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ReykjavikNorthern Lights

Our most recommended Reykjavik Northern Lights

Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

1. Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik

Embark on an evening trip to see the Aurora Borealis. Hear fascinating facts about them from your guides, visit the Aurora Museum, and search to see the lights firsthand. Depart the bright lights of Reykjavík city center to see the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis. Also known as the “Northern Lights,” it is one of the most spectacular shows during winter months. Head for wherever meteorologists have predicted the lights will be at their best. To get stunning views of the sky you will aim for areas with no artificial light. Hear explanations of how the Aurora Borealis is caused as a result of the gaseous particles in the earth’s atmosphere colliding with charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere. Benefit from an itinerary that includes stops for you to go outside and take photographs. The locations visited differ from day to day, but you will head in the direction with the most chance of seeing Mother Nature at work. As the tour is weather-dependent, and sightings are not guaranteed, you are also invited to join another Northern Lights tour free of charge if the lights don’t appear.  Explore the Northern Lights in the Aurora Museum. The Northern Lights tour includes a complimentary ticket for a self-guided visit to the museum in Reykjavik, valid on the day you join the tour, from the time you receive confirmation that the tour is on.

Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

2. Small-Group Premium Northern Lights Tour from Reykjavik

Travel from Reykjavik on a quest for one of nature’s most spectacular natural phenomena. Marvel at this breathtaking display as the northern lights dance across the night sky and light up the heavens. Hunt for the Aurora Borealis in the darkness of Iceland's countryside on a 4-hour tour that operates from September to April. If the lights are not visible during the tour, you can easily reschedule for free. Hop in a premium minibus and enjoy a more intimate experience with better chances to hunt down the auroras. Get plenty of free time and prepare for spontaneous encounters. As an added perk, booking this northern lights tour also gives you a free ticket to visit the Aurora Museum in Reykjavik. The free entrance is only valid on the day you join the tour from the time it is announced whether the tour is on (by email and on the website). 

Reykjavik: Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland Entrance Ticket

3. Reykjavik: Perlan Museum Wonders of Iceland Entrance Ticket

At Perlan you truly get to know Iceland, an island born of fire and ice. You feel the forces of nature and learn how Iceland was formed. Explore seabirds in a lifelike cliff and go on a cinematic underwater journey around Iceland. You explore the world’s first real indoor ice cave and learn all about glaciers at an interactive exhibition. The Icelandic Museum of Natural History also has an interactive and engaging exhibition at Perlan. There, you discover the mysteries of water in Icelandic nature; its unique features, life, and qualities. Finally, sit back in a first-class Planetarium to go on a virtual journey through the sky and experience the amazing Northern Lights all year around.

From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

4. From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Sightseeing Cruise

Hunt for the mystical Northern Lights on the ocean with a sightseeing cruise from Reykjavik. Set off from the coastline to quieter waters and escape the city light pollution. Immerse yourself in a backdrop of mountains and wait to catch a glimpse of ethereal lights in the night sky. Choose to make your way to the old harbor or get picked up from your hotel in Reykjavik. Be welcomed onto the boat by a friendly crew and settle down into your seat with an unobstructed view of the sky. Drift out into open water as you watch the bright lights of the city start to fade behind you. Experience the silent beauty of the mountains and stay warm and comfy with a provided blanket. Gaze into the stars above you and wait for a glimpse of bright green against the darkness. Watch the shimmering reflection dance in the water before heading back to the port.

