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- More Places To See The Northern Lights In Iceland
Thanks to the 8-month-long aurora season, travelers have incredible chances to witness the northern lights. These breathtaking blue and green lights top almost every tourist’s bucket list. Also referred to as the Aurora Borealis, these Northern Lights are best seen in Iceland, as they appear almost every night, unlike in other places like Scandinavia. Iceland’s variety of breathtaking landscapes, from stunning waterfalls, cliffs, and glaciers to unique rock formations and beautiful mountains, create unique opportunities for taking pictures of the lights as they hover overhead. But where in Iceland can travelers best experience these auroras? Well, here are the 14 places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland.
UPDATE: 2023/01/08 21:14 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Places To See The Northern Lights In Iceland
Iceland is one of the most magical places in the world, and it is famous for being a place to see the Northern Lights. This article was updated to include more places to see the Northern Lights in the North Atlantic island country. The Northern Lights are visible all over Iceland, so it is likely to be much more important to have clear skies than worry about exactly where one is in Iceland.
14 Klambratún Park
Located a short distance from Reykjavík's center is one of the most ideal places in Iceland to enjoy the fascinating views of the Northern Lights. The surrounding trees in the park help to block light pollution from the nearby buildings, thereby offering tourists a perfect chance to spot the striking Aurora Borealis, especially from the middle of the park. Besides, the park’s location right at the center of Iceland's capital is an added advantage. Once tourists are done exploring this beautiful park and enjoying the magnificent views of the famed Hallgrimskikja church, they can settle somewhere in the middle of the park and wait for these spectacular lights to show.
13 Oskjuhlíd
This is a perfect spot to experience the Northern Lights, especially for travelers staying in the capital city. About a five-minute drive from the heart of Reykjavík's downtown, this forested hill is both a historic site and an excellent place to engage in outdoor recreation. The area used to be a defense post during World War II for the British army, and the remains of the early shelters and army barracks are all that is left to tell the amazing story. The locals have been growing trees on the hills since the 1950s, plants that have made the area one of Iceland’s best places to see the Northern Lights. The area has not much light pollution because it is mounted away from the heart of downtown, making it a spot not to be missed for the breathtaking views of the Aurora Borealis.
12 Lake Hvaleyrarvatn
Situated about a 20-minute drive from the capital, Lake Hvaleyrarvatn in the town of Hafnarfjörður is another incredible place to experience the spectacular Northern Lights. One can always head to this magnificent lake earlier in the day and explore its beautiful landscape surrounded by trees. At dusk, after exploring the lake, travelers can find a perfect spot in the area and wait for the stunning lights to display. Sometimes look over the lake for a reflection of the dancing waves of the lights as they hoover up the sky.
11 Grotta Lighthouse
Standing at the end of the Seltjarnarnes peninsula is Grotta Lighthouse, from which one can view the lights at their most spectacular. With very minimal light pollution on this peninsula, visitors stand an incredible chance of spotting the Northern Lights. Located about a 5-minute drive from the city center of the capital, Grotta Lighthouse is the spot to explore the natural beauty of Iceland, thanks to its picturesque rocky coastline with beautiful black sand. Tourists can visit this place during the day to enjoy birdwatching and wait for the Northern Lights as the night falls.
10 Jokulsarlon
Brimming with floating icebergs and water from the melting glacier located nearby, Jokulsarlon offers an experience of a lifetime. Exploring the deep lagoon is actually of the most impressive things to do when visiting Iceland. A boat tour to experience the melting glacier up close offers an unforgettable memory. After witnessing its unique nature, settle somewhere and wait for the Northern Lights at night. Jokulsarlon is undoubtedly one of Iceland’s best spots to see the Aurora Borealis. Being situated in Vatnajokull National Park, the lagoon has no light pollution, and visitors will see the Northern Lights clearly from there.
