-11 years of age if sharing room with 2 adults. Tour is not recommended for children younger than eight years of age. Triple rooms are double rooms with an extra bed and ideal for two adults and one child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I meet the guide? Meet with your tour guide on day 2, just before 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel.

When and where does the tour start? The tour starts on day 2, just before 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel.

What are first and last days for? Arrival and departure days are to make your flight arrangements easier and to have a free day of leisure. The tour starts on day 2 and ends the second to last day.

Do you arrange airport transfers? GJ Travel provides airport transfers with the Flybus, available on arrival hall at KEF airport.

In what language is the tour? All of our tours are English-speaking.

When can we see the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights season is from September to mid-April. We carefully choose locations to maximize your chances to see the northern lights with the help of a professional tour guide.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed on this trip? The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis as they are also referred to are one of the many natural wonders of the world and are a natural phenomenon. As a naturally occurring phenomenon, the appearance of the Northern Lights is notoriously difficult to predict any further in advance than about two hours before it happens. So much is dependent on solar activity, we cannot accurately predict when they will occur nor how frequently. Every endeavour will be made on this trip to see the Northern Lights if it is the correct time of year to see the lights, however, this is not guaranteed. The tour includes Northern Light walks from the hotels. Also, most of the hotels are located away from light pollution.

Can you assist with booking additional accommodation? Of course, we can help you book pre/post tour accommodation if you wish to stay in the same hotels as the ones we use on the tour. We always have some rooms on allotment for pre/post nights. If you would like to stay an extra day in Reykjavík before or after the tour, please contact our team.

I’m a solo traveller, is there a single supplement? A single supplement is mandatory for this trip if you want to have your own room.

What is the age range? The minimum age limit for this tour is 8 years old and we don’t recommend it for younger children. There is, on the other hand, no maximum age for this tour.

Are the flights included? Flights before and after the tour are not included.

What is the suggested budget for meals? Somewhere between 8.000 and 10.000 ISK per person per day is a good budget for meals while on the tour.

Are there locations to purchase food while we are on the trip or must the meals be pre-packed? We will make stops during the tour at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations where meals, drinks and snacks can be purchased while on the tour.

How much time is spent at each attraction? We stop for about 40 minutes at each attraction.

Start & End Location

Keflavik International Airport (Flybus shuttle)

Departure Time

09:00 on day 2 at Hotel Klettur, Reykjavík (subject to change)

Northen Lights Exploration

Aurora Statistics

Client from Tourradar

Wonderful experience – great group, great guide Peter and great itinerary. It felt like we got to know Iceland in depth – history, geology, culture, sights to see. The pace was steady but not exhausting. Be prepared though: food is extremely expensive and mostly not included in the tour and hotels are sparse compared to US but fairly comfortable.

Excellent, couldn’t have been better. Petur knows so much and remembered every fact of Iceland! He was top notch! No complaints over the accommodation. Meal that was included (fish and cake) was 10/10 – delicious. Meals in the hotels were expensive. Buffet at Laki was not worth it. The coach was very comfortable and a good size. Being able to charge phones was excellent.

Client from On the Go Tours

Last hotel can be better place than one we stayed, staff was not supportive. Guide was very passionate and knowledgable about Iceland, always informative and engaging. Laki Hotel was not the best place among all, staff was not helpful at all. Not for vegan at all. Driver was top notch throughout the trip. Coach couldnt have been better.

Client from Trip a Deal Australia

The tour from the time of meeting the tour guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable guide, pleasant and helpful at all times. Very good driver – careful at all times. Good quality & comfortable bus.

Client from Ijsland Tours

Lots of things to do, sometimes it just felt like rushing things though I can understand that. The guide did great and had lots to tell and gave it a nice funny twist. Good driving, nice and smooth.

Privacy Overview

All Tours Operating Normally. Experience Iceland Safely: Current Volcanic Eruption Updates Here .

Northern Lights Tours

Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

Chase the auroras in a super jeep from reykjavik.

Escape the big tour buses and go off the beaten track to hunt Iceland's magical Northern Lights. We pick you up and drive you around in a stylish and comfortable Super Jeep!

Our Northern Lights chase on a Super Jeep is the ultimate experience in Iceland. Venturing off the beaten track in the powerful Super Jeep grants you exclusive access to the best spots in Iceland to admire the dancing lights in all their glory. We’ll drive away from the crowds and light pollution. Wrap yourself in a blanket and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with chocolate  while gazing up at the Aurora Borealis in the heavens!

Your guide will tell you all about this natural wonder and take free photographs so you can always keep the memory alive!

If you’re someone who likes to go the extra mile, book the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum tour combo, save up to 10 %, and enjoy a visit to the museum, where you’ll find out everything there is to know about these beautiful lights before seeing it live.

• Chase the Northern Lights
• Ride in a Super Jeep
• Discover Icelandic countryside
• Enjoy hot cocoa & chocolate
• Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
• Northern Lights photos
• Hot cocoa & chocolate
• English speaking expert guide
• Free WiFi on the jeep
• Complementary retry valid for 3 years when no Northern Lights are seen on the tour

What to bring

• Warm outdoor clothing
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Good warm shoes and wool socks

Tour Snapshot

• Expert Guides
• Small Group Experience
• Best Price Guarantee
• Fast & Secure Payment
• No Booking Fees
• Free Cancellation

Save up to 10 % by selecting the Aurora Museum upgrade.

Select one of the options:

• Super Jeep Tour
• MUSEUM UPGRADE

Each winter, we welcome an ever-growing number of cosmic fans to Iceland searching for the famous Aurora Borealis. Just a smidge below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is among the world's best places to see colors dance in the Northern Hemisphere.

This natural phenomenon occurs when particles from the sun, also known as the solar wind, enter the Earth's magnetic field. As electrically charged particles start to collide with gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere, something here about "creates auroras." Be prepared to be awestruck by swirling curtains of light in the dark sky!

The Northern Lights are much more than just pretty lights in the sky. Learn more about them by taking advantage of the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum combo deal – save up to 10 % and have an unforgettable experience hearing about Aurora Borealis and receiving useful tips on taking pictures of them. After your time at the museum, you’ll be picked up for a further adventure – a chase of the Northern Lights!

Hop on a Super Jeep from Reykjavik

Your expert Northern Light guide will pick you up at your selected pickup location in Reykjavik in a custom-built 4×4 super jeep. And that's where the adventure begins. Once everyone is on board, we will leave the city lights behind and head into the darkness of the Icelandic countryside.

On the search for the Aurora Borealis, we might travel past some of Iceland's most spectacular natural sights. Though shrouded in darkness, your guide is sure to point out what the night is hiding. Heading out on country roads gives us a greater chance to enjoy the Northern Lights and the wonders of the night sky without the discomfort of big crowds.

Soak in the Aurora Borealis

Once we find the right spot (which will be decided the same day by our expert guide, depending on the weather predictions), we wait for the spectacle to begin. Usually, the Northern Lights appear about 100 km (60 miles) above the Earth’s surface. Witnessing a light show emerge above the north magnetic pole is an experience that defies description. It’s as if space is trying to conquer the Earth with color. Just don’t forget to dress warmly! There’s nothing like a fleece sweater on a cold night to keep you warm or you could cuddle in a cozy blanket provided by us. We’ll also serve you a cup of cocoa with tasty Kleinur ("Icelandic doughnuts") .

Our guides take photos every time the Northern Lights are spotted, so you can be sure to get your picture taken with the aurora. See photos from previous tours here .

Kindly note that the Northern Lights are natural phenomena that are difficult to predict, but our guides do everything in their power to ensure the best chances of seeing them.

Practical Information

Pick-up information : For the Northern Lights adventure, pick-up is at either 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) or 21:30 (9:30 p.m.), depending on the season. You'll find the actual pick-up time in the booking process and on your final voucher. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated. 

Available pick-up points : Arctic Adventures's pickup list .

With the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum combo, you will be picked up from the museum for the Northern Lights hunt.

Please note : As the success of the Northern Lights Explorer tour is heavily dependent on weather conditions, we reserve the right to cancel departures until 18:15 on the day of the tour. A refund is not available if the tour goes ahead and no northern lights are seen, however, s ince the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very much weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! 

What to do in this case? Our Customer Care is ready to help you and book your next re-try.

