northern lights tour iceland best

The 7 Best Iceland Northern Lights Tours [2024 Reviews]

One of the most magical experiences anyone can have is seeing the Aurora Borealis dance across the night sky in an explosion of shapes and vivid colors.

If viewing the Northern Lights is on your bucket list, Iceland is undoubtedly the best place to experience this natural light phenomenon in relative comfort.

From September to April every year, dedicated tour guides take excited visitors on nightly hunts to find ideal locations to observe the beauty of nature. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join the fortunate few who have witnessed Nature’s most wonderful light show.

Be sure to see our reviews of Golden Circle Tours , Whale Watching Tours and ATV Tours .

Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Quick answer: the 7 best rated iceland northern lights tours.

• Best Value Tour: Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik
• Best Cruise Tour: Northern Lights by Boat from Reykjavik
• Best Private Tour: Northern Lights Private Tour from Reykjavik
• Best Adventure Tour: Reykjavik ATV & Northern Lights Tour
• Best Budget Cruise: Northern Lights Boat Cruise From Reykjavik
• Best Small Group Tour: 3-Hour Northern Lights Tour From Akureyri
• Best Multi-Day Tour: 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

Read on for our favorite Northern Lights tours in Iceland providing overviews and highlighting the details of each. We also make recommendations on staying in Iceland in our guide section.

Iceland Northern Lights Tour Reviews

1. small-group premium northern lights tour from reykjavik.

• Departure Point : Pick up service from central Reykjavik hotels
• Departure Time : 9:30 PM
• Duration : 4 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, a minibus ride into the countryside, refreshments, free-reschedule if you don’t see the Northern Lights, and free entry into the Aurora Museum

The minibus will pick you up from your hotel in Reykjavik and transport you into the depths of the Icelandic countryside. Here you will be leaving behind the light pollution of the city and seeking out the darkest places with the clearest patches of sky to view the world’s most famous light display.

With only 15 passengers on each tour, you will enjoy the intimacy of a small group sharing a journey of discovery as you hunt the Aurora Borealis.

The guide uses their local knowledge and experience, as well as communication with other guides, to find the most likely locations for clear viewing. Refreshments are provided while you continue your adventure—Icelandic donuts, hot chocolate, and fermented shark … if you’re brave enough.

The tour operators are so positive you will see the Northern Lights during your quest that they guarantee a free reschedule if you don’t. You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours beforehand with no charge. This tour also includes free entry to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik.

More Information & Tour Booking

100% refund for cancellations within 24 hours of tour experience, other experiences you may enjoy:, 2. northern lights by boat in reykjavik.

• Departure Point : Reykjavik Old Harbor (Hotel pick-up available on request)
• Departure Time : 9 PM
• Duration : 2 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, boat cruise, knowledgeable guide, and onboard Wi-Fi

This is a unique and effective way of hunting for a good vantage point to view the Northern Lights unhindered by surrounding landmarks or any light pollution.

Join the friendly, experienced, and knowledgeable crew aboard a luxury boat in Reykjavik Old Harbor and sail into the North Atlantic Ocean.

You will get great views of the city lights and distant mountains. Within 30 minutes, the boat will reach a location free from light pollution where you have an excellent chance of viewing a spectacular light display.

There is Wi-Fi aboard the boat so don’t delay uploading your unique photographs of the Aurora Borealis onto your Facebook account and Instagram. Hot drinks and soup are provided.

If you need to cancel beforehand, there is free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour begins.

If the weather is too rough to set sail, you will be taken on a small private bus ride to hunt the Northern Lights on land. In addition, you will receive a free ticket for the next available boat tour.

3. Private Iceland Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Hotel pickup included
• Departure Time : 9:00 PM
• Duration : 3 hours
• Includes : Private tour, expert guide

This is a unique opportunity to view the Northern Lights with a private tour. You will go to one or more of these locations: Thingvellir National Park, Hvalfjordur and the Reykjanes Peninsula.

In this rugged environment, far from civilization and light pollution, you have an excellent chance of observing the Aurora Borealis and viewing a spectacular display of dancing colors and shapes in the dark night sky.

Although you will be provided with overalls, you should dress for freezing and changeable weather. It’s a glacier! Wear gloves, headcover, waterproof pants and jacket, and good outdoor shoes.

If you discover that you cannot make the tour, free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before the tour begins.

4. Reykjavik ATV & Northern Lights Tour

• Departure Point : Pick up from all Reykjavik hotels and guest houses
• Duration : 6 – 8 hours
• Includes : Experienced tour guide, bus ride into the countryside, blankets, use of a camera

If you are looking for something a little different and exciting, try this northern lights tour by ATV!

You will join a small and intimate group of fellow Aurora Borealis hunters to ride deep into the Icelandic countryside in search of places free from light pollution with clear skies to view this solar wind phenomenon.

An experienced tour guide will use meteorological forecasts, their local knowledge, and intuition to find the best locations and also answer any questions you may have about the Northern Lights.

While seeking the light, you will have the chance to sample delicious Icelandic chocolate while you huddle under the warm blanket provided for your comfort during the cold Icelandic night.

Once you’ve found the world’s greatest light show, don’t worry if your camera can’t capture all the dramatic patterns and shapes dancing overhead.

You will be offered the use of a camera capable of picking out the spectacular variations of colored light in the sky.

If you don’t see the Northern Lights during your tour, you will be offered another opportunity to seek the light free of charge, and if for any reason you can’t make the tour, free cancellation is permitted up to 24 hours before the activity begins.

5. Northern Lights Boat Cruise From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Hlésgata, 101 Reykjavik Harbor
• Includes : Expert guide, 2-hour cruise, Wi-Fi, onboard toilets, and warm flotation overalls

After meeting at Reykjavik Harbor, experience a 2-hour cruise into the North Atlantic Ocean in search of an ideal location from which to observe and photograph the Northern Lights.

Here you will be far from the noise and light pollution of the city. View the city from the sea while you enjoy refreshments and snacks purchased from a heated indoor bar,

Be sure to dress in the warm flotation overalls provided and step out onto the deck to enjoy the natural lightshow outside.

The Free Wi-Fi is great for uploading your amazing shots of dancing shapes and colors in the night sky onto your Instagram account.

If you get tired, there are seats both inside the cabin and out on the deck. Because the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon, it is always possible that you won’t see the lights on any particular night. But don’t worry.

If you don’t see the Northern Lights on your first cruise, you will be offered the opportunity to try again another night. In the event that you cannot make the tour, free cancellation is permitted up to 24 hours before the cruise begins.

6.  3-Hour Northern Lights Tour From Akureyri

• Departure Point : Pick up from hotels and guest houses
• Includes : Knowledgeable guide, 3-hour minibus , Icelandic pastries, hot cocoa, and blankets

A small minibus picks you up from your guesthouse or hotel to join an intimate group of 17 other Northern Lights hunters and transports you out of the city.

Free from its noise and light pollution, deep into the remote and peaceful countryside of Iceland you can truly enjoy the show.

Snuggle under the blankets provided and enjoy traditional Icelandic pastries and hot cocoa while your expert guide strives to locate the best position to view the spectacular natural light display.

With 4 hours to spend, your minibus will travel deeper into the countryside than any other tour and spend longer searching for the lights. Don’t worry if you don’t see the Northern Lights on your first attempt.

This eager tour operator is determined that you will get to see the world’s most famous display of colors and shapes in the sky, so you will be offered a second and even a third opportunity to search with no extra charge.

If you still don’t see the Aurora Borealis after three attempts, you will receive a voucher entitling you to another trip at a future time. Free cancellations are offered up to 24 hours before the activity starts.

7. 4-Day Blue Ice Cave and Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

• Departure Point: Pick up service from Reykjavik
• Departure Time : 8 AM
• Duration : 4 days
• Includes : Expert guide, 3 nights hotel stay and breakfast, visits to 3 waterfalls, 2 geysers, a glacial lagoon, hike along a glacier, hunt for the Northern Lights, and explore inside an ice cave.

If you are dedicated to seeing the Northern Lights but also want to experience some of the other unique natural phenomena around Iceland, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore everything that Iceland has to offer.

Watch a geyser in action, view beautiful waterfalls, explore inside an ice cave, hike along a glacier, and observe the Aurora Borealis.

On the first day of your eventful tour, you will travel to southwestern Iceland and visit Geysir, the waterfall at Gullfoss, and Thingvellir National Park.

The geyser at Geysir is the most famous in the world, and the English word “geyser” is derived from its place name.

You will also see Strokkur geyser nearby, which sprays hot water up to 98 feet into the sky every few minutes, much more frequently than its more famous neighbor. After an action-packed day, relax at a hotel in Hvolsvöllur.

On the second day, you will move on to southern Iceland and visit Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss waterfalls. Following that, experience a hike across a glacier at Solheimajökull and marvel at the icy landscape of this sublime natural landmark.

Next, you will see the black sand beach at Reynisfjara before visiting Skaftafell Nature Reserve. Before heading back to the hotel, your expert guide will take you on a night hunt for the highlight of the trip—the Aurora Borealis.

On the third day, you will begin with an unforgettable trek inside a spectacular ice cave. Following that, you will visit  Jökulsarlon glacial lagoon.

The icebergs floating in the blue waters will astound you, and if the place looks familiar, that’s because it was used as a setting in many movies, including A View to a Kill , Die Another Day , Batman Begins , Beowulf and Grendel , and Lara Croft Tomb Raider .

Finally, you will return to Reykjavik filled with a wealth of memories.

Iceland Travel Guide

There are many reasons the Land of Fire and Ice has seen an explosion in tourism since 2019. Not only can you see the Northern Lights, active volcanoes, glaciers, and puffins, you can also relax in a geothermal spa and even bake bread inside a pot buried underground.

What you decide to do in this fascinating country is your choice, but you should take the time to do some research before you go. This guide is here to inform you where you can go, what you can do, and how you can get there, because we want you to have the best vacation of your life in Iceland.

Airports & Entry

Most visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik International Airport (KEF). Although Iceland only has a population of 359 thousand people, in 2018 this busy airport handled 9.8 million passengers. Despite the number of visitors, there is only one terminal. You will find the check-in times minimal, with an average 20-minute waiting time at the security check.

Inside the terminal, you will find everything clearly signposted in English. Charging points for cellphones and laptops are provided in the waiting area along with free Wi-Fi.

Strollers are provided for children, and there is a dedicated kids’ play area. The usual selection of food outlets and shops are found on the upper floor of the main building. Manned information stands are located throughout the airport.

It is 30 miles from the airport to Reykjavik, the capital city. The speed limit is 55 mph, but the drive usually takes 50 minutes due to traffic. Shuttle bus services link KEF to the city, which you can book in advance online or pay for at the airport.

Some hotels offer airport collection, and you should ask about that when you book your room. You can, of course, jump in a taxi at the airport, but it will be extremely expensive compared to the airport bus service. Car rental is available at the airport, but it is advisable to book in advance.

Planning Tips

With so many exciting things to do and see in Iceland, you’re guaranteed to have a great holiday. However, things do not always go to plan, so here are 5 tips to help you make the most of your visit.

Tip #1: If you want to see the Aurora Borealis, go between September and March

It’s easier to view the Northern Lights when the sky is at its darkest. In Iceland, the nights are especially long between September and March, but the sky doesn’t grow dark enough to view this magical phenomenon during the summer months. However, do not plan a visit around a full moon, because its light can dampen the impact of this natural light display. The best days to go are around the time of a new moon.

Tip #2: Check out the SolarHam website

If you are especially interested in the Aurora Borealis and want to earn your Geek Badge, check out the SolarHam website. This techy site provides a 3-day geomagnetic forecast, which is useful for aurora hunters to select the best time to view the Northern Lights. The same site provides a satellite map of where the natural light show is right now, so you can look up if you’re near.

Tip #3: Take your time to enjoy all the attractions of Iceland

There’s so much to see in Iceland, it would be a crime not to explore and experience as much as you are able in the time you have. While you are there, do not miss the opportunity to see so many unforgettable natural phenomena in one place. There is nowhere else on the planet where you can see active volcanoes, glaciers, and or ice caves , all in one national park. For an unforgettable experience be sure to take a snowmobile tour , ATV tour of the national park!

Tip #4: Book everything in advance, especially in winter

Tourism is on the rise in Iceland, and hotel rooms, tours, and attractions get fully-booked ahead of time.  Don’t miss out on seeing the Northern Lights from the best vantage point possible because all the tours were booked-up before you arrived. Many tours like the ones detailed above offer a 24-hour-in-advance free cancellation, so you take no financial risk booking. Ask about free cancellation when buying your ticket. If you are interested in a horseback riding tour be sure to book it at least a few months in advance as they are very popular!

Tip #5: Impress your friends with quintessentially Icelandic souvenirs

The budget chain store Bonus stocks many unique Icelandic products, such as Omnom chocolate, Icelandic specialty teas, herbal sea salt blends, and licorice mixed with chocolate. At Bonus, you can pick up great, inexpensive gifts for your friends! Vinbuoin, the state-run liquor store, sells a fine selection of renowned Icelandic spirits, including Iceland’s signature tipple, Brennivin.

And if you like to sort through other folks’ debris for the hidden treasures, a special weekend market is held at Kolaportio in downtown Reykjavik where Icelanders come to sell off their unwanted goods when moving to a new house. You could find anything!

Restaurants & Eating Out

Because of Iceland’s geographical position and climate, vegetables and grains are rare in traditional foods, and many famous dishes focus on preserved seafood or meat. Also, food was scarce in yesteryears, so every part of an animal or fish was eaten. You’ll find many traditional meals involve fish or meat that is salted, smoked, dried, or fermented. Watch out for such culinary delights as baked sheep’s head and fermented shark.

Seafood restaurants are common throughout Iceland, and all serve “fish of the day”, which is usually salmon, monkfish, haddock, or cod. However, if you wish, you can seek out some of the more exotic options. Humar is a kind of lobster caught off the south coast of Iceland, renowned for its tender and tasty flesh.

It is served fried, baked or grilled, though it can also be found as a pizza topping! Plokkfishkur is a fish stew, made to the chef’s specific recipe but usually combining white fish with onions, potatoes, milk, and flour. Harofiskur is a snack you can buy in any grocery store. It is dried stockfish, eaten with butter or straight out of a bag.

Because it is difficult to grow wheat in Iceland, there are many traditional varieties of rye bread, like flatkaka, baked in thin disks on hot stones. One variety of rye bread you should try is rugbrauo, a sweet-tasting, dark bread.

The reason rugbrauo is so interesting for visitors to Iceland is that a common baking technique is to bury a dough-filled pot near one of the many hot springs, such as Fontana Hot Springs, and use geothermal heat to bake the bread. Rugbrauo baked that way is also called hyerabrauo (hot-spring bread).

Icelanders don’t only eat fish and rye bread. Sheep are the most common livestock in Iceland, so lamb is often on the menu. Sheep wander freely around the countryside, eating seaweed, grass, and berries, which tends to make lamb tender with a mild flavor.

Smoked lamb is called hangikjöt and is often served boiled during the winter holidays. Also watch out for varieties of meat you won’t see in most other countries, like puffin, horse, and whale. Despite international concern over puffins and whales, they are still commonly consumed in Iceland.

A meal on vacation isn’t complete without dessert. Popular local sweets include rugbrauosis (rye bread ice cream), pönnukökur (Icelandic pancakes), and snuour (cinnamon bread covered in caramel or chocolate). A dairy product unique to Iceland is skyr.

It is a kind of sour milk cheese eaten like yogurt and often sweetened and flavored with fruit or vanilla.

Nightlife & Entertainment

With long, cold nights throughout the winter, it’s no surprise Icelanders love their nightlife, and much of it is centered where most of the people live—Reykjavik. Because the capital is so small, most of the clubs and bars are within walking distance of one another. In fact, many are along one street, Laugavegur, the commercial artery of downtown.

Most social venues are informal and entrance fees rare. When Icelanders go out for the night, they tend to begin late, and many clubs and bars don’t get busy until after midnight. This is in part because alcohol in bars is expensive, so locals drink at home before setting out.

Many clubs and bars stay open as late as 5 am. Cocktail bars are a recent addition to Iceland’s nightlife, but with the booming tourist trade, they are rapidly expanding.

And don’t worry too much about safety at night. In 2019, the Institute for Economics and Peace in Sydney ranked Iceland the most peaceful nation on Earth for the 12 th year running. Crime rates in Reykjavik are probably lower than anywhere you have ever lived.

Getting Around

Iceland is a small country covering an area slightly smaller than Kentucky. If you wanted to drive from Reykjavik on the west coast to Faskruosfjorour on the east coast, the 425 miles route would take only 8½ hours.

However, because of its small population outside of the capital, you cannot rely on public transport to go sightseeing around the country or reach the best place to view the northern lights. This leaves you with two options: hiring a car or booking a coach tour, like the 3-day Golden Circle tour detailed above.

Within the capital and its immediate area, you do have more options: bus, taxi, bicycle, or walk. The public bus service is inexpensive and efficient, and you can ask for help to find the right bus from your hotel reception. Given that Reykjavik is so small a city, taxis are affordable.

If you want a little exercise, bicycle rentals are available in many hotels, and the city is crisscrossed by dedicated bicycle paths. If you decide to walk, make sure you wrap up well. The weather can deteriorate rapidly in Iceland.

Accommodations

Over the past few years, Iceland has seen a huge expansion in tourism. With a 378% increase since 2010, hotel rooms fill up quickly. Through Christmas and summer, hotels are usually fully booked. Since 228 of Iceland’s 359 thousand citizens live within the capital and its immediate hinterland, settlements throughout the rest of Iceland are small and rooms for visitors limited. Most hotels are in the capital.

You will probably find it most convenient to stay in Reykjavik. You will find a broad range of hotels there, it is near the airport, and many of the attractions along with most of the nightlife are found there or nearby. Many organized tours to other parts of Iceland and major tourist attractions set out from Reykjavik, such as most of the Northern Lights tours detailed above.

Within the downtown and central area of Reykjavik you will find a choice of luxury hotels, like the Hotel Borg downtown and The Icelandair Hotel Marina, overlooking the harbor. If you head a little more out of the center, you’ll find more affordable hostels, such as The Capital Inn and Bus Hostel Reykjavik .

There are some popular hotels outside of the capital near to tourist attractions, such as Hotel Skaftafell in the Vatnajökull National Park, which offers spectacular views of Iceland’s largest mountain, or Skyrhusid Guesthouse near Lake Jökulsarion in the south. Wherever you decide to stay, the important thing is to book in advance. If you don’t, you will miss out on the best rooms.

Iceland is not the place to go if you want year-round sunshine and dry weather. In fact, on 22 nd December there are only 4 hours of daylight, because that is the shortest day. That’s great if you want to see the Aurora Borealis, since it can only be seen during dark nights, but not so good for other sightseeing. In contrast, the longest day boasts 21 hours of daylight, 21 st June.

The “warm” summer period covers June, July, and August, with an average daily high of 55 0 F and a low of 46 0 F. Yes, 55 0 F is their summer high! Summers are short and cloudy. The winter period covers November through March, two months longer than summer, and is cold, wet, windy, and overcast, with frequent snow. The average daily high drops to 35 0 F in January with a low of 27 0 F.

If your main interest is the Northern Lights, you should go anytime September through March, because the sky is dark enough to view those fantastic electromagnetic displays. If the Aurora Borealis does not interest you, you’ll get the warmest weather and longer days from the end of June to mid-August.

Attractions

The Aurora Borealis is not the only unique and fascinating attraction in Iceland. The Land of Fire and Ice is the best place in the world to see and experience the majesty and power of two extremes in Nature: glaciers and volcanoes. These attractions are all part of what is called the “Golden Circle”. Taking a day tour of the Golden Circle with a guide is a great way to take in all of the best sights.

12 miles from KEF is the world-famous Blue Lagoon geothermal spa. Here you can laze in pools of hot, milky blue water heated by a lava flow. Nearby stands the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant, which uses superheated water from the lava flow to generate electricity and also provide heat for a municipal water heating system.

There are geothermal spas like the Blu Lagoon throughout Iceland, so wherever you choose to stay, you can find one near you and experience the power of molten rock.

If ice and Arctic landscapes interest you, head 140 miles east from Reykjavik to Vatnajökull National Park , which is centered on Vatnajökull glacier and the surrounding beautiful landscape. This park covers 14% of Iceland and is filled with glacial rivers and active volcanoes.

Vatnajökull glacier empties into the glacial lake of Jökulsarion in the south, where you can see 100-feet-tall icebergs freshly broken away from the glacier. Jökulsarion served as a setting in several major Hollywood movies. On your drive back to Reykjavik, you can see two beautiful waterfalls around Skogar. The first, Skogafoss, is an impressive waterfall and a popular destination for Icelandic day-trippers.

18 miles west of Skogafoss is picturesque Seljalandsfoss waterfall . A path allows sightseers to pass behind the curtain of water as it falls into the crystal-clear plunge pool.

If it’s man-made cultural and historical attractions you seek, you’ll find plenty to do and see around Reykjavik. The capital’s earliest history stretches back to 874, but it only became a true city in 1785.

Perhaps one of the most unique attractions is seeing the continental plates splitting apart at Silfra. Here the North American and Eurasian plates are separating. If you are daring you can take a snorkel tour of Silfra and see it for yourself!

Around Reykjavik, you’ll find an interesting assortment of museums and tourist attractions, like the National Museum of Iceland and the Reykjavik Maritime Museum.

A famous landmark visitors flock to see is the Hallgrimskirkja Church, which is the largest church in Iceland. This unique structure was designed by a local architect to resemble the glaciers and mountains of Iceland.

Tour Guides

The Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik is our Editor's Choice for the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland.

Robert Baker

Related articles, the 5 best stonehenge tours from london [2024 reviews], the 5 best wine tours from florence [2024 reviews], the 7 best vatican tours ⛪ [2024 reviews], the 5 best seine river dinner cruises [2024 reviews].

10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik)

Home | Travel | Europe | Iceland | 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik)

Booking a Northern Lights tour in Iceland is the best way to increase your chances of seeing the famous aurora borealis. While it’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland on your own, a guided tour will give you the most enjoyable experience since the guides can expertly predict the Northern Lights forecast .

Besides, there are several amazing Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik , so as long as you’re in the capital city, you’ll have lots of options to choose from. Just be sure to travel during the Northern Lights season so you get the most magnificent show possible!

