If you are visiting Iceland between September and April, there’s a chance you will witness one of nature’s most stunning shows — the Northern Lights. This magical display, known as the Aurora Borealis, depends on strong solar activity and clear skies. While the Northern Lights in Iceland are magical, finding them takes some clever tricks. It’s not just about “looking up.” Here are the best insider tips and little-known tricks to increase your chances:
1. Get away from light pollution
- Streetlights and city glow drown out the aurora.
- Drive at least 30–45 minutes outside Reykjavik if the sky is clear — Thingvellir, Hvalfjörður, or the Reykjanes Peninsula are great options.
2. Chase the clear skies, not the lights
- Clouds are your biggest enemy.
- Use the cloud cover map on the Icelandic Met Office website — sometimes just 30 km away the sky is totally clear.
- Some of the best nights happen when people drive toward the gaps in the clouds.
3. Be ready to wait
Northern lights don’t always show up immediately. In Iceland, they tend to show up during the deepest hours of the night, which is why they are most commonly seen between 11pm and 2am. Bring:
- Snacks and hot drinks.
- Warm clothes (especially socks, gloves, and something windproof.
- A tripod if you are taking pictures
4. Let your eyes adjust
- Turn off your headlights and phone screen for at least 5–10 minutes.
- Aurora often starts faint and green-gray — it doesn’t always look like the Instagram photos right away. Once your eyes adapt, you’ll see much more.
5. Use your camera as an aurora detector
- Sometimes the lights are invisible to the naked eye but show up faintly on your camera in long exposure or night mode. Try taking a photo of the sky if you’re not sure.
- For better results, we suggest switching off your camera’s stabilization feature and setting the ISO to at least 400–800 — or even higher, depending on the lens. Use the widest aperture your camera allows, and try long exposure times between 15 and 30 seconds to let in as much light as possible and reveal the aurora’s full beauty.
6. Join a northern lights tour
Especially helpful if:
- You don’t want to drive at night
- You want experts who check the conditions in real-time
- You want help with photos (some guides even take portraits under the aurora)
If after looking into it, you feel this is the right choice for you, take a look at EastWest’s small group Northern Lights tour. It includes hot chocolate, traditional kleinas, and free photos of you under the aurora. And if we don’t catch the lights on the first night, we offer a free rebooking (subject to availability).
You will get a more personal experience, plenty of space to enjoy the show, and the chance to ask questions or get photo tips from the guide, without the crowds.
This is an unforgettable experience that will stay in your memory for the rest of your life.
If you want to know more about the Northern lights, please check our post Best spots to see Northern lights in Iceland.