Please keep in mind that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus instead of a super jeep.

Will I definitely see Northern Lights on the tour?

The Northern Lights are natural phenomena and we unfortunately cannot promise you will see them on our tours. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions, which are factors entirely out of our control.

For more information on the Northern Lights, please have a look at our Northern Lights information .

What are the best camera settings for photographing the Northern Lights?

Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple answer to this question.

Your camera doesn't have a single setting that will guarantee excellent pictures.  But if you have manual controls, playing with different mixtures of ISO, aperture, and exposure settings is usually preferable. As a general rule, ISO settings of 800 to 3200, f/2.8 to f/5.6, and shutter speeds of 15 to 30 seconds have been found to be successful.

Keep in mind that ISO settings between 800 and 3200, f/2.8 and f/5.6, and shutter speeds between 15 and 30 seconds have produced excellent results.

Results from various combinations can vary greatly. You can take faster exposures with a higher ISO setting, but the photographs can turn up grainier as a result. 

If the shutter speed is above 15 seconds it will result in a slight star movement.

In low-light situations, wider-angle lenses are typically more adaptable, while longer lenses provide you with more compositional alternatives. Make sure to take off any lens filters because they could cause image distortion. Most likely, using a manual setting for infinite focal length will get the greatest results. 

For more tips, read our blog on photographing the Northern Lights .

What if the Northern Lights tour goes ahead and no Northern Lights are seen?

Since the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very much weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! 

Please keep in mind that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus.

What are my options if my Northern Lights tour is cancelled?

When Northern Lights tours are cancelled it’s usually due to unfavourable weather conditions.

In that case, your options will be to:

1. Reschedule for another day.

2. Find another tour to embark on and use the deposit for it.

3. Get fully refunded.

Please contact our Customer Care team to re-book your tour .

How do I know if the Northern Lights tour is on for the evening?

The Northern Lights are a pretty difficult thing to predict. You can check the Icelandic Meteorological Office website to see the forecast - if the level is high and the skies are clear then it’s very likely that the tour is going ahead. We do update our website’s tour departure sheet with the information at 17:00 at the latest. If the tour is canceled, you will receive an email from us notifying you.

If we think there is no chance at all of seeing the lights, we will cancel the tour. We don’t want to bring you out and disappoint you if there will definitely be no aurora activity.

Will my guide take pictures for me?

Yes, the guide will take a photo of you with the Northern Lights behind you. These can be single or group photos and are free of charge.

What is a Super Jeep?

A Super Jeep is a highly modified vehicle equipped with 38" to 50" tires and a robust suspension system, uniquely designed to handle Iceland's diverse terrains and conditions. Dive deeper into the world of Super Jeep Tours .

Are Super Jeeps safe?

Yes, Super Jeeps are designed and modified to handle the challenging terrains of Iceland, ensuring safety during tours. For a secure adventure, check out our Super Jeep Tours .

How many people fit in a Super Jeep?

A Super Jeep can accommodate up to 19 riders, making it ideal for large families and small tour groups. Discover group adventures with our Super Jeep Tours .

What months can you see the northern lights?

The  Northern Lights season is said to be from late August until mid-April. However, if you want to increase your chances of seeing them, it is best to wait until the colder winter months, from mid-September until March.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?

If luck and weather are on your side, then you will be able to see the aurora borealis above the inviting streets of Reykjavik. Whether you see the lights or not depends on two unique factors. The first is the weather: If the sky is clear, with no clouds, then you are halfway to seeing the astonishing spectacle that is the Northern Lights (although light pollution can sometimes be a problem). Increased solar activity is the second factor, so if these two are both favorable at the same time you may well be able to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

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Contact us for more information about this tour.

Arctic Adventures offers pick up service from selected Reykjavík pick up points. Note that you can always update your pick-up / drop-off location through our customer portal: https://my.adventures.is You can press the login button in your confirmation email for an easy login to the customer portal. If you experience an error with logging into the customer portal or can't find your booking, please contact us on Facebook Messenger, or send us a message here below. Chat with us on Facebook Messenger

The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland

When Is the Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?

What is the best month to see the northern lights in iceland, when can you see the aurora borealis in iceland, can you see the northern lights in reykjavik, what are the best conditions to see the northern lights, 1. strong solar activity, 2. clear skies, 3. as little light as possible.

• Iceland’s Northern Lights Season

Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland During Winter?

Can you see the northern lights in iceland during autumn and spring, can the northern lights be seen in the summer, what time of night is best to see the aurora borealis in iceland, what else can i do to make sure i see the northern lights in iceland, 1. avoid urban areas when northern lights hunting, 2. extend the length of your holiday, 3. travel across iceland, 4. check the weather forecast for northern lights, 5. be well-prepared and patient.

Learn the best time of year to see the northern lights in Iceland. Find out which are the best seasons and months for viewing the aurora borealis in Iceland.

The northern lights are one of nature's most magical sights, but they're also one of the most unpredictable. Maximize your chance of seeing nature’s most spectacular light show with this complete guide before embarking on a northern lights tour  or  renting a car  on Iceland's biggest travel marketplace.

Iceland’s northern lights are one of its major attractions, but the aurora borealis are fickle. They’re only visible under certain conditions, at certain times of the year, and only with enough solar activity. Knowing when you can see the northern lights in Iceland is essential for ensuring you have the best chances of a once-in-a-lifetime viewing.

Top Northern Lights Tours & Holidays

2 day ice cave tour with south coast waterfalls & jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, 3-day northern lights tour of iceland’s golden circle & south coast with ice caving & glacier hiking, 8-day guided northern lights winter tour of the complete ring road of iceland.

• Get to know more about the aurora by reading  Northern Lights in Iceland
• Find out all you need to know about Northern Lights Photography

The best time to see aurora borealis in Iceland is between September and April. It’s when the nights are dark enough to see the aurora.

Iceland only gets 4-5 hours of daylight in midwinter, providing endless opportunities to hunt for aurora borealis during that time.

Northern lights tours run between September and April. While there’s no particularly optimum time between this range, the nights are the darkest from November to January. This means you can seek the aurora in Iceland from late afternoon until nearly noon the next day, which provides perfect conditions to photograph the northern lights .

This makes January the absolute best time to visit Iceland for the northern lights, although you have a good chance to spot the aurora borealis in Iceland until April. Then it’s a long wait until September.

• See also: Best Winter Activities in Iceland

Another advantage of coming in midwinter is that you can see Iceland under a blanket of snow and make the most of Iceland’s other winter phenomena, most notably exploring the crystal blue ice caves , which are only found in a few other places worldwide.

The northern lights appear whenever there’s solar activity, but we can only spot them when it’s dark. Therefore  northern lights tours only run in the winter months as the longer nights make the aurora borealis easier to spot.

In general, northern lights are visible between late August and mid-April in Iceland. But that also depends on several other factors. For the best time to go to Iceland for the northern lights, it’s best to aim for the weeks around the winter solstice.

Photo from  Mesmerizing 25-Minute Northern Lights Show at Perlan Museum in Reykjavik

Though the urban light pollution usually hampers visibility, you can sometimes see the northern lights from the city center of Reykjavik. There are also areas within and around the city where the lights are more visible. Look for parks and coastal areas, like the Grotta nature reserve or the Sun Voyager sculpture, that are more isolated.

If you want some unique northern light experiences while in Reykjavik, you can combine a northern lights tour with a visit to Aurora Reykjavik , an exhibition dedicated to the aurora borealis. Alternatively, check out the award-winning Northern Lights Show at the Perlan Museum  observatory!

• For more, check out the  Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

The solar wind is the reason behind the appearance of northern lights. The Kp-index forecast is the measurement unit used to indicate the level of solar activity. The optimum level is above three, and you can check this on the Aurora Forecast in Iceland.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office also has an aurora forecast on cloud covers in Iceland to help you find the best place to spot northern lights.

The darker it is, the easier it is to spot aurora borealis. You can still see the northern lights in Reykjavik and other cities, but the best results are from the remote countryside. See our tips for finding aurora borealis yourself in Iceland , including how to see the northern lights in Reykjavik.

So there is no straight answer to when you can see the northern lights in Iceland since it isn’t just dependent on the season or month but also the meteorological and solar conditions.

Iceland’s Northern Lights Season

The best time of the year to see the northern lights in Iceland is undoubtedly the winter months. However, throughout these months, Iceland endures its worst weather.

