Have you ever looked up on a cold winter night and wished the sky would put on a show just for you? Up here in North Iceland, the aurora borealis tends to do exactly that. With clear skies, wide-open landscapes and minimal light pollution, it’s one of the most magical spots in the country to witness those shimmering curtains of green, pink and violet.
Have you ever looked up on a cold winter night and wished the sky would put on a show just for you? Up here in North Iceland, the aurora borealis tends to do exactly that. With clear skies, wide-open landscapes and minimal light pollution, it’s one of the most magical spots in the country to witness those shimmering curtains of green, pink and violet.
Why here?
From late August to mid-Aprilthe long nights and crisp air give you a solid chance of seeing the lights. What makes North Iceland special is the silence, the space and the fact that you’re not fighting city lights. One moment you might be standing by fjords, the next under a sky so dark you can see the Milky Way beside the aurora.
Let someone who knows take you there
You absolutely can head out on your own if you’re self-driving and comfortable reading forecasts and weather. But the best experience often comes when you join a local tour — they know where to go, when the sky clears and how to make the evening feel comfortable (warm boots + hot drink = happy you).
Here are several trusted tour operators in North Iceland, each with their own northern lights offering:
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Geo Travel – Winter tours including “Northern Lights – From Mývatn” where they’ve been chasing the lights for years. geotravel.is
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Saga Travel – Offers several Northern Lights tours out of Akureyri with bus- and photography-specific options. sagatravel.is
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Imagine Iceland Travel – Small-group & private tours that specialize in the aurora in the north. Imagine Iceland
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The Traveling Viking – Based in Akureyri, offering winter slow-travel style aurora tours. The Traveling Viking
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Sysli Travel – Offers private Northern Lights hunting tours in quiet nature around the north. Sýsli – Tours and driving instructing
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Star Travel – Family-run, small-group tours with a Northern Lights evening option. Star Travel
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Arctic Trip – Founded by a guide with decades of local experience; listed on Visit North Iceland as a recommended operator. Arctic Trip
Handy tips for your night out
Suit really warm—thermals, windproof outer layer, gloves and warm boots will keep you comfortable.
Check local aurora & cloud forecasts beforehand. Clear skies = big difference.
Bring a tripod & set your camera to manual if you want great photos (wide lens, high ISO, long shutter).
Go early in your trip if you can—if the lights aren’t strong one night you might get a second chance.
And most importantly: enjoy the moment. Even if the aurora stays faint, standing in silence under a dark winter sky is its own reward.
In short
If you’re planning a trip to see the northern lights, North Iceland offers one of the best backdrops. Pick a night, pick a guide, bundle up and watch the sky dance.