Northern Lights in Iceland: The Ultimate Planning Guide for Viewing Success

When, Where & How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland (Expert Tips)

The Magic & The Reality

Seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland was the top item on my bucket list. After months of watching the aurora forecast and planning every detail, my husband and I finally made the trip in November 2023 and yes, we saw them.

This isn’t just another research post. It’s the exact breakdown of what worked for us: the specific night, the exact location, and the gear that saved us from freezing while we waited.

If you’re hoping to experience the same, here’s the truth: seeing the aurora in Iceland depends on three things: Timing, Location, and Preparation.

1. Timing Your Trip: Why November Paid Off

Early November was absolutely worth it. We had roughly 16 hours of darkness each day, which gave us plenty of time to chase clear skies. While daylight hours were short, the long, dark evenings made aurora hunting easier.

Weather was unpredictable, classic Iceland, but luckily while we were there it gave us just enough clear skies to make it happen.

✨ Our Best Sighting: Between 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM on a Kp 4 night, just as the clouds broke. The aurora sometimes lit up the sky and other times shimmered green across the horizon for about twenty minutes.

Aurora Forecasts: The Apps That Saved Our Trip

To increase your chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland, don’t guess, track. Here are the exact tools that helped us plan:

• NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center - for live Kp Index updates (how active the aurora is).

• Vedur.is - Iceland’s official weather site, with hour-by-hour cloud maps.

Every night, I checked these apps around dinner, then again right before bed. If the Kp Index was 3+ and the cloud map looked clear nearby, we headed outside or jumped in the car.

📱 Pro tip: Turn on notifications for aurora alerts, they’ll ping you when solar activity spikes.

2. Where We Saw the Northern Lights in Iceland

Our Best Spot: South Coast (Near Vík)

Our most magical viewing night happened in Vík, a small coastal mountain by the black sand beaches.

🌌 Why it worked:

• Almost zero light pollution

• Wide open plain with cliffs in the back

• Easy access from the Ring Road

We were lucky enough to view them directly from our room. We had a slider door with access to the mountain view out back. We bundled up and headed out. The sky was a bit cloudy, but the aurora lit up the clouds completely.

Near Reykjavík: Surprisingly Visible (Even From the City)

I was shocked to see the Northern Lights right from our rooftop room in Reykjavík. Even with all the city’s light pollution, the aurora was bright enough to cut through, a reminder that if the activity is strong, you don’t always need to drive far.

So before you bundle up and head out, always check the sky first. If the forecast looks promising and you’re in the city, step outside or look up from your balcony, you might just catch that faint green shimmer dancing above the rooftops.

For a stronger, clearer view though, drive about 45 minutes to Þingvellir National Park. It’s still close to Reykjavík but far enough from the glow to see the lights in their full intensity.

Local Resources That Helped

Two unexpected resources made a big difference:

• Our guesthouse near Vík offered an “aurora wake-up” list, they’d call and alert you if the lights were visible.

• The Northern Lights Alert Iceland Facebook group where people share real-time sightings and coordinates. Locals post live updates so you don’t waste time driving into cloudy skies.

Both were helpful on nights when conditions were borderline.

3. Essential Preparation: What to Pack for Northern Lights Viewing

We Waited for Hours: What You MUST Pack

Standing still in Iceland’s November wind for hours is no joke. I cannot emphasize this enough: layering is everything.

💡 Read Next: The 5 Best Base Layers for Women (Tested on Iceland’s South Coast)

Here’s exactly what kept us warm:

• Base Layers: Merino wool, moisture-wicking, and snug. (See my full guide here)

• Outerwear: Down parka + waterproof shell

• Mittens + Hand Warmers: Two types, liner gloves inside insulated mittens.

• Thermos + Snacks: Bring something hot, you’ll be outside for a while.

Camera Kit (For Aurora Photography)

If you want to photograph the Northern Lights in Iceland, you’ll need stable gear and patience. Here’s what I used and recommend:

• Tripod: Essential for long exposures in wind.

• Camera Settings: ISO 1600–3200 | 10–15 sec shutter | f/2.8 aperture (These are just a great place to start, you want a faster shutter speed).

• Spare Batteries: Bring extras, cold drains them fast.

• Remote Shutter or Timer: I used a 2-second timer to avoid camera shake.

Even if you’re shooting on a phone, switch to manual mode and lower your exposure for clearer shots.

Final Thoughts: Real-World Advice from November 2023

We were lucky to see the aurora, but it wasn’t luck alone, it was research, timing, and persistence.

I hope these first-hand lessons from our November 2023 trip help you plan your own Northern Lights adventure in Iceland with confidence.

Before you go, explore these helpful guides:

• 🗺 Our Iceland Nine-Night South Coast Itinerary – our full route + hotel recommendations.

• ❄️ The 5 Best Base Layers for Women – what truly kept us warm during hours of waiting.

• 🌍 Iceland Destination Hub – for packing lists, itineraries, and travel tips.