Clouds can block the sky, and therefore the aurora borealis, for weeks at a time. Storms are also more common this season, occasionally leading to the cancellation of tours or the closure of main roads.

There are still plenty of winter activities in Iceland you can enjoy. You can go ice caving , snowmobiling , and glacier hiking before setting out to explore the northern lights each night.

Iceland’s weather is milder in autumn and spring (if still very unpredictable), meaning less chance of cloud cover, although note that the window of opportunity for northern lights hunting is smaller due to the increased daylight hours.

However, many summer tours extend into these months, allowing you to do more when the auroras are not visible. The Thrihnukagigur Inside the Volcano Tour continues until October and will enable you to descend into and explore a vast, unbelievably colorful magma chamber.

Whale-watching from the whale-watching capital of Europe, Husavik, begins in March and lasts until November, providing you the chance to marvel over the giants of the deep.

Keep in mind the best time for northern lights in Iceland is the winter months. However, seeing them in late autumn and early spring is still possible.

In the summer equinox weeks at the end of June, the sun never sets in Iceland. Instead, it circles the sky, touching the southern horizon but never quite sinking below it. The brightness of this ‘ Midnight Sun ’ entirely obscures the northern lights. Through the end of May, the entirety of June and July, and the beginning of August, the nights are still too bright to see the auroras.

• See also: The Midnight Sun in Iceland

Despite this, you can still see the aurora borealis faintly during the short hours of darkness at the very beginning and end of summer. Usually, they will be seen dimly against a dusky sky, often making for a uniquely beautiful display considering how vivid the colors of Iceland’s sunsets can be.

Even so, you have much less chance of seeing Iceland’s aurora borealis during these times, as they will need to be particularly intense to be visible, and there’s a much smaller window of opportunity to seek them. Suppose you want to see the aurora borealis in Iceland while still enjoying relatively mild weather and the option to partake in most summer activities. In that case, it’s recommended you come in September.

Top September Tours

• See also: Iceland in September

You can see the aurora borealis in Iceland whenever the sky is dark. Therefore, in December , they may be visible from three in the afternoon until nine in the morning. However, due to the Earth’s rotation, atmosphere, and magnetosphere relative to Iceland’s position on the globe, they are most likely to be seen between 10 PM and 12 AM.

This is when most northern lights tours set off. It also means that when the tours end, you’ve searched through the optimal time and back home early enough that it won’t compromise your plans the next day.

If you’re renting a car in Iceland and taking a winter self-drive tour tailored to the aurora borealis, you can search for the northern lights throughout the night. But you should remember to avoid sunrise and sunset when light pollution significantly dims them. If you are out well into the early hours hunting for the auroras, it’ll be noticeably colder, so dress accordingly.

Top Winter Self Drive Tours

Witnessing the northern lights in Iceland always requires some luck. Some travelers dead-set on aurora hunting may encounter cloud cover or a lack of solar activity every night of their holiday. Others, traveling for one night in August , might be blessed with a fantastic show without even looking for it.

Other than waiting for a clear winter’s night, there are several ways to optimize your chances of enjoying a fantastic display of the aurora borealis in Iceland.

Just hoping you see a northern lights display without laying any groundwork is probably not the wisest option. There are several easy steps you can take to increase your chances:

All lights have the same dimming effect on the auroras as the sun. If you’re in Reykjavik and want to see the northern lights, you must move away from the light pollution. You can take a bus to the Seltjarnarnes Nature Reserve , which is fairly dark compared to the rest of the city. However, you are more likely to achieve better results by booking a tour or driving out into the dark surrounding landscapes.

If you are on a guided package or self-drive tour, your route will take you out into the reaches of Iceland’s nature, maximizing your chances of catching a show every night.

If traveling to Iceland for just a weekend, you only have two or three nights in which to go aurora hunting. Considering the unpredictable weather and fickle nature of the aurora borealis, you’re not setting yourself up for success.

You’re statistically more likely to see the northern lights by staying in Iceland for an extended time.

A two-week-long vacation spent in different parts of the country will significantly increase your chances of a lucky night in perfect conditions.

Travelers could also consider spending much or all of their holiday in North Iceland . The nights here are longer, and the sky is usually less cloudy, providing increased opportunity. During the northern lights season, the north is also less busy than the Reykjavik area, allowing you to avoid the crowds at the most scenic viewing spots, such as the marvelous Myvatn lake or frozen waterfall Godafoss .

Iceland’s weather website has regularly updated pages revealing the predicted and current cloud cover around the country, allowing you to plan to reach the areas with the clearest skies. The aurora forecast measures from zero to nine, with three and above considered promising.

It'll take several minutes for your eyes to adjust to the darkness of Iceland's winter nights, so stay a while at each spot, even if the sky appears clear. The northern lights can also begin at any moment, so don't rush away if they aren't immediately active.

Make sure you have many layers of warm clothes - and perhaps some hot cocoa -so you can comfortably wait for the auroras as long as you need. When it comes to northern lights hunting, just a little bit of patience can lead to the most incredible rewards, which no doubt you will remember for the rest of your life.

Do you have any other questions about hunting the northern lights in Iceland? What time of year are you planning to visit? Are you considering a self-drive trip or taking a northern lights tour? Log in to Facebook to see or add to the comment section below!

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Aurora Tourism in Iceland: You Can Seek, but You May Not Find

The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights — especially this year, which is a peak time for solar activity. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found.

In Reykjavík, Iceland, aurora borealis tourism is a booming business. Hopeful tourists board buses to head out into the night in search of the northern lights. Credit... Sigga Ella for The New York Times

Supported by

By Amelia Nierenberg

Amelia Nierenberg spent four nights searching for the northern lights in Iceland.

• March 25, 2024

From the outside, it may seem like the northern lights dance across Iceland’s skies each night. On Icelandair ads, planes fly across shimmering curtains in the sky. On social media, travelers gaze at the green bands above them . The lights are even on some recycling bins in Reykjavík, the capital: “Keep Iceland Clean.”

In the past decade or so, an aurora borealis industrial complex has boomed in Iceland. Many rent a car and go out on their own, but there are northern lights big bus tours and northern lights minibus tours and northern lights Super Jeep tours . There are private guides and boat cruises . There’s an observatory base camp . There’s even a museum .

But the lights can be elusive.

“Tourists sometimes expect, like, ‘At what time do you turn them on?’” said Björn Saevar Einarsson, a forecaster at Iceland’s meteorological office , chuckling. “Like we have a switch in the back room.”

This year, the letdowns are especially intense.

The northern lights, which are also called the aurora borealis, are most visible when there are solar flares, which are big eruptions on the sun that send charged particles toward Earth. This year, the sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity , which some assume means that the displays could peak, too.

But the enhanced solar activity doesn’t necessarily mean the northern lights will be brighter or more frequent, scientists wearily explain. Instead, they mostly mean that the lights can be seen farther south than usual: In recent months, they have been visible in Arizona , Missouri and southern England .

That doesn’t mean much for Iceland.

In fact, Icelanders and scientists said, this winter is nothing special. Sometimes, the lights are there. Sometimes, they aren’t. Just like always.

Hunting the lights

But nothing special, with the northern lights, is still very special. And so tourists keep coming .

Last month, I joined the fray. For four nights, I looked for telltale sky shimmers in and around Reykjavík.

I booked my tickets riding high — this was the best year yet, right? But as I learned more, and as my flight neared, my hopes ebbed. Scientists and tour leaders gently told me that the skies were cloudy and the solar activity seemed quiet.

“Just to let you know the forecast doesn’t look too good” Inga Dís Richter, the chief commercial officer at Icelandia , a tourism agency, wrote in an email two days before I planned to take a minibus trip with Reykjavik Excursions , one of its tour operators.

“But,” she added, “this can change.”

To find the lights, guides and travelers often rely on aurora forecasts, which overlay cloud cover and solar activity. They check them constantly, like a bride with an outdoor wedding in mid-April.

Some of the forecasts are free, like the aurora forecast run by Iceland’s meteorological office or Iceland at Night , which includes space weather. (Some are not — Aurora Forecast , which costs $12.99 a year, sends alerts.) Many people also turn to Facebook pages , where enthusiasts hungrily swap sightings.