9 Laugardalur
Located on Reykjavik’s outskirts, Laugardalur is a perfect place to engage in outdoor activities, thanks to the numerous hiking trails and sports centers. The area hosts Reykjavik's largest outdoor thermal pool, where travelers can enjoy swimming all year round. The area also boasts a spectacular botanical garden with incredible Arctic flowers and plant selection. Explore the beautiful surrounding of this valley until dusk to now witness the breathtaking views of the Northern Lights. The lack of light pollution in the region makes the place excellent for one of the most mesmerizing experiences of the Aurora Borealis.
8 Skogafoss
With its remote position near the Eyjafllajokull volcano, where there is absolutely no light pollution, Skogafoss, one of the most iconic waterfalls in Iceland, is an amazing spot for experiencing the Northern Lights. With falls facing north, and since the Northern Lights come from the northern direction, its location is perfect for viewing the aurora at its most impressive. The only drawback of targeting this place for the Northern Lights is that it's famous for aurora viewing. So, it is always full of photographers and other visitors scrambling for perfect viewing opportunities.
7 Thingvellir National Park
Situated about a 45-minute drive from the capital, Thingvellir National Park holds a special place in the country thanks to its rich history and natural beauty, making it a top destination in Iceland. The first parliament in the country was founded in this place. It is also the meeting point of two tectonic plates, the American and Eurasian. There is so much to explore in this park that visitors won't exhaust in a day. Apart from being a natural beauty, Thingvellir is one of the best places to go on a Northern Lights tour, thanks to its unique landscape filled with dark skies and rocks.
6 Lake Kleifarvatn
Situated on the Reykjanes Peninsula, lake kleifarvatn is among South Iceland's largest lakes. The area is surrounded by active volcanoes, beautiful black sandy beaches, and underwater hot springs, making it an ideal spot for adventures. Snorkeling is among the activities one can enjoy on this beautiful lake. Located about 30 minutes from the capital, this lake is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Not only does it lack light pollution, but its dark skies and fewer crowds make the aurora viewing memorable.
5 Gardur
Located on the Reykjanes Peninsula, about a 45-minute drive from downtown Reykjavik, Gardur offers magnificent views of the Northern Lights in Iceland. It is an enchanting fishing village at the northern edge of the peninsula, a short distance from the Keflavik International Airport. This is a perfect place for birdwatching as numerous seabirds are nesting along the cliffs on the village's shores. For the Northern Lights, the Gardskagi lighthouses are the best spots to see them; whether wandering the beach or witnessing from the top of the newest lighthouse, the experience is one not to forget.
4 Arctic Henge
Arctic Henge is one of the most bizarre attractions in Iceland is located in a remote part of the country north of the (mostly abandoned) fishing village of Raufarhöfn. Here the Arctic Henge overlooks the Arctic Ocean. The structure is massive and has four giant gates meant to symbolize the four seasons. Arctic Henge remains under construction (it is a long-term project), and the experience of visiting goes to a whole new level if one sees it under the Northern Lights.
3 The Thridranger Lighthouse
The Thridranger Lighthouse is one of the most eye-catching attractions in Iceland. To see it with the Northern Lights overhead would make the magical place all the more majestic. The Thridranger Lighthouse is only accessible by helicopter, even though it was built before the age of the helicopter. It is dramatically set on a massive pillar jutting up out of the sea.
2 The Island Of Elliðaey
The island of Elliðaey is part of the Westman Islands and is a tiny green but treeless island with no permanent population. What makes it remarkable is having a hunting lodge that looks like the loneliest house in Iceland. To get to the island, there are two mooring spots, and there is a road located on the lower east side of the tiny island. The island has plenty of puffins, and the isolated and lonely nature of the island just might enhance the experience of watching the Northern Lights.
1 Literally Anywhere With Clear Skies
The Northern Lights are visible all over Iceland, so it doesn't really matter where one is. It is much more important for the skies to be clear and to be away from light pollution (with only 372,000 people and only one center resembling a city, it shouldn't be difficult to get away from the lights). One's biggest enemy to seeing the Northern Lights is likely to be the weather - try to time a visit for when there are no clouds.