Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is a very particular expertise you may’t miss. For this 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 positive you might be, you need to take advantage of out of your journey to Iceland if you go to. From discovering all of the greatest locations to see, unimaginable hikes, lovely waterfalls, and, in fact, experiencing the greatest spots in Reykjavik. You’ll be spoilt for selection of issues to do and see if you go to Iceland.
So, the place precisely do you see the Northern Lights in Iceland? Nicely, the simple reply could be to say ‘wherever’. In idea, that is true, however there’s a huge vary of things that you might want to take into account if you end up 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 in regards to the Northern Lights in Iceland is that they are often current and dancing away, however you won’t see them as a result of clouds and even gentle air pollution in cities like Reykjavik. This isn’t all the time the case; you could be fortunate and spot the Northern Lights whereas visiting Reykjavik, but it surely’s actually just a little tougher.
Northern Lights Excursions
So, that will help you maximise your possibilities, it’s greatest to drive your self or e book this Northern Lights tour from Reykjavik. The advantage of reserving this tour is that you simply don’t should stress about driving or discovering protected parking locations. The draw back is that the excursions run even on cloudy days, which makes it very arduous 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 simply’ll get to manage the place and when to truly exit Northern Gentle searching. This implies you may adapt your plans to suit round clear skies fairly than staying with a inflexible tour time. Should you can, we’d say drive; it’s all the time the higher possibility. If not, this Northern Lights tour is nice. Plus, they provide you a lifetime assure to hitch one other tour free of charge for those who 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 essentially the most cost-effective approach to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and recognizing them is totally by yourself phrases.
We advocate heading wherever on the highway in the direction of Leirvogsvatn (beneath), which we’ve added beneath. The highway is just a little quieter than Route One to Selfoss, so there’s much less gentle air pollution. That’s only a private desire.
Simply be certain to park up safely and off the primary highway. All the time 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 may 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 beauty of transferring 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 gentle 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’ll shortly drive additional down the roads to seek out the proper place to identify the Northern Lights within the sky.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland from different elements of the nation
You possibly can see the Northern Lights in Iceland from wherever that’s darkish and with a transparent evening. So, for those who’re travelling additional east to locations like Vik or north to areas round Akureyri, simply be certain to seek out protected 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 may encounter. It’s all so useful.
Simply remember to word the quantity from zero to 9. The upper the quantity, the extra intense the Northern Lights in Iceland. Don’t simply suppose you want a excessive quantity—we’ve seen among 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 may see their maps right here.
Keep in mind, you’re seeking to see that the Aurora Forecast quantity is increased than zero and that there’s no cloud cowl in your space.
Learn extra: Greatest issues to do in Iceland