The Iceland Northern Lights have been the subject of awe of people all over the world. The country’s combination of location, accessibility, and lack of light pollution makes it ideal to witness this cosmic event. In this article, we compile everything you need to know to go on your northern adventure.
What is the Iceland Northern Lights?
The Iceland Northern Lights have intrigued people for as long as we have been able to see them. Everyone who has stood underneath the Nordic lights in Iceland has undoubtedly wondered what they are and how they got there. Since this is one of the top things to do in Iceland in the winter, we have gathered all you need to know to get the most out of the experience.
The Iceland Northern Lights look like they come from another world, which is correct from both a scientific and not-so-scientific point of view.
The Science Behind the Aurora Lights in Iceland
The sun constantly releases energy in different ways and forms that hit Earth, ensuring we don’t freeze our toes off. Sometimes, the sun will send out a massive wave of energy, called a solar flare, which doesn’t make the Earth extra warm, but instead gives us the Aurora Borealis.
As you probably already know, Earth is covered in a magnetic field that protects us from any harmful radiation from space. This magnetic field passes through Earth on the north and south poles, making it behave a little differently there than it does around the rest of the planet.
When a solar flare hits Earth, most of the energy gets bounced back into space, while a small portion gets trapped in the magnetic field for a while. This extra bit of energy interacts with the atoms in the atmosphere, which then emits light that we see down on Earth as Aurora Borealis in Iceland.
Myths and Legends About the Iceland Northern Lights
There are plenty of other explanations that are way more fun than science. Any group of people who have lived far enough north has experienced a phenomenon like the North Lights in Iceland.
The Vikings thought it was the bridge between the gods and humans. Valkyries would come down with the Borealis Lights in Iceland to collect the ones worthy of going to Valhalla, and the gods would use it to travel and visit humans.
The Sámi people in northern Scandinavia were (and still are to a certain extent) convinced that these lights are the souls of the dead. Interacting with things like the Iceland Northern Lights would invoke bad luck, and in extreme cases, the spirits would snatch you up into the realm of the dead.
Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland
If you have ever had the good fortune of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights, chances are you got lucky with some weather aspects. Long before anyone could explain the Iceland light, it was well-known that some things needed to be in place to see it.
The temperature needs to be cold - the colder, the better - and the weather needs to be as clear as possible. You can only see the Iceland Northern Lights in the dark, so nighttime is a must. That is also true for nearby light pollution, making the rural areas much better suited than the busy cities and towns.
Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Aurora Borealis in Iceland
The Iceland Northern Lights are not exclusive to Iceland. The lights can be seen in the entire northern hemisphere above a certain latitude. This also means that your chances of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights are increasing the further north you go.
All countries above 60°N will have a chance to see the stunning light display in the night sky. The most southern part of Iceland is the island of Surtsey, which is on the 63°N latitude, which means that the entire country is in the right zone to see the Iceland Northern Lights.
The Best Time for Viewing the Northern Lights in Iceland
For the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, you must visit the island in the darker months. The summer half of the year is off the table, and the closer you get to the winter solstice, the better your chances are. As the Aurora Borealis in Iceland dates go, December 21 or 22 will be your best bet since these will be the darkest and longest nights.
The winter months here are from November to March, with the coldest and darkest months being December and January. That means your Iceland light show is more likely around this time of year.
Where to See the Iceland Northern Lights
As we said earlier, the further north you go in Iceland, the better your chances of seeing the Iceland Polar Lights. The north part of the island is going to be your best friend for this endeavor, but the most important aspect is to ensure that you’re far away from any light pollution.
Since the F-roads will be closed in the wintertime, and some gravel roads will be difficult to navigate, we recommend you keep to the main roads and try not to venture too far into the wilderness. If not, at least go with a guide or ask the locals for tips for traveling.
How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
You’ve chosen the right season and landed in Iceland. Everything is cold and dark, and you can’t wait to set your peepers on some real Aurora Borealis in Iceland. Your next step should be to visit the National Weather Agency’s website and check the Iceland borealis forecast. With this nifty tool, you can see when and which places will provide the best chances of seeing the Iceland Northern Lights. Once “when” and “where” are sorted, the “how” needs to be decided:
Self-drive
Taking the reigns to chase that colorful sky in Iceland is the most common way to do this. Armed with the Aurora Borealis forecast and a car, you will be unstoppable in your quest for the perfect viewing.
On Tour
Going on a tour is a popular option for those who don’t want to be in charge of the wheels when chasing after the Iceland Northern Lights. This is something that can be combined with a wide variety of other tours, such as whale watching, hiking in Iceland, Super Jeep tours, and cruises.
Underneath the Iceland Northern Lights
When chasing the Iceland Auroras, your accommodation can be the deciding factor for your luck in the hunt. There are three types of accommodations that are suitable for this:
Farm Stays
There are plenty of farms in the rural and remote areas of Iceland, giving you the option of a sky without any light pollution and solitude for a quiet viewing. Some examples are the Fjalladýrð and Solheimar Eco-Village Guesthouse.
Luxury Options
If you would rather be pampered, you can choose to stay at any of the hotels that are off the beaten path, like the Deplar Farm, Hotel Rangá, and Fosshótel Mývatn. These places will allow you to look at the Iceland Northern Lights without necessarily standing outside in the cold.
Camping Sites
Camping in the winter might not sound like a pleasant time, but some love it. This is also the most agile way of chasing the Iceland Northern lights. Simply find a suitable, remote all-year camping site, like CJA Campsite or Snæfell Campground.
The Shining Adventure of a Lifetime
Hopefully, you now have all the knowledge you need to decide if a nightly adventure in the colder region is for you (or not). Seeing the Northern Lights is truly the experience of a lifetime, and this alone is reason enough to travel to Iceland. We hope to see you here soon!
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