Okay, listen. We’re really, really sorry, but we have to tell you something. The northern lights are not really on all the time.
According to the dictionary, aurora borealis, a.k.a. the northern lights, is a “luminous display of various forms and colours seen in the night sky, without the aid of alcohol.” (Okay, we made that last bit up.) It’s nice to look at, and said to occur with greatest frequency along a line extending almost directly over Iceland.
However, there is a slight problem.
First of all, to see the northern lights, you need a clear sky. When the wind is from the north, they probably won’t be visible because of the clouds. That also means that when they are visible, it will probably be freezing outside.
And dark, too. If the green squiggly things are bright enough, you can see them through the city lights (when they’re not turned off), but if you want the real show, you’re going to have to drive away from the city for about a half an hour.
Our source at the Reykjavik Tourist Information Centre tells us that people can get quite mad when the northern lights don’t perform. “Last summer, a couple started yelling at me that they had come to Iceland on their honeymoon to ’see the bloody things.’ As if I could turn them on or something — the northern lights, I mean.”
Northern lights: Somewhere over your head, mostly on clear, cold nights from October to March.
15 Comments
The Northern Lights? When you do see them, they are not bright like the postcards, you need a long exposure for that, but they are magical all the same. Iceland is wonderful even if they don’t show… Go see it especially for the New Year fireworks. can’t wait to go back. Jackie
Thanks Jackie — That’s the spirit. (Now, how much do we owe you?)
They can be as bright as on the post cards, if you’re far away from the city lights, especially in October and November.
Hi I’ve been to Iceland 4 times including New Year. Did not see Northern Lights - you have to get lucky - but fireworks fabulous. Going back this year, despite the prices which will drive you to tears - or as writer Tim More said possibly to prostitution - so Iceland Air let’s have some good Summer prices prices published early so I can get a hotel on time! PS Try Billy’s bar in Reykjavik for cheapest beer. About half what you pay in the hotels.
Hi June — Thanks for the comment. Let’s just hope that someone at Icelandair (the other airline) is reading this. Until then, you might actually try flying with us at Iceland Express. Cheers!
Whoops! I have flown with Iceland Express and until this year they were the cheapest. Never flown with Iceland Air! Went package this year with BA as cheaper. Seriously, you know how scarce hotels are in Summer. We cneed early news of flights for this busy time. Also what about deals/hotels for Airwaves Festival?
June - 50+ Sigur Ros fan who ought to know better!
I have been to Iceland 5 times now and guess what I have never seen them (boo).
But I do have an interesting tale.
One night I had arrived at Kverkfjoll for the ice and fire tour and had talked at length with a German girl when it came for lights out (12pm). I stayed in the hut while she went out to her tent. Well the following morning over breakfast she said you know last night I was just getting into my tent when I looked up and saw a wonderful thing- Yeah you guessed it while I was climbing into my bunk the Aurora were doing their thing and all for an audience of one- oh bum!!!
Hi - Sorry to be one of those awful tourists, but…
I’m making my first trip to Iceland with my Hubby next week to, amongst other things, go lights hunting - but I’ve just seen you’re having awful weather at the moment!
Do you think the lights are likely to be anywhere to be seen, or - alternatively what activities do you recomend for those windy cold nights!?!
Caroline - an excited soon-to-be tourist!
I lived on Iceland for 2 years and I saw very bright lights (greens & reds)all the time; of course the best time to view them is dead of winter, midnight -2 am. On really cold & clear nights you can actually hear them crackling as they roll across the sky. The best guarantee of seeing them?…move to Iceland. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.
Excactly - that’s what I keep telling people.
I went to Iceland on September 2006 along with my girlfriend and a friend. We drove along almost every corner of the country, and when we were in Hali near Jökulsárlón spent the whole last night we stayed there waiting to see a northern light. I was told it would be difficult because the season was starting, and indeed didn’t see any.
However, it was a beautiful clear night and shot a lot of long exposure pictures of stars, while listening on the car’s stereo the Noi soundtrack. A truly Icelandic Night without a northern light!.
Tell me, tell me… when is a good time to visit Iceland during the off season? I am a flight attendant in the US, and plan a quick long weekend visit, but would prefer a time when the hustle and bustle of summer visitors is over.
Of course I’d love to see the northern lights, but know that is wishful thinking!
Your suggestions?
Vija :)
The winter is it! The lights are out and the city is always warm for visitors!
We are coming over on Friday.. Tell the lights to be ready for us!
Hi, Just a quick note for those planning to do some independent touring around Iceland.
I live in the UK but work in Iceland so I see all seasons pretty much, sometimes all in one day! If you plan to hire a car here you will find that the roads a great. They are well looked after, wide and safe. The local people are careful drivers and speeding about is not accepted. One thing I would say though is that the tourist attractions are not that easy to find on your own they are not often clearly signed. Some of them too are a little way out of the city and in bad weather, if a storm comes in it is not easy to drive in especially if you don’t know the roads and the moor lands. Just be careful and have well planned routes and the emergency number here is 112. Other than that people return here year after year!
Have fun!
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[…] However, we totally recommend it as a cheap and freely available cure for those damned day-after hangovers we seem to be getting all the time. (Hmm, must be the mix of fresh air and northern lights.) […]
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