All you need to know about the Northern Lights

MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE TO THE ICELANDIC WINTER SEASON

Northern lights and winter season go hand-in-hand. Longer hours of darkness, accompanied by good weather, solar activity, and a bit of luck, often translate into amazing Aurora Borealis displays – a truly unmissable show!

The northern lights are potentially visible all winter long, but statistically not two months are the same. To help you choose the best time for your Aurora Borealis getaway, here is our month-to-month guide to winter in Iceland.

THE 10 BEST NORTHERN LIGHTS ACCOMMODATIONS IN ICELAND IN 2021

Seeing the northern lights dance in the Icelandic sky is every traveler’s dream. Although the phenomenon can be seen anywhere around the country, light pollution sometimes spoils the view.
By opting for a full-comfort countryside northern lights stay, you will maximise your chances of success – literally at your doorstep.

Here are our 10 favourite country accommodations for seeing the northern lights in 2021.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND

There is perhaps nothing more magical than witnessing the beauty of a northern lights display, and it has been a lifelong dream of many. However, those unpredictable, ever dancing lights don’t always show up on cue.

Here is all you need to know to make your aurora dream come true.

THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT STEVE – WHY THE AURORA NAMED STEVE ISN’T AN AURORA AT ALL

Since 2016, STEVE has been the term on the lips of Aurora enthusiasts across the world. Though STEVE is not considered part of the Aurora, its indistinguishable similarities and sightings have led to an intensified level of curiosity in understanding how STEVE comes into visibility. So, what is STEVE, and is it at all related to the northern lights?
Find out more about the phenomenon here.

5 REASONS WHILE WE LOVE AUTUMN AURORAS

The northern lights are visible between September and April. Experiencing the phenomenon is always a treat, but Auroras happening during our short lived Autumn are among our absolute favourite, especially to photograph. See why here.

DO AURORAS OCCUR ON OTHER PLANETS?

The northern lights are one of the most impressive natural phenomena our planet experience. As their main fuel is the solar plasma traveling across the Solar System, do our fellow planets have Auroras too, and how do they differ from the ones on Earth? Find out more about extra-terrestrial Auroras here.

GREAT NEWS FOR NORTHERN LIGHTS HUNTERS: THE NEXT SOLAR CYCLE HAS STARTED!

A new solar cycle seems to have now started, as we have passed the recent solar minimum. Enhanced solar activity and great northern lights are ahead of us! Find our more here.

COVID-19 AND TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS IN ICELAND – HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Aurora Reykjavík looks forward to welcoming you to the Land of Ice and Fire.
Learn about the current COVID-19 travel restrictions and requirements in Iceland here.

THE BEST TIME TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN ICELAND

When is it best to travel to Iceland in order to see the northern lights? Learn everything you need to know about the Aurora season in Iceland, and more, in our article here.

SPRING AURORAS – WHY YOU SHOULD HUNT THE NORTHERN LIGHTS BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MID-APRIL

The season between February and mid-April is a magical time for seeing the northern lights in Iceland. Snowy landscapes, spring equinox and milder weather are some of the reasons to choose this time of the year for your Icelandic holiday. Find out more here.

Best of Iceland – 3-in-1 Special Deal for 2021/2022

All in one! – Three must-do tours all perfectly packaged in one!

This easy travel package is for those wanting to explore the best of Iceland while staying in Reykjavík.

Within two days, join us on the must-do Golden Circle which is comprised of the amazing Gullfoss Waterfall; Iceland´s only erupting hot spring, Geysir; as well the site of the world´s oldest existing parliament, Þingvellir National Park.
When night falls we set off in search of the magical and mysterious Northern Lights. The next day, we’ll head towards Iceland’s majestic south shore and explore Waterfalls, the famous black sand beach and the picturesque town of Vík.

About the exibition

How to get to the museum ?

City bus (stræto) #14 : Stop “Grandagarður”, right in front of the museum.

Hop on Hop off : Stop #5 “Reykjavík Maritime Museum”

By taxi: The number for a taxi in Reykjavik is +354 588-5522. Ask them to take you to the Aurora Reykjavík Northern Lights Center, at Grandagarður 2.

We also offer a spacious free parking area for our visitors just outside the museum.

When is the latest time I can visit ?

The museum closes at 9 pm so we recommend visiting no later than 8:30 pm to have ample time to comfortably enjoy the exhibition.

Are there specific times for the movie ?

There are no specific times to enter the exhibit. Our film is played on a seamless loop, allowing you to enter whenever you like, and enjoy the view for as long as you wish.

Do I need to pre-book the ticket ?

No need to pre-book, you can just buy your ticket on the spot.

How long does the visit take ?

We recommend 30-45 minutes to experience the entire exhibition. This of course depends on your pace, and, how long you spend in the interactive areas. Once you have entered the museum, you are free to enjoy the exhibit for as long as you like.

When are you open ?

We are open every day from 9 am – 9 pm, except on Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Eve, when we are open 9 am – 4 pm. Any changes to these hours will be reflected on our social media accounts and our website.

