Day Trips to See the Northern Lights in Reykjavik

The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that forms only in a few places in the north of the planet Earth. Seeing these lights is one of the things you must do when visiting Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and largest city. Their appearance depends on the weather conditions at the time, but I'm sure you'll find a plan that allows you to see them.

Excursions and tours to see the Northern Lights start from Reykjavík. You can go by boat, 4x4 vehicle or bus. On all plans you'll need to get as far away from the city's light pollution as possible. Sometimes it is not possible to see these magical lights, which is why you can always take a trip to a museum and see a very realistic replica of this natural spectacle. Would you like to know what tours you can take?

Are you one of those people who love the night sky? Then you are like me and you will surely love this excursion. With this plan you will not only be able to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik's magical sky, but also its stars and constellations. This tour costs approximately €50 and lasts 3 to 4 hours.

To start this tour, a bus will pick you up at the meeting points or at the place where you are staying. There you will be able to enjoy the bus's WiFi and you will be given a tablet. On it you will find a special audio guide that you can set up in the language of your choice. In addition to important facts about Iceland and its sky, you will find tips on how to take pictures of the night sky.

During the tour you will be accompanied by guides who will answer any questions you may have. They will also give you tips and provide you with tripods to set up your camera and take the pictures you want. Please note that you should bring your own camera, preferably a professional one, to capture the beautiful natural spectacle.

Along with the tablet and tripod you will receive astronomical binoculars. With them and with the help of a star map included in the tablet, you will be able to find the stars and constellations in the sky. Remember that for these excursions you should dress warmly because the night is usually cold. If you forgot your coat you can rent one.

Interesting details

• Price: around 50 €.
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours.
• Means of transport: a bus with WiFi.
• Advantages of this option: if you want to take home a unique souvenir that you will enjoy for the rest of your life, this excursion is ideal for you. You will be able to take all the pictures you want and see the Northern Lights in all their splendour.
• Disadvantages of this option: to go on this tour you need a professional camera to take the pictures you want. Otherwise, you will not be able to fully enjoy the experience.

Do you feel like an adventurer? Then get ready for an adventure! I invite you to join a Super Jeep tour where, with the help of your guide, you will search for the best place to see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik. This tour usually costs an average of €130 and lasts approximately 3 hours.

The 4WD vehicle will take you across difficult -to-reach terrain to get as far away from civilisation and its lights as possible. Finally, in a natural environment you will see the luminous phenomenon. In the meantime, your guide will make interesting comments about the event and answer any questions you may have.

This tour starts with your pick-up from your hotel in Reykjavík. You will board the Super Jeep from this point along with the other tourists. There are usually groups of around 10 people. Snacks and hot drinks are provided in the vehicle to keep you comfortable. The transport also includes WiFi so you will always be connected.

If you like travelling in a vehicle, you can also opt for a bus tour of Reykjavik, which complements the Northern Lights. Are you up for it?

Interesting details

• Price: around 130 €.
• Duration: 3 hours or so, may also depend on traffic.
• Means of transport: Super Jeep with WiFi.
• Advantages of this option: the Super Jeep can take you to far away places in order to find the ideal spot to observe the Northern Lights. You will also enjoy hot drinks and snacks along the way.
• Disadvantages of this option: As you drive away in the Super Jeep, the road is likely to be very bumpy. This will cause the vehicle to move more than usual. In any case, this is not a major drawback and overall, the ride is quite comfortable.

If you want a unique experience when searching for the Northern Lights, then I recommend a boat tour. Boat tours and cruises in Iceland are very popular as they allow you to appreciate the beauty of the landscape in an unforgettable way. These excursions usually cost an average of €90 and last around 5 hours.

Your adventure will start from the old harbour of Reykjavik. From there your guide will take you and your group to a point in the Atlantic where you can see the natural phenomenon of the Northern Lights. For this you will have to cross Faxaflói Bay. After about 15-20 minutes, you will have sailed far enough away from the city lights.

When your guide sees fit, they will stop at a point in the sea where you will be surrounded by mountains and excellent panoramic views of Iceland's capital. Upon arrival at the observation point, your guide will tell you fun facts about the Northern Lights. You will also hear about the myths and legends that used to be told before the true origin of the Northern Lights was discovered.

If you get too cold during the tour you can go inside the boat and have a hot drink at the bar. There you can watch a special video explaining interesting details about Iceland and the polar lights. Don't worry about taking perfect pictures and enjoy your experience. Designated ship staff will take the pictures of the moment and deliver them upon request via mail.

If you want to see the Icelandic sea again, you can make a plan to visit the black sand beach Reynisfjara from Reykjavik. This place always amazes all tourists who visit it.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €90.
• Duration: about 5 hours.
• Means of transport: boat with bar and comfortable facilities.
• Advantages of this option: on this excursion you can have an immersive experience and enjoy the nature of the sea and the sky while observing the phenomenon of lights.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are someone who tends to get seasick easily on boat trips, you may have to choose another option. Also, as it is an excursion on the sea, the cold at night can be more intense.

A combined tour to the Golden Circle and the Northern Lights is perhaps one of the best tours you can do in Reykjavik. It will take you more than 10 hours and costs around 97 €. This tour will take you to explore natural monuments such as Thingvellir, Gullfoss and Geysir. At nightfall you can watch the Northern Lights from a spot chosen by your tour guide.