Luck, though, is everything.

“There’s only one thing less predictable with the northern lights, and that’s the Arctic weather,” said John Mason, a global expert on the northern lights. “An aurora forecast is barely worth the paper that it’s written on.”

The guides work hard to explain the science, and set expectations. Most companies offer a free rebooking option if the lights do not show.

On my first night of aurora stalking, despite Ms. Richter’s warnings, I joined an expectant group on the Reykjavík Excursions minibus. For $88, I got a seat on the 19-person bus, which left the city’s central bus station at 9:30 p.m.

Over the next three to four hours, we would drive through the Icelandic night together. I’d either see something astonishing with these strangers — the sky, banded with light — or shiver with them shoulder-to-shoulder, awkward in the cold.

As we pulled onto the road, Gudjon Gunnarsson, the guide, set the mood early. “We are going hunting for the lights,” he said, emphasizing the word “hunting,” “similar to going out fishing in a lake.”

He drove for about 45 minutes, letting Reykjavík’s glow fade behind us. The city has about 140,000 people, and no real skyscrapers, so there’s limited light pollution. Although the northern lights can appear over the city, it’s best to see them in total darkness.

Then he paused and consulted with another guide.

“It is too cloudy here,” he told his flock. “So we will keep driving.”

But as we kept driving, clouds turned to a dense fog, so thick that the moon all but disappeared.

Mr. Gunnarsson turned off the main highway about an hour after we left Reykjavík. He parked in a parking lot. Or maybe it was a side street? The darkness was so deep that I could only make out the moonlight on the ocean, and only then after my eyes adjusted.

We disembarked and stood dutifully beside him, staring up at the sky. Then, one woman pointed toward Reykjavík. Were those the lights? (No. That was light pollution.)

Christof Reinhard, 65, who owns a medical laser company and was visiting with his family from Paris, mused that our search was a little bit like a safari. Sure, the desert is amazing, but it’s much better with lions. Or, maybe, was this more like a whale watch?

“Instead of a boat,” he said, “you have a bus.”

Mr. Gunnarsson watched the group stomp their feet and bend into the wind. Fifteen minutes. Then, half an hour. The clouds hung thick above. “There’s nothing happening here, as you can see,” he finally said to relieved chuckles. “It’s one of those nights where you just have to give up.”

Tourists can get mad, Mr. Gunnarsson and other guides said. It’s rare, but it does happen.

“It’s the trip that has our worst reviews,” said Eric Larimer, the digital marketing manager for Gray Line Iceland , a day tour and airport transport company.

A wake-up call for the aurora

For some, the joy is in the search, even if there is no find. A few focus on astronomy, often opting to stay at Hotel Rangá , which is just off the main ring road (Route 1) near Iceland’s south coast.

The hotel looks unassuming — low-slung and wooden — but it’s one of the most famous in Iceland. (The Kardashians stayed there . So did the Real Housewives of Orange County .) A standard room costs more than $300, depending on the season.

But Rangá doesn’t just cater to celebrities. It also draws astronomy buffs, enticed by its “aurora wake-up call” service and its observatory, which has state-of-the-art telescopes.

“One thing is to sell them,” said Fridrik Pálsson, the hotel’s owner, speaking of the northern lights. “Another thing is to deliver them.”

About 20 years ago, before the northern lights industry took off, he delegated the night security guard to monitor the sky. The guard pokes his head out every few minutes to look for the telltale flicker. If he sees the lights, he alerts the guests.

The service aims to address one of the main issues with hunting for the northern lights: They are usually only visible on winter nights, when it is very cold, very windy and very late.

“To be a good northern lights observer, you need the constitution of an insomniac polar bear,” Dr. Mason said.

My room phone, alas, stayed silent. But I did dream about the lights — great Wonka colors swirling, strangely, behind the Chrysler Building.

Mr. Pálsson built the observatory, too. Even if the lights didn’t show up, he figured, the stars are still magnificent — and, for city dwellers, also rare. The hotel contracts astronomers to work the telescopes and explain the stars to guests.On my second night in Iceland, as twilight slipped below happy-hour skies, I crunched across the snow to the observatory with Saevar Helgi Bragason, an Icelandic science communicator who leads the astronomy program.

He bent into a toddler-size telescope, focusing it on the moon’s craters. They looked clearer than the hotel, just a short walk away. It was too early for the lights, he said. And that evening seemed too cloudy (on Earth) and too quiet (on the sun).

Mr. Bragason joked that the lights can get in his way — they create a mist over the stars he really wants to see. But tourists often come specifically to see them. And sometimes, he said, as they wait impatiently, they can miss the real wonder.

“You’re left with these beautiful skies above you,” he said. “Basically, literally, another universe opens up.”

Creating a lights season

Hotel Rangá was a pioneer in Iceland’s northern lights tourism industry: About two decades ago, people came to Iceland for the long summer days, and left as daylight slipped farther south.

“I found it rather stupid in the beginning,” admitted Mr. Pálsson, the owner of Rangá, speaking of northern lights tourism.

But spreading tourism throughout the year made sense. Partly, that was an environmental concern. The tourists would crowd the country’s extraordinary natural sites over just a few months. It was also economic. When the visitors left Iceland, tourism jobs would ebb with the sunlight.

So the northern lights, which are reliably visible from September to March, became the backbone of the country’s winter branding, said Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, the marketing and communications director at Business Iceland , which promotes the country.

“To be able to sell this product of cold and darkness, you have to have something to offer,” he said.

Now, even though June, July and August are the busiest months, tourism has evened out over the seasons. In 2023, there were about 1.1 million international visitors to Iceland during the aurora months, based on departures from Keflavík Airport, according to data from Iceland’s tourist board . From April to August, there were about 1.1 million, too.

About a decade earlier , when tourism overall to Iceland was lower, there were about 336,000 departures from the main airport in colder months, and about 446,000 in the spring and summer.

The winter travelers are drawn by the lights — and the hot springs, glaciers and icy waterfalls. It’s also cheaper than the summer season.

Some try to visit volcanoes , but the country recently warned tourists to avoid the lava flows — Iceland is living in an unusually active period of seismic activity . In January, lava flowed into a small town and last week a volcano erupted with just 40 minutes’ notice near the Blue Lagoon thermal springs, one of the country’s biggest attractions.

The final attempts

Near midnight on my last night, a Sunday, I drove to the Grótta Lighthouse , a popular spot on the outskirts of Reykjavík.

A few die-hard experts had warned me off — many tourists go there because it’s darker than most of Reykjavík, but then don’t think to turn off their headlights. It was also raining, greatly diminishing my chances of seeing the lights.

But I only had three hours before I had to leave to make my predawn flight. I felt a little desperate, a little dazed. I parked, and approached two people who were sitting in the rain on a wet wall, looking at the water in the darkness. I climbed over seaweed, and introduced myself. What would it mean to them, I asked, if the lights suddenly appeared?

“It’d be a little bit like the cherry on top,” said Catherine Norburn, 29, who was visiting from England.

She and her husband were set to fly out the next morning. They had not yet seen the lights.

“We don’t have high hopes,” said her husband, Reece Norburn, 29, “but it’s now or never.”

We didn’t see the lights. And I didn’t see them later, even after pulling off the highway halfway between Reykjavík and the airport at 3:30 a.m., half convinced by a shimmery cloud.

But I did spend more time looking up at the sky. And it’s a marvel.

In New York City, where I live, the night sky blooms orange-mauve. In Iceland, the nighttime darkness is just that — darkness. Clouds roll, breaking the deep blue. Stars actually shine. Northern lights or no northern lights, it was still cosmically beautiful.

Amelia Nierenberg writes the Asia Pacific Morning Briefing , a global newsletter. More about Amelia Nierenberg

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Why You Should Go to Iceland in the Off-Season

From chasing waterfalls to watching the northern lights, Iceland is jaw-dropping—and a lot less visited—September to May. Here’s the perfect itinerary.

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There’s a saying in Iceland that’s sort of the country’s unofficial motto: Þetta reddast (sounds like “thetta rettast”). Like so many Icelandic words there isn’t a direct translation into English, but the essence of it is, “Ehhh, it’ll be fine…” My good friend Pétur Magnusson , who lives in Reykjavik, tells me, “It’s a big part of our national identity. It’s what we say when we’re rolling with what’s going on, in the face of any kind of adversity.” It’s not as passive as it sounds, though. Rather, it’s about accepting the things you can’t control, and pivoting to adapt and alter the things you can.

