Iceland is one of the most fascinating places to visit and combines abundant geology, thermal pools and waterfalls with Northern Lights hunting during spring, autumn and winter. Reykjavik is Iceland’s capital city and is home to 1/3of the country’s 330,000 people!
Reykjavik has kept its quirky feel with lots of unusual shops, terrific restaurants and museums to visit and entertain on your Northern Lights Holiday.
In the centre is the Northern Lights Centre, open all year and illustrating the Northern Lights phenomenon through a series of interactive displays.
For those looking to see the Northern Lights it’s best to leave Reykjavik to escape the distracting city light pollution. That said you occasionally see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik if there is a very strong intense display. If you find yourself in Reykjavik on a night where they are out we would recommend heading to the Perlan or if you have a vehicle get away from all light pollution and visit the Seltjarnarnes peninsula on the outskirts of Reykjavik.
An alternative for a great viewing is by taking a Northern Lights tour from the harbour. Hunting the Northern Lights from the Atlantic Ocean framed by beautiful mountains and the city lights in the background is a sight to behold.
Our most popular break in Reykjavik is the Northern Lights and Whales Explorer
If being out on the water does not appeal there are also a plethora of Northern Lights Hunts on offer in Reykjavik which range from the very large buses to small SuperJeeps. Choose your Northern Lights tour carefully as the experience varies hugely depending on the size of the vehicle you are in.
Buses tend to follow a set route and so cannot adjust to the Aurora forecast. The beauty of SuperJeep Northern Lights tours is that they can adapt their route by taking you off-road and away from any light pollution and where the Aurora forecast indicated might be the best location. The SuperJeeps range in size from 4 – 12 people so always check when investigating the tours to make sure you get the one you want!
As Tourism to Iceland has boomed Reykjavik now has a plethora of modern hotels to stay in on your Northern Lights Holiday. The Foss Hotel Reykjavik is brand new, and whilst rather modern and large in feel, it has superb views across the ocean and on New Year’s Eve of the firework displays.
Hotel Borg is a popular “shabby chic” hotel in central Reykjavik across from the Icelandic parliament. This is an old delightful and charming hotel with rooms in Art deco style.
Hotel Centrum is one of the best places to stay in Reykjavik as it is well placed in the central old town for you to visit, including the fun shops, and two doors down is the highly recommended FishMarket Seafood restaurant. This romantic hotel is located on one of Reykjavík’s oldest streets, in a newly renovated building, the oldest part of which was built in 1764. On either side of it, new buildings have been built in the same style so as to blend in.
Right next door is the museum Reykjavik 871 +/- 2 which houses the remains of an ancient longhouse with many interesting archaeological remains which is well worth a short visit during your Northern Lights Trip.
To see our FULL range of Northern Lights Trips to Iceland
