Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is an unforgettable experience, but finding them depends on a combination of clear skies and aurora activity. While it's sometimes possible to see the aurora borealis from Reykjavík, joining a guided Northern Lights tour can help you find darker skies and promising viewing locations.
If you’re staying in Reykjavík, we’d recommend joining this premium small-group Northern Lights tour. It’s a great option for first-time visitors who want to venture beyond the city in search of the aurora.
In this guide, we’ve compared the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland, from Reykjavík to other parts of the country.
We’ve included options for different travel styles and budgets, including small-group and private excursions, photography tours, and unique experiences by jeep or yacht. You’ll also find multi-day tours that combine aurora hunting with Iceland’s other highlights in case you’re planning a longer winter adventure.
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Northern Lights above Goðafoss, Iceland
Northern Lights, Iceland
Tips for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
The best time of year to see the Northern Lights
The best months to see the northern lights in Iceland are generally from late August to mid-April, when the night sky is dark enough. September and October are great for milder autumn weather. Winter is a great time because the nights from November to February have the longest hours of darkness, but they also bring colder temperatures and more challenging winter conditions.
Tips for booking a Northern Lights tour
Seeing the northern lights will depend on the right combination of clear skies and aurora activity. It’s definitely worth planning several nights in Iceland to increase your chances. If you’re taking a one night tour, we’d also recommend booking it early on your trip so you have time to reschedule if the conditions aren’t right the first time.
If you’re planning a multi-day tour, there will be more opportunities to try to see the northern lights in the itinerary, which can improve your chances. We have found the best multi-day tour options to suit a range of different days, and they are definitely the best way to see the landscapes in Iceland without having to navigate conditions on the roads in winter yourself.
Mobile data in Iceland
We compared many mobile data plans for our trip and found the best options are Holafly’s Iceland and Europe eSIMs which come with unlimited data.
Phone coverage with Holafly was very good all over Iceland, even in some of the more remote areas. You can use our code ‘LINGANDJACE’ for 5% off Holafly’s eSIM for Iceland or Europe with this link.
The best Northern Lights tours in Iceland
Quickly compare the best Northern Lights tours in Iceland
Best small-group tour from Reykjavík: This small-group Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík is one of the best ways to get out of the city and search for clear skies.
Most unique experience from Reykjavík: This Reykjavík Northern Lights yacht tour takes you out to see the Northern Lights from the water, on a viewing deck of a yacht.
Best budget-friendly option from Reykjavík: This Northern Lights group bus tour is one of the more affordable or budget-friendly group excursions with transport from Reykjavík, guided viewing stops and hot chocolate.
Private group trips: If you'd prefer a more personal experience, this private Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík is good for groups of three if you want more flexibility and a quieter atmosphere.
Best for professional photography from Reykjavík: This Northern Lights minibus tour with professional photos includes support from a pro photographer. If you’re after a private photography-based experience, we’d recommend booking this Northern Lights super jeep tour for private groups.
Best sightseeing combination: This Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík is one of the best ways to combines Iceland's famous natural attractions during a day tour with an evening aurora hunt.
Best Northern Lights tour from Akureyri: If you’re visiting the north of Iceland, we’d recommend taking the Northern Lights Tour from Akureyri to reach unique landscapes outside of the city.
Best multi-day Northern Lights tour: If you’re looking for a multi-day experience, this three-day guided tour is the best way to see the Northern Lights on a longer trip around Iceland’s Golden Circle and South Coast, including accommodation and breakfast. The itinerary can also be extended to a five day trip with the same tour provider.
Best longer Northern Lights tour: National Geographic runs a six day Signature Iceland Winter Northern Lights Wonderland tour, which is a premium small-group trip combining Iceland's winter landscapes, cultural experiences and opportunities to look for the aurora on different nights.
Tours from Reykjavík
Small-Group Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík
If you’re staying in Reykjavík, we’d recommend joining this premium small-group Northern Lights tour available on GetYourGuide. It is one of the best Northern Lights tour options for a more comfortable, small-group experience. This option is ideal for first time visitors to Iceland who want a straightforward experience without hiring a car. It’s run by a guide who monitors the weather and aurora forecasts to find promising locations away from the city light pollution.
It’s also a good option if you want a more personal experience as there is flexibility to move to different spots as the conditions change. As it is a small group experience and subject to weather conditions, we’d recommend booking the Northern Lights tour early in your stay in case it needs to be rescheduled to another night.
