This weekend, many parts of the UK have been blessed with a rare sight of the incredible Aurora Borealis thanks to an 'extreme' geomagnetic storm. Ribbons of light danced across the night sky delighting millions of people on Friday night, with clear skies and increased solar activity creating the perfect conditions for an incredible show. Arriving without warning for many of us on Friday night, those who didn't wait up for long enough to catch them, awoke to amazing images splashed across social media.
If you, like me, missed out on witnessing the patterns of brilliant light from the comfort of your garden, you could join the thousands of Brits who head out to see them in Iceland every year. With Jet2 offering city break holidays from £469 per person in October and TUI from £565 in January, there has never been a better time to enjoy the magic of the crystal clear Nordic skies.
There are also lots of affordable flight options, car hire and hotels, meaning that booking that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Iceland has never been easier or better value for money.
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Home to three UNESCO-designated world heritage sites, the Nordic country of Iceland is brimming with areas of historical and scientific significance, providing incredible vistas and outstanding value to humanity. From the regenerative qualities of The Blue Lagoon to the rugged wilderness of Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park, there are breath-taking experiences to be had at every turn.
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Iceland is considered one of the best places to witness the incredible spectacle (Getty)Before you book your bucket list trip, we've compiled some useful information starting with some top tips for hunting the Northern Lights in Iceland:
- Book a package holiday or a self-drive tour to ensure you don't miss out on any of the best viewing points.
- Plan your itinerary before you go, and be sure it is safe to travel by looking at road and weather conditions.
- Look for areas with a clear sky. The Northern lights are above the clouds so if it's cloudy, you won’t be able to see them.
- The Northern lights are most visible after dark so look for areas without light pollution.
- Check the forecast for Northern Lights conditions from the Icelandic met office before you head out.
- Wrap up warm, you may have to wait around for the light show to start.
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are an atmospheric phenomenon that causes undulating waves of green, purple, and red lights to dance across the sky. The colourful light show is caused by energized particles from the sun slamming into Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph (72 million kph).
As violent as the science behind the phenomenon is, thankfully enough, our planet's magnetic field protects us from the onslaught, leaving us with some of the most dramatic and breathtaking vistas to be found anywhere on the planet.
Where is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
In the Northern Hemisphere, the most visually impressive light displays are centred around the Arctic Circle, meaning that countries like Iceland, Canada, Scandinavia, Siberia and Greenland are the best places to see the lights dancing in the crisp, clear skies.
Thousands of visitors head to Iceland every year with hopes of hunting the Northern Lights, as well as discovering the diverse and beautiful landscapes with their volcanos, fjords, waterfalls, geysers, black sand beaches and steaming lava fields.
Vatnajökull National Park
Northern Lights over Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon at Vatnajökull National Park (Getty)Vatnajökull National Park is a protected wilderness area in south Iceland that is defined by the incredible Vatnajökull glacier, as well as ice caves, snowy mountain peaks, active geothermal areas and rivers, the Jökulsárlón lagoon with icebergs, and the Svartifoss and Dettifosis waterfalls. The huge nature reserve combines the beauty of the wild rugged landscapes with the potential to capture the most amazing views of the Northern Lights.
The 5,460 square miles of open space makes for very low levels of light pollution, meaning it's the perfect space from which to watch the colourful ribbons of the northern lights appear over the snow-capped hills and beyond.
The national park is approximately 200 miles away from the capital city of Reykjavík, and it can take between 4 and 7 hours to drive there depending on the weather conditions.
The journey is well worth it though and you can stop off along the way to visit places like Vík, Skógafoss and the black sands and hexagonal basalt columns of Reynisfjara beach.
Seltjarnarnes in Reykjavík
The light show can be seen from Grotta Lighthouse in Seltjarnarnes, Reykjavík (Getty)Most package holidays and tours to Iceland will incorporate a stay in the uber-cool city of Reykjavík. Despite being more built up than the wilds of the national parks, the town of Seltjarnarnes, which sits on the westerly edge of the city, is the perfect place to capture to light show without having to travel too far.
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Most visitors to the town will head out to Grótta Lighthouse or to the Northern Lights viewing point at the Seltjarnarnes golf course, both of which are just a 10-minute drive from the centre of Reykjavík.
There is also the Kvika footbath to explore with its compact geothermal pool by the water's edge and the Sundlaug Seltjarnarness, a public swimming complex with hot tubs.
Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The iconic Kirkjufell Mountain was "Arrowhead Mountain" in Game of Thrones (Getty)Snaefellsnes Peninsula is just a two-hour drive from Reykjavik and is one of the best places in Iceland to hunt for the Northern lights.
Famous for its diverse landscapes and incredible natural features, is it also home to the jaw-dropping Snæfellsjökull National Park with its glaciers, volcanoes, lakes and geothermal pools.
For travellers who can't wait to document their adventure, this part of the region is home to some of the most iconic landscapes Iceland has to offer, including Kirkjufell Mountain which was used as "Arrowhead Mountain" in Game of Thrones, Djúpalónssandur Beach with its black sand and lava rocks, the breathtaking Selvallafoss Waterfall, the historic Snaefellsjökull Glacier and the Hellnar Arch.
There are plenty of places across the peninsula that offer an incredible backdrop for a northern light show, including the golden sandy beach at Ytri Tunga, and the fjords of Breiðafjörður or Kolgrafafjörður
Þingvellir National Park
Northern Lights over Lake Thingvellir (Getty)Þingvellir (Thingvellir) National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that straddles two continental tectonic plates that have shaped the landscape of Iceland over many millions of years.