This is sage advice for first-timers visiting one of the most rugged and remote island countries in the world. To call the weather “unpredictable” would be generous, and you never know what strange obstacles you might encounter—hello, volcanoes. There have been ongoing eruptions in the town of Grindavik in southern Iceland and tourists have been advised to avoid that area. But the rest of the country is open and if you’re willing to embody the Þetta reddast spirit, you’ll have an incredible time in an otherworldly place, especially if you’re game to travel to Iceland in the off-season.

In October, I finally went to scope it out for myself. My aforementioned buddy Pétur was born and raised in Iceland before moving to California where he and I became friends in high school. He moved back during the pandemic, so I took the rare opportunity to see this majestic place through a local’s eyes. I spent two weeks traveling all over with him and other friends, pivoting a lot, experiencing weird weather, taking thousands of photos, and having an absolute blast. Here’s what I learned.

Why Travel to Iceland in the Shoulder Season?

An Icelandic adventure in the off-season (roughly autumn and spring) has a few distinct advantages:

It’s markedly cheaper.

While flights to Iceland are usually reasonable (I flew Iceland Air , which has a ton of direct flights from the U.S.), life on the ground can be pretty pricey. Accommodations, rental vehicles, tours, and just about everything that isn’t edible is less expensive if you don’t go during the summertime rush.

There are a heck of a lot less people.

Speaking of rush, you will see noticeably fewer tourists in the off-season. That translates to less-crowded trails, better photographs, and critically, easier last-minute bookings—key to your ability to adapt to changing conditions and still get the most out of your trip. More on that in a bit.

You actually get to see the Aurora Borealis.

You can usually only view the Northern Lights in the off-season. Iceland is so far north that during the summer high-season, the sky never gets dark enough for the aurora borealis to be visible. Iceland is one of the best places on the entire planet to see the lights, so if that’s on your bucket list, then bundle up and visit in the off season. (Stay tuned for specific recommendations on where to view them.)

Know Before You Go: Tips for Shoulder-Season Visits

Of course, visiting Iceland during shoulder season isn’t without its challenges. First and foremost, there’s the weather. Battered by the Atlantic Ocean just south of the Arctic Circle, you’re more likely to encounter rain, snow, and the notorious wind in colder months. Days are shorter, too, so you’ll want to get after it early.

Gear You Should Pack for Iceland

Layers will most definitely be your friend. And bring plenty. My daily outfit consisted of:

• Thermal tops and bottoms
• Thick wool hiking socks
• Pair of Altra Lone Peak hiking boots
• Smartwool hoodie
• REI XeroDry GTX Gore-Tex rainproof pants (also a good windblocker)
• Pair of Mountain Hardware Boundary Ridge gloves
• Super-warm wind/rain-proof Helly Hansen Tromsoe Jacket
• Wind-proof Mountain Hardware Dome Perignon Pro hat

With that kit, I was plenty toasty even when the rain came down nearly sideways.

Get Your Tech Dialed: Oh, and make sure you bring a power adapter, because Iceland uses European plugs. I’d recommend grabbing at least one or two, plus an extension cord with a three-way splitter so you can charge up more gadgets at once.

Now, the fun stuff.

Getting Around Iceland: The Best Transportation Options

Iceland is one of those countries where you really want to have your own wheels. There are buses here and there, but if you’re chasing rugged adventures, vehicular autonomy is a must. Of course you could join a tour group, but then you’re stuck with someone else’s agenda and schedule, and you’ll likely be surrounded by tourists.

Be Sure to Rent the Right Rig

Selecting a vehicle plays a significant role in where you can and can’t go. Once the colder months hit, the roads get icy and snowy. Even if you plan to stay in hotels and avoid sleeping in your vehicle, I strongly recommend you rent a rig with all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive that has burly tires to match and that comes with ample clearance. This will enable you to drive safely off the beaten path and check out more of the country, with even fewer tourists around during the day. (As a starting point, check out MyCar Iceland , which features a fleet of different 4WD-equipped Toyotas starting from $84 per day.)

For a Bed on Wheels, Consider a Campervan or 4X4 with a Rooftop Tent

Cruising around Iceland by campervan or a rig with a rooftop tent is another solid option. You’ll see tons of these on the road, as most outdoor adventure enthusiasts go this route. There are a lot of cool camp spots all around the island, and combining your accommodations with your wheels can be a huge cost saver. Just make sure the van you’re renting has some sort of heater (diesel or propane) and make sure it has AWD or 4WD (again, plus rugged tires and clearance). If you opt for a rooftop tent, make sure you visit in the (warmer) colder months, like September and May, otherwise sleeping on top of your car in winds and frigid temps will be brutal otherwise.

No matter what, read reviews of your outfitter before you commit, because some offer SOS services—in varying degrees of reliability—and you don’t want to deal with a breakdown when you’re deep in Iceland’s backcountry.

Most campervans and roof tent rigs come with bedding, a camp kitchen, stove and fuel, and a plug-in cooler, all of which help facilitate maximum autonomy. For a small upcharge, you can opt for a WiFi router, which makes booking last-minute campsites and navigation easier. (As a starting point, check out Rent for rooftop tent and campervan options. Prices vary.)

Stay on Top of Your Road Conditions Beta

Whichever vehicle you choose, the UMFERDIN website shows up-to-date road conditions and closures, and will save you essential time.

And be careful out there. Know your driving skills, and the limits of the vehicle you’re renting, and make sure the tires have tread that can handle the conditions you’ll encounter. If in doubt, don’t be an idiot and drive it .

Eating in Iceland: Always Expensive, Rarely Fantastic

Now would be a good time to mention food, and it’s not great news. For starters, grub in Iceland is almost universally pricey, owing largely to the fact that nearly everything has to be imported. It’s also not exactly a foodie haven (with some notable exceptions), so I’d recommend stocking up at a supermarket, like Bonus or Krónan, before you leave Reykjavik. Aside from staples like PB&J, grab an assortment of Icelandic yogurt (a.k.a. skyr). It’s delicious.

Don’t miss the cod jerky, either, which my friend Pétur says is commonly dragged across a tub of Icelandic butter when you eat it. (I tried it, and can confirm it’s indeed tasty.) I also found the sweetest, crunchiest carrots I’ve ever had in my life, and you’ll want to try (or at least force yourself to try) the divisive, salted black licorice (aka salmiakbitar ) the island is famous for.

When You Arrive in Iceland

You’ll land at Keflavík International Airport. If you’re coming from the U.S. you’ll likely arrive early in the morning on a red-eye, and may be very discombobulated. If so, and you’ve got the time, take it easy on your first day there by checking out the Reykjanes peninsula. Then, head to Reykjavik to scope out some of the museums and cultural sites (see below for specifics).

Must-Dos on the Reykjanes Peninsula

The 40-minute drive from the airport to the capital city is also absolutely stunning. You’ll pass fields of lava rock that seem to go on forever, and zip by the Instagram-famous Blue Lagoon . (Note: every Icelandic person I met rolled their eyes at it, though. It’s pretty, but overpriced, from $72, and loaded with tourists. It may also be closed depending on nearby volcanic eruptions.)

If you somehow manage to sleep on the plane and want to hit the ground running, there are a ton of cool spots right on the Reykjanes peninsula before you get to Reykjavik. Don’t miss:

• Seltún Geothermal Area , with sulfury, bubbling, steaming mineral pools
• Krísuvíkurberg Cliffs , with a sheer drop into the pounding ocean below. (It’s so abrupt it looks like the ground just snapped off.)
• Reykjanes Lighthouse , right next to the beautiful rocky shore of Valahnúkamöl—both well worth exploring.

I had an absolutely incredible lobster soup at the Café Bryggjan in Grindavík, but unfortunately between then and writing this piece, a cluster of earthquakes and several nearby volcanic eruptions has effectively brought the quaint fishing village to its knees. The town literally sunk several feet and now has a deep, 1.2-mile long fissure running through the middle of it. Its future is currently unknown. Again, why you have to be ready to adapt in Iceland.

