Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a completely particular expertise you possibly can’t miss. This is the reason I’m sharing one of the best locations and methods to maximise your possibilities of recognizing them after arriving in Iceland.
Should you’re something like me, and I’m certain you’re, you wish to take advantage of out of your journey to Iceland once you go to. From discovering all of the greatest locations to see, unbelievable hikes, stunning waterfalls, and, after all, experiencing the greatest spots in Reykjavik. You’ll be spoilt for alternative of issues to do and see once you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Nicely, the simple reply could be to say ‘anyplace’. In principle, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that it is advisable to take into account when you’re recognizing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights In Iceland from Reykjavik
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One of many key issues to recollect concerning the Northern Lights in Iceland is that they are often current and dancing away, however you may not see them attributable to clouds and even mild air pollution in cities like Reykjavik. This isn’t at all times the case; you might be fortunate and spot the Northern Lights whereas visiting Reykjavik, but it surely’s actually a little bit more difficult.
Northern Lights Excursions
So, that will help you maximise your probabilities, it’s greatest to drive your self or guide this Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik. The advantage of reserving this tour is that you just don’t must stress about driving or discovering secure parking locations. The draw back is that the excursions run even on cloudy days, which makes it very laborious to identify the Northern Lights in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Reykjavik
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The advantage of driving to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is that you just’ll get to regulate the place and when to really exit Northern Gentle searching. This implies you possibly can adapt your plans to suit round clear skies moderately than staying with a inflexible tour time. Should you can, we’d say drive; it’s at all times the higher possibility. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they provide you a lifetime assure to affix one other tour free of charge in the event you don’t see them.
Better of all, when driving, you solely have to drive round 20 minutes from the centre of Reykjavik, and also you’ll be in full darkness. It’s probably the most cost-effective option to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We advocate heading anyplace on the highway in direction of Leirvogsvatn (beneath), which we’ve added beneath. The highway is a little bit quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less mild air pollution. That’s only a private desire.
Simply be sure to park up safely and off the principle highway. At all times make sure you’re parked in a layby or small parking areas they’ve alongside the highway itself. Oh, and take a sizzling tea of espresso with you – it’s very nice as you possibly can simply sit within the automobile, within the heat, till the Northern Lights seem.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Keflavik Airport
Should you’re nearer to Keflavik Airport, drive for about 10-Quarter-hour to close by Gunnuhver Scorching Springs (beneath). The wonderful thing about shifting to see the Northern Lights in Gunnuhver, Iceland, is that there’s parking accessible, which makes it really easy to cease.
Plus, dealing with south provides you an uninterrupted view and minimal mild air pollution.
Seeing the Northern Lights from Selfoss
Travelling close to Selfoss? Then, head to the coast by routes 33 and 34 close to Eyrarbakki (beneath). It’s so shut, and you may rapidly drive additional down the roads to seek out the right place to identify the Northern Lights within the sky.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland from different elements of the nation
You may see the Northern Lights in Iceland from anyplace that’s darkish and with a transparent evening. So, in the event you’re travelling additional east to locations like Vik or north to areas round Akureyri, simply be sure to seek out secure parking spots in your native space.
Easy methods to spot the Northern Lights in Iceland
Top-of-the-line instruments for the Northern Lights forecast is right here.
It’s the Icelandic Met Workplace, which particulars when and the place you will note the Northern Lights in Iceland. We use this software considerably when travelling in Iceland. Additionally they word all of the cloud cowl you would possibly encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply you should definitely word the quantity from zero to 9. The upper the quantity, the extra intense the Northern Lights in Iceland. Don’t simply assume you want a excessive quantity—we’ve seen a number of the most spectacular shows in Iceland whereas the forecast was solely three (which is ‘energetic’).
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Oh, and for the Iceland climate forecast, you possibly can see their maps right here.
Bear in mind, you’re trying to see that the Aurora Forecast quantity is greater than zero and that there’s no cloud cowl in your space.
Learn extra: Finest issues to do in Iceland