From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

5. From Reykjavik: Northern Lights Guided Tour with Photos

Hunt for the aurora borealis on a guided group tour from Reykjavik. Witness the unique starry sky with the flash of light cutting across the Icelandic landscape. We meet at the Tour Bus Stops in downtown, and other select hotels outside downtown and located within Reykjavik. Our group size can vary based on the season it can be a max of 30-40 people per group. The journey will go outside of the city limits away from as much light pollution as possible, the northern lights are harder to see from Reykjavík. The end location is not pre-determined as it will depend on the cloud coverage and activity in the evening. The drive will be kept as short as possible and you might stop at several locations as the lights can be quite elusive. If we have a spot the guide determines as a good location, we might stay in that spot- It is often a waiting game for this beautiful phenomenon, but it is always worth it. As you search for the aurora borealis, your guide will set up their camera for photos of your group. Your tour guide will ensure everybody gets an opportunity for a photo. Curl up in warm blankets and enjoy a self-service selection of hot chocolate and snacks and enjoy some stargazing while we wait for the aurora to appear. If our hunt is successful, we email photos using a drop box link within 7 days of your tour to the email provided with the booking. This tour will run dependent on weather - every day we assess the situation and decide whether or not to run the tour. This decision is made by 5 PM, in the case of a canceled tour due to weather you will be notified at this time, and feel free to send us any questions to our email. We also can not make exceptions for pickup outside of Reykjavik- please make arrangements if you are not in the city. We started out as one guide wanting to share and give more. With growing demand, the team has grown and our team of adventure-loving guides will be with you on your tour with us. This is not a single-man operation, but a family of guides who believe in the vision David has for the industry.

Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

6. Reykjavik: Northern Lights Yacht Tour

See the incredible northern lights from the panoramic decks of a yacht on this guided tour. This tour is perfect for those looking for an awe-inspiring experience watching the celestial display of the aurora borealis. Meet your captain and crew at Reykjavik's Old Harbor, where you'll board the yacht. You will sail among the small islands in Faxafloi Bay and along the coast of Reykjavik before the yacht begins to sail away from the lights of the city. This will allow you to enjoy the beauty of the northern lights to the fullest. The panoramic triple deck area allows every passenger to enjoy the breathtaking colors of the aurora, and to capture some amazing photos of the green, pink, and white light. If you wish to stay inside during the trip, you will find a lovely bar and lounge area inside where you can relax. 

From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Combo

7. From Reykjavik: Golden Circle and Northern Lights Combo

Discover the raw natural beauty of the Golden Circle and the dazzling wonders of the Icelandic northern lights on this combined tour from Reykjavik. Travel in a spacious bus to Gullfoss waterfall and the Þingvellir National Park. Take a night bus tour to search for the northern lights.  Depart Reykjavik to experience the geothermal landscapes of Iceland's legendary Golden Circle. See boiling water spout from the earth at the great geysers of Geysir and Strokkur in the Haukadalur Valley. Experience the dramatic cascades of Gullfoss waterfall, fed by the glacial waters of the Hvítá River. Get different views of the impressive water as it plunges into a 32-meter deep crevice.  Reconnect with nature in Þingvellir National Park, and discover where the tectonic plates of North America and Eurasia are pulling apart. Return to Reykjavík for a few hours at leisure before your evening Northern Lights tour. Head back out after dark to look for the dancing lights in the night sky. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the natural phenomenon is caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole.

The Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour with Admission Ticket

8. The Blue Lagoon & Northern Lights Tour with Admission Ticket

Unwind with a soak in the Blue Lagoon on this day trip from Reykjavik. Travel aboard a Wi-Fi connected and climate-controlled bus to escape the light pollution of the city for the chance to see the dazzling northern lights.  Enjoy pickup from a conveniently-located meeting point in Reykjavik. Sit back and take in the scenery on the trip to the Blue Lagoon. Take a dip in the mineral-rich waters of this geothermal spring. Take in the views and have drink from the in-water bar.  Treat yourself to a silica mud mask during your 4 hours at the lagoon. before beginning your northern lights expedition. Make use of your guide's decades of experience analyzing weather patterns to get you the best chance of seeing the Aurora lights.  Listen to the facinating audio guide while you travel through the Icelandic wilderness in search of the mysterious and magical aerial phenomenon of the northern lights. Return to Reykjavik at the end of your tour.  