We run photo tours to Iceland every year to enjoy this fascinating natural phenomenon, although the excursion is designed for landscape photographers. If you’re not an avid photographer, but you still want to go aurora hunting in Iceland, I highly recommend taking one of these aurora tours from Reykjavik :

• The best Northern Lights tour
• The cheapest Northern Lights tour
• Small group Northern Lights tour
• Private Northern Lights tour
• Best Northern Lights boat tour
• Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour
• Whale watching & Northern Lights tour
• South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier Northern Lights tour
• Golden Circle & Northern Lights tour
• Multi-day Northern Lights tours

1.  The best Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Without a doubt, this excursion  is the  best Northern Lights excursion in Iceland .

During this tour, an expert guide will take you to an area with zero light pollution so you can fully enjoy this natural spectacle. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Northern Lights, including curiosities and superstitions revolving around this unique phenomenon.

Once you arrive at your destination, you’ll have free time to take photos, walk around the area, or simply gaze in wonder at the Green Lady. Also, this tour includes round-trip bus transportation, making it one of the top excursions from Reykjavik, especially if you don’t plan on renting a car.

• Highlights : Northern Lights Observation
• Duration : 3 hours
• Number of participants : 50
• Price : $62/person

2. The cheapest Iceland Northern Lights tour from Reykjav ík

If you’re looking for another cheap Northern Lights tour in Iceland , I recommend booking this tour . It departs from Reykjavik and includes admission to the Northern Lights Center, a scientific museum all about the aurora borealis. It has all kinds of interactive exhibits that teach you what the Northern Lights are and how they form.

2. The cheapest Iceland Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík

If you take this tour, you’ll wait until nightfall to explore the best places to see the Northern Lights , as predicted by meteorologists and experts. Hopefully, there will be clear skies, but if you don’t have any luck seeing the aurora, you can retake the tour for free on another day. I recommend taking this tour on the first day of your trip, so you have time in your itinerary in case you need to retake it.

• Highlights : Admission to the Northern Lights Center and Northern Lights observation
• Duration : 4 hours
• Price : $55/person

3. Small group Icelandic Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik

A small group Northern Lights tour in Iceland is ideal for those who want to experience the aurora in a calmer, more exclusive setting. This tour is a great option since it departs from Reykjavik in a comfortable luxury minibus.

You’ll head to an area with zero light pollution and optimal weather conditions, creating the perfect environment to witness the dancing aurora. Be aware that you can only take this tour between September and April, and if you don’t have any luck seeing the Northern Lights the first time, you can retake the tour for free.

Moreover, this Iceland aurora tour includes admission to the Northern Lights Center, one of the coolest attractions in Reykjavik where you can learn more about this natural light show. You’ll also be able to enjoy light refreshments during the tour.

• Highlights : Admission to the Northern Lights Center and Northern Lights observation in a small group
• Number of participants : 18
• Price : $87/person

4. Private Northern Lights tour in Iceland from Reykjav ík

If you want to see the aurora in privacy but you prefer having a guide, consider this tour . It’s one of the best Northern Lights excursions from Reykjavik and it even includes hotel pick-up.

Once you board the bus, you’ll travel to the best viewing spot to see the Northern Lights, with optimal conditions and zero light pollution. Depending on the day, you may go to Thingvellir National Park, Hvalfjordur, or the Reykjanes Peninsula, all beautiful places to watch the Green Lady.

4. Private Northern Lights tour in Iceland from Reykjavík

Your guide will tell you all about this natural phenomenon and the legends surrounding it. You’ll have about an hour to marvel at the dancing lights, then you’ll be dropped off at your hotel. Without a doubt, this is the best private Northern Lights tour in Iceland , although I also recommend staying in one of Iceland’s Northern Lights hotels so you can continue enjoying the show.

• Highlights : Private Northern Lights Tour
• Number of participants : up to 3 people
• Price : $70/person

5. Best Northern Lights boat tour in Reykjavik

A Northern Lights cruise from Reykjavik is one of the most unique experiences, so I highly recommend it. While gliding along the sea, you’ll witness the Green Lady and the beautiful mountains and fjords in the background, so it’s guaranteed to be an unforgettable trip.

If this sounds good to you, then book this excursion , which begins at the port in Reykjavik. There, you’ll board the boat and sail along the coast of Iceland until you reach the point where you’ll have the highest chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Keep in mind that this tour only operates if the weather conditions are favorable for sailing. We’ve always had luck during our trips, but if you run out of luck on your scheduled tour date, you can retake the excursion for free. This is the best Northern Lights boat tour in Reykjavik , so it’s definitely worth it!

• Highlights : Northern Lights Boat Tour
• Duration : 2.5 hours
• Number of participants : 200
• Price : $88/person

6. Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik, Iceland

Another interesting aurora borealis tour in Iceland is this excursion , which includes a visit to the Blue Lagoon . Not only will you get to witness the spectacular Northern Lights show, but you’ll also experience Iceland’s geothermal waters.

At the Blue Lagoon, you can take a relaxing soak and enjoy one of the treatments offered here, like a silica mask. The waters are said to have health properties and benefits like smoother and firmer skin, so you’re sure to feel refreshed after your visit.

At night, you’ll take a guided tour to see the Northern Lights, and your destination will depend on that evening’s weather conditions. If you don’t have any luck, you can retake the tour on another day free of charge.

Finally, this Blue Lagoon and Northern Lights tour in Iceland includes all transfers, including to and from the Blue Lagoon, so you won’t have to worry about transportation.

• Highlights : Blue Lagoon admission and Northern Lights
• Duration : 8 hours
• Price : $217/person

7. Whale-watching and Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Among all the amazing things to do here, whale-watching in Iceland is our personal favorite. Did you know that you can combine this activity with a Northern Lights boat trip in Reykjavik ? This excursion is one of the most magical experiences, so I highly recommend it if you want to enjoy two unforgettable attractions in one tour.

During the trip, you’ll take a boat to an area commonly inhabited by minke and humpback whales, as well as dolphins and porpoises. Of course, remember that these are wild animals that live freely in the sea, so it’s not possible to predict their movements with 100% accuracy. That said, the tour operators have been in business for years, so they’re the best experts on scouting out these magnificent creatures.

Any time we’ve done this type of excursion, we’ve seen several species of cetaceans, so I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Be aware that you can retake the tour for free if you don’t have any luck, so it’s best to take this tour on your first day in Iceland.

This whale-watching and Northern Lights tour in Iceland includes an evening session to hunt the aurora among the mountains and fjords. It’s an incredible experience, so bring your camera!

• Highlights : Whale Watching and Northern Lights Boat Tour
• Duration : 6 hours
• Price : $167/person

8. Northern Lights tour through Iceland’s South Coast & S ólheimaj ökull Glacier

While visiting Reykjavik, you may want to discover other parts of Iceland, so consider this excursion to see the Northern Lights and some top attractions in the southern region of the island.

During this guided Northern Lights tour in Iceland , you’ll visit the Seljalandsfoss waterfall and the Sólheimajökull glacier. You’ll learn how the glacier formed, as well as other interesting facts about the area. One of the coolest parts of the tour was hearing the sound of the moving ice, which we thought was quite impressive.

8. Northern Lights tour through Iceland’s South Coast & Sólheimajökull Glacier

Other stops on this excursion include the black sand beach of Reynisfjara, the Reynisdrangar cliffs, and the Skógafoss waterfall, among other top sights in Iceland . After touring the southern coast and enjoying a warm dinner, you’ll begin your Iceland Northern Lights tour , heading to an area with the most optimal conditions to see the Green Lady.

• Highlights : Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökull glacier, Reynisfjara black sand beach, and Northern Lights
• Duration : 16 hours
• Number of participants : 10
• Price : $220/person

9. Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour in Iceland

Another Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik that will pique your interest is this one , which includes a tour of the Golden Circle .

Exploring the Golden Circle is one of the best ways to discover this island country, which is known as the Land of Fire and Ice. You’ll see why as you visit sites like the Gullfoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park, where you’ll be able to see the Strokkur geyser in action.

At night, you’ll depart from Reykjavik and spend a few hours hunting the aurora borealis in the sky. It’s a full itinerary, so this Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour in Iceland is one of the best excursions you can do if it’s your first time in the country.

• Highlights : Golden Circle and Northern Lights
• Duration : 9 hours
• Price : $115/person

10. Multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland from Reykjav ík

Renting a car in Iceland is the easiest way to see different places in the country, but if you don’t want to drive, you can take an organized tour.

10. Multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland from Reykjavík

There are even multi-day Northern Lights tours in Iceland in which you can see several attractions in one trip. These are the ones I recommend:

• 4-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll visit the Golden Circle, Iceland’s south coast, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, as well as go hunting for the Northern Lights. Includes three nights of accommodation with breakfast.
• 6-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll go all the way around the island, passing through the Golden Circle, south Iceland, the East Fjords, and the Lake Mývatn geothermal area. You will also have time to enjoy the Northern Lights. This tour includes accommodation for five nights with breakfast.
• 8-Day Northern Lights Tour : You’ll take a tour around the island and discover the Golden Circle, south Iceland, the East Fjords, the Lake Mývatn geothermal area, and the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. You’ll also see the Northern Lights. Includes seven nights of accommodation with breakfast.

These excursions are super convenient and thorough since they take care of transportation and accommodation and include guided Northern Lights tours in Iceland . So, if you don’t want to worry about anything, I recommend checking them out.

Price of Northern Lights tours in Iceland (Reykjav ík)

The price of a Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik varies depending on the size of the group, the duration, and any included activities or attractions. To make it easier for you to choose, here is a chart comparing the prices and important details for the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland :

I hope this guide helped you find the perfect aurora tour in Reykjavik ! Keep in mind that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon affected by several factors like solar activity and cloud cover. If you book an excursion and it’s canceled due to poor weather conditions, or you take the tour but don’t see the Northern Lights, you can retake it on another day for free.

Therefore, I recommend booking your tour for the first day of your trip, so you have time to retake it. You could also take a multi-day trip to see the Northern Lights , which will grant you more time to witness this marvelous spectacle.

Finally, I recommend checking out our guide on how to photograph the Northern Lights so you can return home with some amazing memories. Also, our article on where to stay in Iceland has the best accommodation options, including places where you can see the aurora from your room.

Feel free to leave your questions or comment below; I’d love to hear from you! With that, I wish you a wonderful time during your Northern Lights tour in Iceland !

Ascen Aynat

2 replies on “ 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in Iceland (Reykjavik) ”

Myself and my friend are very much interested to go to escorted 8 days tour in Iceland to watch Northern lights in Fen 2024. Can you get in touch with me to organise it. Thank you

Hi, That sounds like a fantastic trip! You can organize that 8-day Northern Lights excursion by following the link and booking a spot.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

GET THE ULTIMATE free GUIDE TO PHOTOGRAPHING The Northern Lights

• Best time and places
• Camera gear
• Best settings
• Aurora composition
• Other tips and tricks

• Skip to right header navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to secondary navigation
• Skip to primary sidebar

Learn how to easily plan your dream trip to Iceland with helpful guides and tips!

10 Best Iceland Northern Lights Tours Worth Your Money

June 26, 2020 //  by  Iceland Trippers //   Leave a Comment

Are you looking for the best Iceland northern lights tours? Luckily for you, this guide has all of the best northern lights tours in Iceland .

While Iceland is filled with amazing things to see during the day, including waterfalls , hot springs , and glaciers , the country is just as beautiful at night, thanks to the northern lights . Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the northern lights are beautiful waves of green, blue, and sometimes red that flow through the night sky.

Scientifically, the northern lights are solar particles from the sun’s solar wind that emit brilliant colors when they collide with the particles found in the Earth’s atmosphere.

The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is from late fall to early spring. And the best way to see these stunning waves of color is to take one of the Iceland northern lights tours.

After all, having someone with all of the local insight about the northern lights will be particularly helpful. Don’t forget to check out our Tips For Photographing The Northern Lights!

Get a FREE printable “Hidden Gems In Iceland” E-book by joining our private  Iceland Facebook Group  and share your photos and ask for tips and tricks.

Why Take A Northern Lights Tour In Iceland?

There are many reasons why you should take one of the Iceland northern lights tours. First of all, if you drive yourself, you have to focus a good amount of energy on driving.

Depending on the time of year, Iceland’s roads can be slick with ice, which means you really can’t just stare at the northern lights as you drive. As a matter of fact, if you do choose to drive to see the northern lights, there’s a good chance that you’ll make one of these seven mistakes while driving in Iceland .

If you take a tour of the northern lights, however, you won’t have to worry about those mistakes. You won’t be responsible for driving, so you can just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Another reason to take one of the Iceland northern lights tours is because they aren’t all that expensive at the end of the day. You can find tours to see the northern lights as low as $40 to $50 per person! While there are, of course, more expensive tours, if you’re on a budget, a tour of Iceland’s northern lights is still doable!

Finally, the best reason to take a tour of the northern lights in Iceland is for the local knowledge. There’s a good chance that your guide during the northern lights tour will be an Iceland local. Consequently, he or she will know all the best places and the best tips to see the northern lights. If you want to see the Northern Lights Near Reykjavik , this is a great option!

Maybe he or she will even have a ton of fun facts to whip out about Iceland’s northern lights. If you try to see the northern lights on your own, you might struggle a bit more than you need to. Instead, skip the struggle of catching the elusive colorful curtains in the sky and take one of the Iceland northern lights tours!

Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavik [4 Hours]

Most people who take northern lights tours from Reykjavik take a bus tour. It’s very convenient, and it’s more affordable than some of the more adventurous transportation alternatives on this list.

As with all of the best northern lights tours in Iceland, the tour guides on this bus tour from Reykjavik follow the meteorologists’ predictions for the best views of the northern lights each night.

Who knows where this amazing adventure will take you in Iceland? And after watching the turquoise lights snake through the sky, this tour also grants you admission to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik, where you can learn even more about this special phenomenon.

Book Here: Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavik

Northern Lights Cruise From Reykjavik [2 Hours]

While most people opt to take a bus to see the northern lights, you can be a little different and take a boat instead. This northern lights cruise departs from Reykjavik Harbor and heads into Faxaflói Bay for a spectacular view of the Aurora Borealis. Be sure to bring warm clothing and maybe even a blanket to ward off that chill ocean breeze and frosty night air.

Just as a note, many people have reported it’s more difficult to capture pictures of the northern lights while on a boat, due to the constant rocking.

Book Here: 2-Hour Northern Lights Cruise From Reykjavik

Northern Lights And The Golden Circle [9 Hours]

While the northern lights are fantastic on their own, many Iceland northern lights tours combine this natural phenomenon with other Iceland attractions. For example, this northern lights tour also includes the Golden Circle .

The Golden Circle is one of the most beautiful drives in all of Iceland. With Thingvellir National Park, the Geysir geyser, and Kerid Crater, the Golden Circle is filled with breathtaking natural landscapes.

As one of the most magnificent national parks in Iceland , Thingvellir National Park boasts many coveted titles, including UNESCO World Heritage Site and Game of Thrones filming location . While there, you can go for a dive in the Silfra Fissure, visit Thingvellir Church, or simply take in the beautiful scenery.

Situated in the Haukadalur Valley is the Geysir geyser. This powerful geyser shoots water an average 60 feet high, with reports claiming that the water has reached over 130 feet high!

Lastly, the Golden Circle is home to Kerid Crater. This volcanic caldera is streaked with red and green before pooling at a brilliant blue lake at the bottom. You can even walk the entire perimeter of the caldera or trek down to the lake, if you would like.

Simply put, this Northern Lights tour includes both the beauty of the northern lights and of the Golden Circle.

Book Here: Aurora Borealis & Golden Circle

Northern Lights And South Coast Small Group [17 Hours]

Visitors to Iceland often find themselves debating if they should visit the Golden Circle or the South Coast . Just like the Golden Circle, the South Coast is filled with some of Iceland’s most amazing landscapes, including Seljalandsfoss, Solheimajokull Glacier, and Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach. So why not tie in these stunning sights with this northern lights and South Coast tour ?

The South Coast is dotted with some of Iceland’s best waterfalls. While Seljalandsfoss is one, this part of Iceland is also home to Haifoss, Skogafoss, Kvernufoss, and Gljufabui. Similarly, the South Coast is filled with glaciers, including Solheimajokull Glacier and Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon.

Unlike the waterfalls and glaciers, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is a standalone black sand beach on the South Coast. Filled with obsidian sand and towering basalt columns, Reynisfjara Black Sand Beach is one of the best black sand beaches in Iceland .

As an added bonus, this particular norther lights tour is a small group tour. This means that you’ll easily be able to ask your guide as many questions as you want, while also embracing a level of flexibility that you wouldn’t be able to get with a larger group tour.

Book Here: South Coast & Northern Lights Small Group Winter Adventure

Blue Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour [8 Hours]

The Blue Lagoon may be Iceland’s most popular tourist attraction – so why not combine it with a view of the northern lights with this Blue Lagoon and northern lights tour from Reykjavik !

The Blue Lagoon is the most popular natural hot spring in Iceland. Between the striking blue color and the steady 102-degree-Fahrenheit temperature, it’s no wonder why this Iceland attraction draws in thousands of visitors every year.

Plus, it’s the perfect activity to do right before seeing the northern lights. Get yourself all warmed up before braving the chilly night for the Aurora Borealis.

Book Here: Blue Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

Secret Lagoon And Northern Lights Tour [6 Hours]

If you’re looking for a hot spring that’s a little less tourist-filled, consider taking a northern lights tour that includes the Secret Lagoon instead! While the Secret Lagoon isn’t all that much of a secret, you’ll feel like you’ve become an insider, because you’ll definitely see more locals than tourists at the Secret Lagoon.

As the oldest swimming pool in Iceland, the Secret Lagoon holds a special place. While the Secret Lagoon is manmade, the heated water is all-natural from the ever-present geothermal activity in Iceland. The water hovers at a toasty 100 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

This tour combines the warmth and relaxation from a day at the Secret Lagoon with a chilly night filled with colors in the sky.

Book Here: Iceland Secret Lagoon, Dinner, and Northern Lights Hunt From Reykjavik

Northern Lights Luxury Yacht Cruise From Reykjavik [2.5-3 Hours]

While I’ve already recommended a northern lights tour on a boat, this option is a little different: a northern lights tour on a yacht . Sail from the Reykjavik Old Harbor into Faxa Bay aboard a luxurious, modern vessel, before seeing the colorful swaths of painted light known as the Aurora Borealis dance through the sky.

When aboard the yacht in Faxa Bay, you may even see the northern lights illuminate some of the best things to do in Reykjavik . See the colorful lights shimmer on the stainless steel of the Sun Voyager sculpture and bask in the beauty of the HARPA Concert Hall.

Book Here: Northern Lights Luxu r y Yacht Cruise From Reykjavik

Northern Lights And Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour [2 Days]

When most people think about one of the many Iceland northern lights tours, they think about ones that start after dark and end in a few hours. But this northern lights adventure , which is combined with a visit to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, lasts a whole two days!

While the Snaefellsnes Peninsula has a lot to offer, by far the most popular thing to do in the area is check out Kirkjufell Mountain. Kirkjufell Mountain, and its accompanying waterfall known as Kirkjufellsfoss, create one of the most unique landscapes in all of Iceland (which is saying something, since Iceland is filled with otherworldly landscapes). As a matter of fact, Kirkjufell Mountain is the most photographed mountain in all of Iceland!

Book Here: Iceland Two-Day Northern Lights And Snaefellsnes Adventure

Northern Lights And Langjokull Glacier Snowmobile Tour [4 Hours]

So far on this list of Iceland northern light tours, I’ve included tours by bus, by boat, and by yacht. For those with an adventurous heart, I’ve also decided to add another option: by snowmobile .

Before you get to see the northern lights, you’ll start your tour by navigating your snowmobile to the Langjokull Glacier. While most of the excitement of Langjokull Glacier is found beneath the surface within its ice tunnels, you’ll still get to enjoy the view of this massive glacier from above.

Then, it’s time to strap on the snowmobile headlights and drift further into the snow-covered landscape. By heading further from the lights of cities and towns, your view of the northern lights will be even more spectacular. Once you and your guide have reached the ideal lookout point, simply gaze at the swaying streaks of color decorating the night sky. Then, hop back on your snowmobile and zoom back to Gullfoss.

Book Here: Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour From Gullfoss

Northern Lights Small Group Tour [3 Hours]

Sometimes you don’t want anything fancy. You don’t want other stops or a ton of other visitors on your northern lights tour. You simply want to relax and watch nature’s colors dance across the night sky. If that sounds like the northern lights viewing experience that you would enjoy, consider booking this northern lights small group tour .

During the three hours of this northern lights tour, you’ll be transported in a small, comfortable minibus. And as you wait for the elusive Aurora Borealis to make an appearance, warm yourself with a toasty cup of hot chocolate and a few ginger biscuits.

Book Here: Small Group Northern Lights Tour From Reykjavik

These Iceland northern lights tours will have you packing your bags to see the colorful streamers of light flit across the sky! These are some of the best northern lights tours in Iceland, so we hope you enjoy them! Please let us know in the comments section if you have any questions or just want to share what you think are some of the top things to do in Iceland.

Reader Interactions

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Deals of the Week   European Long Weekends   Up to 50% OFF

Luxury Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Searching for a five star northern lights touring experience? Look no further, as our luxury tours of Iceland will allow you to discover exceptional destinations such as Reykjavik and Thingvellir National Park. Taste the adventure and discover new cultures while enjoying premium services and facilities.

Filters applied

8 luxury northern lights tours in iceland with 26 reviews.

• Northern Lights

6 Days Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Iceland Tour - Private tour

I had such a lovely time. My itinerary was very well organized. The location of my hotel was wonderful. I will definitely use tourradar again.

Iceland Northern Lights

The experience was fantastic. It was a great way to get acquainted with Iceland. Our guide Petur is an expert on the country, its history and all of the sites that you are seeing. He genuinely enjoyed sharing his country with our tour group. The accommodations were nice, clean and comfortable. The trip exceeded my expectations!

Scenic Iceland & the Northern Lights (Classic, 7 Days)

Northern Lights Quest of Iceland - 6 Days/5 Nights

My tour was amazing. David was the best tour guide I ever had. I was fortunate that we had a wonderful group of people. Highly recommend this!!

• Hiking & Trekking

New Year under Northern Lights - 7 days

• Christmas & New Year

5 Days Reykjavik, Golden Circle and South Coast Tour - Private tour

What an incredible trip! Snorri is the Ronaldo of Iceland Tour Guides! Impossible to say how much we enjoyed our time with him and in the country. Feels like we will be friends for life. Many thanks for the team for helping us put this trip together. I’ll remember it forever!

