What’s the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland? That’s what we’re here to share with you. As you’ll likely know, winter is best—but it’s a little more nuanced than that. In this practical guide to the northern lights, you’ll discover everything you need to have the best experience possible.

• Explore the best Iceland northern lights tours to get started

What’s the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?

The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is in winter. Northern lights tours run in Iceland throughout the winter season, from September to April. That’s because this is when nights are dark and long, giving you the best conditions to see this incredible display.

The best moments in winter are the months of November, December, and January, the very darkest months of the year. Throughout this season, you can expect very long nights—with up to 20 hours of darkness—creating the perfect conditions to see the northern lights in all their glory.

But there’s a twist. Obviously, we can’t see the northern lights when it’s cloudy. That means that your hunt for the aurora borealis will be highly weather-dependent—and this something you’ll need to keep in mind when you’re booking your tour.

• Discover more: Iceland in winter: Your complete guide

What are the northern lights?

It’s no exaggeration to say that the northern lights are one of the most incredible, mysterious experiences you can have on planet earth. Otherwise known as the aurora borealis, this is a mesmerising display that’s captured our imagination over thousands of years.

The northern lights are the result of chemical reactions on the sun. Huge explosions on the sun’s surface—known as solar storms—release charged particles into space, which make their way towards earth. If it wasn’t for the earth’s unique atmosphere, this would be incredibly dangerous for us.

However, the atmosphere protects us and the particles are pulled down to the earth’s poles by the planet’s magnetic field. When looking at the northern lights, you’re actually seeing these particles crash into the molecules in the atmosphere, some 100 miles (160 kilometres) above our heads.

It’s a terribly violent process, but one that’s exquisitely beautiful too. It’s definitely something you should see at least once in your life.

• Find out more: Northern lights in Iceland: Your guide

What’s the best month to see the northern lights in Iceland?

The best month to see the northern lights in Iceland is December, as it’s the month when the nights are longest and darkest. As a result, you have the opportunity to see the aurora borealis from the hours of 15:30 in the afternoon to 11:30 in the morning.

But most visitors won’t be out hunting the northern lights for all of this time, though. That’s why November and January are great months to see the northern lights. You even have a good chance of seeing the aurora borealis between September and April too.

To be honest, the only months in which you aren’t likely to have any luck are the summer months. At this time, the nights are too short—and they often don’t even get fully dark at all.

What’s the best time of day to see the northern lights in Iceland?

The best time of day to see the northern lights is the middle of the night, typically from 23:00 to 02:00. Why? Because this is the darkest moment of the night, when the aurora borealis is clearest against the sky.

While it might feel that after midnight is a little too late to stay up, the good news is that it doesn’t exclusively happen then. You can see the northern lights as soon as it gets completely dark—and that can be as early as 16:00 during the winter.

What are the best conditions to see the northern lights in Iceland?

The best conditions to see the northern lights in Iceland include clear skies and very dark nights. Iceland frequently offers both throughout the winter.

• Very low light. When it comes to seeing the aurora borealis, the darker the better. While that obviously means that the winter months are best, it also means that where you look for the northern lights will make a difference. For example, it’s typically better to be in the middle of nowhere without any light pollution than in downtown Reykjavik.

• Clear skies. Cloud cover will make it impossible to see the northern lights. Meanwhile, rain (or snow) will make it a little unpleasant to sit out and wait for the aurora to appear. While Iceland’s volatile weather is usually seen as a drawback, it does mean that cloudy skies are not always cloudy for long.

• Strong solar activity. It’s not just what happens down here on earth that matters for the northern lights. The sun itself needs the right conditions too. According to scientists, the sun follows different phases, with intense activity happening every 11 years at a time known as “solar maximum”. It’s predicted the next period is between 2023 and 2025.

While these are the best conditions, they don’t need to be perfect for you to see the northern lights. For example, while clear skies are a must, you can still see the northern lights when it is not solar maximum.

Best tours to see the northern lights in Iceland

While you can see the northern lights on your own, most visitors don’t really know where to go—and most don’t have the expert knowledge to read the conditions well. That’s why northern lights tours are always popular, because you’ll be taken to the exact spot where your chances of seeing the northern lights are highest on any given night.

However, not every northern lights tour is the same. Instead, you have many options to choose from, including different destinations you might prefer and extra activities too.

Read on to explore some of the most popular northern lights tours in Iceland. Before you do, though, one thing: with Reykjavik Excursions, if you don’t see the northern lights on your booked tour, we’ll give you a free ticket to another tour to double your chances.

The classic northern lights tour

Our best-selling northern lights tour runs throughout the winter months—from September to April. We’ll pick you up in Reykjavik at 21:00 and take you wherever you’ll have the best chances to see the aurora borealis, depending on the night.

