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ICELAND IN WINTER TRAVEL GUIDE: ROADS, CLOTHING, DAYLIGHT & NORTHERN LIGHTS

Winter Roads in Iceland

What To Wear in Winter

How to Chase the Northern Lights

Winter in Iceland is a season of extremes: dramatic landscapes, long nights, and the possibility of witnessing one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena.
While unforgettable, winter travel also requires preparation.

This guide covers winter road conditions, what to wear, limited daylight, and how to improve your chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Northern Lights over Blue Lagoon, Iceland

Join our Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour for the ultiimate Icelandic winter experience

Winter roads in Iceland

What to wear in winter

Daylight hours during winter

Northern Lights in Iceland

Guided tours or independent aurora hunting?

Winter Roads in Iceland

Driving in Iceland during winter can be beautiful but challenging. Snow-covered roads, icy patches, strong winds, and rapidly changing weather are common, especially outside populated areas.

Travelers planning to look for the aurora on their own should understand safe winter routes and common driving mistakes, particularly when heading away from city lights late at night. It is always best to consult our guide on driving yourself to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, to discover why wind, visibility, and stopping in unsafe places are among the biggest winter risks, and learn how to avoid them.

Checking road conditions in advance and driving conservatively are essential parts of winter travel in Iceland.

What to Wear in Iceland in Winter

Staying warm in Iceland is less about extreme cold and more about wind, moisture, and time spent outdoors.

A proper winter outfit starts with thermal base layers, ideally wool, followed by an insulating mid-layer such as fleece or down. A waterproof and windproof outer shell is essential, as Icelandic wind can significantly lower perceived temperatures. Warm socks, insulated gloves, and waterproof boots are especially important when standing still outdoors.

This becomes particularly important during Northern Lights watching, which often involves waiting outside for long periods. Being dressed correctly allows you to stay out longer and enjoy the experience rather than cutting the night short.

Check out our Ultimate Guide to Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland for more information on how to make your Aurora dream come true.

Looking for the best Northern Lights Tour? Let us help you choose the perfect experience here.

Magnificent view from a natural ice cave

Gear Up and brave the Glacier in the winter, with our 2-day winter South Coast package

Aerial view of the Sky Lagoon at sunset

Sunset at the Sky Lagoon

Daylight Hours During Winter

Winter daylight in Iceland is limited but atmospheric.

From late November through January, daylight may last only four to five hours, creating long twilight periods ideal for photography. As winter progresses, daylight increases quickly, allowing more time for sightseeing while still preserving long, dark evenings: perfect for aurora viewing.

Because of this balance, many visitors plan their sightseeing during the day and reserve evenings specifically for watching the sky.

Make the most out of your northern lights experience with our expert´s guide on How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Northern Lights at Skógafoss

Join our superjeep tour and get a chance to see the Northern Lights over the Icelandic wilderness

Northern Lights in Iceland

The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, occur when charged particles from the sun interact with Earth’s atmosphere, creating shimmering waves of light across the night sky.

The aurora season in Iceland typically runs from late August until mid-April, with winter offering the longest and darkest nights. Displays can appear suddenly, fade, and return again — making patience essential.

Understanding how the aurora works, when it appears, and what conditions affect visibility can greatly improve your chances of seeing it. A detailed explanation of these factors, including solar activity, cloud cover, and darkness, is available in our overview of All you need to know about the Northern Lights.

Guided Tours or Independent Aurora Hunting?

Some travelers prefer the flexibility of searching for the aurora independently, while others choose guided excursions to avoid winter driving and benefit from local expertise.

If renting a car is your favoured option, keep in mind the potential challenges of the Icelandic winter. Check out our Driving Yourself to See the Northern Lights: Safe Routes, Tips, and Mistakes to Avoid guide and learn more about independent travelling in the Arctic.

For those who prefer the comfort of a guided tour, there are many types of Northern Lights excursions possible. Availabilities include small-group minibus tours, superjeep adventures into remote areas, photography-focused tours, and even boat tours that offer darker skies away from city lights.

Those looking specifically for organized excursions can also explore a selection of Northern Lights excursions from Reykjavík, covering land- and sea-based experiences.

Superjeep under the northern lights

Northern Lights Superjeep Tour

Final Thoughts

Winter in Iceland offers fewer crowds, dramatic landscapes, and some of the best conditions in the world for Northern Lights viewing. With the right clothing, careful road planning, and a realistic understanding of winter conditions, it can be an extraordinary experience.

Whether you explore independently or join a guided Northern Lights tour, Iceland in winter rewards preparation with silence, darkness, and skies that often come alive with color.

 

Northern Lights in the east fjords of Iceland

Auroras in the east fjords of Iceland

Join us on a guided Northern Lights Tour

Skip the stress of winter driving in the dark and join a group of like-minded adventurers on a guided Northern Lights hunt.
NORTHERN LIGHTS SMALL GROUP SUPERJEEP TOUR WITH PHOTOGRAPHER

NORTHERN LIGHTS SMALL GROUP SUPERJEEP TOUR WITH PHOTOGRAPHER

NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPERJEEP TOUR

NORTHERN LIGHTS SUPERJEEP TOUR

N. 1 NORTHERN LIGHTS MINIBUS TOUR

N. 1 NORTHERN LIGHTS MINIBUS TOUR

PRIVATE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS

PRIVATE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR WITH PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS

