One of the most magical experiences Iceland has to offer is witnessing the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis — nature’s very own light show. With its high-latitude position and clear, dark winter skies, Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see this incredible phenomenon. For travelers staying in the capital, Reykjavík northern lights tours provide the perfect opportunity to experience this unforgettable event with the help of expert local guides.
From comfortable coach tours to thrilling Super Jeep safaris, these guided excursions take you far from city lights to maximize your chances of catching a vibrant aurora display. At Iceland Holiday Packages, we offer a wide selection of Northern Lights tours starting in Reykjavík , suitable for all travel styles, preferences, and budgets.
The Northern Lights are a natural light display that occurs when charged solar particles collide with gases in Earth's atmosphere. The result is a breathtaking curtain of color—usually green, but sometimes pink, purple, red, or blue—that dances across the Arctic sky. Visible only in high-latitude areas during dark, clear nights, this spectacle is most commonly seen in winter.
While you can attempt to view the lights on your own, guided tours greatly improve your chances. Professional guides monitor aurora forecasts and weather conditions in real-time and know exactly where to go for the clearest views. Here are just a few reasons to join a Northern Lights tour ..
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The aurora season in Iceland runs from late September through mid-April. While the lights can appear at any time during this period, your chances are best on clear, dark nights away from urban light pollution. December to February offer the longest nights, while March and October often have the most geomagnetic activity.
These popular tours are ideal for travelers looking for a budget-friendly and comfortable aurora experience. You’ll join other guests in a spacious coach or minibus and head out of the city to chase clear skies and auroral activity.
For a more personalized experience, choose a small group tour. These typically involve fewer than 20 participants and often use minibuses or SUVs, allowing access to more remote and quieter viewing spots.
Take the adventure to the next level with a Super Jeep tour. These 4x4 vehicles are specially equipped to handle rugged terrain and snowy conditions, allowing you to explore off-the-beaten-path locations for the best possible viewing.
Want a different perspective? Some Reykjavik tours offer aurora cruises departing from the Old Harbour. These evening boat tours head into Faxaflói Bay, away from city lights, for a chance to see the lights dancing over the water.
Make the most of your time in Iceland with packages that combine aurora tours with other daytime adventures like:
These packages often span 2–5 days and include hotel accommodation, transfers, and a variety of tour inclusions.
Each night is different, and there’s never a guarantee of seeing the lights, but most tours offer:
Reykjavik Northern Lights tours are designed for everyone, including:
The best time for Northern Lights tours is from late September to mid-April when the nights are long and skies are dark. Peak months include October to March.
Many Reykjavik tours offer a complimentary rebooking for another night if the Northern Lights do not appear. Terms may vary, so check when booking.
Yes, most Northern Lights tours from Reykjavik welcome children. Some longer or colder tours may not be ideal for very young kids. Dress them warmly and bring snacks.
While you can capture faint images on smartphones, a DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings, long exposure capability, and a tripod will yield the best results.
Most tours travel 30–100 kilometers outside Reykjavik to escape light pollution. Super Jeep tours may go even farther into remote countryside for optimal viewing.
There’s nothing quite like standing beneath a night sky illuminated by the swirling green ribbons of the aurora borealis. With Reykjavik as your base, Northern Lights tours offer a safe, convenient, and expertly guided way to witness one of nature’s greatest wonders. Whether you're riding through snowy mountains in a Super Jeep, floating on the sea under starlight, or huddled around a camera in the countryside, your aurora adventure begins here. Let Iceland Holiday Packages help you experience the Northern Lights the way they were meant to be seen — in all their shimmering glory from the heart of Iceland.
See what makes our Iceland trips special with testimonies from our lovely customers.
A truly amazing experience! With Iceland Packages, I reserved an Iceland trip package for my honeymoon, and it well above all my expectations. Everything about the experience was beautiful, from the breath-taking scenery to the flawless setups. Strongly advise anyone organizing a romantic gateway to use their services.
A Memorable Iceland Journey! I had the most amazing holiday ever with my family. All the must-see locations and activities were included in the thoughtfully designed tour package. The local guides were immensely informative, and the accommodations were excellent. I'm eager to make another reservation with them.
A Fantastic Trip to Iceland! I am so grateful to Iceland Packages for planning the ideal trip for me. Everything was handled perfectly from the time I landed until I left. I was able to take my time discovering Iceland's hidden treasures because I could alter my schedule to suit my needs. Absolutely once in a lifetime!".
Easy Reservations and Top-Notch Support! It was really easy to book my flights and vacation package to Iceland. Their customer service team was really helpful throughout the entire process. The trip itself was excellent; every aspect had been carefully thought out. Strongly advised for hassle-free trip preparation!.
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