A Magical Natural Wonder
The extremely dark winter between September and April is rewarded with a breathtaking natural spectacle: the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
The Aurora Borealis takes its name from the Roman goddess, Aurora, and the Greek name for the north wind, Boreas. From September through April, Iceland is a hotspot for this spectacular light show. The Aurora Borealis, better known as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon that occurs when solar particles interact with the atmosphere within Earth’s magnetic field. This interaction releases energy, creating distinctive glowing green streaks across the sky.
On clear winter nights, you can head out with our experienced guides to "hunt" for the lights; our guides know where to find the spots with the best conditions for seeing these lights on any given evening.
There are no guarantees that you’ll see the Northern Lights during your stay, but in most cases, visibility improves immediately once you’re outside populated areas. Some rural accommodations even offer a special Northern Lights wake-up service.
