Northern Lights in Iceland: the best spots to watch

Fascinated by the Northern Lights, these extraordinary luminous phenomena? If you wish to have a chance to see it, here are the 10 best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland!

A polar aurora - known as boreal aurora in the northern hemisphere, and southern aurora in the southern hemisphere - is a luminous manifestation caused by solar winds. In fact, this majestic phenomenon is caused by cosmic rays from the sun, which percute the Earth's magnetosphere.

With Norway, Finland or Sweden Iceland is one of the countries renowned for being a first-choice spot to observe the Northern Lights. And it is because the island is isolated in the middle of the North Atlantic and relatively preserved from urban light pollution. It is better to understand why lovers of aurora boréals like to go there to contemplate these sublime phenomena!

If you also wish to admire these dazzling formations, you may want to know the best places to observe them. And that goes well, we have concocted a list of the top 10 places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. Open your eyes, it's gone!

1. Beach of Vík í Mýrdal

This small village is located on the southern coast of Iceland, south of the Mýrdalsjökull glacier. Its beach, entirely composed of black sand, is a popular spot among the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. Moreover, it is not for nothing that many lovers go there to spend a romantic moment. But, while still warmly covered!

If you are passing around the corner during the winter season, it may be convenient to go there at night. You can try to see the northern lights with the soft clapotis of waves in sound background: a just magical experience!

2. Jökulsárlón

It is in the south-east of Iceland that we find this ice lagoon along the splendid national park of Vatnajökull. If you are told, it is that the place is considered one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. Indeed, the place is simply grandiose with its placid blue waters where icebergs from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier float.

In winter, in addition to the seal colonies, the place is stormed by tourists who came to observe the polar aurora illuminating the area! And, the coming day, they will be able to enjoy an extraordinary hike in the midst of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

3. Reykjavik

The Icelandic capital is a small city, but has many light sources. This, unfortunately, normally makes the observation of boreal aurora difficult or impossible. However, it is possible to get away from the agglomeration of only a few kilometers to admire these splendid magnetic phenomena. For example, go to Álftanes to see them dance above the Icelandic capital. And so to attend an absolutely magical show!

Or, climb the hill of Perlan, one of the most famous museums in the city, to admire a breathtaking view of the city. From above, you may have the opportunity to observe the polar aurora reflected in the water of the sea. Or, go to the Ösjkuhlíð park, a small adjacent forest that will allow you to mitigate urban light pollution.

4. The port of Borgarnes

There is one thing to understand, when you are looking for the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. It is that nights are longer in the north and west part of Icelandic territory! The small port of Borgarnes is located there and offers the curious come to admire the polar aurora a chance to watch them dance.

From Borgarnes, they can be seen virevolter above the charming small fishing boats floating in the bay. These are the symbols of Iceland alone and show the importance of the ocean for its inhabitants.

5. Landmannalaugar

Like all Icelandic words, this one seems quite strange! Come on, we help you, it means in the language of Björk "the hot baths of the people of the country". And for cause! In this volcanic region of southern Iceland, it is possible to swim in rivers and natural baths. In this territory carved by the lava castings, the temperature of these hot water sources.. approximates the forty degrees!

And this is precisely what makes this area, with spectacular landscapes, one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. Difficult access during the winter, the game is really worth the candle. Imagine admiring the polar aurora while enjoying the most pleasant swimming in a natural bathtub!

6. Hvolsvöllur

In the south-west of Iceland, this spot is taken by photographers who come to immortalize landscapes among the most beautiful in the country. And the city is considered one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. It must be said that many people come to contemplate these exceptional solar events!

These moves gracefully above spectacular cascades. The place was also a filming place of several famous clips, series and films as the natural scene seems unreal!

7. The Snæfell peninsula

This small piece of land at the west end of the country has many iconic spots from Icelandic territory. Here is the Snæfellsjökull volcano, with a splendid glacier topped by volcanic chimneys. It is famous for being the entrance of the center of the Earth in the famous novel by Jules Verne! There are dizzy cliffs and fjords. All is part of the Snæfellsjökull National Park, one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland. In fact, there is a perfect silence and solitude to contemplate the latter.

Since the place is less than two hours’ drive from the Reykjavik capital, you will no longer have an excuse not to go and admire them! Don’t miss one of the most famous mountains in Iceland, once on site, from the north coast to Kirkjufell.

8. Keflavik Peninsula

Another peninsula, located this time less than thirty kilometers west of Reykjavik. If you’re told, it’s very likely that you’re going through Keflavik when you arrive in Iceland! Indeed, this is where the main airport of the island is located. Which is why most travelers come to search for the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland!

If you depart from the towns and villages on site, you can enjoy a sky free of light pollution. But also and above all a very weak human presence! In short, you will have understood it, it is certainly an exceptional spot to contemplate these incredible cosmic phenomena.

9. The Skógafoss waterfall

In the south of the country, you will find this spectacular waterfall located on the Skógá River and climbing from a cliff above sixty meters high. It is one of the most famous of Iceland!

Here, many photographers and curious travel on site to admire this wonder of nature. But the fans of aurora polar are not left behind, in this place close to the spectacular Landmannalaugar area. Because this unspoiled territory of all sources of pollution makes it possible to make the most of these wonderful light waves tearing the Icelandic sky.

10. Akureyri

In this town of northern Iceland, and situated at the end of a gigantic fjord, you can stroll around and enjoy the Nordic heritage. For example, discover sublime Icelandic churches and a renowned botanical garden that gathers endemic species from all over the country. But what is less known is that the place, very few populated, is one of the best places to observe the Northern Lights in Iceland!

The northern part of the country is indeed an ideal place to admire them since it enjoys almost non-existent light pollution. So, if you are visiting the region, don’t hesitate to stop in this privileged natural setting. The population is very welcoming and will be pleased to offer travellers who have come to discover the North of Iceland an exceptional stay!