7 Days Golden Circle, South Coast, Snæfellsnes and Reykjavik - Private tour

Iceland Luxury Adventure - *Winter Northern Light, Winter Wonders & Blue Lagoon Retreat*

More luxury tours in iceland.

• Explorer tours (42)
• Family tours (39)
• Ocean Cruise tours (14)
• Active tours (8)
• Polar tours (6)
• Arctic tours (6)
• Iceland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 7 Day Iceland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• Best 10 Day Iceland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)
• What is the best time to visit Iceland in 2024/2025?
• Weather in Iceland in 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in February 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in January 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in March 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in April 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in October 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in November 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in December 2024/2025
• 10 Amazing Northern Lights Tours & Trips 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Trips For Single Travellers 2024/2025
• 10 Romantic Northern Lights Getaways For Couples 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours For Seniors 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in September 2024/2025
• 10 Best Northern Lights Tours in August 2024/2025

NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR

Tour highlights.

• Northern Lights
• Small Group Experience
• Going off the Beaten Path
• Homemade hot chocolate made from real Icelandic chocolate
• Pastries from the famous bakery Brauð&Co
• Free Wi-Fi & Wool blankets to keep warm
• Please Note: A decision whether we run the tour or not is made every day before 18:00
• We will send a link with photos from the tour

Tour Details

• Tour start time : 21:00 or 22:00 depending on which month you book.
• Pick-up start time : 30 minutes before departure.
• Duration : The tour is between 3-5 hours in total.
• Availability : From August 16th - May 3rd
• Don't see Northern Lights? : No problem! We offer you as many retries as you need as long as there is availability!

Tour description

The Northern Lights are an incredible natural phenomenon and we definitely understand why this is on the top of the to-do list for so many of our guests. For the highest possible chance of experiencing the aurora, it can be a fantastic idea to do a guided tour, as you will be led by a local Northern Lights expert into the night.

WHY I THINK YOU WILL LOVE THIS TOUR! 🧡

If you've made your way all the way to Iceland - then I believe it's a MUST for you to experience the magical Northern Lights.

But finding the Northern Lights can be tricky, which is why I recommend all travelers and friends on their way to Iceland to book this tour. Since you'll have a northern lights expert monitoring the forecast and will take you to the spot each particular night which has the highest chance of seeing the breathtaking Northern Lights in all their glory - a truly once in a lifetime experience.

Aurora is always a game of chance but our guide Arni may have made them come out by sheer willpower. He was super optimistic and kept going until we saw them, which was amazing. Just when everyone truly lost hope we got to see them. Arni made sure we all got enough time to see them, even if it made the trip go past its usual time window. This tour was awesome (the hot choc was also a great treat while we waited).

Had an amazing time on the tour ! Ragnar made the whole trip special! He was so passionate , knowledgeable, and enthusiastic telling all us all the amazing insights about Iceland and each location (#madonna). The whole day was so fun and was one of the highlights of my time in Iceland! He did a great job making our whole group feel included. I hope to do a tour again with this company soon. Ragnar thank you again ! You are amazing! :)

Great tour for value. Northern lights are partially luck and boy did we get lucky!!! Our guide was awesome, hot chocolate and the cinnamon buns the cherry on top.

Tour was great. We were lucky to see the lights on the first day. Daniel was great your guide. Funny stories and great photography. On top of it, had amazing hot chocolate in -15 degrees with cinnamon buns. Would definitely recommend this to anyone who wanna see the lights and get great pics.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Full Refund / Cancellation Policy If there are any changes to your trip to Iceland, it's always possible to either put your booking on hold (bookings never expire) or reschedule to your new travel dates. We also offer full refunds if you cancel your booking with more than 24 hours prior to your tour :) All bookings cancelled within 24 hours of the tour departure are not refundable. If the tour is operated then a refund is no longer possible. However, if you don't see the lights on the tour, you will have unlimited retries to rebook again until you see them.
• Is seeing the Northern lights guaranteed? The lights are a natural phenomenon and beyond our control. They are visible in Iceland from late August through April but visibility is subject to light activity and cloud coverage We cannot guarantee sightings but have an amazing team that will try their absolute best to find the perfect spot for you to see them :)
• What sort of camera is used? We use Sony Alpha7 III and lens is 14mm 1.8F Sony G. This is the best Northern Lights lens on the market and Sony A7III is one of the best cameras you can use for Northern Lights photographing.
• How big are the groups? We offer a small group experience on all of our tours. No group is larger than 19 as the largest vehicle used is a 19-seater!
• What sort of vehicle is used on the tour? We use 19-seater Mercedes Sprinters - with big leather seats. It’s a great way to travel around Icelandic nature! You will not be disappointed with this luxury ride. There are no large 70 seater coaches.
• What if we don´t see the lights, can we go again? If the tour is operated then a refund is no longer possible. However, if you don't see the lights on the tour, you will have unlimited retries to rebook again until you see them. In order to re-book your tour, please contact the tour operators directly at your earliest convenience :)
• Can I book a private tour? Yes, it is of course possible to arrange a private tour! Private tours are very popular with larger groups of friends and families. You can find the link to it here: www.wakeupreykjavik.com/tour/northern-lights-private
• When does pick up start? The tour starts at 9:00pm or 10:00pm (depending on what month you book). Pick up starts 30 minutes prior. Please be ready at your designated pick up spot and we hope you have an amazing time on the tour :)
• Will the tour be cancelled if the lights are not visible? A decision whether we run the tour or not is made every day before 18:00. If the conditions are poor and it is unlikely to see the lights they cancel the tour. Then you have the option of either getting a full refund or rebook for another night that suits you best without any additional cost.
• When will I know if the lights will be visible? Here in Iceland, we have a pretty good Northern Lights forecast that shows us 3 days ahead, that is the most reliable one but even with that one, seeing the lights can be very tricky and sometimes we don´t know until the day off if we will be able to see it or not.
• When should I book this tour? This tour is highly likely to sell out so we recommend booking sooner rather than later. Regarding what time during your vacation you should book, we recommend booking this tour early on in your trip, that way you are maximising your chances of seeing the lights to the fullest and if you are not lucky on your first evening, you have the rest of your stay to try again!

Is your question not listed above?

Book your tour

Price: 19,000 ISK

• Best Price Guarantee
• Flexible Cancellation

Check availability

• Klapparstígur 25, 101 Reykjavík
• [email protected]
• +354 45 40 222
• Our Awesome Blog
• Privacy Policy

Most popular

• Reykjavík Food Tour
• Northern Lights Tour
• South Coast Adventure Tour
• Golden Circle and Hot Springs
• Golden Circle and Snowmobiling Tour

We're socially active

Follow Us On Social Media!

THE ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS EXPERIENCE IN ICELAND

Discover More

TRIPADVISOR HAS ANNOUNCED THAT OUR “ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR” HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS 2022 TRAVELERS’ CHOICE BEST OF THE BEST AWARD WINNER FOR TOP OVERALL EXPERIENCES IN ICELAND, RANKING SIXTH OUT OF 10 EXPERIENCES IN ICELAND. WITH THESE AWARDS, OUR ULTIMATE NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR IS IN THE TOP 1% OF THINGS TO DO WORLDWIDE AND THE ONLY NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR THAT MADE IT TO THE 2022 LIST.

The Ultimate Northern Lights Tour WITH ALL INCLUSIVE

The ultimate Private Northern Lights Tour 

The Ultimate Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour

Why Aurora Experts?

EMBARK ON AN AWARD-WINNING SMALL GROUP AND PREMIUM NORTHERN LIGHTS TOUR IN ICELAND WITH 93% SIGHTING RATE , UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF PROFESSIONAL TOUR PHOTOS, WARM WINTER JUMPSUITS, OUTDOOR CHAIRS AND TRADITIONAL ICELANDIC SNACKS & DRINKS ON LOCATION. TO MAINTAIN AN INTIMATE AND COZY EXPERIENCE, OUR TOUR ONLY ACCOMMODATES A MAXIMUM OF 16 PASSENGERS WHICH IS A SMALL GROUP GUARANTEE THAT IS VERY HARD TO FIND ANYMORE HERE IN ICELAND. NO MORE CROWDED TOURS THAT COMPROMISE THE MAGIC!

Small Group Guarantee

Free Re-trie

Free Winter Overalls

Traditional Snack & Drinks

Free Beautiful Photos

Free Tripods

100% Refundable

Professional Guides

What our guests say, five star service.

We’d highly recommend using Heimir at Aurora Experts – Iceland. He had a small group guarantee, is so knowledgeable on the island, the lights and so much more. He had some Icelandic treats for us to sample while we were waiting for activity including some much needed hot chocolate. We could tell it was as fun for him as it was us. So happy we booked with him instead of one of the big tour groups. The personal service was unforgettable!

Janine Muckelroy – 27. November 2021

THE BEST AURORA EXPERIENCE

Unreal experience Aurora Experts in Iceland, the enthusiasm of the tour guide on was amazing, they really want us to had the best experience ever, they had jumpsuits to keep us warm which was a lifesaver and they had traditional Icelandic food. They also took amazing photos of us all, and the overall experience was incredible. Cannot recommend it enough. They let us stay for as long as we wanted, and that also made the experience even more enjoyable. it was AMAZING, lifetime experience.

Bruna Dontal – 18. November 2021

Highly Recommend - Incredible Experience

This tour was absolutely incredible! Heimir stayed in constant contact with us throughout the week on weather conditions and the best day/time to see the lights. We were able to see the lights and had amazing pictures of us taken. Despite it being cold, they provided extremely warm overalls that kept us comfortable and even brought traditional Icelandic foods for us to try which were amazing! They let us stay as long as we wanted so we could really enjoy the moment. This experience was top of my bucket list, and I highly recommend Heimer and Aurora Experts – Iceland for all future Northern Lights Tours!

Elaine – 20. November 2021

10/10 best tour guides

These guys are amazing!! Heimir had excellent communication with our group to make sure we had the best chance of seeing the lights. The whole experience was perfect. We saw the lights and got wonderful professional photos! They also make sure everyone is warm with the provided jumpsuits. We will definitely book with Heimir the next time we’re in Iceland.

Kristin G – 18. November 2021

The BEST Northern Lights Tour!!

Our group of 7 had the absolute best time!! We were thrilled to find a personalized experience and were blown away with the communication with Heimir prior to our tour and our overall tour! I felt like I couldn’t have trusted a better person to give us the best opportunity to see the northern lights on our trip of a lifetime! We saw them, have wonderful pictures to remember them by and also got to experience local eats and drinks during the tour! It truly couldn’t have been better. We have already told others planning their trips about this tour and we plan to come back!!

Heather – 17. November 2021

The personal service was unforgettable!

Just got home from our week long trip where the weather was cold, cloudy and not the best for viewing the lights. We had a KP2 on our last night so we went for it with help from a private guide that was bound and determined to make sure we didn’t leave the island without a show. We’d highly recommend using Heimir at Aurora Experts – Iceland. He had a small group guarantee, is so knowledgeable on the island, the lights and so much more. He had some Icelandic treats for us to sample while we were waiting for activity including some much needed hot chocolate. We could tell it was as fun for him as it was us. So happy we booked with him instead of one of the big tour groups. The personal service was unforgettable!

Lovetravel94767 – 1. December 2021

auroraexperts

Aurora Experts is a subsidiary brand and big part of the Iceland Travel Experts family.

At Iceland Travel Experts our mission is to provide personalised, high quality and sustainable service to every guest. We believe that with our experience and expertise, combined with passion for travel we can partner with you to craft a truly unique and unforgettable holiday in Iceland.

Beyond the trip, our goal is to make you love Iceland as much as we do!

Privacy Overview

Northern Lights in Iceland: How, When & Where to See Auroras (+Best Tours)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: September 12, 2023

Are you thinking of visiting Iceland in winter and wondering where and how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland? This guide should answer all your questions: best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, best places & top tips on how to actually see them. Find out!

I run a Facebook group for Iceland and Scandinavia travel and it always amazes me how often this question gets asked by people who are planning a winter trip to Iceland. I also get aurora related questions on the blog all the time…

So in this article, I bundled up all those frequently asked questions about seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland and our answers to them. Where, when, and how to see the Northern Lights in Iceland … No scientific explanations, but simple tips for tourists who simply want to see auroras.

Below, you’ll find answers to all the FAQs we get about the Northern Lights. We also share all our top tips for seeing Aurora Borealis in Iceland. We also included a section with the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland , photography tips, and what to wear so that you can truly enjoy the experience.

TIP: While seeing the Northern Lights is a real bucket-list experience, try not to focus on it as the sole purpose of your trip. There is so much to see and do in Iceland , including so many other great winter activities , such as snowmobiling, glacier hiking , ice caves, etc.

So make sure to create a really nice Iceland winter itinerary for your trip, so that you have a wonderful time either way. And if you get to see the auroras, then it will be just the cherry on top.

Good to know: All the aurora pictures in this article are mine and taken during several trips to Iceland. These are real images of what the Northern Lights in Iceland can look like and what you are most likely to see.

This should give you a better idea of what you can expect in reality, which is usually very different than the picture-perfect aurora displays at the most scenic locations that you see in the travel brochures. Very different, indeed, but still amazing.

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland

You can see Northern Lights in Iceland from the (very) end of August until mid-April. However, the best time to see auroras in Iceland is between September and March . You need darkness in order to see the Northern Lights and for that, the end of August is often too early and by mid-April, the nights don’t get dark enough anymore.

There is not one specific month that’s better for auroras than the other. It’s a natural phenomenon and it remains a question of luck. If you look purely at solar activity, then the prime time for seeing the Northern Lights is during the Equinox, which is the last two weeks of September and the second and third week of March. However, it’s never guaranteed and so much also depends on the weather.

The most spectacular aurora display I have ever seen was in Iceland in November. And the ones I saw in September were nothing compared to that. So you really never know.

Can you see Northern Lights in Iceland in summer?

No, you cannot see the Northern Lights in Iceland in May, June, July, and the biggest part of August.

It just doesn’t get dark enough in the summer months. Summer is the season for the Midnight Sun!

The very end of August is the earliest when you can expect to see auroras in Iceland, and even then, your chances are really low.

Where can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

You need three factors in order to see auroras: darkness, (relatively) clear skies, and aurora activity. If the conditions are right, you can see the Northern Lights anywhere in Iceland. There is no place that’s better than another and you really cannot predict this in advance!

That being said, your chances to see auroras are always higher outside the cities where there is little to no light pollution.

But as long as it’s dark, there are not too many clouds, and aurora activity is high enough, you can see the Northern Lights anywhere. If aurora activity is really high, you can even see the Northern Lights in downtown Reykjavik.

Every time someone asks which hotel to book for Northern Lights or where and when to go exactly, it makes me smile. Because, well, it’s like asking where to see a rainbow. Except that you can in fact predict the timing of some rainbows at the waterfalls, whereas you really cannot predict where and when the Northern Lights will appear.

Best hotels for Northern Lights in Iceland

As already said before, it’s really impossible to say where you should stay or which hotels are best for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland. Auroras are a natural phenomenon, furthermore so much depends on the weather.

So if you see a list of the best hotels to stay for the Northern Lights in Iceland, take it with a grain of salt. They might be amazing hotels and have beautiful remote locations, but they cannot guarantee that you will see auroras. Nobody can.

That being said, when planning your Iceland winter trip itinerary and looking for hotels, try to pick the ones that are somewhat further away from towns. The darker it is near the hotel, the easier it will be to see auroras right there, without having to walk or take a car.

And because our readers keep on asking, below, you can find some specific hotel suggestions for the Northern Lights viewing. These are mostly hotels along the South Coast of Iceland because driving the entire Ring Road is usually not the best idea in the darkest winter months. These are just some hotels where you could stay during your winter trip and where the surroundings are usually dark enough for auroras. The rest is luck and persistence to actually go outside and wait.

Here are some nice hotels to see Northern Lights in Iceland:

• Hotel Ranga . Beautiful hotel in Hella, along the South Coast.
• Glacier View Guesthouse . A lovely small hotel in Hrifunes, between Vik and Kirkjubæjarklaustur.
• Magma Hotel . Nice hotel in Kirkjubæjarklaustur, between Vik and Jokulsarlon.
• Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon . Most beautiful hotel in the Jokulsarlon area.
• Hali Country Hotel . Great location-price-quality hotel near Jokulsarlon.
• Fosshotel Vatnajökull . Another excellent option not too far from Jokulsarlon.
• Úthlíd Cottages . A nice budget-friendly option along the Golden Circle.
• Fosshotel Hellnar . One of the best places to stay on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula .
• Lighthouse Inn . Simple hotel with a nice location in Gardur, on Reykjanes Peninsula , not too far from Keflavik airport.

Once again, note that these are just a few examples. Furthermore, we only chose accommodations that are quite easy to get to and are located in the most popular areas that you can visit in winter. There are many more good places to stay for the Northern Lights in Iceland, but seeing them is never guaranteed.

READ ALSO: Best Places to Stay in Reykjavik

Are the Northern Lights only green in the pictures?

No, auroras are not just green in the pictures and you can really see them with your own eyes. However, it is also true that weak auroras are not visible to the naked eye and only look green in the pictures.

But if you are lucky to witness a strong Northern Lights display, you will see the most phenomenal light show with all shades of green. Sometimes, auroras can also color red or purple. It’s magical!

How to increase your chances of seeing Aurora in Iceland

Here are some tips on how to increase your chances of seeing auroras in Iceland:

• Travel to Iceland between September and March .
• Plan a longer trip . The longer you stay in Iceland, the more chance that the weather conditions and aurora activity will be favorable.
• Stay in hotels and accommodations outside of towns , so that you have almost no light pollution.
• Check the aurora forecast every day. We recommend the official website of the Icelandic Meteorological Office . You can also install one of the many Icelandic aurora alert apps.
• If aurora activity is at least 3-4 and you have a possibility to do so safely, drive to a place where there are no cloud s that night.
• Go outside and wait! This is probably the most important tip and one where most people fail. Of course, you might get lucky and see auroras outside your hotel just after dinner. But this hardly ever happens. Most of the time, you really have to make an effort. And yes, it’s not going to be easy to stay up and spend hours outside every night. But if the aurora forecast is good and there are no clouds, you really should go outside and just wait.
• If you are staying in Reykjavik , then you should really consider taking an organized tour (more info below). Tours always go looking for the best places for that specific night; places far away from light pollution and where there are no clouds.

What to wear for aurora hunting in Iceland

What to wear for aurora hunting will depend a bit on the month when you visit Iceland. If you are looking for auroras in Iceland in September , you might be ok with a light jacket and a sweater. Whereas in the middle of the winter, you might need to bundle up using every single layer that you have packed (and still be cold)… In general, expect that it will be cold. Very cold.

I recommend overdressing when planning to go aurora hunting – always dress warmer than you think you’ll need. The wind is usually so strong in Iceland that it will feel much colder than the weather forecast might make you think. Also, waiting for auroras means that you sometimes stand still for long periods of time. You’ll quickly get colder than you anticipated.

To give you an idea, here is what I always wear when chasing auroras during the cold winter nights in Iceland:

• Thermal merino wool underwear (shirt and leggings from Icebreaker ).
• At least two sweaters (fleece is ok as one of the layers, but wool is a must!). Once, I even wore 4 sweaters over each other and it was still cold.
• A warm wind- and waterproof winter jacket or parka.
• Very thick windproof ski pants.
• One or two pairs of wool socks.
• Very warm winter boots (I own these UGG boots . More suggestions – best winter boots for travel ).
• Two pairs of gloves (thin gloves ones for photography and Goretex mittens to wear over the thin ones).
• Warm wind-proof winter hat with ear flaps (something like this isn’t exaggerated).
• A polar buff and a warm scarf or two warm buffs over each other (something like this ).

READ ALSO: What to Wear and What to Pack for Iceland in Winter

Best Iceland Northern Lights tours

There are many Northern Lights tours in Iceland and most of them run from Reykjavik. You can choose between big-bus tours, small-group tours, or private tours. In addition, you can also opt for aurora tours by boat or by super-jeep.

Here you can find the complete selection of aurora tours on GetYourGuide or on Viator . We do not recommend booking with suppliers directly, because their cancelation policy is usually not as flexible. Furthermore, if something goes wrong, it’s practically impossible to get your money back.

We recommend GetYourGuide as the very best website for any tour bookings. They have the most flexible cancelation policy and excellent customer service.

TIP: Some tours offer a free retry if you don’t get to see auroras on the first day. So it’s best to plan your tours at the beginning of the trip. That way, if you don’t get to see them and your tour offers this possibility, you can still try to reschedule for later.

Here are some of the best Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik:

• Bus tour . This has been the best-rated big bus Northern Lights tour in Iceland for several years. It also includes a free ticket to the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik. Furthermore, if you don’t see auroras on the first day, you get a free retry. This tour is much cheaper than minibus tours.
• Minibus tour . This is one of the best price-quality aurora tours from Reykjavik for those who prefer to go with a smaller group.
• Guided tour with photos . This tour includes warm drinks, blankets, and free pictures that your guides take of the Northern Lights you see that evening.
• Luxury yacht tour.  This boat tour is very popular, but you should know that it can get really cold and bumpy on the water. On the other hand, you can stay inside the luxury boat and only come outside when there is something to see. It’s also very difficult to take good pictures of the Northern Lights from a moving boat, but if you are looking for an amazing experience rather than documenting it, then this is a very nice option. And if you don’t get to see auroras, at least you see some nice scenery and have a pleasant relaxing evening.

READ ALSO: Best Winter Tours in Iceland

An alternative way to see Northern Lights in Iceland

If you are visiting Iceland in summer or if the weather turns out really bad and you don’t get a chance to see the Northern Lights in real life, we recommend that you pay a visit to the Perlan Museum in Reykjavik .

Among other things, you’ll be able to see the Perlan Arora Show, which is almost as good as the real thing. It’s very well done and is absolutely impressive!

I have seen auroras in Iceland and Norway multiple times, but I still found this aurora show worth a visit.

LEARN MORE: Perlan Museum in Reykjavik & Best Things to Do in Reykjavik

How to photograph the Northern Lights

Northern Lights photography is a bit tricky. First, it’s dark and very cold. Also, if you are lucky to see a really good display, the auroras will be moving and changing intensity all the time. And finally, most tourists only get to see auroras once or twice and don’t have much chance to practice or perfect their aurora photography skills. Often, you’ll be glad if you have one chance!