The Golden Circle is a tourist route located 40 km from Reykjavík and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. If you are planning a visit to Thingvellir National Park, this could be an ideal option for you, as you will not only visit this park, but also see the Gullfoss waterfall and visit the geothermal area of Geysir and Strokkur.

In addition, your guide will tell you interesting details about these fascinating sites. To top it all off, you will see the Northern Lights. The place where you will be able to see them is not specified far in advance, as it can change depending on weather, cloud cover and other factors. However, it should be a place away from light pollution.

To start your journey your guide will pick you up in a bus with WiFi and USB connection. Normally the transport passes by the place where you are staying in Reykjavík. Please note that these tours start in the morning so that you can enjoy the full day.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 97 €.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Means of transport: private bus.
• Advantages of this option: with this tour you will be able to explore several natural monuments and end your tour appreciating the beauty of the Northern Lights.
• Disadvantages of this option: this plan will take the whole day, so you will have to plan your time better.

If you're looking for things to do in Reykjavík in winter, then this tour is ideal for you. Take a trip to the Perlan Museum, a modern building worth adding to your list of things to do with kids in Reykjavik. Here you can see all the wonders of Iceland in one place.

The Perlan Museum offers different exhibitions for you to enjoy. Your guide will take you to this museum and once there will point out the exhibitions you should not miss, as well as explaining important details about each one.

Among the exhibitions, "Glaciers and Ice" stands out and offers you a unique experience. However, bear in mind that you can also visit the Glaciers of Iceland if you have time. In any case, in the museum you can even enter an ice cave. If you want to experience this in a natural setting, you can take an ice cave tour from Reykjavík. Bear in mind that these plans can take a whole day.

Another must-see is the 'Wonders of Iceland' and, of course, the Northern Lights Planetarium. If you can't make it to a natural site to see them or if the weather conditions are not ideal, this can be a special plan so you won't be too disappointed in Iceland. You'll also have access to the 360° viewing platform overlooking Reykjavik and the surrounding area.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately €97.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Means of transport: private bus.
• Advantages of this option: your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in the capital and take you to the museum. Places for certain attractions inside the museum must be booked in advance. This job is done by your guide so that you don't have to worry about it and can get straight to enjoying your visit.
• Downsides to this option: The downside of this tour is that you won't get to see all of Iceland's wonders live, but it's good to keep in mind in case you don't get to see the Northern Lights and have to return home.

Excursions in Reykjavík focus on the natural phenomena and sights of Iceland's capital. These excursions are no exception, as the Northern Lights are the main attraction. They occur when it is dark enough, i.e. when there is no light pollution and when the sky is clear.

What happens in this scenario is that charged particles from the sun make an impact with the Earth's magnetosphere. This causes the solar winds to move across that sphere, which causes the energy to accumulate. At one point, so much energy is concentrated that it ends up shooting out and those radiations collide with the ionosphere, which causes the northern lights.

This phenomenon hides many things that you may not be aware of, which is why it is the subject of all kinds of speculation and artistic fascination. To clear up all these doubts, it is best to be accompanied by a guide with scientific knowledge.

Expert guides should choose an ideal time for you to appreciate this phenomenon. Sometimes the visit may have to be cancelled due to weather conditions. However, in addition to this natural phenomenon, you will be able to enjoy the natural monuments along the way. If you like the idea, you can choose one of the best tours to the Blue Lagoon from Reykjavik, a natural site worth exploring.

If you choose a jeep tour, you'll be able to go much further afield until you reach a completely dark area that's ideal for viewing the Northern Lights. A bus trip might take you to a more well-known area. Boat trips are my favourite, as well as seeing the spectacle in the night sky, you'll see Reykjavík Bay in the background.

When travelling to Reykjavík, no matter what time of year, you need to be prepared with a certain type of clothing. Pack a waterproof jacket, trekking clothes and trekking shoes. As the hikes are usually at night, I recommend bringing gloves, a hat, sunscreen, your camera or smart phone and a bottle of water.

It is also a good idea to bring snacks and water bottles. Not all excursions include this service and they are usually long excursions. In any case, you will probably find places to eat and drink along the way. If you are interested, you can take one of the best food tours in Reykjavík.

To see the Northern Lights you can mainly go to three different destinations in the world and each has a special time of the year to see them. One of everyone's favourites is Iceland.

When travelling to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, I advise you to be prepared for any eventuality. Remember that the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that depends on weather conditions. Therefore, the chance of seeing them is relative and your trip may be cancelled the same day.

In any case, it is a good idea to research the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland from Reykjavik. Late August to mid-April can be a good time to see them. However, the rest of the seasons, especially December, January and February, can be ideal when the skies are clear. They usually appear between 21:00 and 2:00 hours.

When choosing your excursion, make sure that your guide takes you to a remote location where you are more likely to see the natural phenomenon. This could be in the Golden Circle area. You can also visit the Skógafoss waterfall in southern Iceland, the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon in the Vatnajökull Glacier National Park or the Godafoss waterfall in northern Iceland, one of the best waterfalls to visit in Iceland.