How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland: A Complete Guide

Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is an unforgettable experience. The green, pink, and violet lights dancing across the sky leave a lasting impression. But as magical as it is, aurora hunting requires both luck and preparation.

Based on our experience, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show tends to happen about once a month—sometimes more, sometimes less, while smaller displays may appear more frequently. That’s why we want to offer you a realistic and honest guide to increase your chances of seeing the auroras while visiting Iceland.

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

The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from early September to early-April. The darkest months, October through March, offer the best visibility. The key ingredients for seeing auroras are:

• Dark skies (no sunlight or full moon)

• Clear weather (cloud-free sky)

• Low light pollution

• Moderate to strong solar activity

  
  

Even with perfect conditions, the aurora may be faint or not visible at all. Patience and flexibility are essential.

Our tip:

Plan for at least 6-7 nights in Iceland and stay somewhere away from city lights. At the Mirror Suite, you can watch the sky from bed, or step into the outdoor hot tub for a 360° view with no streetlights or nearby buildings.

How to Increase Your Chances: Skills, Luck & Tools

Northern Lights hunting is a skill, but there’s always an element of luck involved. That’s why it helps to understand how to read the sky and use the right tools.

1. Use the Aurora Forecast

Check the official aurora forecast on vedur.is or download aurora apps that show the KP index (intensity scale from 0–9). A KP index of 3 or higher can be promising if the sky is clear.

2. Check the Cloud Cover Map

Even with strong aurora activity, clouds will block your view. Use the cloud map on vedur.is to find areas with less cloud cover. Sometimes, a short drive to a nearby area with clear skies makes all the difference.

3. Use a Light Pollution Map

Stay away from populated areas and artificial light. Use websites like lightpollutionmap.info to find dark-sky zones. Even a 15-minute drive away from town can improve your visibility significantly.

4. Be Mobile

If conditions at your accommodation aren’t ideal, use your car to chase better skies. Some of the most amazing displays happen just beyond the next mountain ridge, where it’s darker and clearer.

5. Be Patient

The aurora doesn't follow a fixed schedule. It may appear for just 5 minutes—or stay for an hour. Give yourself time. Dress warmly and be ready to wait.

Where Are the Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Some regions of Iceland are known for frequent and strong aurora displays, especially in areas with stable weather patterns and low light pollution.

Top Northern Lights Locations:

• West Iceland (including Búðardalur): less cloud cover and fewer tourists

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula: dramatic landscapes and dark skies

• South Coast (Vík, Jökulsárlón): stunning backdrop but often cloudy

• East Iceland & the Highlands: low light pollution but few accomodations

  
  

At The Mirror Suite, our guests can enjoy auroras without ever leaving the room. Thanks to our remote location, you get clear northern views, ideal for spotting the lights as they rise from the horizon.

What to Bring for Northern Lights Hunting

Whether you’re watching from your suite or heading out by car, it helps to come prepared.

Essentials:

• Warm, layered clothing (thermal underwear, wool socks, windproof jacket)

• Tripod and camera with manual settings (or phone with Night Mode)

• Flashlight or headlamp (preferably with a red light option)

• Thermos with hot tea or chocolate

• Portable battery pack (cold weather drains batteries fast)

If you're staying at the Mirror Suite, you can also request extra blankets or use the outdoor hot tub to keep warm during longer viewing sessions.

How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Capturing the aurora is part of the fun. Here’s how to get a good shot:

• Use manual mode on your camera

• Set ISO to 800–3200

• Use long exposure (between 10–30 seconds)

• Focus to infinity

• Use a tripod and remote shutter or timer

• Avoid light sources in the frame

Phone tips:

• Use Night Mode or a dedicated low-light app

• Stabilize your phone with a tripod or steady surface

• Avoid flash and set manual ISO (800–3200) and shutter speed (1–30 seconds depending on brightness)

  
  

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Your Trip

Don’t schedule your trip only for the Northern Lights. Include other winter or nature experiences—glaciers, waterfalls, geothermal baths—so you can enjoy Iceland no matter the aurora forecast. But when the lights do come out, the reward is unforgettable.

Staying at The Mirror Suite gives you quiet skies, full privacy, and instant access to nature. Whether you’re watching from the hot tub or wrapped in a blanket indoors, it’s a magical way to experience Iceland’s night sky.

FAQs – Northern Lights in Iceland

What are the Northern Lights?

The Northern Lights are a natural light phenomenon caused by solar particles colliding with gases in Earth’s upper atmosphere. The result? A sky lit up with flowing colors—most commonly green, but also pink, red, blue, and purple during stronger activity.

Different gases produce different colors:

• Oxygen creates green and red auroras

• Nitrogen contributes to blue and purple tones

These lights occur near the magnetic poles, making Iceland one of the best places in the world to view them.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Yes, Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights thanks to its northern latitude, low light pollution, and long winter nights.

How often do the Northern Lights happen in Iceland?

Strong and vibrant displays tend to happen about once or twice a month, based on local experience. Fainter activity may occur more frequently but can be harder to see. Cloud cover, solar activity, and light pollution all influence how often and how clearly the auroras are visible.

Do you need cold weather to see the Northern Lights?

No. Temperature doesn’t affect aurora visibility. What matters is darkness, clear skies, and solar activity.

Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Anywhere with dark skies and low cloud cover.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed in Iceland?

No. It depends on solar activity and weather conditions. But if you stay several nights and follow the forecasts, your chances increase.

Can you see the Northern Lights from Reykjavík?

Sometimes, yes—but the light pollution makes it harder. We recommend traveling at least 30 minutes outside the city for better visibility.

Do I need to take a tour to see the Northern Lights?

No. You can go aurora hunting on your own if you have a car and check the forecast.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland in summer?

No. From May to July, Iceland has near-constant daylight, so the auroras are not visible during these months.

What camera settings should I use for the Northern Lights?

For DSLRs: ISO 800–3200, long exposure (10–30s), manual focus to infinity. For smartphones: Night Mode or long-exposure apps, and keep the phone still with a tripod.