Want to catch the elusive Northern Lights in action? 2024 may be the year for you! This is your sign to go ahead and plan for one of the biggest adventures of your lifetime!
Like many, the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, have always been on our travel bucket list. The act of tuning into nature and patiently waiting for the elusive lights to appear has an almost romantic aspect to it — especially in a world that is constantly moving at the speed of light.
The good news is that, if you’ve been contemplating making the trip all the way to the Arctic Circle, this might be the best year to do so. Read on to find out more! (We also got a shortlist of the best spots to catch the lights in Iceland to help make your planning a lot smoother.)
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Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland:
2024, The Year Of The Aurora
You may be wondering why everyone’s money is on 2024 being the year when the Northern Lights shine brighter than ever. Well, it’s not an arbitrary assessment, that’s for sure! It’s steeped in science, and points towards the solar cycle and how this year is the solar maximum — i.e. the greatest solar activity in its cycle.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
But First, What Are The Northern Lights?
Image credits: kimkim
For those who aren’t familiar, the Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon caused by solar storms and giant flares from the sun. Without going into a full-fledged science lesson, the sun basically sends charged particles of electrons and protons into the atmosphere. And when this happens, they collide — giving rise to the brilliant colours we see in the sky. With this knowledge in mind, it’s easy to see why solar activity is correlated to the Aurora sightings.
While the lights are commonly seen over high polar latitudes like your Scandinavian countries, it can spread South too when the conditions are right, with its reach extending towards the UK and even some parts of the US, which is what many light-chasers are hoping for this year.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Northern Lights in Finland
Solar Maximum = Aurora Maximum?
As its name suggests, the solar maximum is when there is the greatest solar activity during the solar cycle. While there are a bunch of scientific theories and keywords surrounding the absolute solar maximum, solar maximum in our day-to-day typically refers to a period where there are more sunspots than ever. And when there are more sunspots, there will be more activity in the sun, causing more charged particles to be sent to Earth, which then interact with our atmosphere and therefore, more light. You get the drift now, right?
This has gotten many Aurora chasers excited, with travel agencies and hotels already gearing up for the Northern Lights season, which typically happens between mid-September to late-March.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
Norway vs. Iceland: Which Is Better For The Northern Lights?
Image credits: Visit Norway
As long as you’re within the Arctic Circle, the chances of you catching the Northern Lights are pretty good (of course, there are many other factors like the weather and moon cycle to take into account).
Ultimately, it boils down to what type of holiday experience you’re looking for. After all, you’ll likely be spending thousands to make that trip out anyway, so you should make it a holistic, well-rounded one! For those looking for abundant wildlife, breathtaking fjords, and a generally more vibrant landscape, then Norway would be a better alternative for you.
However, if you’re hoping for an otherworldly, almost sci-fi type of experience, then Iceland would be the winner — think basalt beaches that go on for miles, lunar plains, geysers, glaciers, and all sorts of volcanic activity.
Of course, whether you’re team Norway or team Iceland, we’ve got the information to feed both camps! Check out this article here to learn more about the best timings to visit Norway for Aurora season, along with our shortlist of locations. If you’re more keen on visiting Iceland, then continue reading!
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Click here for everything you need to know about seeing the northern lights in Norway
So… Where Should You Visit In Iceland For A Chance At The Northern Lights?
If you’re lucky, you can admire the Northern Lights from almost anywhere in Iceland. After all, it’s close to the Arctic Circle, and nearly as far north as you can get. However, if you’d like to be more strategic in your travels, we’ve shortlisted some locations across the country that are popular for chasing the lights.
West / South Iceland:
1. Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Image credits: Windows Spotlight Images
One doesn’t need to travel far to experience all that Iceland has to offer — rugged terrains, otherworldly landscapes, and other jaw-dropping sights. Home to Snæfellness National Park, the Peninsula offers plenty of spaces for you to catch the aurora borealis. For example, the Ytri Tunga beach is a great spot thanks to its designated lookout point that offers a gorgeous view of the lights extending into the sea. Another must-visit is the Kirkjufell mountain, where this iconic landmark is one to feature in your photo composition. It also makes for an easy drive back into Reykjavík, making it a popular tourist choice.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Check out this 7-day Finland itinerary for summer
2. Thingvellir National Park
Image credits: Cars Iceland
Touted as one of the must-visit places in Iceland, the Tingvellir National Park is a great place to chase the Northern Lights. The park forms part of the Golden Circle and is located about an hour away from Reykjavík, which means that you can expect low levels of light pollution. An interesting fact about the park is that it’s a UNESCO heritage site, and it straddles two major continental tectonic plates, which is why you can expect to find ravines, lava fields, volcanoes, and more all in one place.
