Seeing the Northern Lights is an amazing experience! This article provides details on how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. From where to see the Northern Lights in Iceland to tips we’ve got you covered!
As we presented in a previous article, Iceland is home to some amazing attractions, some of them being great places to see the northern lights in Iceland too.
What are the Northern Lights
The Northern Lights – or Aurora Borealis or polar lights are in fact disturbances in Earth’s magnetic field. The predominant colour is green, but the lights can also be red, purple, and blue.
The Northern Lights are most commonly seen in the polar regions during the winter months when the nights are longer, and the sky is darker.
Best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
The best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are from September to mid-April. Usually, the best months in this interval are December and January.
Obviously, the Aurora Borealis is visible during the night – the best hours are from 9 PM to 2 AM.
How to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland
If you are planning a trip to Iceland and want to see the Aurora Borealis, the first thing to know is that there is no guarantee that you will be able to see it. It is a natural phenomenon, so it is not something that people can influence. However, there are a few tips to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland (see the section below too.)
Tip 1: Check the aurora forecast in advance. This is a prediction of the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights based on various factors such as solar activity, cloud cover, and geomagnetic activity and it is offered by several sites and apps.
Tip 2: Go near a city to be able to fully enjoy the northern lights. You can rent a car in Iceland and, planning your trip in advance, you can go to one of the many places that offer a great view of the aurora borealis. This is why exploring Iceland on a self drive is the best option for such a trip!
Tip 3: Make sure you are prepared for the cold weather – pack layers of warm clothes and make sure you have gloves and boots that keep you warm!
Tip 4: Try to be flexible – if possible, keep your Iceland itinerary flexible so that, while keeping an eye on the aurora forecast, you can go to the chosen destination to see the northern lights at the best time.
Where to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
There are several best places to see the northern lights in Iceland. They are all away from the city, in places with…