Nature is capable of giving us shows of immeasurable beauty and among these the Northern Lights undoubtedly occupy an important place. This phenomenon, known as the "northern lights", is a dance of bright colors that appears in the night sky of the polar regions. Northern lights often appear during the darkest part of the night, so most sightings happen between 11 PM and 2 AM. The Northern Lights fall into the category of optical phenomena of the atmosphere, which also includes lightning and rainbows. Here you can find some of the best spots where you can try to find the spectacular dance of the Northern lights.
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Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, for many visitors, has a jaw-dropping beauty that sets it apart from other outdoor attractions in Iceland. For many visitors, this is the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. This place is a stunner even when the weather’s dismal, but if you head down there and the Northern Lights show up, there’s arguably nowhere in the whole country that can compete. It’s a lucky person who catches sight of the green lights as they dance playfully across Diamond Beach and its icebergs. That’s a big bucket list tick right there. This glacial lagoon in the south of Iceland - five hours from Reykjavik - is often mentioned as one of the best places to see the northern lights. This is because the lights in the sky are reflected in the glacial waters, doubling the display. The adjacent black sand beach of Breiðamerkursandur is also a brilliant spot - the lights bounce off the icebergs on the sand, creating a unique kaleidoscopic affect.
Snæfellsnes peninsula
If you want to photograph the Northern Lights, the distinctive shape of Kirkjufell on the Snæfellsnes peninsula is one of the most iconic landmarks you could feature in your composition. Throw in the waterfalls that sit in front of it, not to mention dark skies, ample parking and an easy drive back to Reykjavik at the end of the night, and it’s not hard to see why so many visitors flock to this delightful place to try their luck with the aurora.
Snaefellsnes Peninsula is about two hours' drive from Reykjavik, and home to Snæfellsjökull National Park. An astonishing diversity of landscapes is packed into this small peninsula - waterfalls, glaciers, rugged cliffs and Kirkjufell Mountain, said to be the most photographed mountain in the world. Why not see if you can grab a photo of the lights dancing behind it for the 'gram.
Grótta Lighthouse
Another easy site for Reykjavik-based travellers is the lighthouse out at Grótta. Visitors hopping to grab a photograph or two will be glad of the white paint as it makes the building stand out on a dark night. If it’s calm enough, you might also be treated to photogenic reflections of the green and purple ribbons in the sea. If there’s a strong aurora forecast, this is the kind of place that gets busy fairly quickly, so plan to get there early if that’s the case.
If you find yourself in Iceland's capital city of Reykjavik, head just 15 minutes outside of town to Grotta Lighthouse. This picturesque spot on a small peninsula jutting into the North Atlantic is one of the best places for viewing the Aurora Borealis. Thanks to lower light pollution and wide open skies, the dazzling greens and occasional reds of the Northern Lights are on full display here. Whether you have a fancy camera or just your phone, you'll be able to capture stunning photos of this natural wonder. The best time to spot the lights is between 10 pm and 3 am from late August through April. So on your next trip to Iceland, make sure to schedule in an evening escaping the city lights. A short drive to Grotta Lighthouse will reward you with an unforgettable experience watching one of nature's most spectacular shows.
Thingvellir National Park
Thingvellir National Park (Þingvellir) is one of the best geological wonders in Iceland. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and Game of Thrones film location is only a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. Explore an epic Icelandic landscape, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet!
Þingvellir means assembly fields and in the year 930 AD, Iceland’s historic democratic parliament – one of the first in the world – was founded there. Most Icelandic people regard Þingvellir as a sacred place, a place of great beauty and an incredible stepping stone in their history.
Vik & South Iceland
Vík, with its black sand beaches and basalt columns, provides northern light hunters with a stunning backdrop. And it's only a few hours' drive south from Reykjavík via the Ring Road.
In fact, the authentic fishing village of Vík is one of the top places to visit on a tour of South Iceland.
Walk along the black sands of Reynisfjara, one of the most dramatic beaches in Iceland. Look out to see the basalt columns of Reynisdrangar and the rock arch of Dyrhólaey.
Come evening, admire the jagged black rocks jutting out from the ocean as the northern lights dance above you.
From Vík, you could continue along the Ring Road to reach Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Watch the colours of the aurora ripple above the sparkling ice in this breathtaking setting.
There are several reasons why this tiny coastal village in south Iceland is an ideal spot for aurora hunting. For a start, it's located in a dark sky area, far from urban light pollution. Secondly, it is positioned directly beneath the auroral oval, so frequently sees strong displays. Recommended spots to see the lights are Vík Church and Dyrhólaey cliffs. Vík is around two and a half hours' drive from Reykjavik.
The Northern Lights are caused by the collision between charged electrical particles from the Sun and the Earth's atmosphere. These particles charge the atmosphere with energy, causing it to emit light of various colors, such as green, red and purple. Statistically, spring (March/April) and autumn (September/October) experience the highest level of aurora activity. However, it is also possible to observe them in November, December, January and February. The Northern Lights are transient phenomena and their duration can vary. They can last from a few minutes to several hours, but generally fade with the arrival of dawn, when sunlight begins to illuminate the sky.
To continue discovering more hidden gems and captivating destinations, stay tuned for more articles on our website. In case you are traveling to Iceland in the future, you should check out our articles about Iceland. Remember to follow us @thewalkingparrot to be continuously updated on the new releases. We will be back soon with a new article !
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