The Northern Lights are every traveller's dream. Reykjavik is the ideal base to look for them, but the Icelandic weather is unpredictable. Here is how to maximise your chances of seeing them.
The Northern Lights in Iceland: a practical guide
The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of the most extraordinary natural experiences in the world. Iceland is one of the best places to see them, but the combination of weather, solar activity and light pollution requires strategy.
When to go
The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from September to March, when the nights are dark enough. The peak is in December-January with the longest nights (up to 20 hours of darkness). But September and March have the advantage of a milder climate.
How to find the Aurora
Apps to use: Aurora Forecast (the official app of the Icelandic Meteorological Office) shows in real time the intensity of the aurora (KP scale 0-9) and the cloud cover.
For KP >= 3 with clear skies, the aurora is almost guaranteed 30 km from Reykjavik heading north.
Organised tours: Agencies offer evening tours (45-65 euro) with minibuses that move in real time towards areas with clear skies. Useful for those without a rental car.
If the sky is cloudy
Reykjavik's plan B: the Blue Lagoon (a geothermal lagoon with waters at 38 degrees C, 45 min from Reykjavik), the geysers of Geysir (100 km, reachable in a day), the Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss waterfalls (1h30). Iceland never disappoints.