Iceland is worth a visit at any time of the year. But especially in the cold months, nature tops your visit. It is when green-violet lights sweep across the night sky.
Many people want to see the northern lights in Iceland once in life. You may also want to see it. Iceland has dreamlike scenery that transforms into something magical.
Aurora borealis is famous as a light spectacle. The name of the Roman goddess of twilight is Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind is Boreas.
They are the namesakes of the magical lights phenomenon. The official Lights season in Iceland runs from October to March.
The aurora borealis is often perfectly visible at the times of the equinoxes. Aurora borealis can be visible as early as three on dark, clear nights.
Please dress when you are out in nature. In principle, the lights can be visible all over the island. But some spots make the light spectacle look even more fascinating.
Best Places to See The Northern Lights in Iceland
There is no doubt that Iceland is a beautiful country in Europe. This country has many attractions. But the northern light is one of the most fantastic attractions.
1. Blue Lagoon
Between your landing in Iceland and Reykjavik, there is a 30-minute drive away. It lies in the famous Blue Lagoon, which is a large lake.
Its milky water has an average temperature of 39 degrees. It is a popular spa destination. On northern lights nights, the water offers a great contrast to the green aurora borealis.
The proximity to the capital also makes it a coveted majestic Lights spot. So, if you want to enter the site, you should book a ticket in advance.
The weather conditions on your appointment may not be ideal for observation. But you can still enjoy a nightly natural mineral water bath.
2. The Golden Circle
There is a Golden Circle which is a popular tourist route in Iceland, without any doubt. Some of the most important and most beautiful sights are waiting here.
It is also near Reykjavík in southwest Iceland. It boasts the only active geyser and Pingvellir National Park. You can walk between the European and American plate boundaries here.
There is a world-famous plane wreck here. It rusts away on a stretch of beach, looking abstract in the aurora. You can reach it by continuing south on the road, at Selfoss on the Ring Road.
You still have to walk two hours to reach the lava beach of Sólheimasandur from the parking lot. The wreck has been rusting away for almost 50 years in the lava beach of Sólheimasandur.
3. Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake
If you are on the ring road between Vík and Höfn, you can’t help but stop at Jökulsárlón Glacial Lake, which is off the road. Here the glacier tongue Breiðamerkurjökull meets the road.
Bit by bit, the glacier has retreated from the coast inland over the last few years. It leaves behind a lake that is up to 200 meters deep.
Icebergs that have broken off the glacier tongue are bobbing on the water. You can enjoy boat trips here in summer, and in winter, this is a good spot for majestic Lights.
4. Mount Klifatindur
Mount Klifatindur is about 15 kilometers southeast of Höfn in South Iceland. It is 889 meters high and is part of the Vestrahorn mountain range.
The ensemble has many steep mountain peaks, of which mount Klifatindur is the highest peak. There are many things to know about this place in Iceland.
The rock giants are remnants of a central volcano that became active around six to seven million years ago. You can only marvel and observe when the majestic lights streak over this landscape.
5. Arctic Henge
One of the great open-air works of art stands a few kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. It is on the outskirts of the village.
It is reminiscent of a mixture of church ruins and the English Stonehenge. It has the magical polar light scenery.
It is a stone monument located in the village of Raufarhöfn in northeastern Iceland. Jón Gunnar Árnason designed the Arctic Henge.
He was an Icelandic artist who unfortunately passed away before its completion. The Arctic Henge captures the light of the sun and the moon uniquely.
6. Lights over Kirkjufell
Idyllic places with their local mountain attract visitors from around the world. The mountain Kirkjufell and the Kirchberg is the imposing local mountain in Iceland.
It is in the fishing town of Grundarfjörður at the western tip. For some travelers to Iceland, it is even the ultimate travel destination.
It has waterfalls, and in the majestic lights, it seems almost unreal. It is even reminiscent of the sorting hat from Harry Potter.
No wonder the 463-meter-high mountain is also famous as the “Witch’s Hat” by the islanders.
7. Seljalandsfoss and Goðafoss
Waterfalls are photogenic companions of the majestic Lights. They shape the landscape of Iceland. Goðafoss, 70 meters high, is one of the most famous waterfalls.
It is in the north and has been under nature protection since 2020. The water of Seljalandsfoss falls 66 meters down in the south of the island on the ring road.
It also has a magical effect on polar nights. The best places to see the magical Lights in Iceland without extra cost are campsites.
Because of the cold winter, you can camp in Iceland between April and September. There is another advantage. Most places are in the countryside, where light pollution is less.
8. Reykjavík
The Northern Lights also flicker over Iceland’s capital. But they are harder to spot because of light pollution.
So you should look for a place which is as dark as possible and give your eyes a few minutes to get used to the darkness. In Reykjavík, the many parks are ideal as observation posts.
These parks are Hljomskalagardur, Klambratun, and the extensive Laugardalur Park. Mosfellsbær municipality is in the Reykjavík catchment area.
About five kilometers southeast of the city is Helgafell. There is a 215-meter-high volcanic mountain. It offers a great panorama of the green night lights.
Conclusion
If you ask me about the best country to enjoy the Aurora borealis, I will answer it is Iceland. There are many things to see on this island without the Aurora borealis.
As a visitor, you can explore the lifestyle of the local people here. It is hard to live in this place as it is so cold. But this place has many things to offer, without any doubt.
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