Northern Lights yacht Tour from Reykjavík
One of the most unique ways to see the Northern Lights is through this Northern Lights yacht tour, which takes you out onto the water. The boat departs from Reykjavik's Old Harbour, then sails through Faxafloi Bay and away from the city lights. The yacht has a panoramic deck with plenty of space for everyone to see the Northern Lights from outside, as well as a bar and lounge area inside.
Budget-friendly Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík
One of the more affordable options is this Northern Lights group tour from Reykjavík. It is a very highly rated option (with over 15,000 reviews on GetYourGuide) and includes transport by bus, guided photography spots and hot chocolate. It is a larger group tour but definitely a more budget-friendly option.
Best Private Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavík
If you'd prefer a more personal experience, this private Northern Lights tour from Reykjavík is worth considering. With private transport and hotel pickup, you can head out of the city with your own group of three rather than joining a larger bus tour. We’d recommend this option for couples, families or groups of friends if you want more flexibility and a quieter atmosphere while searching for the Northern Lights.
Best Northern Lights Tour with photography from Reykjavík
If you'd like professional photos of your Northern Lights experience, there are two tour options worth considering.
The first one is this small-group Northern Lights minibus tour from Reykjavík. It includes photos of the Northern Lights taken by an experienced photographer, and they also provide costumes, hot chocolate and cookies.
If you’re after a more personal experience, such as for couples, friends or families travelling together, we’d recommend booking a private tour with professional photos, rather than taking a small-group tour. The best option is this Northern Lights super jeep tour which can be booked for private groups on Viator. This is also a more adventurous option as it takes you to incredible landscapes in a super jeep. This tour option includes professional photography of you with the aurora.
Golden Circle and Northern Lights combined tour
The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular sightseeing routes, with a series of natural attractions like waterfalls and geysers, that can be reached in a day trip from Reykjavík. If you want to see some of Iceland's landscapes during the day before going out for the Northern Lights, we’d recommend taking this combined Golden Circle and aurora tour. This is the best option if you have limited time in the city and want to fit more into your itinerary without booking two separate excursions.
Tours from Akureyri
Best Northern Lights Tour from Akureyri
In the right conditions, the Northern Lights can be seen from many parts of Iceland and there are guided tours from other cities outside of Reykjavík. If you’re travelling to the northern side of Iceland, we’d recommend joining this northern lights tour from Akureyri.
It’s a three-hour excursion out of town and away from light pollution, where guides look for the best viewing spots. Along the way, you'll hear local Icelandic stories and get tips on photographing the Northern Lights. Selected hotel pickup and drop-off options are available, and if the lights don't appear on your first outing, you may be able to join the tour again the following night, subject to availability.
Multi-day tours for Iceland Northern Lights
Three-day Iceland Northern Lights Tour
Some of the most mystical landscapes can be found on the south coast of Iceland around Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. If you have time to explore beyond Reykjavík, we’d highly recommend this three-day Northern Lights and Glacier Lagoon tour with Snæland Travel through GetYourGuide.
It’s a guided trip that includes famous landmarks in the Golden Circle, Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall, Skógafoss and Seljalandsfoss, as well as Reynisfjara's black-sand beach. The tour includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, two nights of accommodation near Vík with a private bathroom and breakfast. The Blue Lagoon is also available as an optional extra.
Five-day Iceland Northern Lights Tour
If you have more time to explore Iceland, Snæland Travel on GetYourGuide also runs an extended five-day Northern Lights and Glacier Lagoon tour from Reykjavík. The guided trip includes four nights of accommodation, breakfast, transport and a local guide, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery rather than navigate Iceland's winter roads. With several evenings in Iceland, you'll also have more opportunities to look for the Northern Lights than you would on a single-night excursion. Optional experiences include exploring a natural ice cave and visiting the Blue Lagoon.
Premium six-day Iceland Northern Lights Tour
If you’re visiting Iceland in winter, the National Geographic signature trip with G Adventures is one of the best multi-day tours focusing on the Northern Lights. Their Winterscapes, Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour is a small-group trip guided by a National Geographic Expedition Expert. The best part is that it includes opportunities to see the Northern Lights on multiple nights in some of the most beautiful parts of Iceland.
The six-day itinerary covers Iceland’s winter landscapes, including the Golden Circle and waterfalls along the south coast. For a chance to go deeper into Iceland’s unique natural environment, the itinerary also includes a visit to the Laugarvatn Fontana geothermal baths. The trip covers hotel accommodation, transport and select meals.
We’d recommend the National Geographic Winterscapes, Golden Circle and Northern Lights tour if you’re after a more immersive, carefully curated way to experience the Northern Lights.