Led by an expert guide, it’s not just this miraculous display that you’ll experience. You’ll also learn the best conditions for seeing—and photographing—the northern lights too.

• Book now: Classic northern lights tour

Northern lights small group tour

If you would prefer your northern lights tour to be a little more intimate, a small group tour could be the right option for you. Again, you’ll be taken to the best location to see the lights, but you’ll have more dedicated time with your expert guide—who can help you take photos too.

• Book now: Northern lights small group tour

Northern lights and Geothermal Baths tour

Another option for combining the magic of the northern lights with a relaxing spa experience is on a northern lights and Geothermal Baths tour. This time, you’ll head to the Laugarvatn Fontana baths, in the heart of the Golden Circle. It’s a beautiful spa experience—and often you can see the northern lights right above your head.

• Book now: Northern lights and hot baths tour

Frequently asked questions about the northern lights in Iceland

Maybe you have another question that we haven’t managed to answer already. Here are some common questions visitors have about the northern lights in Iceland.

When can you see the northern lights in Iceland 2022?

You can see the northern lights in Iceland in 2022 at the same times as you would see them in any other year. The winter months are best—particularly November, December, and January—but conditions can change from day to day throughout the season.

The good news is that, in 2022, we’re slowly approaching the solar maximum, the period every 11 years when solar activity is at its peak. That means that the northern lights are getting more dramatic, until activity will likely drop again after 2025.

What is the best month to visit Iceland?

Every month is a good month to visit Iceland, but what you do when you get here may change depending on the season.

For example, in the summer months, the days are long and the weather is stable. This is the season for outdoor activities, camping out, and enjoying the miracle of the midnight sun.

On the other hand, winter is darker, colder, and the landscape becomes covered in snow. It’s no less beautiful—in fact, many may say it’s more so—but there are fewer visitors and it’s a little more difficult to get around.

So, the best month to visit Iceland depends entirely on what you prefer. But the important thing is that if you’re coming to Iceland to see the northern lights, that’s only possible during the winter months.

• Find out more: The best time to visit Iceland: Your guide

What are the chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland?

Your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland are really very high. Thanks to Iceland’s very northern location, its low levels of light pollution across the island, and its dark winters, there are few places in the world where your chances are higher.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that seeing the northern lights is a certainty. But if you book a tour with Reykjavik Excursions and you don’t see the northern lights, we’ll give you a free ticket to join a later tour, to double your chances.

Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavik?

Yes, it’s possible to see the northern lights from Reykjavik. As it’s the most densely populated part of Iceland, light pollution is higher than elsewhere—making the aurora borealis appear a little less vivid than elsewhere. However, we frequently see the northern lights here too.

That’s because there are many dark spots in the city and surrounding areas. As we mentioned above, the Seltjarnarnes Nature Reserve is a good place to see the northern lights in Reykjavik, while the hill of Öskjuhlíð, or Videy Island, are both convenient locations too.

Can you see the northern lights from the Sky Lagoon?

Yes, you can often see the northern lights from the Sky Lagoon. Overlooking the North Atlantic ocean, light pollution is often low, meaning that the aurora borealis are clearly visible.

That’s why we run tours that include both the Sky Lagoon and a northern lights experience. If you don’t see the northern lights from the spa itself, we’ll take you to a place nearby where you can.

• Discover more: Your complete guide to the Sky Lagoon

Can you see the northern lights from the Blue Lagoon?

Like the rest of Iceland, it’s possible to see the northern lights from the Blue Lagoon. In fact, it’s quite a good location for it, because the spa is surrounded by moss-covered hills, meaning light pollution is low.

Of course, a sighting can’t be guaranteed, but your chances are good.

• Discover more: Iceland’s Blue Lagoon: Your complete guide

Is 2022 a good year to see the northern lights?

2022 has so far been a good year to see the northern lights. We’re expecting the winter of 2022/23 to be a great winter too.

That’s because solar activity is increasing before it reaches solar maximum—the period of most intense solar activity—forecast for between 2023 and 2025.

Do the northern lights happen every night?

There’s no guarantee of seeing the northern lights on any night of the year. But while you might not see them, the processes that cause the northern lights are happening all year round.

That’s all down to solar activity. Solar storms can happen as often as a few times a day, meaning that it's likely that the northern lights will happen every night.

See the northern lights with Reykjavik Excursions

Come and experience the wonder of the northern lights with Reykjavik Excursions.

Joining a tour will increase your chances of seeing the northern lights and teach you the incredible science behind this spectacle. Led by expert guides to the exact spot where you’re most likely to experience this awesome display, it’s the smartest way to avoid disappointment.

There are tours to suit every taste, from spa experiences to small group trips. And if you have something very specific in mind, we can help you customise your journey too.

Explore our northern lights tours in Iceland to get started.