Why See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
Iceland's location, in the Aurora zone below the Arctic Circle, makes it one of the finest places to see the Northern Lights. While this natural phenomenon can't be predicted with 100% accuracy, the viewing conditions in Iceland mean the lights are seen frequently over the winter!
The dark polar skies, lack of artificial light, and the ease of travelling from Reykjavík give travellers ample choice, whether their ideal break is a luxurious spa weekend or a cultural holiday in the capital with evening adventures to see the lights, or an active getaway in the Icelandic countryside.
For many visitors, the diversity of the scenery is what makes Iceland so special, with black-sand beaches, thundering waterfalls, towering glaciers and ice caves, and options to mix fine dining during the day with Aurora chases into the night.
Why Book with the Baltic Travel Company?
We're proud to be winter travel specialists, as an independent team that provides guests with exceptional-value guided Northern Lights packages. Our consultants offer first-hand recommendations for families with small children, romantic packages for couples, and Aurora holidays for solo travellers and small groups.
Booking your Northern Lights holiday with the Baltic Travel Company means you can expect:
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Icelandic Aurora packages with every detail taken care of. Choose from our set itineraries designed as unforgettable experiences!
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Flexibility, with options to pick from inclusive flights and transfers, independent travel, or fly-drive trips.
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Personalised support from real travel enthusiasts with 20+ years of professional expertise.
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Financial protection, with either ATOL or ABTOT cover, depending on your travel arrangements.
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Ongoing support throughout your time in Iceland, with assistance from our partners and hospitality providers, alongside our 24/7 helpline.
Each Iceland Aurora holiday has been carefully curated to include our favourite experiences, cuisines, locations and attractions, with local Icelandic guides who will accompany you on all tours to ensure you see Iceland's best-kept secrets.
Most Popular Iceland Northern Lights Holiday Packages
It's impossible to suggest just one or two Iceland Northern Lights adventures that will be suited to every guest. We know that some will love the excitement of chasing the Aurora on Golden Circle tours, while others adore the idea of reclining in a hot tub and stargazing under the Arctic skies.
We've summarised the key details of a small selection of our top-selling Northern Lights holidays in Iceland with links to follow if you'd like more information!
Classic Iceland Aurora Adventure
We'll start with our ever-popular Nature and Northern Lights Short Break, a five-day, four-night holiday with year-round departure dates. Winter visitors are in for a treat if they've always wanted to see the Aurora.
This package includes all of Iceland's must-see sights, including the magnificent Gullfoss Waterfall, the stunning Thingvellir National Park, and hand-picked accommodation in vibrant Reykjavík. Visitors who select this Northern Lights short break head out for Golden Circle sightseeing excursions, spot wildlife during a tour of the south coast, and visit the iconic Blue Lagoon for a chance to unwind.
Learn More About the Nature and Northern Lights Short Break in Iceland
Northern Iceland Aurora Escape
Our Guided Iceland Circle Tour is a wonderful getaway for visitors who want to travel to Northern Iceland, with awe-inspiring areas like Akureyri and Lake Mývatn! Visitors hike along the Grábrók volcano crater in the lava fields, see the charming small town of Akureyri with its botanical gardens, and enjoy the tranquillity of the Mývatn Nature Baths.
An eight-day, seven-night package, the Circle Tour mixes leisure, culture and outdoor adventures, with the chance to see seals swimming in the Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, a visit to an Icelandic horse stable in Friðheimar, and Northern Lights chases in the evenings.
Discover the Full Itinerary for Our Guided Iceland Circle Tour
Iceland New Year Aurora Celebration
A Northern Lights tour starting in Reykjavík is a brilliant way to welcome in the New Year, with the city's festive lights, Christmas markets and ice skating rinks making it feel like a winter wonderland! The New Year's Eve Cruise in Iceland starts in the capital, with time to explore, before travelling through West Iceland on a pre-planned route.
You'll experience a Golden Circle tour, chase the Aurora with a local guide, recline in the soothing waters of the Blue Lagoon, and join our New Year's Eve cruise on 31st December to watch a magnificent fireworks display from the water – with a chance of the Northern Lights adding to the spectacle.
Browse Inclusions and Departure Dates for the New Year's Eve Cruise in Iceland
Ice Caves and Aurora Discovery
This seven-day, six-night fly-drive package is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors looking for multi-night Northern Lights holidays and amazing Aurora photography backdrops. Guests can take their time and stop off at each destination for as long as they'd like!
We provide comprehensive maps and guides, ensuring you don't miss the Skaftafell National Park just beneath the Vatnajökull Ice Cap, or the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon with its soaring icebergs and waterfalls. Other highlights include horse riding tours, snowmobiling adventures, hikes among the shimmering blue ice caves and a soak in the Blue Lagoon.