Located just a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík it is often the first stop on the Golden Circle and is home to the Gulfoss waterfalls and a wealth of secluded spots from which to see the northern lights appear over the Silfra fissure and rocky lava plains.
Comprising 92 square miles of ravines, cliffs, waterfalls, volcanoes, and lava fields, Þingvellir offers plenty of opportunity to explore the rugged beauty of the region.
Reykjanes Peninsula
Northern lights over the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula (Getty)Located in the southwest corner of Iceland, the peninsula is a UNESCO-recognised Global Geopark where the landscapes and sites are of geological significance.
Many visitors to the region come to explore the vast lava fields, bathe in the geothermally heated spas or hike to the famous Fagradalsfjall volcano.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in Reykjanes is The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa that is famous for its regenerative qualities. Swimming around in water temperatures as high as 39C, the water is rich in silica and sulfur and offers an excellent remedy for skin ailments and an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors to the peninsula.
The Blue Lagoon is just a fifteen-minute drive from Keflavík International Airport or a thirty-minute drive from Reykjavík.
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Chances of capturing the light show increase during the winter months and guided tours run from around September to April. While the weather is undoubtedly very chilly, the long, dark nights with crystal-clear skies make it worth getting wrapped up for.
Where to stay
Most visitors to Iceland in the winter will base themselves in the capital city of Reykjavik with its interesting art scene, lively nightlife and bustling city streets. The northernmost capital in the world is also an excellent base from which to explore the incredible beauty and breathtaking landscapes Iceland has to offer.
According to TripAdvisor, the most popular hotels in Reykjavik include:
- Tower Suites Reykjavik
- ODDSSON Hotel
- Reykjavik Residence Hotel
- Reykjavik Lights by Keahotels
- Sand Hotel by Keahotels
- Brim Hotel
- Black Pearl Hotel
- Kvosin Downtown Hotel
- Hotel Reykjavik Saga
- Skuggi Hotel
Tour operators such as Jet2 offering three, four or seven-night city breaks to Reykjavik, including accommodation at some of the most popular hotels in the city.
How to get there
Visitors to Iceland who choose not to book a package holiday with a Northern Lights tour included could choose to opt for a cheap flight deal, separate hotel bookings and car hire instead.
Flights to Reykjavik depart from several UK airports and one operator in particular has some of the cheapest one-way fares available for the Winter 2024/2025 season.
EasyJet is offering flights in September from £31, October from £52, November from £42, December from £40, January from £40, February from £42 and March from £44.
British Airways, Icelandair, Norwegian Air, Jet2 and Play also fly from the UK to Iceland, but flights may not yet have been released for the winter season.
How to get around
Many visitors choose to explore the expansive landscapes of Iceland at their own pace on a self-drive trip.
Renting a vehicle lets adventurers choose the attractions they want to see, while also being more cost-effective and flexible than relying on public transport or organised tours.
Being in charge of your own journey also makes it easier to discover hidden gems tucked away off the beaten path, and in Iceland, there are many incredible sites to be seen away from the main roads and tourist highways.
The weather is also always a major factor to consider when visiting Iceland, and if conditions are inhospitable, having access to your own vehicle means you can change your plans without missing out.
Companies offering car hire from Keflavik International Airport, include:
- Europcar
- Thrifty
- Budget
- Hertz
- Avis
There are also local companies who provide car hire in Iceland.
Some holiday companies will also offer self-drive holidays in Iceland, and will often throw in an itinerary for adventurers to follow to make the most of their time in the Northern landscapes.
British Airways offers a particularly good selection of dates and vehicle choices, with prices in December starting from £286 per person.
Tours and excursions
Many visitors to Iceland book themselves onto organised tours before they arrive. These types of tours and excursions are undertaken by experienced guides who have insider knowledge of all the best locations and experiences.
In a country that has so many incredible landscapes to explore, there are tours that attract every type of visitor, available to suit all budgets.
Unless your needs are very specific, most visitors will want to book a tour to take in the country's top attractions including The Northern Lights, The Blue Lagoon and the national parks.
As part of their low-cost Northern Lights packages, Jet2 offers unmissable tours that can be booked at the same time as your holiday.
Northern Lights Tour
This tour is included with all Jet2 Iceland city breaks, and local experts will determine the best spots for visitors to be in with a chance of spotting the dancing lights.
Golden Circle Tour
This 8-9 hour tour of the national park in Thingvellir lets you explore three of Iceland’s most popular attractions: Gullfoss waterfall, the spouting hot springs of Geysir and the national park of Thingvellir, the site of the Viking parliament. The tour also includes a visit to the Fridheimar tomato farm.
Blue Lagoon Tour
Journey to the Reykjanes Peninsula, where you’ll visit Iceland’s Blue Lagoon. Entrance to the lagoon is included, with 2.5 hours of free time allocated to spend there. This tour is very popular so travellers should book in advance.
South Short Tour
Visit the charming village of Vik, the island’s southernmost point, before marvelling at the spectacular cliffs that are home to nesting birds. See the mesmerising Skógafoss waterfall and stop off at the world-famous black-sand Reynisfjara Beach. Admire Seljalandsfoss waterfall, and weather permitting, you’ll get to venture into the cave behind to capture some amazing photos.
Jet2 city break holidays to see the Northern Lights start from £469 per person in October.
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