How to See Northern Lights in Iceland This Year

If seeing the northern lights is on your bucket list, make tracks for Iceland before April. The country is still in its peak northern lights season, and Icelandair is running a sale to get you there.

So how do you increase your odds of seeing the lights during your trip? There are a few ways …

First, get out of the city. You’re not going to see much in the way of northern lights if you’re dealing with light pollution, like around Reykjavik. To do so, you’ll need a rental car or a tour provider, but the former is more reliable, often less expensive and not limited to just a small amount of time on a scheduled date.

Second, rely on the many online resources dedicated to monitoring northern lights activity. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides forecasts for as soon as 30 minutes from now to forecasts for upcoming days.

Lastly, go where the northern lights are most likely to be spotted. There are several favorite northern lights viewing spots throughout the country, including Snaefellsnes Peninsula, Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon and Lake Kleifarvatn.