Are you finally planning to see the northern lights from Reykjavik in 2023? Let us start by saying, you’ve made an excellent choice!
The aurora borealis and Iceland are inseparable. With a latitude of 64.1466° N, Reykjavik is the northernmost capital city in the world.
And while you can’t always see the northern lights well in the city itself, you don’t need to venture far outside to find the perfect spot — that is, if you know where to look.
This is where our northern lights tours in Iceland come in. With our years of experience, you can significantly increase your chances of seeing this jaw-dropping natural phenomenon.
If you have any questions about our tours, please feel free to get in touch.
In the meantime, let’s focus on how you can see the aurora near Reykjavik and throughout Iceland in 2023.
Why Choose Reykjavik for the Northern Lights?
If you’re still unsure about visiting Iceland to see the Northern Lights, let us quickly explain what makes our country the best option.
Of course, Iceland isn’t the only location offering aurora viewing opportunities. However, given our location, we can see the spectacular light show for over 100 nights a year.
And when compared to other destinations in countries like Sweden and Norway, Reykjavik and the surrounding areas are far more accessible.
Visiting our capital city eliminates the need for multiple flights and time-consuming ground transportation.
Keflavik International Airport is only 30 miles southwest of Reykjavik and welcomes direct flights from all over North America and Europe.
Iceland also has the added benefit of being warmer than other northern lights destinations, which tend to be frigid!
And best of all, you can combine your northern lights adventure with another awe-inspiring experience — Golden Circle tours in Iceland.
The Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
It’s important to note that there’s no such thing as a guaranteed sighting of the Northern Lights.
However, you can maximize your chances of seeing them by visiting Iceland at the right time of year and by joining a tour led by local experts (more on the latter below!).
The optimal time to see the aurora in Iceland is between September and mid-April.
Outside of this window, Iceland experiences near-constant daylight. This means there isn’t enough darkness for the dazzling light show to appear.
Within the September-to-April period, November, December, and January offer the most prolonged spells of darkness.
The sun barely rises in these months. This results in incredibly long nights that help to create the ideal viewing conditions for longer.
However, we also highly recommend mid-September and mid-March for amazing spectacles.
The brief science behind this is that geomagnetic disturbances tend to increase around the spring and fall equinoxes. This ultimately results in stronger auroras.
Learn more about the shimmering green river in the sky before you visit by reading some myths and legends of the northern lights.
The Best Conditions for Viewing the Aurora in Iceland
When it comes to seeing the northern lights, there’s one basic rule above all else: go somewhere dark!
Luckily, Iceland has a tiny population, so there are plenty of great spots shrouded in darkness — and we know exactly where to go.
While we’re based in Reykjavik, our northern lights tours in Iceland venture away from the city lights.
We head out into the darkness in buses, minibuses, super-jeeps, and ATVs. We even offer opportunities to sail out into the North Atlantic Ocean on a boat.
Our team of experts decides where the best location is each night after checking the forecast. As such, we can’t specify an exact location in advance.
Of course, weather conditions also play a part in whether or not you can see the northern lights. Clouds are the main cause of foiled plans as they create a barrier between us on the ground and the aurora in the sky.
Make the Most of Our Local Knowledge!
We pre-plan every northern lights tour by meticulously monitoring the Aurora forecast. We then use our years of local knowledge to lead you to the best location where a viewing of the dancing green lights is most likely.
Because of the unpredictability involved, the longer you can stay in Iceland, the better.
For example, it would only take a single patch of cloudy weather to make viewing impossible on a two-day trip.
While many of our tours are for a single night, we also offer a 4-day northern lights adventure in Iceland that truly maximizes your chances of an unforgettable experience.
Get the Full Iceland Experience with Our Full Range of Tours!
We hope we’ve stirred your sense of adventure and you’re now planning to see the northern lights in Iceland in 2023.
At Your Friend in Reykjavik, we provide a wide range of other tours and day trips in Iceland.
So, in addition to watching the northern lights, you can experience everything else our incredible country has to offer.
For more information about any of our tours here in the Land of Fire and Ice, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
