# The Northern Lights Factory Near Reykjavík

- URL: https://www.visiticeland.com/article/reykjavik-auroras/
- Published: 2022-11-28
- Last updated: 2026-10-12

> Legendary Icelandic businessman Einar Benediktsson, who constructed many iconic buildings in Reykjavík, once tried to sell the northern lights to a Danish visitor. Luckily, he did not succeed.

Legendary Icelandic businessman Einar Benediktsson, who constructed many iconic buildings in Reykjavík, once tried to sell the northern lights to a Danish visitor. Luckily, he did not succeed.

Contrary to the name, the Northern lights do not brighten with every northern latitude. They appear, instead, like a doughnut on top of the globe known as the Aurora Belt, encompassing latitudes 60° to 75° North. Iceland is, roughly speaking, in the middle. 

Reykjavík happens to be also in the middle of the Atlantic and as such a major hub of international flights. For most travelers, the city is far easier to get to than the aurora destinations of northern Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia. 

*Image: From the hills of Mt. Esja overlooking Kollafjörður*

### **Let the search begin** 

The Northern Lights occur when charged particles from the Sun interact with Earth's magnetic field and atmosphere, creating beautiful displays of green, purple, and sometimes red light across the night sky.

Aurora activity occurs year-round, but Iceland's bright summer nights make the lights difficult to see. Dark skies are essential, along with a little luck and patience.

[**The Icelandic Met Office operates a daily forecast**](https://en.vedur.is/weather/forecasts/aurora/), showing expected aurora activity and cloud cover across Iceland. Both are worth checking when planning your Northern Lights hunt, as clear skies are just as important as aurora activity. You can also check [Northernforecast.com](https://northernforecast.com/forecast/iceland/reykjavik) for an overview of aurora activity and cloud cover around Reykjavík.

*Image: Watching from Grótta, a walking distance from the city centre*

### **Best practices in Reykjavík** 

Within Reykjavík, the Northern Lights are rarely strong enough to outshine the city lights. But you don‘t have to go far; Reykjavík has plenty of parks and reserves free of street lights. 

The costal walk to [**Grótta**](https://visitreykjavik.is/city-areas/seltjarnarnes-grotta) reaches the tip of Reykjavík‘s peninsula, taking only an hour from the city center. The parking lot overlooking the iconic **Grótta lighthouse** gets busy when the aurora forecast is promising. 

For solitude, head to the [**Heiðmörk Nature Reserve**](https://visitreykjavik.is/heidmork). It is possible to reach the area by public transport to Norðlingaholt, but a private car makes the trip smoother. 

To capture a photograph of the Northern Lights over the Reykjavík skyline the hill of [**Öskjuhlíð**](https://visitreykjavik.is/city-areas/oskjuhlid) is an excellent vantage point. 

*Image: The Aurora Basecamp is one of many tour-style options*

### **Northern Lights tours from Reykjavík** 

Several bus companies in Reykjavík offer special Northern Lights tours. Basic excursions last roughly three hours, beginning with a 30-minute drive to reach dark, scenic areas such as **Lake Kleifarvatn** and the **Bláfjöll Mountains**. 

Although you can find the Northern Lights without joining a tour, taking one has the benefit of an experienced guide and a driver skilled in winter conditions. Plus, waiting outside is a little easier in the company of other people also dealing with frozen fingers.

Over winter, many tour operators offering day-tours from Reykjavík also tailor the rides to aurora hunting. Bookend the popular [**Golden Circle**](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/the-golden-circle/), for instance, with a final aurora stop or visit some of the [**geothermal luxury baths**](https://www.visiticeland.com/article/geothermal-wellness/) at night. 

The nature exhibition [**Wonders of Iceland**](https://perlan.is/) at Perlan and the [**Northern Lights Center**](https://aurorareykjavik.is/) at Grandi also offer impressive simulations of the auroras. 

*Image: You need darkness and partly clear skies, with a mix of luck*

### **How many nights are enough to see the Northern Lights?**

Vividness varies, but generally speaking the Northern Lights appear every other night with clear skies. That means a week-long trip has significant changes of seeing them more than once. 

Searching for the auroras is part of the fun and while the forecasts are helpful their still is a lot scientists don‘t know about the vast electromagnetic system that unleashes the auroras and a strong sense of awe on the ground below them.