If you’re planning a visit to this place, do note that the visitor centre closes early, but you’re more than welcome to explore the park and find a spot that you think will make for a great photo op for the aurora lights!
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
3. Blue Lagoon
Image credits: Goway Travel
Thanks to the intense geothermal activity in Iceland, you end up with marvels like the Blue Lagoon. Honoured as one of the 25 wonders of the world by National Geographic back in 2012, and located in the heart of the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, the Blue Lagoon is a stunning and extremely popular geothermal spa that is warm and inviting in Iceland’s cool climate. What we love about the Blue Lagoon (apart from its rejuvenating properties) is that you get to unwind while being surrounded by moss-covered lava fields, all while experiencing minimal light pollution.
Be sure to reserve a spot in advance, as this is an extremely popular tourist attraction! But rest assured knowing that the folks at Blue Lagoon monitor the aurora forecast very meticulously, with wake-up calls available for hotel guests too — upping your chances of watching the lights dance in the night sky if you’re there.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
4. Vatnajökull National Park
Image credits: Iceland Tours
A black beach with a yellow river sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, but it’s an actual phenomenon that can be found in one of Iceland’s most iconic natural reserves! Home to active volcanoes, ravines, ice caves, and the impressive Vatnajökull glacier, this spot is the perfect place to enjoy everything and anything that nature has to offer, like the unparalleled views of the Northern Lights. Check in with a local guide for recommendations on some of the designated camping spots along the more remote hiking trails — these typically serve as ideal viewing spots for the lights.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
5. Seltjarnarnes
Image credits: Hekla
If you’re spending most of your time in Reykjavík, a short trip out to this charming seaside town can be your ticket to seeing the lights. Located a short 10-minute drive from the heart of the city, Seltjarnarnes is a great alternative for spontaneous light chasing because as we already know, the lights are extremely unpredictable. The picturesque Grotta Lighthouse, where on a clear night, serves as a popular spot to set up and watch the aurora dance in the sky.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
6. Ásbyrgi Canyon
Image credits: Hit Iceland
If a trip to Iceland has been on your radar, then you would already be familiar with the Golden Circle route down in the Southeast (we’ve covered a couple of spots above). But if you make your trip further up north, there is the shorter, lesser-known but equally mesmerising Diamond Circle route that should definitely be on your radar — and the Ásbyrgi Canyon is part of it. Known for its horseshoe-shaped canyon and gorgeous trees and rivers, the Canyon is the perfect spot for those seeking a bit more colour in their travels, and of course, a scenic spot for some Aurora spotting.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
7. Goðafoss Waterfall
Image credits: Iceland24
This place is not called the ‘Waterfall of the Gods’ without a reason! Another northern Iceland highlight, Goðafoss Waterfall is one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the country. We love that this marvel sits right along the ring road, making it super accessible (the car park is right next to the main road) from the different towns in the vicinity. This means that once the conditions are right, you can hop into a car and make your way down — or just hang out in your car and admire the scenic views.
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
8. Lake Mývatn Area
Image credits: Amusing Planet
As you can already tell, Iceland is truly home to its otherworldly features like geysers, lunar plains, and basalt beaches. But our personal favourite would be the varied sights in the Lake Mývatn Area that make you feel like you’re anywhere but on Planet Earth. Because it’s so far out, you can expect minimal light pollution, making it a perfect spot to catch the lights. If you’re game, choose to camp out in the heart of nature, and spend the day exploring the surrounding areas like the Namafjall geothermal area, the Skútustaðagígar Pseudo-Crater, and Grjótagjá lava caves. We promise you, it’s definitely worth the trip!
Why 2024 May Be The Best Year To See The Northern Lights In Iceland: Find out more here
Quick Tips:
Just remember that while it may be easier to spot the Aurora Borealis in Iceland and anywhere else within the Arctic Circle, Mother Nature is ultimately an unpredictable force. So here are some quick tips to remember:
💡 Plan your adventure in Winter, but not in the thick of the season as the intense snowfall and cloud cover can make it difficult to spot the lights. Anytime between September – October would be best, as this period is often ripe with solar activity!
💡 Plan for a longer stay to increase the probability of catching the lights. We’d recommend at least 3-4 days in case of bad weather or stubborn lights.
💡 Use the Aurora Forecast App, or visit the Aurora Forecast website for real-time updates and predictions! If you are staying in a hotel, many of them offer wake-up call services in case the lights do appear during your stay.
Ready To Chase The Lights?
We hope that this comprehensive guide has been useful in helping you plan for your Icelandic adventure!
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