So if you want to try to take some pictures of the Northern Lights, you have to prepare in advance! And no, you don’t have to be a professional photographer, but it definitely helps to know some basic tips and camera settings to start with.

We have compiled some of our best tips and suggestions for aurora photography for beginners in a separate guide. Click on the link below to read all about it.

LEARN MORE: Northern Lights Photography Tips

To summarize, here are some of the most asked questions in regard to seeing auroras in Iceland:

The best months to see the Northern Lights in Iceland are between September and March. That’s when the nights are long and dark enough for viewing auroras.

Northern Lights displays can last for just a few seconds, but they can also last for several hours. I have seen aurora displays that lasted no longer than 5 seconds, but I have also seen magnificent aurora shows that lasted several hours. Sometimes, they stop but then reappear again and the show can go on for hours.

Yes, it’s possible to see Northern Lights in Reykjavik. If the aurora display is very strong, you can sometimes see it despite the lights of the city (I have even seen them from my hotel window in Reykjavik). That being said, your chances are always higher in the darker places, a bit outside the city center. The area around Grótta Island Lighthouse is one of the best places to see auroras in Reykjavik.

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights even if there is a full moon. If the auroras are weak, then the strong moonlight might make it more difficult to see them. But if auroras are strong, it’s definitely possible. Once, I saw a magnificent aurora show that lasted more than 3 hours under the full moon.

If the conditions are right, you can see the Northern Lights EVERYWHERE in Iceland. There is not one place or region of Iceland that’s better for viewing auroras than another.

If you are visiting Iceland between September and October, there is always a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. However, auroras are a natural phenomenon and you need clear skies in order to see them, so you really cannot plan or predict it in advance.

While Iceland is a very good place to see the Northern Lights, it’s not the very best place in the world. Because of its location directly on the Aurora Ring, the Tromsø area in Norway is considered one of the very best places to see the Northern Lights in the world. There, you can see auroras even if the activity is very low and the chances for clear skies are higher. More information – Northern Lights in Tromso .

More tips for your winter trip to Iceland:

• Useful info: Tips for Visiting Iceland in Winter
• Bucket list: Best Things to Do in Iceland in Winter
• Good to know:   Iceland Travel Tips
• Must-read: Driving in Iceland in Winter
• Packing:  What to Wear in Iceland in Winter
• Itinerary:  The Best Iceland Winter Itinerary & 1 Day in Reykjavik
• Where to stay:  Where to Stay in Iceland & Where to Stay in Reykjavik
• Airport transfers:  How to Get to Reykjavik from Keflavik Airport
• Budget:  How Expensive is Iceland (& How to Save Money)
• Tours: Best Winter Tours from Reykjavik

READ ALSO: Best Places to See on the South Coast of Iceland

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Lindsey Wilson-Willis

Monday 6th of November 2023

Hi there. Thanks for the article. Really helpful. We are in Reykjavik tonight only. Where will be best to try and see the NLs. Thank you,

@Jurga, we have a car…. Are you able to recommend a ‘good chance’ destination? Thanks again. Lindsey

Hi Lindsey, I see on the aurora forecast map that cloud coverage doesn't look great for Reykjavik tonight, but there are some openings nearby, so maybe you have a chance. Going on a tour (by bus or boat) would increase your chances. But if you rather stay in the city, then it's best to go to the darkest waterfront areas. For example, to Grótta Island Lighthouse, which is located a bit outside of the center in the area that has less light pollution. Good luck!

Monday 26th of December 2022

Great article! However, our travel plans put us to arrive April 18th and it seems most of the tours stop April 15th...can you recommend a good way to try and see them without a tour? Would it just be to rent a car and drive somewhere?

Tuesday 27th of December 2022

Hi Kelly, most tours stop because it becomes too light at that time of the year and the chances of seeing auroras are really low. Even April 15 is probably already stretched. That being said, you can always see how the conditions are, and if it’s dark enough and there is a strong aurora activity, just go outside and wait. But it has to be really dark so it helps if you’re not in the middle of the city. You can download some aurora apps and keep an eye on what they predict, but don’t count on it at that time of the year.

Angela Hunter

Friday 17th of December 2021

Beautiful shots of the light show, thank you so much for sharing them. I didn’t know that some of the light is only seen for a few seconds.

I can’t wait until the airline restrictions are lifted. I would be there in a minute!

Monday 20th of December 2021

Hi Angela, yes, auroras are quite unpredictable and you never really know what 'show' you're going to get. Hope you can experience it one day!

Tuesday 24th of August 2021

I teach - so very limited in when I can travel to Iceland. If I am traveling in early August, and go pretty North (like porshofn or Raudanes Point), and ensure that I am at that point during the new moon. What are the chances of seeing Northern Lights?

Wednesday 25th of August 2021

@Jurga, thank you so much for your answer! I think this will then just be a hiking/waterfalls hike.

I teach college so not as many days off and my spouse is so low on the totem pole at their job that taking days off around holidays os not happening. So we will have to plan something else for northern lights. Maybe Norway :-)

Hi Sally, unfortunately, your chances of seeing the Northern Lights anywhere in early August are pretty much 0. It just doesn't get dark enough yet up North. The earliest you could hope to see them is from approximately the last week of August. Also, in summer, it's actually lighter the further north you go. So going to the northernmost point in Iceland in early August would just give you even more daylight than staying in Reykjavik (not that any of that matters much because it simply doesn't get dark at night at that time of the year). Having said all this, we travel with kids and can also only travel during school holidays. Still, we have quite a few holidays that fall between September and March (potentially early April), so if you have any vacations during that time of the year, it would be a much better chance for auroras. On the other hand, Iceland is also amazing in early August and well worth a trip even though you won't see auroras (but can witness the midnight sun). It's just a totally different experience traveling there in summer or in winter.

Protect Your Trip »

The 17 best iceland tours: northern lights, waterfalls & more.

Enjoy glacier hikes, whale watching cruises and the northern lights on these Iceland tours.

The Best Iceland Tours

Getty Images

With terrain shaped by volcanic eruptions and shifting tectonic plates and the surrounding waters filled with glaciers, icebergs and whales, Iceland is like no other place on Earth. It's also an ideal spot to observe a seasonal phenomenon above the Earth: the northern lights  (or aurora borealis).

The following Iceland tours, determined by U.S. News to be the best available thanks to expert input and traveler sentiment, provide ideal ways of experiencing all that this extraordinary place has to offer. All of these excursions are conducted by knowledgeable guides eager to share their insights into their country's special features.

Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours – Zodiac Boat Tour

Price: Adults from 14,900 Icelandic króna (about $108); kids from 8,900 króna (about $65) Duration: 75 minutes

Explore the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon – part of Vatnajökull National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to Europe's largest glacier – aboard an inflatable rigid boat on this expedition. In addition to icebergs and the glacial wall, you might also spot wildlife like seals and various bird species. Tourgoers consistently describe the guides as passionate and knowledgeable, and say photo opportunities abound. Trips are available from May through October several times a day, with departures in both the morning and the afternoon. The park containing the lagoon sits in the southeast part of the country, about 236 miles from Reykjavik . Ice Lagoon Adventure Tours also runs private excursions.

Check prices & availability on:

NiceTravel – Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & Kerid Volcano

Price: Adults from $218; kids from $123 Duration: 11 hours

Visit the Golden Circle's top sights, including Thingvellir National Park and Gullfoss, plus a volcanic crater and a pristine lagoon on this daylong journey. The park is of both geological and historical significance as it straddles a fault line between two tectonic plates and was the site of a Viking parliament that ruled for hundreds of years starting in A.D. 930. Other highlights include Geysir, a hot spring that shoots plumes of vapor into the air; Gullfoss (aka the Golden Waterfall) over which water cascades down more than 100 feet into a narrow canyon; Kerid, a colorful red-earth volcanic crater; and a two-hour stop at the heated waters of the popular Blue Lagoon. Tour-takers invariably find the scenery spectacular and the guides friendly and informative, though a few found the bus to be too small for the number of people on the tour. Tours happen daily all year long. Pickup from various locations in Reykjavik occurs between 8:30 and 9 a.m. and minibuses return to the city around 8 p.m.

Reykjavik Sailors – Whale Watching

Price: Adults from 11,990 króna (about $87); kids from 5,995 króna (about $44) Duration: 3 to 3.5 hours

While April to October is considered peak season for whale watching off Iceland's coast, humpback, minke and orca whales, as well as porpoises and dolphins, inhabit the waters all year. Reykjavik Sailors, located on Reykjavik's Old Harbour, offers whale watching boat trips throughout the year. Tourgoers report spotting ample wildlife, and appreciate the knowledgeable, friendly guides.

Transportation from area hotels is available for an additional fee. Snacks and beverages are available aboard the boat, which features outdoor viewing platforms as well as heated indoor space. Reykjavik Sailors also operates tours of the northern lights, among other options.

Arctic Adventures – Crystal Ice Cave Tour Iceland

Price: Adults from about $161; kids from around $137 Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Take a ride in an off-roading vehicle from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon to the edge of the massive Vatnajökull glacier and then hike to a natural ice cave on this small-group excursion. The tour, which is limited to 14 travelers, also allows you to witness the result of calving – the process of icebergs breaking off of glaciers. Tourgoers frequently praise the capable and personable guides. Many reviewers called this the highlight of their trip to Iceland.

Trips depart from the lagoon daily from October to mid-April beginning at 9:20 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. While the hike to the cave is rated as easy, children younger than 6 are not allowed on this trip. All of the necessary safety equipment is included in the cost of the tour. Arctic Adventures conducts a variety of ice cave tours, glacier hikes and more.

BusTravel Iceland – South Coast Waterfalls, Glacier & Black Sand Beach Tour

Price: Adults from 13,990 króna (about $103); kids from 6,995 króna (about $52) Duration: 10 hours

This daylong outing affords opportunities to explore the glaciers, volcanos and other distinctive features of Iceland's southern coast . Highlights include Skógafoss, a nearly 200-foot waterfall beside the Eyjafjallajökull volcano; the slightly taller Seljalandsfoss waterfall; Reynisfjara, a beach on the north Atlantic Ocean with black volcanic sand and basalt columns; a stop for lunch in the fishing village of Vik; and Sólheimajökull glacier. Tour-takers consistently call the scenery extraordinary and the guides informative, though they do warn that it is a long day.

Transportation from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional charge. Pickups occur between 8 and 8:30 a.m. Prices do not cover any food and drink in Vik. Note: Reaching the glacier involves walking on uneven ground. BusTravel Iceland also leads tours exploring the Golden Circle, the northern lights and more.

Your Friend in Reykjavik – Walk With a Viking

Price: Adults from $45; kids from $29 Duration: 2 hours

See the sights of Reykjavik on this two-hour walking tour of the city's center. Highlights include Harpa (an incredible performance venue), Hallgrímskirkja church, the Parliament building and Reykjavik harbor, as well as the first Viking house. Tour-takers find this stroll to be a great way to get to know the city and recommend taking the tour on one of your first days in Iceland. Reviewers consistently describe the guides as great storytellers and eager to answer any questions.

Groups of up to 12 depart from Ingólfur Square daily at 10 a.m. and 1 and 5 p.m. Your Friend in Reykjavik offers a variety of tours, including food tours, cooking classes, adventure tours and more.

Troll Expeditions – Snorkeling in Silfra

Price: From 19,900 króna (about $145) Duration: 3 hours

Snorkel between tectonic plates in the only place where that's possible during this adventure. Located in Thingvellir National Park about a 30-mile drive northeast of Reykjavik, Silfra fissure lies in the space where the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates have slowly moved apart. Its water, from the melted ice of the Langjökull glacier, is exceptionally clean, boasting visibility of about 330 feet. Snorkelers laud the attentive, professional guides as well as the one-of-a-kind experience.

Snorkeling trips are available year-round at least twice a day; start times vary depending on the season. Groups are limited to six people. There are age, weight and health restrictions for this tour; check with the company before you book to ensure you meet all the necessary requirements. Troll Expeditions also offers guided glacier hikes, day trips and multiday excursions around the country to the South Coast, Ring Road and more.

Wake Up Reykjavik – Reykjavik Food Tour

Price: Adults from 16,900 króna (about $123); kids from 9,900 króna (about $72) Duration: 3 hours

Sample an array of Icelandic cuisine on this walking tour of downtown Reykjavik. Try eight traditional dishes, including fish and grass-fed lamb, as well as ice cream and street food. (Vegetarians and those with allergies or other dietary restrictions can usually be accommodated.) Between stops, you'll stroll past notable sites, such as the Parliament building and city hall. Travelers praise the pace of the tour and the dishes featured. Reviewers also applauded guides for their humor and the depth of their knowledge about Iceland's history and culture.

Tours start outside Harpa concert hall every day beginning at 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. Wake Up Reykjavik also organizes day trips to the Golden Circle, the South Coast and more.

Adventure Vikings – Silfra Drysuit Snorkeling

Price: From 18,990 króna (about $138) Duration: 2 to 4.5 hours

Explore the pristine glacial waters between the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates on this snorkeling tour in Silfra, one of the world's top dive sites. Part of Thingvellir National Park, Silfra fissure is the result of the two tectonic plates separating at a rate of about 2 centimeters per year. The fissure is filled with water from Langjökull glacier that's been filtered through lava fields, making it incredibly pure. Snorkelers rave about the Silfra fissure's beauty and praise the guides for their attention to safety.

The tour lasts up to 4.5 hours depending if round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is needed. Prices include use of snorkeling equipment. You can rent a wearable GoPro camera for an additional 6,900 króna (around $51). Tours are available year-round. Snorkelers must be at least 12 years old; groups have no more than six people per guide. Participants preferring to don a less restrictive (but also less warm) wetsuit instead of a dry suit have that option. There are height and weight requirements for this tour. Adventure Vikings also leads surfing and stand-up paddleboarding tours, among other outings.

Special Tours – Northern Lights by Boat

Price: Adults from 12,990 króna (about $95); kids from 6,495 króna (about $48) Duration: 2 to 3 hours

Enjoy the unique opportunity to observe the northern lights from the ocean on this two- to three-hour boat ride. You'll depart from Old Harbour in Reykjavik and be in the perfect viewing location away from the city lights after about a 20-minute cruise. Along the way, guides regale passengers with stories, myths and scientific facts about the aurora borealis. Travelers praise the amazing views as well as the humorous, helpful guides. Others appreciated the company's backup plan: If the conditions aren't favorable for viewing the lights from the water, you can hunt for the lights by bus, or choose one of the company's other tours (such as a daytime whale watching excursion) at no charge.

Cruises are available nightly in the fall and winter. Departure times vary by time of year, but boats typically sail at 10 p.m. in September and mid-March to mid-April; they depart at 9 p.m. from October to mid-March. Food and drinks are available for purchase on board. The company also offers whale watching excursions, fishing trips and more.

ĺshestar – Lava Tour

Price: Adults from 15,900 króna (about $117); kids from 11,925 króna (about $87) Duration: 2 hours

Admire the green hillsides and lava fields just outside Reykjavik on this two-hour small-group horseback riding tour. The stables are located about 10 miles south of the city center; round-trip transportation is available if you don't have your own car. Travelers frequently describe riding an Icelandic horse as a fantastic experience, and they generally appreciate the professionalism of the staff who lead the outing.

Rides depart every day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The cost includes the use of helmets and boots, as well as post-ride coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Round-trip transportation from Reykjavik is available for an additional fee and starts an hour before the tour. Groups are limited to 20 participants; all must be at least 7 years old and weigh less than 240 pounds. No prior horseback riding experience is necessary. Longer, multiday trail rides, as well as private tours are also available.

BusTravel Iceland – Snaefellsnes Peninsula Tour

Price: Adults from 16,990 króna (about $125); kids from 8,495 króna (about $62) Duration: 11 hours

In addition to its tours of the southern coast, BusTravel Iceland offers a daylong tour of the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, an area northwest of Reykjavik that boasts black sand beaches, lava fields, beautiful waterfalls , rock formations and more. Highlights include Berserkjahraun lava fields, which date back to a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago; the 1,520-foot Kirkjufell (aka Church Mountain); the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfalls; Snaefellsjökull National Park and the cliffs of Arnarstapi harbor, once a bustling fishing area. Travelers typically enjoy both the dramatic landscapes and the guides' commentary.

Tours last approximately 11 hours. Pickup from various Reykjavik locations is available for an additional fee. Tours are available daily starting at 8 and 9 a.m.

CityWalk Reykjavik – Free Walking Tour Reykjavik

Price: Free Duration: 2 hours

Stroll among the main attractions of downtown Reykjavik , including the statue of Jón Sigurðsson and the Harpa concert hall, on this approximately two-hour, 1.3-mile tour. Guides will regale you with stories concerning Icelandic history, as well as lore involving elves, Vikings and more, which tour-takers deem highly entertaining.

Walks start at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. every day at the Austurvöllur (the city's main square) and conclude at city hall. Bookings open up about five days in advance. While there's no fee for this tour, guides do appreciate tips. There are no age or group-size limits. CityWalk Reykjavik does offer a slightly longer, small-group tour for a fee.

Check availability on:

GeoIceland – Premium Golden Circle Tour

Price: Adults from 18,900 króna (about $140); kids from 14,900 króna (about $110) Duration: 9 hours

Visit the rift between two tectonic plates, the powerful waterfall and the geothermal area comprising Iceland's famed Golden Circle and more on this daylong tour. In addition to the high cliffs of the rift valley in Thingvellir National Park, the often rainbow-adorned Gullfoss waterfall and the hot spring Geysir, this tour stops at the Kerid volcanic crater, as well as a tomato farm. Tour-takers frequently cite both the stunning scenery and the friendly, amusing guides as highlights of this journey.

Buses depart from the Aurora Reykjavik museum daily at 9 a.m. and return approximately nine hours later. Prices include admission to all attractions, but exclude lunch at the tomato farm's restaurant. GeoIceland also runs tours that depart from other cities in Iceland, including Akureyri and the Lake Mývatn area.

Iceland Everywhere Tours – Northern Lights Midnight Adventure Tour

Price: From 15,800 króna (around $115) Duration: 3 to 5 hours

Spend the night searching for the northern lights on this seasonal outing. During the trip, guides not only provide information about the aurora borealis, local history and Icelandic culture, but also assist participants with finding the right setting on their cameras or smartphones to capture the best images. Free professional photographs are also available if you'd prefer to simply admire the sky. Reviewers rave about the colorful lights and appreciate the small size of the group. Several travelers also called out the insightful guides as a highlight.

These minibus rides happen every night from September to mid-April starting at 9 p.m. and last from three to five hours. Transportation from area hotels is available. There is a maximum of 15 participants per each tour. Iceland Everywhere Tours also offers guided excursions to the South Coast and the Golden Circle.

Funky Iceland – The Funky Food & Beer Walk

Price: Adults from 18,000 króna (about $131); kids from 7,500 króna (about $55) Duration: 3 hours

Enjoy a culinary adventure on this three-hour walking tour of Reykjavik. The tour has five food stops featuring nine traditional Icelandic dishes, such as lamb stew, dried fish and fermented shark, as well as five locally crafted beers. Foodies tend to relish the savvy guides' insights into Icelandic culture and cuisine. Tours start outside the Hallgrímskirkja Church at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Groups range in size from two to eight people.

Icelandic Mountain Guides – Blue Ice Experience

Price: Adults from 18,999 króna (about $138); kids from 13,299 króna (about $97) Duration: 3.5 hours

Hike among the ice formations, crevasses and frozen ridges of the enormous Vatnajökull glacier on this small-group expedition. Outings of up to 15 people commence at the welcome center at Skaftafell (about 200 miles southeast of Reykjavik) and last about 3.5 hours, including up to 1.5 to two hours on the ice. Past participants consistently describe the scenery as stunning and the guides as professional and informative.

Tours are available multiple times a day, beginning at 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Children younger than 10 may not join the tour. Prices include the use of ice axes, harnesses and crampons. Icelandic Mountain Guides operates a variety of glacier walks, snowmobile tours and guided hikes.

You might also be interested in:

• The Best Hotels in Reykjavik
• The Northern Lights in Iceland: How to See Them
• The Best Northern Lights Alaska Cruises for 2024 & Beyond
• The Best Places to Visit in Europe
• The Best International Travel Insurance

Tags: Iceland , Tours , Travel , Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best kauai boat tours.

Lyn Mettler April 11, 2024

The Top-Rated NYC Food Tours

Ann Henson April 11, 2024

The Best Things to Do in Maine

Mariya Greeley and Nicola Wood April 10, 2024

The Best Pearl Harbor Tours

John Rodwan and Amanda Norcross April 9, 2024

The Best Pigeon Forge Dinner Shows

Korrin Bishop April 9, 2024

Flight Canceled or Delayed? What to Do

Amanda Norcross April 8, 2024

Carry-on Luggage Sizes by Airline

The Best Charleston Tours

John Rodwan April 4, 2024

The Best Napa Valley Wine Tours

Amanda Norcross April 4, 2024

The 10 Best Denver Tours

Lyn Mettler April 4, 2024

• All Tours & Activities
• Northern Lights Tours
• Golden Circle Tours
• South Shore Tours
• Blue Lagoon Tours
• Sky Lagoon Tours
• Hvammsvík Hot Spring Tours
• Hot Springs & Pools
• Volcano Tours
• Adventure Tours
• Reykjavik City Tours
• Super Jeep Tours
• Special Offers
• Private Tours
• Meet on Location
• Highland Bus

Your Cart is empty

Looks like you haven’t picked any tours yet!

Northern Lights Tour

Minimum Age

"Amazing Northern lights tour"

Tour Highlights

• Maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights on this evening tour
• Your guide takes you to the best places to spot the elusive phenomenon
• If you don‘t see any lights, you can re-book again for another night free of charge
• Seasonal tour available from September to mid-April

What’s included

Reviewed June 3, 2022

Reviewed February 2, 2020

Reviewed September 2, 2019

14 Amazing Iceland Northern Lights Tours for First-time Visitors

• 4 Pinterest

Visiting Iceland during winter and looking for Iceland Northern Lights tours ?

Read more about which are the best tours, combined tickets to other sites or activities, when is the best time of the day to visit… You won’t forget how unique this experience is!

1- Northern Lights Bus Tour

If you’re looking to experience the Northern Lights but you’re on a tight budget, consider taking the Northern Lights bus tour from Reykjavik. This tour includes pick-up and drop-off transport by bus. You’ll have a guide with you explaining how Aurora Borealis are formed and other interesting facts.

