Explore the natural beauty of Iceland, the land of ice and fire. Discover volcanic landscapes by day. And watch the aurora borealis dance across the sky by night.
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Northern Lights Holidays to Iceland
A northern lights holiday to Iceland is an experience like no other. Thermal springs. Shimmering ice caves. Thundering waterfalls. And nights spent chasing the northern lights with our expert aurora guides.
The Aurora Nights team is ready to tailor-make your northern lights trip to Iceland. But what does the perfect adventure look like to you?
Embarking on super-jeep tours across lava fields? Diving into Reykjavik culture and cuisine? Soaking in a starlit hot tub out in the Icelandic wilderness? Whatever type of trip you have in mind, our team can make it happen.
Iceland
Aurora holidays Iceland
Classic Short Breaks in Iceland
Short Iceland breaks that combine dramatic volcanic scenery, super-jeep adventures and breath-taking Northern Lights tours. Short but spectacular.
Escorted tours Iceland
On escorted tours in Iceland, just sit back and enjoy the scenery. Explore Iceland’s natural wonders, guided by our aurora experts.
Exclusive aurora holidays in Iceland
Opt for a luxury holiday to Iceland and experience the northern lights as a VIP, with private activities and high-end accommodation options.
Self-drive tours in Iceland
Ready for an adventure? Then self-drive tours in Iceland give you the freedom and flexibility to explore this stunning country at your own pace.
Aurora Nights
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question? We are always happy to help.
Is Iceland a good place to see the northern lights?
Iceland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights. It’s located just south of the Arctic Circle and has lots of wild regions with minimal light pollution. Add in Iceland’s dark winters and you have an aurora hunter’s dream.
A northern lights tour in Iceland has other benefits, too. There’s so much to see — in both south Iceland and north Iceland. So you can pack your days full of activities until night falls and the northern lights appear.
Can you guarantee that I’ll see the northern lights in Iceland?
Unfortunately not. The northern lights are a natural phenomenon and run to their own schedule. However, we plan your trip so you have an excellent chance of seeing them.
You’ll stay at hotels that offer aurora wake-up calls. And embark on night time northern lights super-jeep tours. What’s more, our guides are all expert aurora hunters.
They use their local knowledge and the weather forecast to track down the northern lights, often finding the only cloud-free spot for miles around.
What can I see and do on northern lights tours in Iceland?
Besides aurora chasing, there’s lots to see and do on a northern lights holiday to Iceland. Depending on your tour and the time of year you visit, you can enjoy your choice of the following adventures:
- Travel Iceland’s famous Golden Circle on a northern lights circle tour, discovering Strokkur Geyser, Gullfoss Waterfall and the Kerid crater lake.
- Go snowmobiling over glaciers and the frozen ocean. Or travel the old-fashioned way, taking a husky sled across the snowy landscape.
- Bathe and swim in Iceland’s Blue Lagoon — or go beyond the tourist trail to find hot springs in Askja and Myvatn.
- Soak up the sights and sounds of Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, and dine at one of the city’s incredible seafood restaurants.
- Feel the spray on your face at Europe’s most powerful waterfall, Dettifoss. Or enjoy mesmerising views as you venture behind the cascade at Seljalandsfoss.
- Get up close to Icelandic wildlife. See orca on a whale-watching boat tour. And look out for Iceland’s beautiful wild horses as you travel around the island.
- Take a super-jeep tour through otherworldly landscapes. The black sand beach of Vik, an iceberg lagoon, the wilderness of Westfjords, and the towering, mossy mountains of Thorsmork Valley.
What accommodation options are there on your Iceland northern lights trips?
Iceland is home to some excellent accommodation. Hotels with on-site spas and outdoor hot tubs. One that overlooks the Blue Lagoon. There’s accommodation out in the wilderness. And boutique hotels right in the heart of Reykjavik.
Whether you’re travelling for an extra special occasion, as a family or as a group, our selection of Iceland accommodation is sure to blow you away.
When is the best time to visit Iceland?
If you want to see the northern lights, September to March is a good time to visit Iceland. During autumn and winter months, the nights are long and dark — perfect for aurora spotting.
You can also choose when to visit based on the activities you want to enjoy. For instance, we don’t recommend self-driving around the north of Iceland in winter. But this snowy time of year is perfect for husky sledding.
