The Northern lights

The extreme darkness of Icelandic winter has a few perks. Between September and April, Icelanders are treated to a magnificent natural display: the phenomenon of aurora borealis, or what we commonly call the Northern Lights.

The Aurora Borealis takes its name from the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek word for the north wind, Boreas. From September to April, Iceland is a hotspot for this magnificent light show.

Why Iceland is a great place to see the Northern Lights

Iceland’s location close to the Arctic Circle places it within the auroral zone, making it one of the world’s best destinations for seeing the Northern Lights. During the darker months, aurora displays can be visible across the country when skies are clear and solar activity is favorable.

What makes Iceland particularly rewarding is the variety of settings. You might see the lights above a waterfall, glacier, black sand beach, mountain landscape, or simply step outside your countryside accommodation and look up. And you don’t always need to travel far: on a clear, active night, the Northern Lights are often visible from Reykjavík as well.

On clear winter nights, sightseeing trips are organized around this spectacular—though fickle—natural phenomenon. The ideal location for sightings varies, and excursion leaders are skilled at "hunting" the lights, finding locations where conditions are best for seeing them on any given night.

There are no guarantees that you will see the Northern Lights during your stay. Still, in most cases, sightings are greatly improved outside populated areas, especially away from the light pollution of the capital. Several hotels in the countryside offer a special Northern Lights wake-up call if the lights are shining. 

How to Spot the Northern Lights - Patience Is the Key

First, you need darkness and clear skies, or at least openings in the cloud cover. If the weather cooperates, you are already halfway there. You can check weather conditions, cloud cover, and aurora activity on the Icelandic Met Office Website and Auroraforecast.is.

Once you have dark, clear skies, the next thing to check is the aurora forecast. The stronger the activity, the better your chances of seeing a display. The Northern Lights can occur year-round at any time of day or night, although they are only visible when the sky is dark enough.

When the Northern Lights begin to appear, they may start as a faint arc or glow before growing brighter and moving across the sky. Keep looking in all directions, as the aurora can appear anywhere overhead when activity is strong. Hunting for the Northern Lights requires patience, but when conditions come together, the wait can be well worth it.

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

The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter, between September and April when dark and long nights have replaced the bright summer nights in Iceland. The Northern lights are said to be most active around the equinoxes in September and March, but the chances also improve mid-winter by bringing more darkness—it simply gives you a larger window each day to witness them.

Northern Lights tips

• Give yourself several nights
• Check both cloud cover and aurora activity
• You don't necessarily need a tour
• Road safety matters
• Dress for standing still
• Let your eyes adjust
• Don't judge the aurora only by a phone camera

How to Take a Photo of the Northern Lights

Capturing the Northern Lights requires the right equipment and a bit of technique. A sturdy tripod is essential to keeping your camera steady, and a cable release can help avoid shaky photos. No cable release? No problem—just set your camera’s self-timer to a 2-10-second delay if your settings allow.

Experimentation is key because there’s no one-size-fits-all camera setting for perfect shots. If your camera has manual options, try these starting points: ISO between 800 and 3200, aperture between f/2.8 and f/5.6, and shutter speed between 15 and 30 seconds. Adjust as needed to find the combination that works best for your conditions.

Different combinations may give very different results. Higher ISO settings will allow you to capture faster exposures but may also result in grainier images. Note that shutter speeds above 15 seconds will result in slight star movement. Wide-angle lenses are usually more versatile in low-light settings, but longer lenses offer different composition options. Ensure you remove all lens filters, as they may distort images. You will probably get the best results with manual settings for infinite focal length.

How to take a photo of the Northern Lights with your smartphone

Thankfully, you don't need a high-end full-frame camera and expensive wide-angled lenses with 1.2 aperture—although those are excellent choices. Advancements in smartphone technology now allow us to capture the Northern Lights and other low-light scenes effectively. The settings are relatively easy, and the results can be stunning. Experiment and practice your setup before you get out in the field! The more you practice, the better (and faster) you'll get. Before heading out, familiarize yourself with your device's settings and practice; tweaking settings with cold fingers is less fun. Remember to dress warmly!
Learn all about how to take a photo of the Northern Lights with a smartphone

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

The best time to see the Northern Lights is during the winter, between September and April when dark and long nights have replaced the bright summer nights in Iceland. The Northern lights are said to be most active around the equinoxes in September and March, but the chances also improve mid-winter by bringing more darkness—it simply gives you a larger window each day to witness them.

Find a Northern Lights tour operator