• Northern Lights Tours from Reykjavik

2 – Northern Lights Boat Tour

Northern Lights from a boat are another great experience you should try out. The boat has an outdoor deck and an inside deck where you can purchase drinks and snacks. Watching the Aurora Borealis from the water is an amazing perspective.

• Northern Lights boat tours

3 – Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

If you prefer to have a more personalised experience you can join this small group Northern Lights tour where they will take care of everything. You can also choose to go on super jeeps, perfect for exploring hidden areas with beautiful clear skies. This tour has pick-up and drop-off included and other special features.

• Northern Lights jeep tours

4 – Northern Lights Snowmobile Tour

Looking for more adventure? Ride a snowmobile and discover hidden places. Take your exploration to a whole new level during an amazing snowmobile excursion. Explore high up on Langokull Glacien and admire the northern lights.

• Snowmobile tours

5 – Northern Lights ATV Tour

If you’re an active traveller who is searching for adventure, then combine your northern lights tour with an ATV experience. Head straight from your hotel and hop on an ATV for a fun adventure, while contemplating the northern lights.

6 – Nothern Lights Fatbike Tour

Iceland is arctic fatbike territory. Explore Iceland’s fascinating white outskirts on your fatbike and go Nothern Lights hunting with a local guide.

6 – Northern Lights Tour with Reykjavik Secret Lagoon

The Secret Lagoon has not been altered in any way (compared to other lagoons), resulting in a very natural experience. Relax in the hot spring waters and then go Northern Lights hunting.

• Tours with Secret Lagoon

7 – Northern Lights Tour with Golden Circle

The Golden Circle is a famous tourist route in the South of Iceland. Combine your tour with the world famous erupting geyser, hot springs and of course the Northern Lights.

You will see the ancient geological formations and parliament site at Thingvellir National Park, watch the Strokkur at Geysir and the Gullfoss waterfall. Following these sites you will go hunt for the Northern Lights.

• Northern Lights & Golden Circle tours

8 – Northern Lights Tour with Fontana Geothermal Baths

Combine your Northern Lights tour with one of Iceland’s best attraction: the Fontana Geothermal Baths. Relax in the natural geothermal baths at Laugarvatn Fontana Spa & Wellness Center – an authentic Icelandic experience.

• Tours with Fontana Baths

9 – Northern Lights Tour with Southern Iceland Lava Fields, Glaciers and Beaches

Explore the Southern coastline of Iceland and catch sight of some of the most popular waterfalls, beaches and lava fields. At night, the world-famous Northern Lights will illuminate the sky to finish your adventure.

• South Coast tours

10 – Northern Lights Tour With Whale Watching

Experience the best Iceland has to offer with a whale watching and Northen Lights combo tour. Search for whales off the coast of Reykjavik during the day and then go hunting for the Northern Lights after dark.

• Whale Watching in Reykjavík

11 – Nothern Lights Tour With Stargazing

Depart from Reykjavik and discover the sky wonders from one of the best astronomy places in the world. With the aid of an expert guide you will get the chance to admire the Northern Lights and stars – a great combo for the ones passionated with astrology.

12 – Northern Lights Tour with Glacier Walking

13 – Northern Lights Tour with Snæfellsnes Peninsula

Discover the scenic beauty of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula on a full-day tour and get the chance to see the infamous Northern Lights.

• Snæfellsnes Peninsula tours

14 – Nothern Lights Tour with Image Peace Tower on Videy Island

Visit the Imagine Peace Tower , located on Viðey Island – a memorial to John Lennon from his widow wife, Yoko Ono.

How to book Iceland Northern Lights tours?

As you may know, there are plenty of tours offered by different providers at competitive prices. If you’re wondering where and which tour to book, we suggest you use TourScanner’s search to compare all the tours and prices. They have many combined tickets if you’re interested in visiting more than just the Northern Lights.

• Compare Northern Lights tours

When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?

Something you should know before booking Iceland Northern Lights tours is when is the best season to go see the lights. The Northern Lights season is from late August to mid April. However, from late September to late March it is dark after 6pm so you can try your chances then.

As the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, their appearance is difficult to predict in advance than two hours before they appear. They are very dependent on solar activity and dark skies so note that they can appear around sunset and sunrise.

If you are thinking of booking an Iceland Northern Lights tour, I am sure they will let you know when is the best time of the day to see the lights.

See also: Best Places to See the Northern Lights Around the Globe

Travel tips

• Booking Northern Lights tours are highly recommended because of their many advantages. For instance, if the Northern Lights don’t appear then you get the opportunity to go back without extra charges.
• The guide who accompanies you knows a lot about Northern Lights, so they know where exactly to go and when.
• Don’t forget to take your camera to capture these beautiful Northern Lights, these experiences are unique.
• Remember Iceland is a cold place so don’t forget to take warm clothes.

Enjoy Iceland and don’t forget your camera 🙂

• Tour Packages
• Tours From Reykjavik
• Self Driving Activities
• Family Friendly
• Shore Excursions

Private Tours

Northern Lights Tours

• Volcano Tours
• Itinerary Planner
• Custom Itinerary
• Travel Guides
• Things To Do in Iceland
• Locations in Iceland
• Hot Spring Map

[email protected]

Best Northern Light Tours in Iceland | A Complete Guide for Aurora Borealis Tours

Traveling to Iceland is one of the best things you could plan for yourself. This Land of Fire and Ice is known for its breathtaking and enthralling attractions. You can experience some of the best moments of your life by spending them amid stunning natural surroundings in Iceland. Iceland embraces gigantic mountains , dramatic volcanoes , majestic waterfalls , incredible geothermal spas , adventurous hiking trails , and drool-worthy cuisine. This place is truly a heaven on earth that delivers the best of mother nature to humanity.

The European country is known for its unpredictable weather , the midnight sun , welcoming natives, relishing street art, and glorious Vikings history. The one thing that makes Iceland different from every winter land is the stunning Northern lights . The natural phenomenon is one of the greatest thing you could experience in Iceland. You need to be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the magical scene. The bright lights and unusual solar activity make the scene iconic and thrilling. There are many ways through which you can experience the northern lights. To maximize your chances of seeing the lights dance above the skies is to book the best tours that can help you catch a glimpse of the most incredible activity on this planet.

Take a look at the ultimate guide to know briefly about some of the most exciting Northern lights tours in Iceland.

• Northern Lights in Iceland | Ultimate Guide
• Best Conditions to see the Northern Lights
• Northern Lights Photography
• How to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik
• Iceland Winter Packing List
• The Weather in Iceland
• The Midnight Sun

Let’s Begin with the Basics, what are the Northern Lights

Aurora Borealis or Dawn of the North or Northern lights is an aesthetic appealing light show presented by nature. The unusual solar activities in the environment’s atmospheric layer give birth to this gorgeous natural phenomenon at high altitudes. The Northern lights or Aurora Borealis are best witnessed from mid- August to early April when the nights are darker and have a clear sky. As winter in Iceland is darker, the chances of catching a sight of the enchanting Northern lights are higher. These auroras occur high above the level of the earth in the sky when the atmospheric layer gets thin at a relatively high altitude.  You get to experience a rainbow of bright and shiny lights in different shades of colors, including violet, red, blue, yellow, and green. Some associate these lights with science, whereas some with mythology; what matters the most is how beautifully it has become part of Iceland’s identity and pride.

The Perfect Time to Experience the Aurora Borealis

The ideal time to witness the natural light show would be around mid- August to early April , due to high solar activity and thin atmospheric layer. This period marks the beginning of colder and darker nights in Iceland, and Northern lights are best seen during this time. The darker nights promise a clear view of the bright and colorful lights that occurs at a high altitude. Winter is a preferred season for catching a glimpse of the lights as it witnesses less light pollution, chaos, and people . Another reason is the longer nights as they increase the chances of the natural phenomenon to occur. From August till April , each month witnesses a different kind of weather that adds to the increased chances of experiencing the dawn of the north. The perfect time occurs around December and January , with the darkness lasts for more than 20 hours, encouraging the solar activity to collide with the gaseous particles to create the magical scene up in the sky. The colorful lights add to the incredible show and offer an awe-inspiring sight.

The Best and Most-Promising Northern Lights Tours

Looking for the auroras is the trickiest task in Iceland; it cannot be found easily. There are certain places that are best known for witnessing the Northern lights, and the conditions need to be perfect so you will be able to witness this magical evening. And, to reach those blessed spaces, you need reliable, and adventurous tours with professional northern lights guides. The northern lights guides will spend the days checking out the forecasts and aurora activity and find the best spot to see the northern lights for each night. Some of the best northern lights tours are: 

Boat and Cruise Ship Tour

Experiencing the Northern lights from a cruise ship or boat is a great experience you should try. You can go far north away from city noise and light pollution, where chances of witnessing the auroras are higher. This voyage promises a heavy dose of fun and excitement as you get a chance to experience the stunning Northern lights surrounded by some visually-enchanting treats of nature. The cold winter water, the shiny sky, and twinkling stars will make your moment more memorable. Northern lights usually occur in winter, which means having fewer people on the cruise or boat, which will make you enjoy every bit of the stunning site without being around too many people. It is recommended to pre-book everything because the spots on each tour is limited. Many people think that this experience is much more expensive than the other options, but it actually is not. These tours come at a great price. You can even find a northern lights tour on a luxury yacht for one of the best prices in Iceland. The experience you will have on the boat is worth the trip. 

Northern Lights Boat Tours

Northern Lights Cruise | Luxury Yacht Excursion

From 13,200 isk.

Northern Lights by Boat

From 11,990 isk.

Booking a bus tour to the Northern lights is practical as they are less expensive and can fit easily to your budget. You can take a bus tour from the capital city, Reykjavik , which includes pick-up and drop-off services. Enjoy roaming through the countryside to treat your eyes with natural surroundings. The dancing lights will look more bliss when peeking through gigantic mountains and dramatic landscapes. The ribbon of natural lights will add to your road journey with its warmth and beautiful appeal. You need warm clothes and a cozy space throughout the journey as the temperature will rise as you move far north of your trip.

Northern Lights Bus Tours

Golden Circle & Northern Lights Tour

From 16,490 isk.

Northern Lights Bus

From 7,590 isk.

South Coast & Northern Lights Tour

From 21,990 isk, private tour.

If you have comfort in your mind and money in your pocket, you can book a private tour to the Northern lights in Iceland. You can book any vehicle from comfort class to business class to luxury classes, including a Skoda or Mercedes. You will be accompanied by a local guide with great road sense to take you to the best place to witness the natural dancing lights. This tour might also be very convenient if you are traveling with a group. The price comes per vehicle so if you are traveling in a group, the price will split for each person and sometimes these tours will become even cheaper than the bus tours. 

Northern Private Tours

Northern Lights Private Tour

From 103,900 isk, super jeep tour.

This is another very exciting and adventurous way to go hunting for the hypnotizing aurora borealis. You can travel through the Icelandic countryside in a comfortable jeep along with your family and friends, checking out Iceland’s stunning natural surroundings. These tours are operated in small groups and you will have very personal service from your northern lights guide. Since you are traveling on a Super Jeep you will be able to go to some places that the buses can’t go to and therefor you have more chances of seeing the northern lights. You will have an experienced guide that will take to the best place to catch a glimpse of the auroras. You will also get a chance to click photographs as you can stop the jeep anytime as per your convenience.

Northern Lights Super Jeep Tours

Northern Lights Super Jeep

From 24,990 isk, minibus tour.

Northern Lights Minibus Tour

From 12,990 isk, northern lights small groups, from 13,500 isk.

Northern Lights Photo Tour

From 60,000 isk, ultimate reykjvaik night; beer & food tasting and the northern lights.

This is a well-though itinerary that includes hunting for the Northern lights and being part of other fun and exciting activities. The best part about this tour is that you can re-book the Northern lights hunting tour individually after an unsuccessful hunt. You can stay relax as you don’t have to take care of your food or drinks, as everything is included in this combined tour package. Besides gazing at the Northern lights, the tour consists of roaming around Reykjavik city, tasting different beers and Icelandic food, learning about astronomy and star map learning to know what lies above the pretty sky. You can customize the tour based on your budget and the attractions you want to explore.

Snowmobile Tour

If you’re looking at ways to add more adventure to your journey, then hunting for the Northern lights on a snowmobile is a thing made for you. The thrilling and high-end adventurous experience will make you discover hidden spaces and take your exploration to a whole new different tangent. Admiring the auroras will become more exciting while riding a snowmobile high up on different glaciers like Langjokull.

Adding to the adventure quotient, booking ATV tours is one of the most exciting and thrilling experience you can take back home. The ATVs will let you be the master of your Northern lights hunting journey that guarantees an unforgettable experience. Riding the ATVs at night under a clear blue sky will make you offer you a great aesthetically appealing vibe.

Tour with Golden Circle

What’s better than starting your Northern lights hunt by spending your day in comforting and relaxing hot springs? The Blue Lagoon is known for its healing mineral water and mystical beauty, which is great for preparing yourself for the chilly night that’s coming ahead. Combining both these surreal things in a tour will keep your hands full with some of the best moments of your journey. The tour normally starts from the Reykjavik Terminal or the decided pick-up destination by the tour operators.

Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights tours

Tour with crystal ice caves.

Crystal Ice Caves are among some of the unexplored attractions of Iceland that promise adventure, thrill, and a visually-appealing treat to the eyes. This tour lasts for about 14 to 16 hours, in which you will be visiting sparkling and mystical crystal ice caves. The journey will take you to some breath-taking sites, including Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Diamond beach . Getting a chance to witness both crystal ice caves and Northern lights is truly a blessed experience.

Ice Cave & Northern Lights tours

Tour along the south coast.

As per the popular notion, traveling up north increases the chances of witnessing the Northern lights. But this is partially untrue as the south coast holds the best view and places to catch a glimpse of the natural phenomenon. In this tour, you will come across eye-captivating attractions that include witnessing majestic glaciers, dramatic volcanoes, magical waterfalls, and rhythmic beaches. Your tour ends with a wow moment as you experience the gorgeous aurora borealis. 

South Coast & Northern Lights tours

Tour with snæfellsnes peninsula.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula or ‘Iceland in a nutshell’ as it is often called, make your journey just perfect by adding the tinge of adventure and aesthetic appeal. Spend your entire day exploring the dramatic Snæfellsnes Peninsula and end that ideal day by gazing at the most beautiful and enchanting Northern lights.

Snæfellsnes & Northern Lights tours

Few things to keep in mind.

Before booking any of the above tours, it is important to research everything briefly. Consider every factor before finalizing anything to avoid last-minute hassles. Tours like snowmobile and ATV require special permission and documents as they involve more responsible actions, way above the excitement and fun it promises. Ensure to read all the conditions and rules beforehand to avoid any hitches. Northern lights are a phenomenon that is the best witness in cold winter nights that are extreme and sometimes worst, which means you need to come prepared to face any and every situation that comes your way. While traveling in a minibus, boat, or super jeep, make sure to carry along or wear layers of warm clothes to keep yourself cozy and warm. Also, if you’re planning to hit the grounds alone or self-driving, then take a look at the weather forecast , as one cannot predict the weather of Iceland. You can increase your chances of experiencing the natural light show by looking for the weather forecast on Iceland’s official websites. The website can also help you know briefly about the clouds’ positioning and atmospheric conditions. The roads are sloppy and risky during winter, so travelers and experts often advise to hire a guide that is familiar with the weather and road conditions. Remember, the auroras are natural occurrences that one cannot predict; you have to be patient and lucky to witness that. It is not guaranteed that you will witness them, so be prepared to experience heartbreak. But you can always visit again or re-book the tours not to miss the chance of catching the magical show. Most of the northern lights tours have the policy that you can rebook your tour free of charge if you don’t see the northern lights on your tour. The northern lights experts that will take you on these tours will keep a good eye on the forecast for each night to see where the northern lights are most likely to show up, and if they are going to show up at all. It is not fun for anyone to travel to the countryside to watch the northern lights that will never show up. Therefor the tours always get cancelled if the forecast is not good. You should keep a good eye on your phone and email on the day of your tour to see if the tour is on schedule. If the tour gets cancelled you can rebook the tour for the next available departure or get a full refund. Because of this, it is often recommended that you book your northern lights tour on your first nights in Iceland. This means that if the northern lights do not show up, you still have some days left in the country to be able to go on another northern lights tour. 

Iceland is known for its unnatural attractions that grab the attention of tourists, travelers, explorers, and adventure enthusiasts from around the globe. Northern lights or Aurora Borealis is something that is not seen very often but witnessing them can make your journey to this winter wonderland a worthy affair. The Land of Fire and Ice embraces a lethal and unmatchable beauty that makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit on this planet. At last, don’t spend too much time chasing the incredible Northern lights as you may miss other eye-captivating sites in the whole process. Also, try to be flexible with your trip to increase your chances of witnessing the natural lights dancing in the sky.

Northern Lights Tours in Iceland

Popular articles.

Iceland Packing List

Top Alternatives When Your Iceland Tours Get Canceled

Best Selling Self Drive Activities in Iceland | Summer 2023

Volcano in Iceland: July 2023 Eruption at Litli-Hrútur | All you need to know

Sky Lagoon vs Blue Lagoon

Top 10 Iceland Locations

Black Friday Deals for your trip to Iceland 2021

7 Reasons why you should Rent a Camper Van in Iceland

How to hike Hornstrandir on your own?

Hiking in Kerlingarfjöll – Hiking Routes & Guides

Popular things to do, sightseeing tours, glacier tours, hot spring tours, ice cave tours, glacier hiking tours, hiking tours, super jeep tours, whale watching tours, popular tours.

Skaftafell Ice Climbing & Glacier Hike

Travel style, starts from, from 29,900 isk.

Fimmvorduhals Hiking Tour

Challenging

Reykjavik, Selfoss, Hella

South Coast & Glacier Hike

From 24,900 isk.

Ultimate Glacier Hike in Skaftafell – Ice Blue Winter Wonderland

From 19,900 isk.

Icelandic Highlights: 8 Day Tour to Iceland’s Best Attractions

From 349,990 isk.

Snowmobile Tour on Langjokull

From 29,000 isk.

7 Days Around Iceland | Complete Iceland Tour

From 314,990 isk.

Volcano Helicopter Tour

From 69,900 isk.

Into the Glacier – from Húsafell

6 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour – Winter

From 279,900 isk, more interesting articles.

Hiking in Landmannalaugar | Hiking Routes

Most popular things to do in iceland.

Snowmobile Tours

Horse Riding Tours

Top Attractions in Iceland

Seljalandsfoss

Reynisfjara

Jökulsárlón

Blue Lagoon

Explore iceland by region.

Golden Circle

South iceland.

Snaefellsnes

West Iceland

East Iceland

North Iceland

Hidden Gems

Iceland is open for travel. Check volcano updates here .

Northern Lights Tours

Northern Lights Super Jeep Tour

Chase the auroras in a super jeep from reykjavik.

Escape the big tour buses and go off the beaten track to hunt Iceland's magical Northern Lights. We pick you up and drive you around in a stylish and comfortable Super Jeep!

Our Northern Lights chase on a Super Jeep is the ultimate experience in Iceland. Venturing off the beaten track in the powerful Super Jeep grants you exclusive access to the best spots in Iceland to admire the dancing lights in all their glory. We’ll drive away from the crowds and light pollution. Wrap yourself in a blanket and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa with chocolate  while gazing up at the Aurora Borealis in the heavens!

Your guide will tell you all about this natural wonder and take free photographs so you can always keep the memory alive!

If you’re someone who likes to go the extra mile, book the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum tour combo, save up to 10 %, and enjoy a visit to the museum, where you’ll find out everything there is to know about these beautiful lights before seeing it live.

• Chase the Northern Lights
• Ride in a Super Jeep
• Discover Icelandic countryside
• Enjoy hot cocoa & chocolate
• Pick-up & drop off from Reykjavík
• Northern Lights photos
• Hot cocoa & chocolate
• English speaking expert guide
• Free WiFi on the jeep
• Complementary retry valid for 3 years when no Northern Lights are seen on the tour

What to bring

• Warm outdoor clothing
• Waterproof jacket and pants
• Good warm shoes and wool socks

Tour Snapshot

• Expert Guides
• Small Group Experience
• Best Price Guarantee
• Fast & Secure Payment
• No Booking Fees
• Free Cancellation

Save up to 10 % by selecting the Aurora Museum upgrade.

Select one of the options:

• Super Jeep Tour
• MUSEUM UPGRADE

Each winter, we welcome an ever-growing number of cosmic fans to Iceland searching for the famous Aurora Borealis. Just a smidge below the Arctic Circle, Iceland is among the world's best places to see colors dance in the Northern Hemisphere.

This natural phenomenon occurs when particles from the sun, also known as the solar wind, enter the Earth's magnetic field. As electrically charged particles start to collide with gaseous particles in the Earth's atmosphere, something here about "creates auroras." Be prepared to be awestruck by swirling curtains of light in the dark sky!

The Northern Lights are much more than just pretty lights in the sky. Learn more about them by taking advantage of the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum combo deal – save up to 10 % and have an unforgettable experience hearing about Aurora Borealis and receiving useful tips on taking pictures of them. After your time at the museum, you’ll be picked up for a further adventure – a chase of the Northern Lights!

Hop on a Super Jeep from Reykjavik

Your expert Northern Light guide will pick you up at your selected pickup location in Reykjavik in a custom-built 4×4 super jeep. And that's where the adventure begins. Once everyone is on board, we will leave the city lights behind and head into the darkness of the Icelandic countryside.

On the search for the Aurora Borealis, we might travel past some of Iceland's most spectacular natural sights. Though shrouded in darkness, your guide is sure to point out what the night is hiding. Heading out on country roads gives us a greater chance to enjoy the Northern Lights and the wonders of the night sky without the discomfort of big crowds.

Soak in the Aurora Borealis

Once we find the right spot (which will be decided the same day by our expert guide, depending on the weather predictions), we wait for the spectacle to begin. Usually, the Northern Lights appear about 100 km (60 miles) above the Earth’s surface. Witnessing a light show emerge above the north magnetic pole is an experience that defies description. It’s as if space is trying to conquer the Earth with color. Just don’t forget to dress warmly! There’s nothing like a fleece sweater on a cold night to keep you warm or you could cuddle in a cozy blanket provided by us. We’ll also serve you a cup of cocoa with tasty Kleinur ("Icelandic doughnuts") .

