Best Time to Take a Tour to See the Northern Lights from Reykjavik

The Northern Lights can be seen from the highest points in Iceland, and there’s a specific time of year when you can watch them dance across the sky. Sometimes these lights are very still, and at other times, they move frantically.

The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is in winter, so this is an activity you definitely shouldn’t miss when planning what to see and do in Reykjavík during that time of year.

The best time of year to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is definitely winter. During this season, the nights are much longer than the days, and darkness envelops the entire Icelandic landscape, giving way to the most beautiful light shows in the sky.

In summer, it’s virtually impossible to see this phenomenon because summer nights are short —and often nonexistent. The brightness prevents the Northern Lights from appearing during summer nights.

Another essential factor for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland is the low level of light pollution found in most parts of the country. Especially in forested areas and on the peaks of the island’s mountains and dormant volcanoes, it’s possible to witness this spectacle when the night is dark enough.

As for the weather, to enjoy this spectacle, you’ll need to be prepared for low temperatures during the winter season; you should also be aware that at night, the wind chill can make it feel even colder.

During the months of December, January, and February, winter is considerably more pronounced. Temperatures begin to drop further, and the nights grow longer and longer, sometimes lasting up to 20 hours.

With nights this long and much darker than in other winter months, the Northern Lights become much more visible and striking. The downside of viewing this phenomenon at these times is that the weather can be a bit harsh compared to other months of the year.

But the truth is that the Northern Lights can be seen throughout the winter months, even during the final months of winter, when temperatures begin to rise and summer starts to arrive in Reykjavík.

December, in particular, is when winter in Reykjavík is felt most intensely, with daytime temperatures around zero degrees and nighttime temperatures of -3 degrees. Given this, it’s important to check the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s website to see if the weather will be favorable for viewing the Northern Lights.

It’s also common during the harsh winter to have strong winds and storms that make it impossible to go out to hunt for the Northern Lights. To find out whether your Northern Lights excursions will coincide with storms or not, I also recommend checking the weather conditions in advance.

Although January and February are also part of winter, temperatures during these months can be slightly higher than in December, and daylight lasts a little longer. Still, these are good times to go in search of the Northern Lights, especially since storms become a bit less frequent.

September, on the other hand, is one of the best times to visit Reykjavík—and it’s also a great time to see the Northern Lights. The weather is usually a bit warmer this month since winter is just beginning, making it an ideal time to catch the first Northern Lights of the season in less harsh conditions.

On the other hand, in September the off-season is just beginning to set in, so one of the best things about this time of year is that tourist crowds thin out a bit, giving you a better chance to secure the best accommodations and the best experiences for viewing the Northern Lights.

This month, which falls between summer and winter, also gives you the chance to explore routes that will be closed during the winter, so it’s a great time to visit Iceland and tour the entire island—without missing out, of course, on the chance to see the Northern Lights.

As for the prices of excursions and tours to see the Northern Lights this month, you should know that you have the chance to get good deals because the high season is winding down. It may even be much easier to secure spots for a private tour at an affordable price.

If there’s one rule for getting a great view of the Northern Lights, it’s that you need a dark and completely clear night. The clearer the night, the easier it will be to witness this dancing spectacle in the sky.

The best spots to view the Northern Lights are on the peaks of the island’s highest mountains; however, these locations may vary depending on the weather forecast.

December is generally the month with the most dark, storm-free nights, which is why it’s one of the months with the highest probability of seeing the spectacle in the sky. In certain forests in Iceland, it’s also possible to see the Northern Lights, provided the night is dark enough.

As fall approaches in September, you can find nights dark enough to see the Northern Lights, and the experience can be considerably better because the weather is more pleasant compared to other months of the year.

In October and November, the nights are usually clear, although the weather begins to get much harsher as winter approaches. Wind gusts tend to become much more frequent, but storms haven’t set in yet, which is ideal if you want to take a trip to see this polar phenomenon.

First of all, you should know that winter is the off-season in Iceland, so everything is more affordable during these months. In addition, the number of tourists usually drops considerably, making Iceland a great destination for viewing the Northern Lights.

However, you also need to consider various factors when booking a tour to see the phenomenon. There are many private tours that can take you to see the Northern Lights; however, if you want to save money, you should opt for more comprehensive packages.

Tours that include a fully equipped bus and transportation from your hotel to the Northern Lights viewing site are a good option if you want to save money and only have time to see the light show.

Another great option that I highly recommend is taking a combined tour. This means you can enjoy two activities in a single package. Generally, viewing this fascinating phenomenon is paired with other activities, such as whale-watching tours from Reykjavík or the highly popular Golden Circle tours.

You can also take a combined Northern Lights and ice cave tour from Reykjavík, which is another quintessential winter activity. One thing you should know about these types of combined tours is that you have the option to book them privately just for your group and still save money, thanks to the package deal.

If you’re traveling to Iceland with your family and want to know what to see and do in Reykjavík with kids while also saving money, I recommend asking before you book about the minimum age to participate in the experience and whether they offer discounts for children. This could help you save a lot of money, because that way your kids can join you and you’ll pay less for their tickets.

You can find countless Northern Lights tours departing from Reykjavík, and most of these are group tours with other people who also want to witness the light show. And I’m sorry to say that, since winter is the ideal season for seeing the Northern Lights, these tours tend to be quite crowded.

If you want to have a great experience seeing the Northern Lights—and especially if you want to do so with your family or friends—then I recommend taking a private tour to witness this light phenomenon.

Generally, on these types of excursions and getaways from Reykjavík, you’ll be the only group there, and you’ll be accompanied by an expert who will tell you everything you need and want to know about the Northern Lights. They’ll also take you to the locations where the highest aurora activity is forecast for that night.

Another advantage of this type of tour is that it’s usually conducted in a minivan, where you’ll have all the necessary amenities for a peaceful and comfortable trip.

This is one of the best experiences you can have if you want to see the Northern Lights with just a small group of people.

Of course, one of the first things we think about when planning a trip to see the Northern Lights is how to best capture them in a photograph. And I have to tell you that to take the perfect photo of the Northern Lights, several factors have to align.

One of those factors is timing, and in this case, you already know that one of the best times to see the Northern Lights is during the month of December, when the nights are longest. You also need to consider the amount of light at the location where you’ll be taking the photo; the fewer lights in the scene, the more the Northern Lights will stand out.

Once you’re sure you’ve met the first two requirements, you need to adjust your camera settings. To take a good photo of the Northern Lights, you should set your camera to manual mode and adjust the settings based on the aurora’s movement and brightness.

If you’re new to photography and only have your cell phone camera, try researching the camera modes your phone offers beforehand so you can take great photos you’ll be proud of later.

If you’re visiting Iceland but are short on time and definitely don’t want to leave without seeing the Northern Lights, I have to tell you that to be sure you’ll be able to enjoy this spectacle, you’ll need to set aside two nights for it.

Most of these tours allow you to participate in the experience again the next day if no Northern Lights are sighted during the excursion. But in this case, it’s again very helpful to book a combined experience that allows you to do two activities on the same day.

Another way to save time on these types of excursions is by booking private tours; this way, the experience is just for your group and you, so you set the pace.

When it comes to the best time and the highest probability of seeing this phenomenon, it’s essential that your guide be as knowledgeable as possible on the subject, so they can search for the aurora in the right places every night.

This is another way to save time: going on these types of expeditions with an expert guide. If you go on your own to hunt for the Northern Lights, you’ll likely have little luck and waste time.