Explore Iceland’s Capital: What to See and Do in Reykjavik

Hit Up a Street Vendor or Restaurant for a Hot Dog: When you get to Reykjavik, first things first: Get yourself a hot dog. I regret to inform you, my fellow Americans, that we have been surpassed in hotdoggery, and not by a little. Icelandic dogs have crispy fried onions, multiple sauces, soft buns, and snappy wieners. I ate them almost every day.

Scope Out the Historic Downtown: Work off the hotdogs by checking out the historic downtown area on foot. The Einar Jónsson Museum features some statues that would make Rodin jealous, and there’s a lot to see around the waterfront, including the massive Harpa Concert Hall.

Visit a Real Locals’ Hot Spring: If you’re craving some hot spring action, check out one of the dozens of public pools (like Laugardalslaug , for roughly $10 per entry) in Reykjavik. No, they’re not glamorous like the aforementioned Blue Lagoon, but all of the heating in Iceland (including hot water) comes from geothermal activity. The water is high in mineral content and it’s deeply soothing. The pools are a massive part of the culture there and they feature several hot tubs at different temperatures, saunas, cold plunges, and even some waterslides.

Just make sure you adhere closely to the showering instructions (i.e. shower naked beforehand and wash your whole body with soap). The waters there are considered sacred to the locals, and disrespecting them by not following pre-soak protocol is one of the rare ways to piss Icelanders off. The public pools are also for socializing, and you’re likely to meet some friendly folks who may offer you insider tips. Effectively everybody in Iceland speaks English, but if you learn a few basic phrases in Icelandic before you show up, it’ll go a long way.

Dine Out on Lamb Stew: For dinner, grab yourself lamb stew (known as Kjötsúpa, an Icelandic specialty), and pass out for the night before you hit the road bright and early.

The Shoulder-Season Adventure Itinerary for Iceland Newbies

As cool as Reykjavik is, that’s not what you came for, is it? Here’s what I did. My play-by-ear trip turned into a nice little loop through the west and south, though I recommend you use these ideas more for activity inspiration as opposed to an exact prescription. After all, no two days in the shoulder season are the same and there are endless possibilities. Here were my highlights:

Day 1: Hit Up Some Waterfalls and Hot Springs

Out of the city, our first big stop was Barnafoss, a couple hours northeast of Reykjavik, an utterly massive conglomeration of waterfalls. (FYI, “foss” means waterfall in Icelandic.) If there’s wind, wear your waterproof layers because the mist will soak you to the bone. It’s almost overwhelming to see so many waterfalls from one vantage point, and it’s an excellent place to work on your long exposure photography. (I recommend a tripod and a variable ND filter, along with a few absorbent lens-wipes.)

From there, we backtracked 20 minutes west and hit the natural hot springs at Krauma ($50). It’s not as Instagrammable as the Blue Lagoon (phones are actually discouraged at both), but you’ll find a nice array of geothermally heated tubs and saunas, along with traditional cold plunges. Plus, the mountainscape views are lovely.

Then, head west and drive out onto the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. It’s a 55-mile strip of land that is basically a photographic sample platter of Iceland, including lava fields, waterfalls, epic black sand beaches, fjord views, hot springs, and the imposing Snaefellsjökull glacier volcano. I found the lava fields to be particularly gripping, with bright green moss covering an endless sea of black boulders.

We spent that night at the Fosshotel in Hellnar (“Oh hell nar,”) which was modest but clean, and it had some gorgeous ocean views (from $125 USD a night in the off-season).

Day 2: Hike the Rugged Coastline

From there we set out to the western tip of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula stopping at a few viewpoints around Londrangar, where you can stand atop some of the most rugged coastline you’ll ever see, featuring massive blue waves pounding jagged volcanic rock spires.

Make your way down to Djúpalónssandur Beach and the Djúpalón Lagoon, where you can hike along a shore covered with smooth, marble-like pebbles and a pool that looks like a prehistoric creature could emerge from it at any moment. This whole area gives strong “Land Before Time” vibes.

After that, we headed back east along the northern border of the peninsula, stopping at the stunning Bæjarfoss waterfall just outside of Ólafsvík. My buddy Pétur didn’t even get out of his car for that one. There are roughly 10,000 waterfalls in Iceland, many of them jaw-dropping, and apparently this wasn’t that exciting by his local standards.

We also swung by the Súgandisey Island Lighthouse, on the northernmost part of the peninsula, where we were greeted with a rainbow, and intense wind. We spent that night at the Hotel Varmaland in Borgarnes (from $250), where I had a deliciously savory lamb steak for dinner.

Day 3: Trek to Less-Visited, Off-Road Waterfalls

Our next day was all about chasing more waterfalls. The first stop? The small but isolated Fitjarfoss. We were the only ones there, and it was incredibly tranquil. That was just a warmup, though, for the far more challenging four-mile hike to Glymur Falls, which is the second tallest waterfall in the country, at a staggering 650 feet. It’s a slippery and steep hike that involves at least one river crossing and a few scrambles over significant exposure—we’re talking hundreds of feet straight down to the rocky river below. It’s not for the faint of heart, but absolutely gorgeous on the ascent.

Unfortunately, the crossing was washed out when we visited, so we hiked up the near side of the river as far as we could go. Luckily, Pétur had a drone that could fly the rest of the way and get some great shots. Still, it was 100% worth it.

We then made our way to a gorgeous complex of outdoor hot springs called Laugarvatn Fotana Geothermal Bathsa (from roughly $35 per adult). It’s right on Laugarvatn Lake so we alternated between hot soaks and saunas and natural icy plunges—the perfect remedy for our aching joints.

Day 4: Visit the Highlights of the Golden Circle

The next part of our plan was to take a ferry out to the stunning Westman Islands, but nature had other ideas. 60 mph winds and 18-foot sea swells not only made the passage unappealing, but impossible, as ferry service was canceled for several days. But this is where having more options in shoulder season really comes in clutch. We were able to cancel all our reservations, and because virtually every hotel in the country had vacancies, we just headed away from the wind.

We bet that the harsher weather would equal fewer tourists, so we hit some of the more popular spots along the famous Golden Circle—the most visited day-trip-style route outside of Reykjavik, if you don’t have time to drive the whole Ring Road around the island.

This portion of our trip included visiting the absolutely massive, Niagara-ish waterfall, Gullfoss. Sure, there were still plenty of tourists, and the wind stirred up the mist which made it feel like it was raining, but it’s a breathtaking thing to behold.

Nearby, there’s also Geysir, which—fun fact—is the geyser that gave all other geysers their name. It’s Icelandic for “to gush.” It’s only erupted twice in the last 25 years, but the adjacent Strokkur geyser goes off roughly every 10 minutes about 60 to 120 feet into the air, and still puts on a killer show. The whole area has a lot of cool geothermal features with a sort of Icelandic Yellowstone vibe, and you can hike all around the area to get a bunch of vantage points.

It’s also well worth visiting Thingvellir National Park , a stunning area where all the old clans of Iceland used to meet annually to decide the laws and policies for the upcoming year. It also has a lake, waterfalls, and a museum with tons of artifacts. This place is steeped in history (some of it tragic) and is a sacred place to Icelanders, so be on your best, most respectful behavior here.

Day 5: Surf Your Heart Out

Surfing the Icelandic coast was one bucket-list item I thought I’d never get to check off. In the weeks leading up to my trip, though, I started reading articles about how the best, most-consistent wave in the whole country was at risk of being demolished. The point at Þorlákshöfn (near Thorli Beach) is an incredible, peeling right-hander that just goes and goes like a good day at Malibu. Unlike Malibu, though, you’re likely to have four, not 400, other people in the lineup. It’s been a secret spot for ages, but the mayor of the town of Þorlákshöfn (and other city council members) seem intent on filling it in with boulders to make room for more warehouses around an expanded harbor. So the local surfers decided it’s better to tell the world than risk its destruction. Unfortunately, the town started filling it in already, despite not yet having environmental permits to alter the coastline, and that has abruptly cut off the end section of the wave. It’s tragic. Watch more on the save-the-wave initiative, here:

I reached out to Steinarr Lár, one of the surfers leading the fight to save the wave that is at the very center of Icelandic surf culture and community. He was gracious enough to lend me a board, a thick wetsuit, booties, and gloves, though if you want to experience surfing Iceland for yourself, link up with Arctic Surfers , which organizes surf tours (starting from $350 per day) and can provide you with everything you’ll need. They’re also deeply involved in activism surrounding the wave.