We can even organise Christmas and New Year northern lights trips to Iceland, for an extra special festive season.
Tell us what you’d like to do on your Iceland northern lights trip, and we can recommend the best month to visit.
Why book your Iceland northern lights trip with Aurora Nights?
When you book northern lights tour packages with Aurora Nights, you can count on:
- Tailored trips — our travel experts can create a bespoke northern lights holiday package, suited to your interests, budget and schedule
- Exceptional experiences — the very best accommodation on the island and bespoke activities, with private or small group tours as standard
- Experienced local guides — our guides in Iceland can show you a lesser-seen side of the country and are skilled at tracking down the northern lights
- A hassle-free holiday — you book your flights, we take care of everything else – so you can focus on the excitement, not the organisation
Whether you book a classic short break, an escorted tour, an exclusive aurora break or a self-drive tour to Iceland, the Aurora Nights team will make it a trip you’ll remember forever.
What should I wear on a trip to Iceland?
People in Iceland dress for comfort and warmth so practical clothing is all you’ll need to bring.
In autumn, temperatures are around 7°C. In winter, temperatures regularly drop below freezing. The weather is also very changeable — it’s not uncommon to experience all four seasons in one day.
So bring thermals, lots of layers, a waterproof jacket, walking boots, hats, gloves, sunglasses and sun cream. For some Iceland trip experiences, specialist clothing and equipment are provided.
Read more: What to wear on a northern lights trip
Can I book a Reykjavik northern lights holiday?
Absolutely. We can plan your Iceland northern lights trip to include a day, a night or a whole week in Iceland’s capital.
But bear in mind, it’s rare to see the northern lights in Reykjavik because of all those city lights. You have to travel out into the countryside to get the best aurora displays.
We can help you plan a trip that maximises your chances of seeing the aurora and includes the unique Icelandic culture of Reykjavik.
Can I combine a trip to Iceland with other destinations?
With Aurora Nights, you can tailor a northern lights trip exactly to your requirements. From weekend breaks to once-in-a-lifetime adventures.
If you want to book an epic aurora trip, we can plan a getaway that includes Iceland and any of our other destinations:
- Northern lights holidays in Swedish Lapland
- Northern lights holidays in Finland
- Northern lights holidays in Norway
Just tell us which countries you’d like to visit and we can suggest an itinerary.
How do I book my Iceland northern lights holiday?
Start by contacting the friendly Aurora Nights team. You can send us an email, give us a call or fill in the website form. We’ll chat about dates, accommodation, activities and budget. Then plan the Iceland aurora holiday you’ve been dreaming of.
Reviews
See what our clients say
Brilliant short break. Hotel Ranga was lovely, excellent food. Managed to see the Northern Lights as well! Iceland on the whole was quite expensive but a lovely place to visit, the people were very friendly.
Linda Palmer
I appreciate the fast response to my inquiries regarding my trip. It would take decision making faster on my part, and plan my itinerary and activities being offered by the company accordingly.
Joey Emmanuel Serrina
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip. The Abisko Mountain Lodge was fantastic, every member of staff was friendly welcoming and charming. Accommodation, upgraded room was excellent. The food in the lodge definitely deserves the high reviews. Good breakfast, great hime made lunch soups and extremely tasty evening dinners.
The included trips were great. The only let down was the camera night, couldn’t see the lights no one fault, but we were walked through thigh high snow to be left on a frozen lake for the duration of the trip. There was no warning of the difficult walk and we had a 91 year old with us and I have hip problems! That said the guide was great, as were the ones on the skimobile and husky rides. We went up to the sky station in a snow storm with high winds, added to the experience!
Would go back in a heart beat.
We had little communication with Weekend a la carte, no need as all communications were clear and contained all the information we needed. Very informative emails
Would use again if going back
June Day
This vacation has without without doubt, has been the best experience we have ever had. The organisation from the minute we landed in Kiruna until we departed at the close of our trip was second to none. The transition between hotels was always seamless and punctual. Everywhere we stayed was beautifully clean and the meals were top quality. Every driver was polite, entertaining and very knowledgeable, furnishing us with invaluable information about Sweden and the activities in which we were to participate. The snowmobiling was wonderful giving access via our guide, to stunning panoramic views of the mountain whilst viewing reindeer in their natural habitat.
