Where are the Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland? (Verified 2025 Data)

The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are one of Earth's most extraordinary natural phenomena, and Iceland stands among the world's premier destinations for witnessing this spectacle. While many travelers dream of seeing the aurora, success depends on being in the right place at the right time under optimal conditions.

Hello Aurora, Iceland's leading real-time aurora forecast, alerts and real-time sighting app, bridges this gap by combining real-time community sightings with real-time forecasts to maximize viewing opportunities. This guide, backed by Hello Aurora's comprehensive community data and local insights, examines the most successful aurora viewing locations based on actual user reports from January to April 2025.

Record-breaking aurora activity

The first four months of 2025 witnessed exceptional aurora activity, with over 10,000 aurora reports submitted through the Hello Aurora app globally. This surge reflects the impact of Solar Cycle 25, which has increased aurora visibility worldwide, with sightings reported from unexpected locations including Germany, France, Mexico, and California.

Iceland, positioned within the aurora oval, particularly benefited from this enhanced solar activity. The country recorded more than 6,000 aurora reports during this period, providing robust data for identifying the most reliable viewing locations.

Top 5 aurora locations in Iceland

1. Reykjavik and Surrounding Areas (1,400 reports)

Surprisingly, Iceland's capital city emerged as the top aurora destination, generating over 1,400 reports. As the world's northernmost capital, Reykjavik offers excellent aurora viewing opportunities despite urban light pollution. Remarkably, 40% of reports originated from downtown Reykjavik, proving that strong aurora conditions can overcome light interference.

For optimal photography conditions, consider visiting Grótta Lighthouse at the tip of the Seltjarnarnes Peninsula. This accessible location offers wide ocean views away from central light pollution while remaining easily reachable by car.

2. Reykjanes (500+ reports)

Reykjanes claimed second place with over 500 reports, particularly from the area around the old Garðar Lighthouse. This stunning double lighthouse complex, featuring the original 1897 orange and white structure alongside the taller 1944 lighthouse provides a picturesque and relatively dark viewing environment.

Notably, over 100 reports also came from downtown Keflavík, confirmed that strong aurora activity can be visible even from urban areas on the peninsula.

Where to see the Northern Lights in South of Iceland?

3. Hella/Hvolsvöllur Area

These charming southern Iceland towns ranked third in aurora sightings, slightly behind the Reykjanes Peninsula. Popular overnight stops for travelers exploring Iceland's south coast, both locations offer numerous accommodation options and serve as excellent bases for aurora hunting.

4. Selfoss (400 reports)

With 400 reported sightings, Selfoss proved its worth as an aurora destination. This popular Golden Circle base town provides convenient access to Iceland's famous attractions while offering solid aurora viewing opportunities.

5. Vík

The picturesque coastal village of Vík rounded out the top five. Known for its dramatic black sand beaches (Reynisfjara) and remote location with minimal light pollution, Vík has long been recognized as one of Iceland's premier aurora destinations.

Please note that Reynisfjara beach has a tragic history of fatal accidents, including the recent death of a 9-year-old tourist. Exercise extreme caution if visiting this area. For your safety, we recommend choosing alternative locations for Northern Lights viewing rather than visiting Reynisfjara, especially during nighttime hours.

The Northern Lights remain a natural phenomenon of breathtaking beauty, and while somewhat predictable, success requires proper planning and preparation. These statistics, drawn from thousands of real user experiences, provide valuable guidance for choosing your aurora hunting locations.

For the best results, check aurora forecasts regularly, plan your trips carefully, and consider using specialized apps like Hello Aurora with personalized notifications for precise, location-specific forecasts.

FAQ

Where is the best place to see the Aurora Borealis in Iceland?
According to Hello Aurora's data, Reykjavík and its surrounding areas have the most aurora sightings in Iceland, with over a thousand reports logged on the app in 2025. Within the capital region, Grótta Lighthouse and Reykjavík downtown are the top spots where users most frequently see the northern lights.

While Reykjavík offers convenience and frequent sightings, remember that darker skies away from city lights can provide more dramatic views.

What time of night is best for aurora viewing in Iceland?
Based on Hello Aurora app data, most aurora sightings in Iceland are reported around 10 PM, making this the peak viewing time. However, the exact timing varies by monthm you can read our full monthly breakdown guide for more details.

Keep in mind that the aurora is an unpredictable natural phenomenon with no set schedule. To maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights, download the Hello Aurora app and enable notifications. You'll receive real-time alerts when other users spot auroras, so you won't miss active nights.

Best place to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavík?

Based on Hello Aurora app data, here are the top spots in Reykjavík for aurora viewing:

• Reykjavík Downtown: Surprisingly, 40% of aurora reports come from the city center itself. Since Reykjavík is a compact city without skyscrapers, light pollution is manageable, and many users successfully spot the northern lights right from their homes or hotels.
• Grótta Lighthouse: Located just outside the city center, Grótta offers complete darkness and significantly better visibility for aurora hunting. It's a favorite among locals and visitors, though it can get crowded during nights with high aurora activity.
• Heiðmörk Nature Reserve: Another excellent dark-sky location within easy reach of the city, perfect for escaping light pollution entirely.

Bottom line: You don't necessarily need to leave downtown to see the aurora in Reykjavík. However, darker locations like Grótta Lighthouse and Heiðmörk will always give you the best chance of seeing a vivid, memorable display. Check the Hello Aurora app for real-time sightings and activity alerts.

How can I predict aurora activity?
Aurora activity can be predicted using real-time aurora forecasts. App like Hello Aurora display the aurora oval, geomagnetic activity, and real-time aurora intensity. Unlike generic KP index trackers, Hello Aurora focuses on live, location-specific predictions, helping you know when and where the Northern Lights are likely to appear.

Can I see the Northern Lights with the naked eye?
Yes! The aurora borealis is visible to the naked eye. During low-activity periods, auroras may appear faint or cloud-like. To capture their vivid colors and dynamic movements, a long-exposure camera or smartphone can help you. Read out article on how to photograph the aurora with smartphone.

What are my chances of seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Iceland offers excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights due to its high-latitude location. However, sightings are never guaranteed. Cloud cover, solar activity, and light pollution all influence visibility. Using Hello Aurora’s real-time data, you can check your location-specific chance of seeing the aurora, based on live space weather, weather conditions, and astronomy data.