After suiting up in the parking lot, I scrambled over about 80 yards of slippery, seaweed-covered boulders, and then it was pure magic. The waves were between three and four feet tall, with a gentle paddle in, and they ran for nearly a full minute (apparently longer on bigger days). The locals were friendly, the wetsuit kept me plenty warm, and we all got enough waves to turn our arms to spaghetti.

It’s an incredible natural resource, and the idea of it being filled in to fill a few people’s pockets is frankly outrageous, in my opinion. Go surf it while you can and spread the word.

Days 6 and 7: Treat Yourself to a Northern Lights Wake-Up Call

After roughing it for several days, I decided to opt for some luxury. My friend Pétur, who works for a tourism company , says that whenever people’s top priority is seeing the Northern Lights, he books them at the Hotel Rangá (pronounced ron-cow, from $340 per night in shoulder season) because it’s sort of isolated on a big dark plane. Think: 360-degree views. It also has an observatory for stargazing when the lights aren’t visible, and there’s a button on your phone to order a wake-up call in the middle of the night should the lights pop up. It was easily the nicest place I stayed during my entire trip, and it’s a perfect base camp for all south-coast adventures.

Iceland’s version of upscale is different from what you might expect, coming from the U.S. If you have Four Seasons or Ritz expectations, you may be surprised to find that things are a bit more low-key here. Hotel Rangá is still very nice, but it’s more rustic and minimalist—at least in the more basic rooms. (The master suites are each decked out like a different continent and they went all-out.)

That said, its restaurant featured the tastiest food I ate the entire time, with exquisite, tender lamb, fish, and even reindeer carpaccio. They can also organize a candle-lit dinner in a grass-covered cave that used to be an ancient dwelling centuries ago. It’s a must-stay, and wouldn’t you know it, despite none being forecast, we managed to see the aurora on two of the nights we crashed there.

My phone rang around 11 P.M. and I was told the lights were visible. I had pre-arranged many layers of clothes and all my camera gear, just in case. So I threw it all on, rushed out the door, and wow, the sky was lit up with waving, green curtains. There’s a river and a pond behind the hotel, so I played with reflections in my photos, and hooted in joy as colorful ribbons raced over the roof of the hotel. Truly, there’s no other life experience like it.

Bonus: Get Off Road to Tackle Far-Flung Backcountry Adventures

For the last few days of my trip, I wanted to get into some of the places where my friend’s little AWD hatchback couldn’t take me, so I linked up with Southcoast Adventure (also recommended by my friend’s company). We did three expeditions in three days, and each of them got me way off the beaten path. Separately, from that, I also rode some Icelandic horses. Here’s how all of that went:

Take a Buggy Tour into the Wilderness

This is one of the best ways to really get out there away from everybody else. These “buggies” are two-seat 4X4 ATVs complete with roll cages, and we headed out to Emstrur, which was an all-day adventure on dirt roads, crossing a dozen small creeks. There were waterfalls, glaciers, and stunning rock formations throughout these mountains, and we didn’t see anybody else on the long road. (Full day tours start at roughly $660, but they also have one-hour and 2.5-hour options.)

Explore the Katla Ice Caves

The next day was my favorite expedition, a trek out to explore the Katla Ice Caves (from $205 per person). This is an ever-changing system of ice caves at the end of the Myrdalsjokull glacier. It included a massive ice-arch big enough to fly a decent sized plane through, as well as the chance to explore deep into otherworldly tunnels made of light blue ice, with streams and waterfalls flowing through them.

We even got to do a bit of ice climbing. You’ll be provided with crampons, so make sure you bring boots sturdy enough to support them (this was the one day my Atras weren’t quite up to the task). On the way back we visited three more jaw-dropping waterfalls, including Gljufrabui—which is hidden in a narrow slot canyon—and Seljalandsfoss, which you can hike behind for some stunning canyon views.

Cruise Around Landmannalaugar

The last day there was spent exploring in what is affectionately known in Iceland as a SuperJeep (starting around $300). It wasn’t actually a jeep at all, but a kitted out 4WD Mercedes Sprinter van. We went deep into the interior highlands of Landmannalaugar, exploring paths cut by glaciers and massive extinct craters. Of course, there were more waterfalls (just countless!), but my highlight was a gorgeous natural hot spring in the middle of the Fjallabak Nature Reserve. It was the perfect way to relax at the end of a long trip.

Ride Iceland’s Famous Wild Horses

Of course, that isn’t the only way to relax. From Rangá you’re just a quick drive to the coast, or if you want something you truly can’t find anywhere else, go to Skeiðvellir Horse Farm (rides start around $85/person). Iceland’s horses have been isolated on the island for more than 1,000 years and they have evolved in unique ways, including developing stout bodies, luscious manes, and two specific gaits that only they can perform. They’re incredibly smooth to ride and it’s a fun way to see the grasslands of this stunning country.

Heliski Iceland’s Big Peaks March to June

There’s one more adventure I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention: heliskiing or snowboarding from the top of a peak to the shore of the Arctic Ocean. And you can do it with the boutique Viking Heliskiing operation. Based on the far north side of the island, this outfitter offers everything from three to six-day packages that include meals, rentals, avalanche gear, airport transfers, and luxurious accommodations at the Sigló Hotel . (Prices start at roughly $7,200 per person for the three-day package.)

Tragically, I didn’t get to do this myself (yet!), but from speaking with those who have (and feasting my eyes on photos and video), the terrain you’ll encounter up there is unlike anywhere else. The mountain surfaces tend to be smooth and steep, so they hold powder well and allow for massive, open-faced carves. You’re guaranteed 15,000 vertical feet a day (which is more than you get at most heliski operations), and some runs will take you all the way down to the beach. At night you can enjoy the hotel’s hot tubs, saunas, and the Northern Lights if your timing is right. The season starts in mid-March and goes until mid-June (where you may be able to ski as late as midnight). Dreamy, indeed.

The Bottom Line: I’m in Love with Off-Season Iceland

Perhaps you’ve gathered this much already, but Iceland blew my mind. And now, I really only want to come back during shoulder season. Yes, the weather was tough at times, and sure, not every road was accessible, but traveling during the shoulder season saved me money and paved the way for a better experience. Plus, you simply can’t beat having far fewer tourists around. So bundle up, plan ahead, and if you have to adapt a little? Well, Þetta reddast…

Brent Rose has been covering adventure and gear for Outside for more than a decade. When he’s not writing, you can find him surfing, snowboarding, hiking, or camping, usually somewhere in California. He’s also on Instagram at @brentdangerrose or his website at brentrose.com.

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17 Best Places To See the Northern Lights

Posted: February 8, 2024 | Last updated: February 8, 2024

One of the most enchanting natural phenomena in the Northern Hemisphere is the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. On the proper night, with perfect weather conditions and peak solar activity, you can see the stunning lights that paint the night sky. Here are some of the best places to view the Northern Lights. 

1. Reykjavik, Iceland

Reykjavik offers so much to see and explore, like geothermal pools, volcanic tours, and excellent culture, but visitors should also check out the Northern Lights that appear between September and April. Just a short journey to Hofdabrekka, near Vik in southern Iceland , Aurora Borealis enthusiasts can soak up this wondrous site.

Travel writer Ashlee Fechino shares, “I saw the Northern Lights in September while flying into Reykjavik. It was spectacular and I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

2. Abisko National Park, Sweden

One of the very best places to see the Northern Lights in Sweden is in Abisko National Park. Located in the very north of Sweden, along the Norwegian Sea, visitors can watch in wonder while these beautiful lights dance and fill the winter night sky.

3. Westfjords, Iceland

Long hours in Westfjords and North Iceland make them ideal locations to see the Northern Lights. As a popular viewing destination, there are many tours you can join throughout the area. Plan your trip to Iceland anywhere from September through April for the best chance of spotting the Lights. 

4. Lower and Upper Peninsula, Michigan, U.S.

Find a spot along the Great Lakes of Michigan for the best viewing, preferably somewhere dark without ambient light. The best time to see the Aurora Borealis in Michigan is April, October, and November–though the lights tend to flare throughout the winter into spring.