Our guide demonstrated how to use the snowmobile safely he was pleasant and informative. When visiting the reindeer on the Sami reservation; we found the brother and sister team who hosted lovely. Again they were so hospitable and helpful and feeding the reindeer up close was a wonderful experience.
They provided additional activities for us to try and we were treated to a traditional Sami lunch in their hut. They provided us with invaluable information appertaining to their culture and caring for their reindeer. The reindeer were in superb condition and happy in their environment. Similarly, when out with the dog sleds the experience was magical. Two hours of beautiful scenery, and frozen lakes, finishing with a one-on-one experience massaging the dogs. Magic! We were so impressed with the care that was placed upon ensuring the dogs were comfortable, well-nourished and so loved by their owners/handlers.
Now to the photographic experience. A large group of us were treated to a demonstration of how to operate some serious camera equipment with tripod. Each of us was loaned the camera and given assistance setting up the camera on a frozen lake in preparation for the appearance of the Northern Lights. We were taken to this lake on large wooden sleighs pulled by a snowmobile. We cannot speak too highly of the two young men who accompanied us on this experience. They could not do enough for us. They were there to offer assistance with our cameras throughout the two-plus hours we were on this beautiful lake.
They advised where to position the camera and when the Lights appeared, what a performance. We had a two-hour display of this most breathtaking phenomenon. We were so fortunate to be able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime occurrence for which we are so grateful. We will never forget this memorable holiday and cannot thank you and everyone who assisted in making a lifetime dream come true. Karen & Andrew Adamson
Andy Adamson
What a fantastic trip! I booked this for myself and my husband to celebrate my 40th birthday and it didn’t disappoint! Booking was simple and we were kept up to date with all the details from the office team in the UK.
From the moment we arrived at Kiruna airport all the staff we encountered were so friendly and couldn’t do enough for us. We opted for the upgraded room at the Abisko Mountain Lodge which I would highly recommend. The cold weather clothing which was supplied was fantastic and kept us really warm in the sub-zero temperatures. The dog sledging, snowmobiling and the Northern Lights photography were all superb and the staff leading the trips were really friendly and so knowledgeable. Even though we weren’t able to do the sky station trip because of the weather, there was a lovely alternative evening organised for us which included a traditional dinner and a walk to the lake where we were able to see the lights. The food at the lodge was also exceptional and showcased some lovely traditional dishes using Moose and Reindeer which were wonderful to try.
I would like to send a massive thank you to all the staff at The Abisko Mountain Lodge as well as the guides we used for our guided walks, dog sledging and snowmobiling. I’d highly recommend the trip, it was our first visit to Sweden and we would definitely return. Thanks again to everyone (including the huskies) who made it so memorable!
Carly Webster
We had a wonderful time! The food at the lodge was amazing and there were some great vegetarian dishes. I had the best beetroot I’ve ever had (beetroot tartare).
Everyone was really friendly and all the guides were good fun and very knowledgeable.
A special thanks to William and Petri who were really friendly and really added a personal touch to our trip. The activities were really well planned and we especially enjoyed the trip with the huskies. The area we were in is stunning and the lodge was very nice. We would definitely recommend this to friends and family.
Fiona Green
A fantastic short break which fulfilled all expectations. Well organised with a polished delivery, we could not have asked for more. The accommodation was perfect for us and the guides knowledgeable and helpful. Every day was packed with adventure, each lasting longer than scheduled but we were never rushed; the guides took pride in showing and explaining their beautiful country. We would certainly use Weekend a la carte again and recommend them to others.
Carol Mumford
1. Gourmet Cabins was excellent and Johan was a friendly and knowledgeable host. The food, cabins, hot tub and sauna were brilliant.
2. Dog sledge was a fantastic experience and we were given the opportunity to drive our own sledge
3. Snow Mobile – really got off the beaten track and into the spectacular mountains
4. Saw the Northern Lights twice in two days. There is no description that can really do them justice
Nigel Longton
Ready for an aurora adventure?
Book with Aurora Nights, the Northern Lights holiday experts. We will personally plan your bucket-list Northern Lights adventure holiday to Swedish Lapland, Iceland, Norway and Finland.