Check All the Details of the Iceland Winter Explore Fly-Drive Package
Aurora and Blue Lagoon Short Break
Travellers who'd like Aurora viewing opportunities near Reykjavík, and to see the Icelandic Northern Lights over a long weekend, often pick this five-day, four-night luxury retreat. You can visit the city's best restaurants, museums or the Blue Lagoon for a spa treatment, while looking forward to Northern Lights tours in the evenings.
Guests tour the south coast and the JökulsárlónGlacier Lagoon, visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, see the might of Gullfoss Waterfall, and travel from Reykjavík on Aurora hunts with accomplished guides who can recommend spots where the lights appear most often.
Find Out More About the Northern Lights, Volcanoes and Glacier Lagoon Getaway
Iceland Winter Explorer
Finally, if you'd like an immersive Iceland Northern Lights tour, the eight-day, seven-night Northern Lights Explorer is a fantastic option, seeing the best of Iceland during the winter, including the Golden Circle, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula and the most-photographed Icelandic mountain, Kirkjufell.
Visitors chase the Aurora across myriad terrains and backdrops, from glaciers and geysers to lava fields and picturesque coastlines, with a trip to an Icelandic stable to meet the rugged horses and sample geothermally cooked small plates at a hot spring.
Explore the Itinerary for the Northern Lights Explorer in Iceland Trip
What to Expect from an Iceland Northern Lights Tour
As we've seen, there isn't a typical Northern Lights tour in Iceland. There is so much to experience, ranging from glacier hikes and ice cave visits, snowmobiling and super jeep adventures to more restful activities around Iceland's geothermal lagoons, black sand beaches and waterfalls.
However, we'd suggest considering these aspects when you're planning your Northern Lights adventure:
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Departure dates: The best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is during the winter, when the polar skies are at their darkest. The Aurora season runs roughly from September to April.
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Visibility: Low-light pollution areas in the Icelandic wilderness offer a much better chance of seeing the lights in all their glory, which is why our packages include evening Aurora hunts alongside daytime tours.
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Travel preferences: Many Aurora holidays include flights, transfers and guided tours, but there are independent travel and fly-drive options if these suit your requirements.
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Accommodation: We select accommodations that we think you'll love, from countryside lodges to boutique hotels. Should you have a certain preference, such as a hotel with a spa, or accommodation with optional on-site Aurora alarms, please let us know.
If you have questions about finding the best Northern Lights experience in Iceland, or need personalised recommendations, we've answered the most commonly asked queries in our FAQs below or welcome you to get in touch directly with one of the Baltic Travel Company team!
Northern Lights Iceland FAQs
1. Does the Baltic Travel Company offer tailor-made Northern Lights holidays in Iceland?
Yes, we certainly do! While we feature set itineraries, each curated by our travel specialists, almost every trip can be tailored to suit your interests. Our guests can choose to extend their stay, add extra excursions, or visit both North and South Iceland during one extra-special winter adventure. Many visitors might, as a suggestion, begin with our Northern Lights Explorer in Iceland itinerary and adapt it to include additional private tours or nights depending on what they'd most love to see and experience.
2. When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Aurora season in Iceland runs for an extended period over the polar winter, and the best time to visit is between late September and early April, when Iceland's long, dark nights create ideal Aurora conditions. During late winter and early spring, in February and March, you'll often find the clearest skies, while earlier in the autumn offers milder weather, great for guests who aren't keen on the Arctic cold. Our Nature and Northern Lights Short Break is designed around this peak viewing season, if you're interested in an autumn getaway when crowds are at a minimum.
3. Where in Iceland can I see the Northern Lights?
One of the great aspects of a winter escape in Iceland is that the Aurora can appear almost anywhere! Still, countryside areas away from the artificial light in cities and towns are perfect places for a front-row seat.. Popular regions include Thingvellir National Park, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, and North Iceland around Lake Mývatn, where accommodations such as countryside lodges and charming hotels make the most of the dark-sky conditions for Northern Lights viewing.
4. What's included in your Iceland Northern Lights holiday packages?
Every itinerary and package is different, but most include high-quality accommodation, local transfers, guided Aurora excursions, and authentic Icelandic meals. Flight-inclusive tours are always ATOL-protected, while the ABTOT scheme covers holidays with independent travel. Classic routes like the Circle of Iceland, for example, combine Iceland's top highlights—waterfalls, glaciers, and geysers —with evening Northern Lights experiences.