Our guides take photos every time the Northern Lights are spotted, so you can be sure to get your picture taken with the aurora. See photos from previous tours here .

Kindly note that the Northern Lights are natural phenomena that are difficult to predict, but our guides do everything in their power to ensure the best chances of seeing them.

Practical Information

Pick-up information : For the Northern Lights adventure, pick-up is at either 20:30 (8:30 p.m.) or 21:30 (9:30 p.m.), depending on the season. You'll find the actual pick-up time in the booking process and on your final voucher. Picking everyone up can take up to 30 minutes, your patience is much appreciated. 

Available pick-up points : Arctic Adventures's pickup list .

With the Northern Lights and Aurora Museum combo, you will be picked up from the museum for the Northern Lights hunt.

Please note : As the success of the Northern Lights Explorer tour is heavily dependent on weather conditions, we reserve the right to cancel departures until 18:15 on the day of the tour. A refund is not available if the tour goes ahead and no northern lights are seen, however, s ince the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very much weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! 

What to do in this case? Our Customer Care is ready to help you and book your next re-try.

Please keep in mind that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus instead of a super jeep.

Will I definitely see Northern Lights on the tour?

The Northern Lights are natural phenomena and we unfortunately cannot promise you will see them on our tours. Their appearance depends upon atmospheric and weather conditions, which are factors entirely out of our control.

For more information on the Northern Lights, please have a look at our Northern Lights information .

What are the best camera settings for photographing the Northern Lights?

Unfortunately, there isn’t just one simple answer to this question.

Your camera doesn't have a single setting that will guarantee excellent pictures.  But if you have manual controls, playing with different mixtures of ISO, aperture, and exposure settings is usually preferable. As a general rule, ISO settings of 800 to 3200, f/2.8 to f/5.6, and shutter speeds of 15 to 30 seconds have been found to be successful.

Keep in mind that ISO settings between 800 and 3200, f/2.8 and f/5.6, and shutter speeds between 15 and 30 seconds have produced excellent results.

Results from various combinations can vary greatly. You can take faster exposures with a higher ISO setting, but the photographs can turn up grainier as a result. 

If the shutter speed is above 15 seconds it will result in a slight star movement.

In low-light situations, wider-angle lenses are typically more adaptable, while longer lenses provide you with more compositional alternatives. Make sure to take off any lens filters because they could cause image distortion. Most likely, using a manual setting for infinite focal length will get the greatest results. 

For more tips, read our blog on photographing the Northern Lights .

What if the Northern Lights tour goes ahead and no Northern Lights are seen?

Since the spectacle of the Northern Lights is very much weather-dependent, if no aurora is seen, you’ll have unlimited re-tries valid for up to 3 years. That’s right, you’ll be able to re-join the chase of Northern Lights until it’s a successful one! 

Please keep in mind that refunds are not issued when a tour takes place but no Northern Lights are seen. During a re-try, the tour is operated on a minibus.

What are my options if my Northern Lights tour is cancelled?

When Northern Lights tours are cancelled it’s usually due to unfavourable weather conditions.

In that case, your options will be to:

1. Reschedule for another day.

2. Find another tour to embark on and use the deposit for it.

3. Get fully refunded.

Please contact our Customer Care team to re-book your tour .

How do I know if the Northern Lights tour is on for the evening?

The Northern Lights are a pretty difficult thing to predict. You can check the Icelandic Meteorological Office website to see the forecast - if the level is high and the skies are clear then it’s very likely that the tour is going ahead. We do update our website’s tour departure sheet with the information at 17:00 at the latest. If the tour is canceled, you will receive an email from us notifying you.

If we think there is no chance at all of seeing the lights, we will cancel the tour. We don’t want to bring you out and disappoint you if there will definitely be no aurora activity.

Will my guide take pictures for me?

Yes, the guide will take a photo of you with the Northern Lights behind you. These can be single or group photos and are free of charge.

What is a Super Jeep?

A Super Jeep is a highly modified vehicle equipped with 38" to 50" tires and a robust suspension system, uniquely designed to handle Iceland's diverse terrains and conditions. Dive deeper into the world of Super Jeep Tours .

Are Super Jeeps safe?

Yes, Super Jeeps are designed and modified to handle the challenging terrains of Iceland, ensuring safety during tours. For a secure adventure, check out our Super Jeep Tours .

How many people fit in a Super Jeep?

A Super Jeep can accommodate up to 19 riders, making it ideal for large families and small tour groups. Discover group adventures with our Super Jeep Tours .

What months can you see the northern lights?

The  Northern Lights season is said to be from late August until mid-April. However, if you want to increase your chances of seeing them, it is best to wait until the colder winter months, from mid-September until March.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?

If luck and weather are on your side, then you will be able to see the aurora borealis above the inviting streets of Reykjavik. Whether you see the lights or not depends on two unique factors. The first is the weather: If the sky is clear, with no clouds, then you are halfway to seeing the astonishing spectacle that is the Northern Lights (although light pollution can sometimes be a problem). Increased solar activity is the second factor, so if these two are both favorable at the same time you may well be able to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik.

Similar tours that people also viewed

Magical Auroras - Northern Lights Tour

2-Day Tour to Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Borgarfjörður Fjord

Northern Lights Explorer & Aurora Museum

Contact us for more information about this tour.

Arctic Adventures offers pick up service from selected Reykjavík pick up points. Note that you can always update your pick-up / drop-off location through our customer portal: https://my.adventures.is You can press the login button in your confirmation email for an easy login to the customer portal. If you experience an error with logging into the customer portal or can't find your booking, please contact us on Facebook Messenger, or send us a message here below. Chat with us on Facebook Messenger

• All Iceland Tours
• 3 Days: Gems of South Iceland
• 6 Days: Gems of South Iceland & Reykjavik
• 7 Days: Gracious Southwest Iceland
• 8 Days: Westfjords of Iceland
• 8 Days: Guided Iceland Circle
• 12 Days: Grand Tour of Iceland
• 5 Days: Land of Northern Lights
• 7 Days: Northern Lights Secrets – Westfjords
• 8 Days: Northern Lights Exploration
• 8 Days: Northern Lights Exploration – Small Group
• 5 Days: Christmas & Northern Lights Adventure
• 5 Days: New Year’s Northern Lights Adventure
• 5 Days: New Year’s Festival
• 8 Tage: Geführte Island-Rundreise
• 8 Tage: Geführte Island-Rundreise mit Nordlichtern
• 8 Tage: Nordlicht-Erkundung
• 4 Tage: Reykjavík Städtereise
• 5 Tage: Reykjavík Städtereise
• 5 Tage: Land der Nordlichter
• 5 Tage: Aurora & Gletscherlagune
• 8 Tage: Geführte Island Rundreise
• 8 Tage: Erkundung der Nordlichter
• 8 Tage: Spaziergang- & Wandertour
• 9 Tage: Isländisches Landleben
• 8 Days: Highlights of Iceland & Greenland
• 14 Days: Iceland & Greenland Discovery
• All Greenland Tours
• 4 Days: Amazing Days in Ilulissat
• 5 Days: Amazing Days in Ilulissat
• 6 Days: West Greenland Exploration
• 8 Days: South Greenland Grand Adventure
• 8 Days: Highlights of Iceland and Greenland
• Cancellation Policy for Greenland
• Customized groups – German
• 4 Days: Reykjavík City Tour
• 5 Days: Reykjavík City Break
• 5 Days: Aurora & Glacier Lagoon
• 6 Days: Gems of South Iceland & Reykjavík
• 8 Days: Iceland Viking Challenge
• 8 Days: Walking & Hiking Tour
• 9 Days: Iceland Country Life
• Customized Private FIT
• Iceland Special Interest Group Tours
• Iceland Shore Excursions
• Icelandic Tour Guides
• E, C & GL – 3 seater
• Vito – 7-8 seater
• Sprinter 4×4 – 16 seater
• Sprinter – 19 seater
• Gran Tourismo – 27 seater
• Unvi – 39 seater
• Setra – 50 seater
• Tourismo – 53 to 63 seater
• Setra – 69 seater
• Higland Bus – 41 seater
• Highland Bus – 49 seater
• Antique Bus
• Iceland Destination Guide
• Iceland Travel Tips
• Iceland Travel Blogs
• Iceland Travel Experiences
• Iceland in Summer
• Iceland in Winter
• The Great City of Reykjavík
• GJ Travel Iceland Videos
• Iceland Specialist Program
• Iceland Webinar Videos
• Iceland Academy
• Greenland Travel Tips
• Company History
• Inside GJ Travel
• Jobs at GJ Travel
• Terms & Conditions
• Cancellation Policy for Iceland
• Privacy Policy

Northern Lights Exploration

Proceed booking, already a member, don't have an account create one., or continue as guest, adding item to wishlist requires an account, why book with us.

• We are here to serve you
• Over 90 years of experience
• You can expect a real Icelandic experience and a trip of a lifetime!

Need more information?

Simply give us a call or send us an email. We have a team of travel specialists that are here to help you.

+354 520 5200

[email protected]

Explore the best of West & South Iceland

Discover the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Black lava beaches. Climb a volcano, learn about Iceland’s earliest days at a Settlement Center, meet Icelandic horses, see turf farmsteads and churches. There is an optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier from October-April (weather permitting) and an optional Northern Lights by boat cruise from Reykjavík. Our Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to include the highlights of Iceland and aim to maximise the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, most nights are spent in the darkness away from light pollution.

• Regular departures (maximum 40 people) on Fridays
• Small group departures (maximum 16 people) on Tuesdays
• German departures (maximum 40 people) on Sundays

Discover the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, the Blue Lagoon, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Black lava beaches. Climb a volcano, stop at a shark farmer, meet Icelandic horses, see turf farmsteads and churches. There is an optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier from mid-November to mid-March and an optional Northern Lights by boat cruise from Reykjavík. Our Northern Lights Exploration series are designed to include the highlights of Iceland and aim to maximise the chances of seeing the elusive Northern Lights, most nights are spent in the darkness away from light pollution.

• Big groups (maximum 45 people) departures on Fridays.
• Small groups (maximum 16 people) departures on Tuesdays.

Highlights & Experiences

• Track record of 85-98% chance of seeing the Northern Lights
• See amazing Icelandic landscapes mixed with soft adventure and cultural experiences during the day
• Climb a volcano crater and walk between two continental tectonic plates
• Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes
• Descend 35m underground into Vatnshellir cave situated under Snæfellsnesjökull glacier
• Relax in the Blue Lagoon and learn about living with volcanoes
• See Icelandic horses and taste freshly baked hot spring bread
• Five evenings Northern Lights Academy
• Program offered in two group sizes: maximum 16 or 40 persons
• Optional ice cave tour at Vatnajökull glacier for departures between October-April (weather permitting)

Click on each day for more details

Day 1 Arrival Day

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik airport to your accommodation in Reykjavik. You may explore Iceland’s capital city on your own if time allows.

Overnight location: Hotel Klettur or similar. Dinner is on your own. (50km / 31mi)

Day 2 Reykjavik City Tour & Borgarfjordur Saga Valley

At 09:00 meet your tour guide who shows the group the highlights of Iceland’s exciting capital. Then we head west. We stop in Borgarnes and learn about Iceland’s earliest days at the Settlement Center. Next we head to Borgarfjörður, known as the Saga Valley because of its many important historical events. Get a chance to climb the Grábrók volcano crater and visit Deildartunguhver, Europe’s most powerful hot spring. Hraunfossar is a series of waterfalls pouring from beneath a wide lava field. Barnafoss – the Children’s falls, is nearby with its own tragic tale. The afternoon includes a lecture about Northern Lights. After dinner, step into the hotel garden in search of the Northern Lights followed by a hot cup of chocolate or tea.

Overnight location: Hotel Hamar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (245km / 152mi)

Day 3 Snæfellsnes Peninsula & Lava Cave

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula, “the peninsula of the snowy mountain“, juts out from Iceland’s west coast, like a long arm with a clenched fist at its tip, and is in many ways a microcosm of the whole island. A rugged mountain chain runs its length. Visit the fishing village of Grundarfjörður, a place with an impressive coastline and mountains, lakes and waterfalls behind the village. One of the most photographed and famous mountain in Iceland, Kirkjufell, can be seen jutting out into the bay. Visit Arnarstapi and Hellnar before experiencing the area from below, inside Vatnshellir cave. We take you 35 meters underground and about 200 meters into the lava tube under the glacier Snæfellsjökull! On the way back to Borgarnes the guide gives you some practical tips on how to photograph the Auroras as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Naturally, once darkness falls, we are out in the hotel garden to chase the Northern Lights and to soak in the hotel’s outdoor hot tubs.

Overnight location: Hotel Hamar or similar. Breakfast & Lunch included. Dinner on your own. (300km / 186mi)

Day 4 Golden Circle, Geothermal Taste & Icelandic Horse

Travel along the Hvalfjörður fjord. The first stop is Þingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Travel the Golden Circle route, see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields. The chef of the Restaurant Geysir invites you to taste freshly baked hot spring bread served with Icelandic butter, boiled eggs and herring. On we travel to double waterfall of Gullfoss. In the afternoon, learn about the Icelandic horse, its unique qualities and history and visit a geothermal greenhouse, before reaching the accommodation in South Iceland. Tonight, step into the darkness and search for the elusive Northern Lights in the peace and stillness of rural Iceland.

Overnight location: Landhotel in Hella or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (260km / 162mi)

Day 5 Natural Wonders of South Iceland & Eyjafjallajökull Volcano

Today we travel along the South coast. At the Lava & Volcano Exhibition Center, learn about geology and active volcanoes. Further east we visit one of Iceland’s finest folk museums. This museum contains an outstanding collection of farm and domestic artefacts from Iceland’s past and several turf-built houses. Nearby is Skógafoss waterfall which is 60 meters high and one of the most impressive waterfalls in the country. In the afternoon take a stroll on the black lava beach and along bird cliffs at Reynisfjara in South Iceland. We spend two nights near Kirkjubæjarklaustur in the Vatnajökull National Park region, located in darkness and ideal for Northern Lights search.

Overnight location: Fosshótel Núpar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (225km / 140mi)

Day 6 Vatnajökull National Park & Glacier including Glacial Lagoon and Diamond Beach

Today’s program is all about glaciers, ice and icebergs. We travel to Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs, and we explore the amazing site and might see seals swimming in arctic waters. You can walk on the black sandy beach, the so-called Diamond beach, where large icebergs get stranded. In the afternoon we visit the tiny turf church at Hof and spend time at Europe’s largest national park, which has Iceland’s highest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe’s largest glacier. In the evening enjoy a film presentation about the Northern Lights as part of the Northern Lights Academy program. Be careful not to go to bed too soon in this remote and quiet location, or you may miss out one more chance of seeing the Northern Lights shimmering and dancing across the night sky.

Optional Ice Cave Tour offered between October-April (weather permitting), unveils an extraordinary journey through Iceland’s icy landscapes. Lasting approximately 2.5 hours, the tour commences with a scenic 30-minute 4×4 drive from the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, followed by a 5-15 minute hike to the cave entrance. Once inside, you’re enveloped in a surreal world of breathtaking beauty. Nature’s artistry is on full display as you behold awe-inspiring ice formations, their hues of blue evoking a sense of otherworldly wonder. The air is crisp, the silence profound, creating an ethereal ambiance that captivates the senses. This adventure offers a rare glimpse into the raw power and majesty of Iceland’s icy terrain—a memory to cherish for a lifetime. Priced at ISK 23,000 per person, the tour requires good hiking boots and warm, waterproof clothing to ensure comfort and safety. With a minimum age requirement of 10 years old, booking is available on day 2 of the Northern Lights Exploration tour. After the cave exploration, participants are escorted back to the hotel, while the remainder of the group continues the official tour program. The ice cave explorers will miss out on some of the official tour program, as there is not time for everything. The stop and visit at the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is included for all group members., ensuring a comprehensive and unforgettable Icelandic adventure.

Overnight location: Fosshótel Núpar or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (200km / 125mi)

Day 7 South Shore & Blue Lagoon

From Kirkjubæjarklaustur we head across the Eldhraun lava field to the village of Vík, where we make a photo stop. The black lava beach with high bird cliffs and pounding waves is awe-inspiring. Further west we reach the high but narrow Seljalandsfoss waterfall which plunges from the mountain. In the afternoon we get to soak in the famous Blue Lagoon. We reach Reykjavík around dinner time for one last night.

Overnight location: Hotel Klettur or similar. Breakfast included. Lunch & dinner is on your own. (365km / 227mi) The Blue Lagoon visit is in the afternoon. Tour ends around 7pm.

Day 8 Departure Day

Individual transfer by Flybus shuttle bus from your accommodation in Reykjavik to Keflavik International Airport.

Breakfast included. (50km / 31mi)

NOTE:  Accommodations are subject to change.

NOTE:  Itineraries may be subject to change at short notice during severe weather conditions and certain outdoor activities/day trips may be cancelled during the winter season in Iceland. In these rare cases, where situations of force majeure apply, excursions/activities cannot be refunded but the local guides will try their best to find reasonable alternatives where and whenever possible.

Cancellation policy for the tour

Price & Details

Sep '23 | price, inclusions & exclusions.

EUR 2.180  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.440  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 195  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 240  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

EUR 120 per car Upgrade for private airport transfer one-way 1-6 persons

Price Includes • 7 nights accommodation at comfort tourist-class hotels • 7x breakfast • 1x lunch • 6 days escorted bus tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide • Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide) • Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes • Guided tour into Vatnshellir cave • Hot spring Tasting with geothermal cooked bread & eggs • Visit Icelandic horse stable & geothermal greenhouse • Visit Lava Exhibition Center • Skógar folk museum & turf houses • Entrance with towel to Blue Lagoon • Northern Lights program

Price Excludes • Any private expenses • Any additional services • All meals not listed under “included” • Single supplement (mandatory when in a single room)

Complementaries • Entrance fees • Free Wi-Fi on the bus • Use of crampons for shoes • Use of flashlight

Additional services • Extra night in Reykjavik before/after the tour – on request • Upgrade for private airport transfer • Optional ice cave visit October-April (weather permitting)

Oct '23 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 1.990  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.240  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 150  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 190  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Nov '23 - Apr '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 1.850  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.100  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 120  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 150  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Sep '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.540  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 3.600  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 250  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 280  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Price Includes • 7 nights accommodation at comfort tourist-class hotels • 7x breakfast • 1x lunch • 6 days escorted bus tour with English-speaking guide/driver-guide • Arrival & departure airport transfer by Flybus shuttle (no guide) • Visit the Settlement Center in Borgarnes • Guided tour into Vatnshellir cave • Hot spring Tasting with geothermal cooked bread & eggs • Visit Icelandic horse stable & geothermal greenhouse • Visit Lava Exhibition Center • Skógar folk museum & turf houses • Entrance with towel to Blue Lagoon • Northern Lights program

Oct '24 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.180  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.890  per person (single room, breakfast included)

EUR 195  Extra Single Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast EUR 220  Extra Double Room night in Reykjavík. Price per room per night incl. breakfast

Nov '24 - Apr '25 | Price, inclusions & exclusions

EUR 2.040  per person (double/twin room, breakfast included) EUR 2.630  per person (single room, breakfast included)

Children discount: 20% discount for children 8-11 years of age if sharing room with 2 adults. Tour is not recommended for children younger than eight years of age. Triple rooms are double rooms with an extra bed and ideal for two adults and one child.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I meet the guide? Meet with your tour guide on day 2, just before 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel.

When and where does the tour start? The tour starts on day 2, just before 9:00 am in the lobby of your hotel.

What are first and last days for? Arrival and departure days are to make your flight arrangements easier and to have a free day of leisure. The tour starts on day 2 and ends the second to last day.

Do you arrange airport transfers? GJ Travel provides airport transfers with the Flybus, available on arrival hall at KEF airport.

In what language is the tour? All of our tours are English-speaking.

When can we see the Northern Lights? The Northern Lights season is from September to mid-April. We carefully choose locations to maximize your chances to see the northern lights with the help of a professional tour guide.

Are the Northern Lights guaranteed on this trip? The Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis as they are also referred to are one of the many natural wonders of the world and are a natural phenomenon. As a naturally occurring phenomenon, the appearance of the Northern Lights is notoriously difficult to predict any further in advance than about two hours before it happens. So much is dependent on solar activity, we cannot accurately predict when they will occur nor how frequently. Every endeavour will be made on this trip to see the Northern Lights if it is the correct time of year to see the lights, however, this is not guaranteed. The tour includes Northern Light walks from the hotels. Also, most of the hotels are located away from light pollution.

Can you assist with booking additional accommodation? Of course, we can help you book pre/post tour accommodation if you wish to stay in the same hotels as the ones we use on the tour. We always have some rooms on allotment for pre/post nights. If you would like to stay an extra day in Reykjavík before or after the tour, please contact our team.

I’m a solo traveller, is there a single supplement? A single supplement is mandatory for this trip if you want to have your own room.

What is the age range? The minimum age limit for this tour is 8 years old and we don’t recommend it for younger children. There is, on the other hand, no maximum age for this tour.

Are the flights included? Flights before and after the tour are not included.

What is the suggested budget for meals? Somewhere between 8.000 and 10.000 ISK per person per day is a good budget for meals while on the tour.

Are there locations to purchase food while we are on the trip or must the meals be pre-packed? We will make stops during the tour at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations where meals, drinks and snacks can be purchased while on the tour.

How much time is spent at each attraction? We stop for about 40 minutes at each attraction.

Start & End Location

Keflavik International Airport (Flybus shuttle)

Departure Time

09:00 on day 2 at Hotel Klettur, Reykjavík (subject to change)

Northen Lights Exploration

Aurora Statistics

Client from Tourradar

Wonderful experience – great group, great guide Peter and great itinerary. It felt like we got to know Iceland in depth – history, geology, culture, sights to see. The pace was steady but not exhausting. Be prepared though: food is extremely expensive and mostly not included in the tour and hotels are sparse compared to US but fairly comfortable.

Excellent, couldn’t have been better. Petur knows so much and remembered every fact of Iceland! He was top notch! No complaints over the accommodation. Meal that was included (fish and cake) was 10/10 – delicious. Meals in the hotels were expensive. Buffet at Laki was not worth it. The coach was very comfortable and a good size. Being able to charge phones was excellent.