5. Yellowknife, Canada

About 250 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Yellowknife is part of Canada’s northwest territories. Yellowknife is also the Northern Lights Capital of the North American continent, making it a great destination. Visitors may start to see the lights anywhere from September through the end of March. 

6. Tromso, Norway

Tromso has darkness and good weather that’s conducive to seeing the lights. Book your trip in late January or early February to glimpse the Northern Lights. You can even see them from the cable car on Storsteinen Mountain. 

7. Lapland, Finland

Native Sami people of Finnish Lapland believe the lights occur because of fire foxes running so fast across the sky that their tails brush against the mountains and create sparks in the sky. With an average of 200 nights per year of Aurora Borealis (which means arctic dawn) from September to March, the best time to catch the light show is right before midnight. 

8. Oymyakon, Siberia

The story goes that God looked down on what he created and dropped diamonds that fell across the Yakutia region, which are the Northern Lights often seen in Siberia. Oymyakon is a remote location, but the trip and time spent with locals in their homes (there are no hotels in the area) will make the journey worth it. 

9. Fairbanks, Alaska, U.S.

Fairbanks is a popular spot for tourists to stop on their trip to Alaska, with the upside of possibly seeing the Northern Lights during their stay. Many local hotels also offer complimentary wake-up calls to let you know when the lights are out. Talk about full service!

10. Ilulissat, Greenland

Inuit people of Greenland hold to their belief that the lights were spirits of the dead playing games in the sky with–get this–a walrus skull. Most of the country is uninhabited, which makes it a great place to see the lights without city light pollution. Ilulissat is one of the most popular areas in Greenland for viewing during the autumn months. 

11. Churchill, Canada

Rumor has it that Churchill in Manitoba boasts a whopping 300 nights of visibility of the Northern Lights. You’ll have a good chance of seeing the lights for most of the year. However, visitors should plan their trip to northwestern Canada from January to March for the best time for viewing. 

12. Isle of Skye, Scotland

In Scotland, the Northern Lights are known by locals as the “merry dancers,” thought to be fallen angels and warriors. Autumn and winter see a decrease in visitors, making it the perfect time to travel to one of the most iconic destinations in the country to view the Northern Lights. 

13. Kangerlussuaq, Greenland

Another ideal location in Greenland–one of the best in the world–is in the small village of Kangerlussuaq. With less than 1,000 people with limited artificial lights and clear skies, you can experience the Aurora Borealis from October through April. 

14. Svalbard, Norway

Adventure seekers get the most out of their trip to Svalbard. Aside from joining a tour to see the Northern Lights, you can also go on a cruise or join a dog-sledding and hiking trip to make the experience even better. It’s best to travel between October and February, during the darkest months, for the best viewing. 

15. Shetland Islands, Scotland

As the northernmost area of Scotland, the Shetland Islands puts you closest to the Arctic Circle, meaning you’ll have a better chance of viewing the Aurora Borealis here. This relatively remote destination offers excellent viewing of the lights from the end of autumn through early spring. 

16. Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, Iceland

If you’re visiting south Iceland, you can still view the Northern Lights by traveling to Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon. A drive from a neighboring village, Vik, will take you to the lagoon, or you can find a nearby black sand beach to enjoy the show. 

17. Whitehorse, Canada

The Yukon capital, Whitehorse, is a reasonably accessible area to see the Northern Lights, with lodging and tours for the whole family to enjoy. Winter months will be the best time to spend in Whitehorse. It’s also when many tours are in operation. 

More Articles From The Happiness Function:

• From Glaciers to Geysers: 16 Best Things To Do in Iceland
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I traveled beyond the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights. Here are 4 things to know before you go.

• I traveled north of the Arctic Circle to a tiny village in Finland for a chance to see the northern lights.
• I booked a tour as far north as I could afford for the best chance of seeing the colorful auroras.
• The location made viewing the northern lights easier, but they were different than I expected.

In February, I finally checked off one of my top bucket list items — seeing the aurora borealis, better known as the northern lights.

The auroras occur when charged solar particles from the sun interact with the Earth's upper atmosphere, resulting in an array of colorful lights beaming from the planet's poles. They occur year-round but can only be seen in winter months during the long polar nights.

I journeyed all the way to Finland's northernmost municipality, Utsjoki, about 280 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The trek required two plane rides from New York to Ivalo, Finland, via Helsinki, plus a two-hour drive deep into the snow-covered Lapland.

The secluded village is home to Aurora Holidays , the tour company I used for my trip. I paid about $2,000 total, which included guides, full room and board, a village tour, reindeer feeding, a king crab fishing trip in Norway, and dog sledding — though prices have increased since I booked. Flights on Finnair were another $1,000.

Aurora Holidays boasts a 100% success rate over five years of seeing the auroras thanks to a lack of light pollution in the northern location — and, fortunately, the streak continued on my trip.

Here are four things to know when planning a trip to see the aurora lights and why I recommend getting as far north as possible to maximize your chances — even if it means facing bone-chilling temperatures and relying on a little bit of luck.

Location, location, location

While recent environmental phenomena have made the northern lights visible in places as far south as England and Denmark, the aurora borealis are best viewed within the Article Circle.

The far north is hard to reach, though, and popular viewing spots like Fairbanks, Alaska, Tromsø, Norway, and Canada's Northwest Territories sit below the 66° 34' N latitude that defines the region.

Plus, these often-crowded tourist destinations have light pollution that requires people to venture out of the city into darker areas to see the lights.

Utsjoki, however, is so remote that it offers complete darkness during the long polar nights. Even better, my accommodation was perfectly situated facing north across Lapland — meaning I could see the auroras from my cabin porch.

"A lot of people don't know that for the highest possibilities to see the lights, location matters," Aurora Holiday's owner, Tiina Salonen, told me during the tour. "The rule of thumb is that the further north you travel, the less [solar] activity you need to have lights in the sky."

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Other places within the Arctic Circle, like Abisko National Park in Sweden or Ilulissat, Greenland, are also good viewing spots.

Pack for below-zero temperatures

During my trip, the temperature reached -8°F, which is even colder than what I experienced in Antarctica . Fortunately, my previous polar expedition taught me how to pack.

I opted for a merino wool base layer from REI, which I prefer due to its moisture-wicking abilities . I also wore a fleece pullover and a Kathmandu puffer as my mid-layers and a 600-fill jacket as my shell. I also wore snow pants, ski gloves, wool socks, a fleece buff, a beanie, and hiking boots.

All of that combined, I was easily warm enough to stand outside under the lights. I also recommend bringing hand and foot warmers if you plan to do other winter activities like snowshoeing or snowmobiling.

One thing to remember about going to extremely remote places like northern Lapland is how far you are away from a proper hospital — the closest to Utsjoki being a few hour's drive, according to Tiina. Wearing the right clothes to prevent frost bite or illness is important, but it wouldn't hurt to get travel insurance , too — just in case.

The vibrant colors that appear in photos are not what humans see

Not every color of the northern auroras is visible to the naked eye. During my trip, I could clearly see streaks of green and white, but the intensity and array of colors were more vivid in photos taken on my iPhone.

Tiina explained this is because cameras can take in more light than a human's nighttime vision can, therefore allowing it to capture otherwise invisible colors, like pink, red, and purple.

I'll admit that the auroras were much fainter than I expected, but that didn't take away from the beauty. Nevertheless, some people may be disappointed it isn't the extravagant Disney-like display social media sometimes makes it seem.

Seeing the lights takes a little bit of luck

During my six-day, five-night tour in Utsjoki, we only saw the auroras once — which is the reality of lights chasing, and why I booked a longer vacation to better my odds of seeing them.

That night was perfectly clear, and the solar activity was relatively strong, allowing the beautiful green beams to dance across the sky. The other nights, however, were too cloudy to see anything.

"The lights are there, but if it is super cloudy — we can't, of course, see them," Tiina told me. I noticed this when I was further south in Ivalo before and after the tour in Utsjoki. I couldn't see the auroras either night I was there due to the clouds, even though the online tracker said they were out.

Sometimes tour companies like Tiina's can drive around to find pockets where the auroras are visible, but it's not always possible — which makes seeing the lights a roll of the dice and why I now warn people to manage their expectations before booking a trip.

"Even here in Utsjoki, we cannot guarantee the lights — after all, it is a natural phenomenon, and Mother Nature is in charge," Tiina said.

Watch: What upstate New York looks like after record winter storm

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