The Northern Lights in Iceland

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights form when fast-moving charged particles from the sun, the so-called solar wind, collide with the Earth's atmosphere. The Earth's magnetic field channels the particles towards the magnetic poles, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms high in the atmosphere. The collisions excite the atoms, which then emit light. The same phenomenon in the southern hemisphere is called the southern lights.

The colours of the aurora

When are the northern lights best seen?

The aurora is present all year, but in Iceland it can only be seen when it is dark enough. From mid-May until early August the nights are too bright. The best period is from September to April, and the best time to look is between 10 pm and 2 am. To see the northern lights you need three things: darkness, a clear sky and solar activity.

The Icelandic Meteorological Office publishes an aurora forecast on its website showing where skies are likely to be clear and the level of auroral activity on a scale of 0–9. Solar activity follows a cycle of roughly eleven years, and the most recent maximum was around 2024–2025.

The best places

The northern lights can be seen all over the country, including in Reykjavík on good nights. City lights dim the experience, however, so it is best to get out of town. Good places near the capital include Grótta on Seltjarnarnes, Þingvellir and the Reykjanes Peninsula. Elsewhere, the Mývatn area, Jökulsárlón, Snæfellsnes and the Westfjords are popular. North and East Iceland often have clearer skies than the south.

Tips for photographing the northern lights

• Use a tripod, as exposures need to be several seconds long.
• Set the focus manually to infinity (∞).
• Choose the widest aperture, for example f/2.8 or wider.
• Start with ISO 800–3200 and an exposure time of 5–15 seconds.
• Include a foreground, such as a mountain, church or lake, to add depth.
• Bring spare batteries, as the cold drains them quickly.