Northern Lights by Boat in Reykjavik

9. Northern Lights by Boat in Reykjavik

Hunting the northern lights from the ocean is an amazing experience; sailing away from the coastline of Reykjavik and seeing the aurora borealis out on the North-Atlantic ocean, with beautiful mountains and the city lights in the backround, is something you won't ever forget. This unique tour takes about 2 hours, departing from Reykjavik´s old harbour in a luxurious boats, either Rósin or Andrea. Enjoy great views of the beautiful coastline of the capital on the way out to search for the northern lights. In only 15-30 minutes you will be at a prime location away from the city lights, perfect for viewing the auroras. Please remember that this tour is highly dependent on correct weather conditions. Cancellation may occur if the circumstances are not in your favour.  When the northern lights forecast looks good - but if it is too windy to go out on sea - guests will be taken out for a northern lights tour on a small private bus to hunt for the lights on land. They will be offered a spot on the next available northern lights cruise free of charge.

Reykjavik: Northern Lights Photo Tour & Aurora Center Ticket

10. Reykjavik: Northern Lights Photo Tour & Aurora Center Ticket

Search for Northern Lights in the most picturesque locations around Reykjavik. Explore the Aurora Centre for an in-depth introduction to this unique phenomenon and learn how to best capture the lights with your camera from expertly trained guides. Begin the tour with an exclusive visit to the Aurora Center Reykjavik to receive a taste of what is to come later in the evening. With the help of interactive and informative displays, be introduced by your guides to the science, mythology, and history behind the lights.  Preset your cameras for the journey ahead and continue onward to the most exclusive locations for perfect Northern Lights photographs. The team will work hard during the day to find the perfect sites according to the weather data for that evening.  Through the tour, receive help and guidance when photographing the Northern Lights to make sure you won't miss a single moment to best capture the aurora lights. Additionally, your guide will also take pictures to share with the group.  Keep warm with hot chocolate and enjoy the stunning winter backdrop of the remarkable places along the trip during this unforgettable photography experience.  Benefit from a small group tour, with a maximum of 18 passengers, ensuring that you get an intimate experience and that your guide will have enough time to assist everyone.

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What people are saying about Reykjavik

Overall rating

3.9 / 5

based on 540 reviews

After reading other reviews we decided to book a smaller tour and boy was it worth it. We went on our tour on Valentines day, the weather had been mixed all day and we were doubtful we would be lucky enough to see the lights. Our tour guide, Roman (Mundi), was fantastic. He was full of knowledge about the Aurora Borealis and knew exactly where all the best spots were. He remained positive about a good sighting. We saw them very faintly at the first point, but it wasn't until the very last stop, by which point we had travelled through a snow storm and it was getting close to midnight, that he found a spot where the sky was clear and we all saw the lights with the naked eye! Thank heavens for Romans persistence, as I was ready to give up and head home. A sight we will never forget!! Thank you.

AMAZING tour. One of the highlights of my trip. Our guide, Albert, was so fun and knowledgable, and even stopped some extra times to show us even more sights! We even got to see the Northern Lights on our night at the hotel. A fantastic way to see the south coast, and the ice cave tour was awesome. Would recommend bringing some power bars/snacks, as we didn't stop for lunch/dinner until 5pm the second day. But the bus made lots of bathroom stops and you could buy snacks there too. The hotel was great that they had booked us in. All around a well planned and super fun tour! (our tour bus didn't have outlets unfortunately, so I would definitely recommend a portable charger)

I loved this small group tour. Every seat was taken but it was not overcrowded. It was nice chatting with the driver and other travelers. Our guide took us to a perfect spot and within a few minutes the northern lights made their appearance. He helped us make sure we all had great pictures and then gave us a snack and hot chocolate. It was a great night making memories.

Mia was full of enthusiasm during the trip and was very helpful to ensure we got the best out of our trip. it was a very cold night but welcomed the hot chocolate. this trip was rebooted oringally due on Friday, rebooted for Sat and again moved to Sunday but very easy to rearrange this.

The tour was everything I expected and more ...well worth it!

Great small group trip Knowledgeable guide and less crowded locations made it an unforgettable experience