Client from On the Go Tours

Last hotel can be better place than one we stayed, staff was not supportive. Guide was very passionate and knowledgable about Iceland, always informative and engaging. Laki Hotel was not the best place among all, staff was not helpful at all. Not for vegan at all. Driver was top notch throughout the trip. Coach couldnt have been better.

Client from Trip a Deal Australia

The tour from the time of meeting the tour guide was excellent. Very knowledgeable guide, pleasant and helpful at all times. Very good driver – careful at all times. Good quality & comfortable bus.

Client from Ijsland Tours

Lots of things to do, sometimes it just felt like rushing things though I can understand that. The guide did great and had lots to tell and gave it a nice funny twist. Good driving, nice and smooth.

Privacy Overview

Accessibility Links

22 best northern lights tours: Iceland, Lapland, Norway and more

From snowshoeing in lapland to an expedition cruise in the glaciated wilds of greenland, these are the best ways to see the northern lights.

T he brilliance of the northern lights is their unpredictability. One minute you’re stomping through the snow minding your own business and then — boom! There they are, swooping, swaying and arcing across the Arctic night sky in brilliant greens like a Nordic god going crazy with a laser in the heavens. Like a shape-shifting message from another planet writ large across the skies.

The northern lights are a sight that belongs utterly to the north and they can be as unnerving as they are beautiful. What you’re seeing is electrically charged particles from solar winds hitting the earth’s atmosphere, but it feels more like sorcery than science. They come unannounced. They are gone in a flash.

You can download every aurora forecast app going during peak season (late September to early April), but part of the allure of the aurora is its random nature. That said, joining the right group tour seriously increases your chances. As does rocking up at the right time: the current solar cycle is expected to peak in 2024 or 2025.

We’ve rounded up some of the best Northern Lights tours, which also bring other winter activities into play — from snowshoeing in Finnish Lapland to dogsledding in Alaska and glacier hiking in Iceland — just in case that elusive nighttime spectacle don’t show. But fingers crossed it does.

Main photo: the northern lights over the Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi , Sweden

Advertisement

This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue

1. Arctic Circle aurora adventure, Exodus

Looking like a Narnia fantasy in winter, Oulanka National Park in Central Finland is a thrillingly off-the-beaten track base for hunting the northern lights, with mile after silent mile of snow-polished fell, boreal forest and river valley to explore on snowshoes, cross-country skis or by dogsled. On this seven-nighter, you’ll be staying at Basecamp Oulanka, cosy wooden lodges on the shores of the frozen expanse of Juuma Lake where, with luck, you’ll be greeted by aurora fireworks. There’s also a proper focus on the outdoors, with skill-based activities like snow-shelter building and fire-making workshops. Prices include accommodation, activities, meals, transport, local tour leaders and specialist equipment.

Group size 6-14 Price ££

2. Alaska winter adventure, Intrepid Travel

Tailored specifically for adventure-loving travellers, this eight-day trip turns the spotlight on Alaska in all its frozen winter glory, with plenty of opportunity to chase the northern lights. Starting in Anchorage and ending in Fairbanks, you’ll journey across the snowy wilds to bases that have been hand-picked for their astounding aurora-spotting potential. Memorable moments are many, but you won’t forget the daunting beauty of the Matanuska Glacier, peering up at the northern lights as you snowshoe in Denali State Park, staying at remote Sheep Mountain or bathing in Chena’s natural hot springs in a hurry. Accommodation with breakfast, some meals, transport and activities are included in the price.

Group size 1-12 Price ££

3. Iceland northern lights, Exodus

One of the most visually striking countries on earth, Iceland excels in photogenic backdrops that show off the northern lights at their spangly best. Kicking off in Reykjavík, this four-night trip quickly ramps up the drama by whisking you south to crashing falls, volcanoes, glaciers and black-sand beaches. You’re here for the auroras, but you’ll be bombarded with natural beauty in other forms too: strapping on crampons to hike across Falljokull Glacier, dipping behind the 60m chute of Seljalandsfoss waterfall and walking among icebergs on Diamond beach near the Jokulsarlon glacial lagoon. You can feel pretty smug about your footprint too, as Exodus always has an eye on sustainability.

Group size 6-16 Price £

4. Sweden, Finland, Norway: the grand aurora tour, Aurora Zone

Dipping into the snowy wilds of three countries, this brilliantly choreographed seven-night adventure is one you’ll be raving about forever. You’ll be whisked from Kiruna in Swedish Lapland across the frozen tundra and forests of Levi in Finland and beyond to Tromso in Norway, maximising your chances of aurora gazing. With any luck, the northern lights will shine, but even if they don’t this trip is the Arctic dream, with dogsledding, snowmobiling and reindeer sleigh rides, and stays in winter-dream digs, from an igloo at the Icehotel to a glass-roofed aurora cabin. Good news: there are no hidden extras, as the price covers flights, accommodation, all meals, transfers, activities and cold-weather gear.

Group size 2-24 Price ££-£££

• When’s the best time to cruise Norway’s fjords?

5. Autumn auroras in Ilulissat, Regent Holidays

Everyone raves about Lapland and Iceland, but if you turn the temperature down and the Arctic wilderness factor up several notches you get Ilulissant in western Greenland. This is nature in overdrive, with an immense glacier feeding an icy fjord, mountains glowing pearl-white as if lit from within and icebergs chinking in Disko Bay. A spectacular place to see the lights? You bet. When solar activity is high, you’ll head out in search of them on foot and by boat across the iceberg-clogged fjord on this well-curated five-day tour, which includes return flights, four-star accommodation, meals, transfers and activities.

Group size small group Price £££

regent-holidays.co.uk

6. Canada northern lights adventure, Discover the World

For the call of the wild and the northern lights rippling in remote night skies, the Yukon in Canada ’s far northwest is pure magic. Running from mid-November to March, this three-night trip bases you at a cosy log cabin at the Northern Lights Resort & Spa near Whitehorse, which lives up to its name with an impeccable aurora record and guides giving the inside scoop on the lights. You’ll get to give dogsledding and snowshoeing a whirl, and visit the Yukon Wildlife Preserve, where moose, caribou and bison roam. Given the length of the tour, you can easily combine it with another holiday to allow more time to explore this vast region. Prices include accommodation, meals, activities, winter clothing rental and transfers.

Group size independent Price £

discover-the-world.com/destinations/canada-holidays

7. Romantic aurora adventure, Not in the Guidebooks

If you don’t fancy a group tour, this privately organised three-night break to Finnish Lapland keeps things nicely intimate. At the Arctic heights of Saariselka, Levi or Pyha, impressive northern lights are pretty much a dead cert if solar activity is high. The “romance” in the name isn’t just hype: you’ll stay in a glass-roofed aurora cabin, with staggering views of any fireworks overhead. A Finnish sauna and massage get you relaxed before diving into the wilds by snowmobile, husky sled or reindeer sleigh. The clincher, though, is heading out across the snowy fells for a three-course dinner by an open fire, where with any luck the lights will appear.

Group size private (priced per couple) Price ££

8. Northern lights & Arctic adventure break, Newmarket Holidays

With its ice shard-shaped Arctic Cathedral, stellar track record for aurora action and views of the snow-frosted Lyngen Alps, Tromso is your base for this cracking three-night adventure. The flexible itinerary is sprinkled with optional activities from dogsledding to snowmobiling and encounters with local Sami reindeer herders. But it’s the northern lights that really wow in Norway’s Arctic capital, and you’ll have excellent chances of seeing them on an excursion to an aurora base station, where hot drinks by a campfire (weather permitting) and, hopefully, a phenomenal light show await.

Group size 15-30 Price £

9. The complete Abisko experience, Aurora Nights

Bang in the centre of the aurora oval and crowned by Mount Nuolja and its Aurora Sky Station, Abisko in Swedish Lapland is right up there with the best places to see the lights in the world. This four-night trip, running from December to March, is full-on Arctic fantasy stuff. Nights are spent in a family-run wilderness lodge and days and evenings snowmobiling, snowshoeing and mastering northern lights photography in the white wilderness of Abisko National Park. Prices include accommodation, meals, transfers, guides and Arctic clothing.

Group size small Price ££-£££

aurora-nights.co.uk/tour/the-complete-abisko-experience

10. The ultimate aurora adventure, Aurora Zone

Promising sky-gazing with a generous pinch of luxury, this eight-night trip to Swedish Lapland kicks off at remote Brandon Lodge on the fringes of the frosty Lulea archipelago, where you can ice-fish, snowmobile and see the lights perform in dark skies. It’s then onwards and northwards by train to the aurora heaven that is Abisko, with its crowning glory, Aurora Sky Station. Here, snowshoeing through the forest, dogsledding and an aurora-photography evening will fling you properly into the Arctic wilds. You’ll get to stay a night at Sweden ’s two most iconic winter escapes: in a floating river cabin at Arctic Bath on the Lulea River and in the Icehotel (the world’s first and largest of its kind). The tour runs from mid-December to mid-March and covers accommodation, meals, activities and cold-weather clothing.

Group size 2-24 Price £££

11. Snowshoeing in Finland, Exodus

Most tours actively “chase” the lights, but the sight of the aurora is even better when it comes as a total surprise — for instance, when it flickers across the sky as you pad through the snow in the hush of a winter’s night. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to make fresh tracks and see the lights come out to play on this seven-night break, focusing on a remote corner of Finnish Lapland far from the Santa-seeking crowds . The fells and forests in Oulanka and Riisitunturi are pure winter-wonderland stuff, and a sauna and snug night in a wilderness lodge await after a day of snow stomping. Prices include flights from London, tour leaders, equipment, accommodation, transport and most meals.

Group size 4-12 Price ££

12. Northern lights escape, Intrepid

This six-day romp through Iceland’s wildest reaches pretty much guarantees light shows — and in some of the most staggering landscapes imaginable. Starting and ending in Reykjavik, the tour hooks onto the Golden Circle route, looping together the country’s greatest natural wonders: first up is Unesco world heritage site Thingvellir National Park, birthplace of Iceland, where you can walk in wonder in a seismic rift valley dividing two continents. From here it’s on to the Geysir geothermal area, where geysers boil and blow. The final days weave along the south coast, via lava fields and black-sand beaches, to the crash-bang Skogafoss falls, iceberg-sprinkled Jokulsarlon lagoon and Vatnajokull, Europe’s biggest ice cap. There are frequent departures from late October to March, and prices cover accommodation with breakfast, transport and activities.

Group size maximum 1-12 Price ££

13. Northern lights and natural spa break, Aurora Zone

If blasting through the snow on a snowmobile or skis sounds way too active, this three-night trip to Iceland moves to a distinctly mellower, wellness-focused beat. Relax: you won’t be hunting the northern lights, they’ll come to you as you’re floating in the healing waters of the Blue Lagoon, cocktail in hand, bubbling in hot springs with astonishing views of dark skies, or drifting in the geothermal infinity pool at the Sky Lagoon, overlooking the storm-whipped north Atlantic. Accommodation, transfers, guided activities and some meals are included.

Group size 2-25 Price £

14. East Greenland and Iceland northern lights, Intrepid

As the price tag reflects, this 14-day trip is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to the vast, lonely wilds of Iceland and east Greenland, just as the northern lights begin their dance in September’s ever-darkening skies. Kicking off in Reykjavik, you’ll spend 12 nights on an expedition ship, with Zodiac boats chugging out to glacier-licked, iceberg-filled nooks and crannies for prime wildlife spotting opportunities (keep an eye out for Arctic hares and musk oxen). Unforgettable moments include exploring Iceland’s remote, rivetingly beautiful Westfjords and Greenland’s Scoresby Sund, the world’s largest fjord, where mountains and dramatically sculpted icebergs razor above glassy waters. Prices include accommodation, meals and transport.

Group size 1-132 Price £££

15. Senja Island auroras, Aurora Zone

The Lofoten Islands get all the fuss, but the mountainous, fjord-streaked, sea-battered island of Senja, just north, is just as surreally beautiful, yet receives just a trickle of the tourist traffic. This four-night trip is a rare and special one. You’ll stay in a tiny, lighthouse-topped hamlet right by the water’s edge, with optimum conditions for seeing the northern lights cascade in dark night skies. By day, a wildlife boat safari will take you out to spot seals, sea eagles and perhaps even a whale. And you’ll have plentiful chances to glimpse the aurora — whether snowshoeing through the white wilderness or relaxing in a hot tub. Prices include accommodation, meals, transfers, guided activities and cold-weather gear.

Group size 2-24 Price ££

16. Astronomy and northern lights expedition cruise, Hurtigruten

The night sky is illuminated with startling clarity courtesy of onboard lectures about the northern lights, the solar system and the Arctic from astronomer Tom Kerss on this epic 15-day trip aboard Hurtigruten’s MS Maud. You’ll set sail in Dover and cruise along the fjord-riven coast of Norway to North Cape at 71 degrees north, where reindeer graze and the Barents Sea rages. And the aurora? Expect it to shine brightly thanks to minimal light pollution at sea. Meals and a range of excursions are included.

Group size maximum 5-8 for tours Price £££

17. Northern lights ‘Coast & Ice’ photography holiday in Iceland, Responsible Travel

Even expert photographers know there’s an art to capturing the aurora in full sway — fickle and flighty as it is. But this ten-day photography holiday to Iceland helps you nail that perfect northern lights shot, with workshops on everything from exposure to composition, post-processing chats and viewing sessions. The trip zooms in on two staggeringly scenic locations: the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in the west, with its thrillingly wild coastline and distinctive mountains, and southeast Iceland, where you’ll take in the frozen majesty of Skaftafell National Park, the iceberg-filled Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Hvannadalshnjukur, Iceland’s highest peak. Accommodation, transfers and tuition are included. Tours run in February, September and October.

Group size 4-12 Price £££

responsibletravel.com

18. Humpbacks and huskies under the aurora in Norway, Much Better Adventures

This three-night escapade in Arctic Norway has a ring of proper adventure to it — and it delivers. Starting in Tromso, you’ll board a boat to sail across a fjord buttressed by snow-cloaked mountains in search of the orcas and humpbacks that breach, blow and lobtail here in winter. You’ll also get the chance to drive huskies across the frozen tundra and paddle Tromso’s icy waters, hopefully with impressive light shows. Run by eco-conscious experts, the trip runs from November to January and includes four-star hotel accommodation, guides, skippers, mushers and some meals.

Group size maximum 12 Price ££

muchbetteradventures.com

• Best ways to see the northern lights

19. Iceland full circle with northern lights, Vulkan Travel

Running from October to March, this seven-night, self-guided drive takes Iceland’s phenomenally beautiful ring road (Route 1) in its stride. As Iceland is right below the aurora oval, brace yourself for a full-on feast of northern lights along the way. The word “wow” barely leaves your lips the rest of the time, whether you’re drifting in the Blue Lagoon as the snow flutters down, or exploring lava fields, colossal glaciers, hissing geysers or the iceberg-choked lagoon of Jokulsarlon, which, incidentally, holds up a fabulous frozen mirror to the aurora. Prices include flights, accommodation, car rental and route-planning details.

Group size self-guided Price ££

vulkantravel.co.uk

20. Husky sled and northern lights expedition, Much Better Adventures

With a dash of the properly intrepid about it, this expedition, beginning in Alta, takes you well and truly off the beaten track across northern Norway’s remote, insanely beautiful and very, very dark Finnmark plateau — pulled by your own team of run-hungry huskies. You’ll soon slip into the rhythm of mushing, relishing the freedom of making fresh tracks through the glittering snow, with the aurora perhaps staging a spontaneous appearance. The three-night trip runs from January to April and includes accommodation in a tepee with wood-burning stove and mountain cabin, most meals, transfers, guides and equipment.

21. Northern lights short break, Responsible Travel

Some might say that the longer you linger for the right conditions for the northern lights, the better, but even on a short four-day break like this one, the odds of spotting them are extraordinarily high in the far north of Finnish Lapland. All is wondrously white around Lake Inari, your base for watching the aurora flash away, as well as a flurry of winter activities from husky-sledding to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and ice-fishing. The clincher? You’ll get to spend a night in an aurora bubble, a transparent igloo with sensational views of the lights. Accommodation, meals, winter clothing and transfers to and from Ivalo are covered. There are daily departures between mid-January and mid-April.

Group size small Price ££

22. Hike, snowmobile and wild camp through Svalbard in winter, Much Better Adventures

At 78 degrees north, Svalbard is the last stop before the North Pole. This six-night tour, running in March and April, takes a headfirst dive into the archipelago’s silent, snowy wilderness, when the sun glares on the horizon after its long winter absence. The northern lights shimmer most nights when clear weather prevails and solar activity is high. You’ll need to be fit for this physically demanding trip, which gives you a true sense of being a polar explorer: traversing glaciers, pulling your gear on a pulka (sled), delving into ice caves, and camping and keeping watch for polar bears. Prices include accommodation, guides, transfers and some meals and equipment. Bring your own winter gear, sleeping bag and rucksack.

Group size maximum 10 Price ££

• Best northern lights igloos • Best places to see the northern lights

Take me there

Inspired to see the northern lights but yet to book your trip? Here are the best breaks from Not In The Guidebooks and Tui , as well as the best tours from our trusted partners .

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here .

Related articles

Watch the cold fire dance

Fulfill your dream and join us on a Northern Lights excursion

TOUR OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER

Book your Northern Lights Horizon minibus tour during November and get FREE admission to the magnificent Aurora Reykjavik exhibition – save ISK 1.600!

Always in small groups by minibus – maximum 19 people

Aurora Tourism in Iceland: You Can Seek, but You May Not Find

The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights — especially this year, which is a peak time for solar activity. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found.

In Reykjavík, Iceland, aurora borealis tourism is a booming business. Hopeful tourists board buses to head out into the night in search of the northern lights. Credit... Sigga Ella for The New York Times

Supported by

By Amelia Nierenberg

Amelia Nierenberg spent four nights searching for the northern lights in Iceland.

• March 25, 2024

From the outside, it may seem like the northern lights dance across Iceland’s skies each night. On Icelandair ads, planes fly across shimmering curtains in the sky. On social media, travelers gaze at the green bands above them . The lights are even on some recycling bins in Reykjavík, the capital: “Keep Iceland Clean.”

In the past decade or so, an aurora borealis industrial complex has boomed in Iceland. Many rent a car and go out on their own, but there are northern lights big bus tours and northern lights minibus tours and northern lights Super Jeep tours . There are private guides and boat cruises . There’s an observatory base camp . There’s even a museum .

But the lights can be elusive.

“Tourists sometimes expect, like, ‘At what time do you turn them on?’” said Björn Saevar Einarsson, a forecaster at Iceland’s meteorological office , chuckling. “Like we have a switch in the back room.”

This year, the letdowns are especially intense.

The northern lights, which are also called the aurora borealis, are most visible when there are solar flares, which are big eruptions on the sun that send charged particles toward Earth. This year, the sun is approaching the peak of its 11-year cycle of activity , which some assume means that the displays could peak, too.

But the enhanced solar activity doesn’t necessarily mean the northern lights will be brighter or more frequent, scientists wearily explain. Instead, they mostly mean that the lights can be seen farther south than usual: In recent months, they have been visible in Arizona , Missouri and southern England .

That doesn’t mean much for Iceland.

In fact, Icelanders and scientists said, this winter is nothing special. Sometimes, the lights are there. Sometimes, they aren’t. Just like always.

Hunting the lights

But nothing special, with the northern lights, is still very special. And so tourists keep coming .

Last month, I joined the fray. For four nights, I looked for telltale sky shimmers in and around Reykjavík.

I booked my tickets riding high — this was the best year yet, right? But as I learned more, and as my flight neared, my hopes ebbed. Scientists and tour leaders gently told me that the skies were cloudy and the solar activity seemed quiet.

“Just to let you know the forecast doesn’t look too good” Inga Dís Richter, the chief commercial officer at Icelandia , a tourism agency, wrote in an email two days before I planned to take a minibus trip with Reykjavik Excursions , one of its tour operators.

“But,” she added, “this can change.”

To find the lights, guides and travelers often rely on aurora forecasts, which overlay cloud cover and solar activity. They check them constantly, like a bride with an outdoor wedding in mid-April.

Some of the forecasts are free, like the aurora forecast run by Iceland’s meteorological office or Iceland at Night , which includes space weather. (Some are not — Aurora Forecast , which costs $12.99 a year, sends alerts.) Many people also turn to Facebook pages , where enthusiasts hungrily swap sightings.

Luck, though, is everything.

“There’s only one thing less predictable with the northern lights, and that’s the Arctic weather,” said John Mason, a global expert on the northern lights. “An aurora forecast is barely worth the paper that it’s written on.”

The guides work hard to explain the science, and set expectations. Most companies offer a free rebooking option if the lights do not show.

On my first night of aurora stalking, despite Ms. Richter’s warnings, I joined an expectant group on the Reykjavík Excursions minibus. For $88, I got a seat on the 19-person bus, which left the city’s central bus station at 9:30 p.m.

Over the next three to four hours, we would drive through the Icelandic night together. I’d either see something astonishing with these strangers — the sky, banded with light — or shiver with them shoulder-to-shoulder, awkward in the cold.

As we pulled onto the road, Gudjon Gunnarsson, the guide, set the mood early. “We are going hunting for the lights,” he said, emphasizing the word “hunting,” “similar to going out fishing in a lake.”

He drove for about 45 minutes, letting Reykjavík’s glow fade behind us. The city has about 140,000 people, and no real skyscrapers, so there’s limited light pollution. Although the northern lights can appear over the city, it’s best to see them in total darkness.

Then he paused and consulted with another guide.

“It is too cloudy here,” he told his flock. “So we will keep driving.”

But as we kept driving, clouds turned to a dense fog, so thick that the moon all but disappeared.

Mr. Gunnarsson turned off the main highway about an hour after we left Reykjavík. He parked in a parking lot. Or maybe it was a side street? The darkness was so deep that I could only make out the moonlight on the ocean, and only then after my eyes adjusted.

We disembarked and stood dutifully beside him, staring up at the sky. Then, one woman pointed toward Reykjavík. Were those the lights? (No. That was light pollution.)

Christof Reinhard, 65, who owns a medical laser company and was visiting with his family from Paris, mused that our search was a little bit like a safari. Sure, the desert is amazing, but it’s much better with lions. Or, maybe, was this more like a whale watch?

“Instead of a boat,” he said, “you have a bus.”

Mr. Gunnarsson watched the group stomp their feet and bend into the wind. Fifteen minutes. Then, half an hour. The clouds hung thick above. “There’s nothing happening here, as you can see,” he finally said to relieved chuckles. “It’s one of those nights where you just have to give up.”

