The Northern Lights, or aurora borealis, are one of the most magical sights you can see in Iceland. On a clear, dark night, ribbons of green light ripple across the sky, sometimes with touches of pink and purple. With your own rental car, you can follow the clear skies and enjoy the show wherever it's best.
This guide covers when to look, where to drive, how to check the forecasts and how to take photos you'll love.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights appear when charged particles from the sun reach Earth and meet the gases high in our atmosphere. The energy they release makes the gases glow.
The colors come from different gases at different heights. Green, the most common color, comes from oxygen. Rarer red tones also come from oxygen, very high up, and blue and purple hues come from nitrogen.
People have admired the lights for centuries, and they're part of many Nordic stories. One popular tale links them to the shining armor of the Valkyries from Norse mythology.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs roughly from September to mid-April, when the nights are dark enough to see them. The darkest months, from November to February, give you the longest nights, and around the winter solstice Reykjavik gets only about four to five hours of daylight. Here's how to plan a December road trip with short days. September, October and March are lovely too, with milder evenings and more daylight for sightseeing.
Late evening is usually a good time to look, and many visitors have the most luck between about 9 pm and 2 am. The best conditions are a clear, dark sky and a calm night away from bright lights. Weather in Iceland changes quickly, so check the cloud forecast before you head out, and stay flexible.
Can you see the Northern Lights every night?
The aurora is a natural show, so no one can promise it on a given night. Some travelers see it several nights in a row, and others wait a few evenings. A clear sky and patience are your best friends, and a few extra nights in your plan give you more chances.
In summer, Iceland's nights stay bright, so summer is the season of the midnight sun rather than the Northern Lights.
Which part of Iceland is best for the Northern Lights?
You can see the Northern Lights all over Iceland when the sky is clear and the aurora is active. Getting away from town lights helps a lot. Here are six places we love, from easy drives near Reykjavik to dream spots further away.
1. Þingvellir National Park (Thingvellir)
Þingvellir is under an hour's drive from Reykjavik and is one of the stops on the Golden Circle. It's wonderfully dark at night with very little light pollution, so it's an easy first choice for aurora hunting. Check umferdin.is for road conditions before you go. Here's how to read Iceland's road conditions map.
Read more in our guide to Thingvellir National Park.
2. Ásbyrgi Canyon
Ásbyrgi is a beautiful canyon shaped like a horseshoe, in North Iceland, east of Húsavík along the Diamond Circle route. Its tall cliffs make a dramatic frame for the lights.
Fun fact: an old Icelandic legend says the canyon is the hoofprint of Sleipnir, Odin's eight-legged horse.
3. Kirkjufell
Kirkjufell is one of Iceland's most photographed mountains. You'll find it on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula near the town of Grundarfjörður, along Route 54, about two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavik. The 463 meter peak, with a waterfall in front, makes a perfect aurora photo. You might recognize it from Game of Thrones.
Learn more about Kirkjufell.
4. The Westfjords
The Westfjords are one of Iceland's hidden gems, far from the busier routes like the Golden Circle. The towns are small and the fjords are wide and quiet, so the night skies are wonderfully dark. The drive is long, so the Westfjords are best if you have extra days, and a 4x4 rental gives you extra grip and comfort on winter roads. Check umferdin.is before each drive.
See our complete guide to the Westfjords.
5. North Iceland
North Iceland has long, dark winter nights, and Akureyri and the Lake Mývatn area make cozy bases for aurora evenings. Combine your Northern Lights hunt with waterfalls like Goðafoss and the geothermal areas around Lake Mývatn.
Check out what to see in North Iceland.
6. Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland's most stunning places, where icebergs from the Vatnajökull glacier float in a deep lagoon. On a strong aurora night, the lights reflect in the water and ice, which photographers love. Fun fact: scenes from the James Bond films "A View to a Kill" and "Die Another Day" were filmed here.
Jökulsárlón is on the South Coast, a long drive from Reykjavik, so it's perfect as part of a longer road trip.
How to take photos of the Northern Lights
Camera settings to start with
- Use a tripod and focus manually on a distant light or bright star.
- Start with ISO 1600 to 3200 and adjust from there.
- Use the widest aperture your lens allows, for example f/2.8.
- Try a shutter speed of about 2 to 15 seconds. Use shorter exposures when the lights move fast.
- Set the white balance to around 3500K for natural colors.
Using your phone
- Turn on your phone's night mode, or use a camera app that allows long exposures.
- Keep the phone steady with a small tripod, or rest it on something stable.
- Bring a power bank, since cold weather drains batteries faster.
- Include some landscape, like mountains, water or your car, for a more interesting photo.
- Wipe the lens before you start.
And remember to put the camera down for a while and simply enjoy the show.
How to check the Northern Lights forecast
A forecast helps you pick the best evening. Even on a good night, clouds can come and go, so give it a try whenever the sky looks clear.
- Icelandic Met Office aurora forecast: cloud cover maps for Iceland together with the aurora activity forecast. Look for areas with clear skies.
- Icelandic Astronomy Society aurora forecast (in Icelandic).
- umferdin.is for road conditions, and weather warnings explained before longer drives.
Extra tips for a great aurora night
- Look up after dinner. Sometimes the show starts right outside your hotel.
- Dress warm and bring a treat. A blanket, warm layers and a thermos of hot chocolate make waiting cozy.
- Start with a full tank or a charged battery. Gas stations and chargers can be far apart in the countryside.
- Park in a proper spot. Use parking areas or pull-outs, well off the road, and turn off your headlights so your eyes can adjust.
- Prefer to relax? A guided Northern Lights tour lets someone else do the driving.
What to bring
Warm, waterproof clothing, gloves, a hat, sturdy boots and thermal layers. Add a headlamp, a camera and tripod, a power bank, snacks and water. See our full winter packing checklist.
FAQ
What kind of car is best for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Any car with good winter tires can take you to great aurora spots on the main roads. A 4x4 or SUV gives extra grip and confidence on snowy roads and longer winter drives. Browse 4x4 rentals in Iceland, pick up when you land with Keflavik Airport car rental, or compare all rental cars on Northbound. Not sure which you need? Read Do I need a 4x4 in Iceland?
Does moonlight affect the Northern Lights?
A bright moon can make faint auroras harder to see. Strong auroras still shine through, and moonlight can light up the landscape beautifully in photos.
How long can I watch the Northern Lights?
As long as you like. Just be ready for a stiff neck from looking up, and bring a camping chair or a blanket if you can.
How cold does it get in winter in Iceland?
Reykjavik's winters are often milder than people expect, with temperatures around freezing. It can be colder inland and in the north, and wind makes it feel colder. As we like to say in Iceland: there's no bad weather, only the wrong clothes.
Can I see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?
Yes, on strong nights you can see them from the city. For the best view, head to a darker spot like Grótta lighthouse or drive a short way out of town.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
On a clear, dark night between September and mid-April, away from bright lights. Late evening is often a good time to look.
Plan your winter road trip
- Renting a car in Iceland in winter
- Winter driving in Iceland: 12 easy tips
- Road tax in Iceland 2026: the kilometer fee for rental cars
- Winter tires and studded tires in Iceland
Every Northbound rental includes CDW and third party liability insurance, mileage is usually unlimited (check each car's terms), and you secure your car with a prepayment. Depending on your vehicle's terms, you can change your booking up to 48 hours before pickup. Find your car for a Northern Lights road trip.