5. Which Iceland tour offers the best Aurora viewing experience?
Every Iceland Aurora package is created to offer an unforgettable holiday, but if we have to provide one or two recommendations, we'd note that our Northern Lights Explorer and Land of Northern Lights tours are among the most in-demand. Each package offers multiple nights in the heart of Iceland's Aurora zone, blending scenic winter travel with expert-led evening excursions to increase your chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
6. Are the Iceland Northern Lights trips guided?
. Of course! Many of our Iceland tours include guided evening excursions with local experts who will help to monitor the weather, with the option to organise Aurora forecasts so that you receive an alert when the conditions are at their finest. Experienced guides are always willing to share their knowledge and expertise to ensure you visit the secret beauty spots renowned for Northern Lights viewing, while telling you all about the folklore, myths and science behind the lights.
7. Can I combine Reykjavík and the countryside in one Northern Lights tour?
Absolutely. Several Icelandic Aurora itineraries include both Reykjavík and countryside stays, allowing guests to enjoy the capital's restaurants and museums, followed by excursions into more rural destinations within the Aurora zone. Seasonal favourites like our New Year in Reykjavik getaway offer a wonderful balance of culture and natural wonder.
8. What activities are included in Iceland Aurora Borealis tours?
The choice is yours, from adrenaline-filled and exhilarating Arctic expeditions to luxury hotel stays where you can indulge in Icelandic hospitality! Some of the activities our guests often mention include glacier hiking, ice cave exploration, snowmobiling, and visits to geothermal spas. Select packages also feature Arctic wildlife photography workshops and visits to film locations and national parks packed with dramatic landscapes.
9. Can I see the Northern Lights from my hotel in Iceland?
You could well be lucky enough to see the Aurora from many of the countryside hotels and lodges included in Iceland escapes from the Baltic Travel Company. Guests often report seeing the Aurora from their rooms, balconies, or even while relaxing in outdoor hot tubs, while certain hotels offer wake-up calls to ensure you're the first to know when the lights appear.
10. How cold does it get during the Aurora season in Iceland?
Temperatures during the Northern Lights season usually range from -5°C to +5°C, depending on the region and other factors such as cloud cover. That means thermal, warm, layered clothing and waterproof outerwear are strongly recommended. We can provide a packing guide or help arrange clothing rental, with Arctic clothing hire included in several of our packages that involve extended outdoor excursions.
11. Are Iceland Northern Lights holidays suitable for solo travellers or couples?
Over our 20+ years of experience, we're delighted to have become the go-to provider of genuine, immersive and unforgettable travel experiences for guests ranging from individual explorers to families, small groups and couples. Our small-group tours are well-suited to solo travellers who'd like to meet new friends in a safe, relaxed environment, while couples often choose private itineraries or countryside retreats for a romantic, secluded experience.
12. Are Iceland Aurora tours suitable for older travellers?
Definitely, we design our itineraries to ensure you have the choice of a more comfortable, laid-back pace, accessible activities, and, if you prefer, less strenuous or physically challenging routes, combined with professional in-destination support. This ensures our Northern Lights holidays are suitable for guests of all ages and cater equally to visitors who'd love a relaxed stay or an adventure-filled getaway.
13. What kind of accommodation can I expect on a Northern Lights trip?
We'd recommend browsing our itineraries and packages for specific details about accommodations, but you can expect hand-picked countryside lodges, boutique hotels, and spa resorts, each selected for their comfort, exceptional service, and proximity to the amazing Aurora viewing each partner offers.
14. Are meals included in the Iceland Northern Lights packages?
Every Iceland Aurora holiday includes a detailed list of inclusions and exclusions to ensure you can make informed decisions, especially if you'd prefer some time to explore independently and sample local delicacies, or want the convenience of having every meal provided.
Most of our tours include at least a daily breakfast and select evening meals, many of which we pick to showcase Icelandic specialities for guests who'd love to try something new. Dietary needs can, of course, be accommodated, and where possible, we ask for advance notice to ensure we put the necessary arrangements in place.
15. Are international flights and transfers included?
e Our flight-inclusive holidays are fully ATOL-protected, while alternatives, if you'd prefer to organise your own travel, include ABTOT financial coverage. Our experienced team is always available to help with airport transfers or other aspects of your travel arrangements.
16. Is Iceland a better destination than Greenland or Norway for the Northern Lights?
The Baltic Travel Company is a well-established provider of once-in-a-lifetime Aurora holidays, and we'd never suggest one country over another without knowing any bucket-list landscapes, world heritage sites, wildlife or experiences that you'd most like to see - because each destination is special in its own right!
Iceland itself stands out for its accessibility, with developed aviation and transport networks, diverse landscapes, and the balance between adventure and comfort, making it one of the best places in the world to experience the Aurora.
17. What makes Iceland's Aurora viewing unique compared to other destinations?
Few places on the planet combine such dramatic contrasts between glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, and steaming geothermal fields all under a dancing Aurora. Iceland's compact geography, access to expert local guides, and reliable infrastructure all make it an unmatched destination for Northern Lights holidays.