Tourists can get mad, Mr. Gunnarsson and other guides said. It’s rare, but it does happen.

“It’s the trip that has our worst reviews,” said Eric Larimer, the digital marketing manager for Gray Line Iceland , a day tour and airport transport company.

A wake-up call for the aurora

For some, the joy is in the search, even if there is no find. A few focus on astronomy, often opting to stay at Hotel Rangá , which is just off the main ring road (Route 1) near Iceland’s south coast.

The hotel looks unassuming — low-slung and wooden — but it’s one of the most famous in Iceland. (The Kardashians stayed there . So did the Real Housewives of Orange County .) A standard room costs more than $300, depending on the season.

But Rangá doesn’t just cater to celebrities. It also draws astronomy buffs, enticed by its “aurora wake-up call” service and its observatory, which has state-of-the-art telescopes.

“One thing is to sell them,” said Fridrik Pálsson, the hotel’s owner, speaking of the northern lights. “Another thing is to deliver them.”

About 20 years ago, before the northern lights industry took off, he delegated the night security guard to monitor the sky. The guard pokes his head out every few minutes to look for the telltale flicker. If he sees the lights, he alerts the guests.

The service aims to address one of the main issues with hunting for the northern lights: They are usually only visible on winter nights, when it is very cold, very windy and very late.

“To be a good northern lights observer, you need the constitution of an insomniac polar bear,” Dr. Mason said.

My room phone, alas, stayed silent. But I did dream about the lights — great Wonka colors swirling, strangely, behind the Chrysler Building.

Mr. Pálsson built the observatory, too. Even if the lights didn’t show up, he figured, the stars are still magnificent — and, for city dwellers, also rare. The hotel contracts astronomers to work the telescopes and explain the stars to guests.On my second night in Iceland, as twilight slipped below happy-hour skies, I crunched across the snow to the observatory with Saevar Helgi Bragason, an Icelandic science communicator who leads the astronomy program.

He bent into a toddler-size telescope, focusing it on the moon’s craters. They looked clearer than the hotel, just a short walk away. It was too early for the lights, he said. And that evening seemed too cloudy (on Earth) and too quiet (on the sun).

Mr. Bragason joked that the lights can get in his way — they create a mist over the stars he really wants to see. But tourists often come specifically to see them. And sometimes, he said, as they wait impatiently, they can miss the real wonder.

“You’re left with these beautiful skies above you,” he said. “Basically, literally, another universe opens up.”

Creating a lights season

Hotel Rangá was a pioneer in Iceland’s northern lights tourism industry: About two decades ago, people came to Iceland for the long summer days, and left as daylight slipped farther south.

“I found it rather stupid in the beginning,” admitted Mr. Pálsson, the owner of Rangá, speaking of northern lights tourism.

But spreading tourism throughout the year made sense. Partly, that was an environmental concern. The tourists would crowd the country’s extraordinary natural sites over just a few months. It was also economic. When the visitors left Iceland, tourism jobs would ebb with the sunlight.

So the northern lights, which are reliably visible from September to March, became the backbone of the country’s winter branding, said Sveinn Birkir Björnsson, the marketing and communications director at Business Iceland , which promotes the country.

“To be able to sell this product of cold and darkness, you have to have something to offer,” he said.

Now, even though June, July and August are the busiest months, tourism has evened out over the seasons. In 2023, there were about 1.1 million international visitors to Iceland during the aurora months, based on departures from Keflavík Airport, according to data from Iceland’s tourist board . From April to August, there were about 1.1 million, too.

About a decade earlier , when tourism overall to Iceland was lower, there were about 336,000 departures from the main airport in colder months, and about 446,000 in the spring and summer.

The winter travelers are drawn by the lights — and the hot springs, glaciers and icy waterfalls. It’s also cheaper than the summer season.

Some try to visit volcanoes , but the country recently warned tourists to avoid the lava flows — Iceland is living in an unusually active period of seismic activity . In January, lava flowed into a small town and last week a volcano erupted with just 40 minutes’ notice near the Blue Lagoon thermal springs, one of the country’s biggest attractions.

The final attempts

Near midnight on my last night, a Sunday, I drove to the Grótta Lighthouse , a popular spot on the outskirts of Reykjavík.

A few die-hard experts had warned me off — many tourists go there because it’s darker than most of Reykjavík, but then don’t think to turn off their headlights. It was also raining, greatly diminishing my chances of seeing the lights.

But I only had three hours before I had to leave to make my predawn flight. I felt a little desperate, a little dazed. I parked, and approached two people who were sitting in the rain on a wet wall, looking at the water in the darkness. I climbed over seaweed, and introduced myself. What would it mean to them, I asked, if the lights suddenly appeared?

“It’d be a little bit like the cherry on top,” said Catherine Norburn, 29, who was visiting from England.

She and her husband were set to fly out the next morning. They had not yet seen the lights.

“We don’t have high hopes,” said her husband, Reece Norburn, 29, “but it’s now or never.”

We didn’t see the lights. And I didn’t see them later, even after pulling off the highway halfway between Reykjavík and the airport at 3:30 a.m., half convinced by a shimmery cloud.

But I did spend more time looking up at the sky. And it’s a marvel.

In New York City, where I live, the night sky blooms orange-mauve. In Iceland, the nighttime darkness is just that — darkness. Clouds roll, breaking the deep blue. Stars actually shine. Northern lights or no northern lights, it was still cosmically beautiful.

Amelia Nierenberg writes the Asia Pacific Morning Briefing , a global newsletter. More about Amelia Nierenberg

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Advertisement

$499—Iceland incl. flights & northern lights tour

Chase the northern lights or explore the Golden Circle, depending on your travel window.

Why We Love This Deal

Head to Iceland this year or next to see an abundance of natural beauty, like cascading waterfalls, active geysers and—if you're lucky—the northern lights. This 3-night self-guided trip covers your flights, accommodations, daily breakfast and a northern lights tour. The rest of the time is yours to explore the lively capital city of Reykjavík at your leisure. 

This independent trip includes :

• Roundtrip airfare from the U.S. to Iceland 
• 3 nights' accommodations in a well-reviewed hotel in Reykjavík with daily breakfast
• Northern lights tour (or Golden Circle tour, depending on travel season)
• Air and hotel taxes

Depart on select dates April, October-December 2024 and January-March 2025 for the following per-person prices:

• $499 ... Boston, New York, Newark, Baltimore
• $789-$899 ... Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Washington, D.C.
• $999 ...  Orlando
• $1099-$1149 ... Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco
• $1239 ... Las Vegas 

Additional dates start at $100 more.

Note:  Northern lights tours are available from late August to mid-April. If departing outside of this travel window, a Golden Circle tour will be included instead. 

Customize your trip:  Upgrade to a more centrally located hotel starting at +$100 per person. You can also add additional nights and activities, like a trip to the Sky Lagoon, for an extra cost. See website for more details. 

Book by April 24.

When You Can Go

April, October-December 2024 and January-March 2025

Up to $170 vs. DIY pricing

More Deals & Tips

• Trending Deals
• Last-Minute Deals

Your location

Where are you.

Create an account.

Just one more thing..., check your inbox., create your password..

• Access to exclusive travel, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences
• Hand-picked offers, personally reviewed by our global team of deal experts, delivered to your inbox
• Dedicated club-member customer support

Sign in to your account.

Enter your password.

Please accept this confidentiality pledge:

I agree to maintain the strict confidentiality required to access Travelzoo’s confidential offers. I will not reveal details of these confidential offers publicly, which includes not posting about it on social media. I will not attempt to purchase a confidential offer for anyone else. I understand that violating these conditions can result in my access being revoked.

To view confidential offers, we require that you sign a confidentiality agreement.

Don’t know password?

You're all set, join travelzoo, sign in to unlock, don't miss out, our deal experts have negotiated member exclusive rates for people like you., and you’re in..

Welcome, Travelzoo Member . You now have access to confidential offers. To access Confidential Offers in the future, you can use the link from your email, or the link under My Account on the Travelzoo website. This page is only accessible to Confidential Offer members.

You now have access to all our deals.

Here are the details of the deal you were interested in.

Sign in to save and manage your deal alerts

Sign in to save this deal to favorites., already a member, not a member yet, save this deal to your favorites.

Best places to see the Northern Lights around the world – and when to visit

O ne of the world’s most famous natural sights, the Northern Lights attract people to areas around the Arctic in hopes of seeing the rare display.

Caused by the redirection of particles from the sun that hit the Earth’s atmosphere, the stunning atmospheric phenomenon is seen as the Holy Grail of skywatching and mostly occurs in areas around Norway , Finland , Sweden and Greenland.

The lights can be seen in other parts of the world; the UK has even had sightings in Scotland, Merseyside and Wales this winter during a period of heightened geomagnetic activity.

Unfortunately, such sightings are rare and most people wanting to see the aurora borealis (the scientific name for the phenomenon, coined by Galileo Galilei) will have to travel further north.

To help you in your quest to see the spectacular light show, we’ve put together a list of the best places for seeing the Northern Lights and when to go to maximise your chances.

Read more on travel inspiration :

• Ghostbusters is turning 40 – so I explored the streets of New York like one
• Where’s hot in June? Best destinations for summer sun to escape the crowds
• Barcelona for Valencia and other holiday swaps to make to avoid the crowds

Tromso, Norway

Tromso sits at the centre of the Northern Lights’ oval, meaning that the lights can be visible even when activity is low. According to the tourism website, Tromso is “one of the places in the world with the highest probability of seeing the lights”, and there is “always a good chance of seeing” them between September and April.

Temperatures are moderated by the Norwegian Sea and westerly winds, meaning that they are much milder than usual for the latitude, with averages of between 2C and -1C during peak viewing times (compared to Svalbard, where the average January high is -13C).

When to visit Tromso

Your best chance of seeing the lights in Tromso is between September and April, when the skies are dark enough for them to be visible.

Svalbard, Norway

This Norwegian archipelago is home to more polar bears than people and experiences harsh winters, with the sun not properly rising over the horizon between mid-November and mid-January.

While the islands do not experience total darkness (and therefore you aren’t guaranteed to see the lights), the main island, Spitsbergen, hosts several different types of expedition to give you the best chance of catching the phenomenon. If you’re lucky, you may even see some polar wildlife such as reindeer, Arctic foxes and walruses too.

When to visit Svalbard

The lights season here is slightly shorter than in Tromso, running from September until the middle of March. The best time of day to try and see the lights is between 6pm and midnight.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi markets itself as the ‘Official Home of Santa Claus’ and contains a Santa Claus Village and Santa Park. The Northern Lights are visible here on “around 150 nights a year” from August, and the tourism websites provides ideas for nearby locations to view them.

Among its suggestions are the Arctic Garden (a 10-minute walk away) and the top of Ounasvaara fell (a longer, 45-minute walk from the town). Among other snow-based activities – such as sledding – you can join snowmobile trips and ice floating tours as special ways to enjoy the lights.

When to visit Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi is one destination where the lights season is exceptionally long, running from late August to early April. However, the best time to visit is during the Polar Night period, from mid-November to mid-January.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is located roughly 65 degrees north, making the country an excellent option for those trying to see the Northern Lights. They can be viewed in several locations, such as Thingvellir National Park or Kirkjufell Mountain, but the best place to stay when visiting has to be Reykjavik . The Icelandic capital is a typical Nordic city in style and acts as an excellent base for seeing the natural sights of the country in the day before going on a guided trip to see the lights by night.

When to visit Reykjavik

Iceland has a fairly typical length to its lights season, running from September to April.

Abisko, Sweden

Situated in Swedish Lapland, right at the heart of the aurora oval, Abisko National Park receives no light pollution and has one of the lowest rainfall climates in the Nordic area. With many surrounding mountains to keep the skies clear, Abisko also offers the chance to try out several activities such as snowmobiling, fishing and hiking.

The Aurora Sky Station markets itself as “the best place on Earth to experience Northern Lights”, but it seems that this confidence isn’t unfounded: if you were to stay for three nights in Abisko, you’d have an 88 per cent chance of seeing the lights, while the government website also claims that the area sometimes receives “more than two weeks of consecutive northern lights nights”.

When to visit Abisko

Maximise your chances of catching the lights by visiting between mid-September and early March.

Yukon, Canada

With a land area of 483,450sqkm, the Yukon is a vast region which is almost as large as the entirety of Spain. Roughly 80 per cent of the territory is wilderness; it’s home to the longest river in Canada , the second tallest peak in North America (Mount Logan, at 5,959m high), the smallest desert in the world (Carcross, at 1.6sqkm) and dozens of animal species, from moose to brown bears.

With this in mind, while exploring on your own may be tempting, when it comes to viewing the lights you’re best off booking a tour. It’s a good idea to base yourself in Whitehorse (the capital, with a population of just over 28,000), where guided tours will take you to nearby spots to give you the best chance of seeing the light show.

When to visit Yukon

Another place with a lights season lasting nearly eight months, Yukon’s most active time for light displays is between October and mid-November.

Ilulissat, Greenland

The most sparsely populated country in the world, Greenland offers the chance to see the lights with uninterrupted calm and tranquility. With a population of just under 5,000 people, Ilulissat is “rich in Inuit history” and is home to “millions of icebergs”. Low levels of light pollution and many clear nights will offer a good chance of seeing the lights during your stay.

With a population of just over 500, locations such as Kangerlussuaq also offer good opportunities to see the lights but may be too remote for some.

With three new airports coming to the island , access will soon be easier than ever.

When to visit Ilulissat

Along with the rest of Greenland, Ilulissat has a fairly typical season, lasting from September to March.

Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Home to “some of the darkest skies in the UK”, some of the islands in the Outer Hebrides sit on the same latitude as parts of Norway and Alaska . The aurora has been seen as far south as Edinburgh , but the islands of Lewis, Harris, Uist and Barra are your best chance for seeing the lights in the UK .

More accessible than most of the other locations on this list, the islands are also generally an excellent spot for seeing different astronomical sights, such as the Orion Nebula, the Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy.

When to visit the Outer Hebrides

Lights season in these islands runs from September to April, although the best time to see the lights is during the Equinox and Solstice, so between March and April and September and October respectively.

Fairbanks, Alaska, USA

The second largest city (by population) in Alaska, Fairbanks is situated near the centre of the state and is home to just over 32,000 people. Located on a similar latitude to Iceland, conditions here are perfect for viewing the lights: dark skies, dry conditions and a lack of light pollution.

One of the main benefits of Fairbanks (versus some other locations on the list) is the fact that you don’t even have to leave the city to see the lights, and as a major settlement, all the necessary amenities are available alongside the many tours on offer.

When to visit Fairbanks

The season here lasts slightly longer than usual, stretching from late August to April.

Finnish Lapland

While Rovaniemi has already been mentioned on this list, there are so many worthy destinations in Finnish Lapland that the entire area has to be recommended. Levi is the largest ski resort in Finland but is less crowded than other European resorts, and offers the chance to see the lights on snowmobiles or on reindeer-drawn sleighs. Harriniva is another resort that offers similar activities, with the Muonio River adding another scenic touch. Saariselka offers a different, village setting with excellent spots for viewing the lights only half a kilometre away.

When to visit Finnish Lapland

The official Finnish tourism website states that the best times to see the lights are in autumn and spring, at the beginning and the end of the season, with the season itself running from mid-August until early April.

Seeking a digital detox? Here’s how to go phone-free in Finland

The Independent is the world’s most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.

Northern Lights Crowned Most Sought-After 2024 Travel Experience as Aurora Visibility Peaks

Northern Lights in Grand Marais, David Johnson

According to new data from Expedia , 42% of Americans choose Canada, Finland, and Norway as their most favored destinations among those seeking to catch the Aurora Borealis.

Experts predict the borealis, or  northern lights , will be exceptionally visible this year. That spurs travelers to ditch warm-weather destinations in order to experience this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Nearly half of Americans say an attempt to chase the aurora borealis is an essential adventure for the year. The chance to see the northern lights dance above them ranks well above other coveted experiences, edging out other bucket list dreams such as visiting the pyramids of Egypt (36%) or exploring the Great Wall of China (33%).

The Best Places To See the Northern Lights

Searches on Expedia for winter getaways to renowned northern lights destinations like Lapland in Finland (up by 370%), Churchill in Canada (up by 110%), and Alta in Norway (up by 100%) have skyrocketed.

Finland emerges as a  top destination , particularly its northern Lapland region, known for its magical winter landscapes and vibrant aurora displays. October is the most budget-friendly time to visit, and despite lower costs, travelers aren’t sacrificing their views, as the skies are dark and the lights active.

Canada offers prime northern lights viewing. Several locations — Churchill in Manitoba, Banff in Alberta, and Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories — stand out for their natural beauty and auroral activity. These areas are accessible to travelers looking to experience the lights amid stunning landscapes.

Norway’s long northern lights season — from fall to spring — presents optimal viewing opportunities in locations like Alta, Narvik, and Tromsø. Visit these areas, known for their clear skies and high chances of aurora sightings, during the peak months of March, April, September, and October.

United States

U.S. travelers needn’t venture far to experience the northern lights. The Upper Peninsula in Michigan, Voyageurs  National Park  in Minnesota, and Fairbanks, Alaska, offer domestic aurora observation options.

Fairbanks offers the best chance  stateside for those seeking a light show, as it rests under the Aurora Oval. Visitors who chase the lights for three nights have a 90% chance of seeing the spectacle.

For an even more epic experience, head up to Wiseman and stay at the  Arctic Hive , a hiking and yoga retreat center within the Arctic Circle. This off-the-grid destination gives visitors an authentic wilderness experience. During the day, enjoy snowshoeing, dog mushing, or yoga in an igloo. At nightfall, watch the phenomena illuminate the sky.

Iceland, known for its dramatic landscapes and minimal light pollution, provides a  stunning backdrop  for the lights. Travelers are encouraged to schedule their visit between September and April, when nights are their longest and darkest.

As 2024 and 2025 promise increased opportunities to witness the northern lights. These destinations are fantastic starting points for an epic trip to observe one of nature’s most spectacular moments.

Tips for Photographing the Northern Lights

While the lights are remarkable when observed in any capacity, a quality camera can capture phenomena otherwise unobservable by the naked eye.

Seeing the aurora can be overwhelming and even emotional. Remember to soak in the moment and don’t rush. The light show can happen quickly; spectators should be agile and keep abreast of changing conditions.

As a professional photographer who just visited Fairbanks, Alaska, to shoot the northern lights in late February, I have a few tips for getting the best shots possible.

Get away From Light Pollution

Seek out dark, remote areas with minimal light pollution. These conditions enhance night sky visibility. Many of the destinations above have  dark skies just minutes from the city .

Preparation is essential. Travelers need hand and foot warmers, warm gear, and food to fuel spectators during long nights.

If unsure where to go, rely on local guides or group tours to find optimal locations and times for light viewing. Such resources can be invaluable if clouds are in the sky; experts will know where to drive for the best sights.

Finally, watch Aurora tracking apps like SpaceWeatherLive and ensure equipment, like spare batteries, is charged and ready for the cold, which can shorten battery life.

Use a Wide-Angle, Fast Lens

Photographers want to capture as much of the night sky as possible when snapping light shots. I shot with a 16-35 mm lens, though anything wider than 24 mm would work.

Additionally, you will want a 2.8/f aperture or faster lens (1.8/f or 1.4/f is even better) to capture sharp sky images.

A lens that hits both points will give travelers the tools for epic shots.

Tripods Are Essential

A sturdy tripod allows photographers to take long exposures, enhancing the opportunity to harness the northern lights’ magic. Consider using a cable release trigger or the self-timer function to avoid camera shake and ensure sharp images.

Locking the tripod ball head with gloves poses a problem. Photographers should secure the camera before shooting, or risk a blurry shot.

Think about Your Foreground

Composition elevates photographs. Incorporate elements like mountains, trees, structures, or reflections on water to add depth and scale shots, making the aurora borealis even more striking.

But, as with all photography, be flexible and roll with the punches. If the lights are dancing, take the shot, even without an ideal foreground.

Dress Appropriately for the Cold.

Layering is fundamental for comfort and endurance during subzero viewing and photography sessions. I wore five layers of clothes while shooting the northern lights in the Arctic Circle.

If temperatures fall below zero, as in my experience, wear insulated winter boots. Fingers and toes are among the first parts of the body to succumb to frostbite.

Keeping extremities warm allows spectators and photographers to stay out longer and see more action.

This article was produced by  Media Decision  and syndicated by  Wealth of Geeks .

All contents © copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved

Welcome to Iceland

Select starting location

Select dates

Add travelers

Top things to do in Iceland

Book your complete trip with the best companies only

Explore an Ice Cave

Visit a Live Volcano

Find the Northern Lights

Visit the Blue Lagoon

Go on a Road Trip

Do the Golden Circle

See the Glacier Lagoon

South Coast Tours

Best travel plans in iceland.

Book an optimized itinerary for a perfect vacation in Iceland

10-Day Self-Drive Tour of the Complete Ring Road of Iceland with Top Attractions & Snaefellsnes

9-day summer self-drive tour of the complete ring road of iceland with a focus on the south coast, epic 13-day self-drive tour of iceland's complete ring road with snaefellsnes peninsula & westfjords, 7-day self-drive tour of the complete ring road of iceland, top tours in iceland.

Discover all the best tours and tickets in Iceland

Best Ice Cave Tour in Vatnajokull Glacier Starting from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

Inside the volcano thrihnukagigur tour with transfer from reykjavik, the katla ice cave tour, skaftafell glacier hiking tour on vatnajokull, 1-hour zodiac boat tour of jokulsarlon glacier lagoon, snowmobile tour on langjokull glacier with transfer from gullfoss waterfall, blue lagoon comfort ticket, snorkeling tour between continents in silfra with free underwater photos & snacks, top attractions in iceland.

Explore all the places that you can visit in Iceland

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Seljalandsfoss

Blue Lagoon

Snæfellsnes

Best travel tips for Iceland

Find all your essential travel information for Iceland

18 Things To Do & Places to Visit In Iceland

Best Attractions by the Ring Road of Iceland

The Top 10 Best Tours in Iceland: Popular and Unique Excursions

The 30 Best Hot Springs and Geothermal Pools in Iceland

Northern Lights in Iceland - When & Where To See the Aurora

Waterfalls in Iceland

Travel community.

Join the largest travel community in Iceland

Local companies

Local specialists

Local bloggers

Travel bloggers

Photos of iceland.

See Iceland through the eyes of Iurie Belegurschi

Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.