GOLDEN CIRCLE, BLUE LAGOON & NORTHERN LIGHTS

GOLDEN CIRCLE, BLUE LAGOON & NORTHERN LIGHTS

FAQ about the Northern Lights

When can I see northern lights in Iceland ?
The northern lights season in Iceland begins in late August and continues through mid/late April. During this long period, Iceland experiences sufficient darkness for the Aurora to be visible at night. However, chances of experiencing the northern lights vary depending on the time of year. Find out which months are the best for seeing the Aurora here.
Why can't I see any northern lights in the summer ?
To be able to see the northern lights you need sufficient darkness. During summer we have what we call the “midnight sun”, meaning that there are no hours of actual nighttime darkness. These conditions are perfect for late night hiking and exploring, but make it impossible for us to observe the Aurora in Iceland between May and early August. Want to know more about light conditions in Iceland? Check the sun graph and learn about twilight and dusk in Iceland.
What time do the northern lights show up?
Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9:00pm and 1:00am, but they may appear at any time as long as it is dark (and the sky clear). During the winter months, when the hours of light are limited, the northern lights can often appear as early at 7:00pm. As the exact time of an Aurora display cannot be predicted, keep your eyes at the sky. And remember, patience is key!    
How long do the northern lights last?
Auroras can last any time between few minutes and hours. Each northern lights display is different, and varies in duration. Furthermore, the northern lights are not always visible for the entire duration of a single Auroral episode: they often change in intensity throughout a single display, and can go from very bright to incredibly faint, to the point they are hardly visible at all any more. Learn more about how the northern lights behave duration-wise here.
Can I see the northern lights when it is cloudy?
Well, that depends. First of all, Iceland is well-known for its unpredictable weather: the fact that it is cloudy now does not mean that the sky will still be cloudy 5 minutes from now. As long as we can find some gaps in the cloud cover, some windows of clear sky – there’s hope. And, even when it’s cloudy, keep in mind that not all clouds are the same. For example, high clouds are often see-through and do not necessarily disrupt our view. Rule of thumb: if you can see the stars, you can potentially see the northern lights too. Once again, keep your eyes at the sky and check the forecast regularly for the most reliable prediction.
Do the northern lights only appear when it is cold?
The northern lights season in Iceland starts in late summer. As you can imagine, this means that you don’t need cold temperatures to see an Aurora (although you should not expect t-shirt weather at night in Iceland, not even in August). The northern lights happen way above the weather systems, and are not influenced by weather systems and temperature fluctuations in the lower atmosphere. Find out more here.
Are the northern lights visible all over Iceland?
Iceland is located within the so called “aurora belt“, the area where the northern lights are typically seen. In the Arctic region, the belt extends between 60°N and 70°N latitude. As Iceland in its entirety is included between 63°N and 67°N, and therefore well within the aurora belt, chances of seeing the northern lights are virtually the same everywhere around the island – if weather allows. That said, the likelihood of witnessing the northern lights is higher away from the city lights, and some areas around the country are especially scenic. Here are our favourite locations for northern lights spotting in Iceland.
Are the northern lights really colourful?
The northern lights happen in a variety of colours. Green is by far the most common, but the Aurora can also appear in vibrant shades of pink, purple, red, violet and blue.
To the naked eye though, the northern lights can look quite faint, and at times be perceived as white or grey-ish. This is due to limitations in our night vision.
Camera devices instead can capture a more truthful version of the colours, as, in most cases, it possible to adjust the device settings in order to better adapt to the night time conditions.
Find more about how to improve your night vision and learn how to take great Aurora shots here.
Are the northern lights going to disappear in future?
No, the northern lights are not going anywhere!
The Aurora has been visible in the Arctic for centuries, and that is not going to change any times soon.
What is true is that the solar activity, which is responsabile for the occurrence of the northern lights on our planet, changes over time, following an eleven-year cycle.
During each solar cycle, the Sun goes from a peak to a minimum of activity. During the peak, the so called “solar maximum“, we can expect enhanced activity and, potentially, stronger northern lights visible from unusual latitudes (in the northern hemisphere, this means Auroras being spotted further south than usual). While, during the solar minimum, such unusually strong occurrences become rarer.
Still, at Arctic latitudes the northern lights can be see clearly throughout the whole cycle. And Iceland, being well within the “Aurora belt”, is and will remain the perfect destination for northern lights hunting!
What is the BZ value?
The Bz value is part of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF), which is the magnetic field carried by the solar wind coming from the Sun.
Why does it matter for the Northern Lights? Earth’s magnetic field points north. If the solar wind’s magnetic field (Bz) points south (a negative Bz), it connects with Earth’s field and lets charged solar particles into the atmosphere. This interaction helps create the northern lights. If instead, Bz is positive (northward), the fields don’t connect well, and fewer particles get in — meaning weaker or no aurora.
Think of Bz like an ON/OFF switch: negative Bz (south) = ON, good chance of Aurora soon. Positive Bz (north) = OFF, Aurora less likely.
Learn more about Bz and how the forecast works here.
Which are the best forecast apps and websites for Northern Lights hunting?

Chasing the Northern Lights is all about timing, clear skies, and up-to-date aurora forecasts. These tools help you know when and where there’s a good chance of seeing the aurora — so you can plan your night the smart way. For the best results, we recommend using more than one source, as different forecasts interpret data differently.

WEB FORECASTS

TOP MOBILE APPS

  • My Aurora Forecast – Offers real-time KP index, global aurora maps, push alerts and multi-day forecasts — great for travelers and serious aurora watchers alike.
    And don’t forget to unable notifications, so you’ll get alerts when aurora activity spikes.
    📍App Store
    📍 Google Play

By following this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to experience one of nature’s most magical displays. Whether you’re planning your trip or already in Iceland, the Aurora awaits!