About the northern lights

When can I see northern lights in Iceland ?

The northern lights season in Iceland begins in early September and continues through mid-April.

When is the best time to catch the northern lights ?

During wintertime there is no best time to catch the aurora. Visibility relies on multiple factors cooperating together : dark skies with partial clarity, and the presence of solar activity. That being said, statistics point to October and March as the best months to try your luck, as the weather might be more stable then, with less precipitation.

Why can´t I see any northern lights in the summer ?

To be able to see northern lights you need complete darkness. In summer we have what we call the “midnight sun”, meaning that there are no hours of actual nighttime darkness. It´s perfect for late night hiking, but makes it impossible for us to observe the aurora in Iceland between May and August. To see the sun graph and learn about the light balance for Reykjavik, you can visit these links:

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/iceland/reykjavik

https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/different-types-twilight.html

Where should I go to see the northern lights ?

It is hard to tell more than a few hours in advance where are the best spots for northern lights hunting, as it depends primarily on the weather conditions. In order to find the best spots we recommend going on a northern lights tour, or, if you’d rather go on your own, check our Aurora Forecast for more information. This forecast updates frequently, and is key in how our photography team selects their nightly trajectory.

What time do the northern lights show up ?

Northern lights are statistically often seen between 9 pm and 1 am, but they may appear at any time as long as the clear sky is dark – so patience is key!

Can I see the northern lights from Reykjavík ?

Catching the northern lights is easier in the countryside or in areas with very little light pollution. During wintertime if weather is favorable, it can be possible to see them in the city. We recommend staying away from the city center as the light concentration there is the highest. The lighthouse in Grótta is a popular spot, but you can also take a walk along the northern seashore in order to have the light pollution at your back- maximizing your visibility chances.

When was the last time you saw some northern lights?

We manage to catch this amazing phenomenon pretty often here in Iceland. Our photographers go out almost every night to capture the best photos of the lights, and they share their experience on our Aurora Diary.

How can I take pictures of the northern lights ?

You’ll find everything you need to get started with northern lights photography on our page here. For more tips and guidance we recommend visiting our exhibition which has a section dedicated to this subject.

About the tours

What should I wear and/or take with me on a northern lights tour ?

Winter nights are cold and often windy. Hunting for northern lights may require you to stand outside for a long period of time, so make sure to wear warm layers of clothes, hat and gloves. Waterproof jacket and shoes are also recommended as you may have to face snow during your trip. As we say in Iceland “Það er ekki til slæmt veður ef þú klæðir þig rétt”, meaning there is no bad weather as long as you are appropriately dressed. Preparation is everything 😉

My northern lights tour has just been cancelled, what should I do now ?

Northern light tours only occur if conditions are favorable. If the forecast is not good for aurora hunting, the tour operators may cancel it. If this is the case, you will get a notification by email, so make sure to check your inbox on the day.

If your northern lights excursion has been cancelled by the tour operator, you can reschedule it for the next available date. Please contact the tour company in order to reschedule. You’ll find their contact information on your voucher.

If you haven´t been able to attend a northern lights tour at all during your stay because of cancellation by the tour operator, you may be entitled for a refund. Please contact your tour provider for more information.

What do you do during a northern lights tour ?

After being picked-up near your hotel (check your voucher for details), you will be driven to the countryside, away from the bright city lights of Reykjavík. Whether you choose to go on a super-jeep, mini-bus or bus tour, your guide will make sure to take you to the best location for northern lights hunting, according to the latest forecasts. During those stops you’ll have the opportunity to get out of the bus and take your time to observe and photograph the northern lights.

Once the tour is over, you’ll be driven back to your drop-off location. Duration of the tour is determined by the type of excursion you’ve booked, from 2-3 hours, to 5 hours.

How to book a northern lights tour ?

You can go on our tour booking page in order to browse our different options through filters. Once you’ve clicked on the desired tour, you’ll access a detailed description of the tour and a calendar. Select the date, time, number of people, and extras (if needed), then click on “book”. The next page will ask for your personal details, pick-up location (if needed) and payment information. After agreeing to our terms and conditions, your booking will be confirmed.

An electronic voucher will be sent automatically to your email. Please read it carefully as you’ll find all the details regarding pick-up time and location there, as well as the contact information of the tour company operating the tour. Please contact them directly if you have questions regarding your tour or would like to make changes to your booking. We are also in the office everyday from 9:00am-9:00pm to help, so don´t hesitate to give us a call or drop us an e-mail, if you have any questions.

Do you run northern lights tours ?

Aurora Reykjavík is a multimedia exhibition about the northern lights. Here you can learn everything about this natural phenomenon, how to catch it, and how to photograph it. This is the perfect preparation for your northern lights hunt. We do not take excursions out ourselves at this time, but we collaborate with many trustworthy tour operators and offer a good selection of tours on our website and at our booking desk.

Aurora at Öxarárfoss, Þingvellir National Park

Book your tour here