Seeing the Northern Lights is at the top of almost every traveller’s Iceland bucket list—and for good reason.
Watching green, purple and pink ribbons dance across the night sky is one of the most unforgettable experiences you’ll ever have.
But the Northern Lights aren’t guaranteed.
Knowing when to visit, where to go, how to maximise your chances, and even how to photograph them can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about seeing the Aurora Borealis in Iceland, including the best locations, when to visit, and the camera settings we use on both iPhone and Android.
What Are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis, occur when charged particles from the Sun collide with gases in Earth’s atmosphere.
These collisions create beautiful displays of green, purple, pink and occasionally red light across the night sky.
No two displays are ever the same.
Sometimes you’ll see a faint green glow.
Other nights, the entire sky comes alive.
When Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland?
The Northern Lights season generally runs from:
September to March
The darkest months offer the longest viewing opportunities.
Your best chances are usually between:
9pm and 2am
although they can appear at almost any time during darkness.
Can You See the Northern Lights Every Night?
Unfortunately not.
You need three things:
✅ Darkness
✅ Clear skies
✅ Solar activity
If any one of these is missing, you probably won’t see them.
This is why we always recommend staying in Iceland for several nights rather than expecting to see them on your first evening.
Where Are the Best Places to See Them?
The further you get from artificial light, the better.
Some fantastic locations include:
- Thingvellir National Park
- Snæfellsnes Peninsula
- South Coast
- Vík
- Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
- Diamond Beach
- North Iceland
Even pulling into a quiet lay-by away from towns can provide incredible views.
Check the Forecast
Before heading out, check:
- Aurora forecast
- Cloud cover
- Weather forecast
A high aurora forecast means very little if thick cloud covers the sky.
Patience is key.
Dress for the Cold
Northern Lights photography often involves standing outside for long periods.
We’d recommend:
- Thermal layers
- Waterproof jacket
- Waterproof trousers
- Hat
- Gloves
- Thick socks
- Warm boots
You’ll enjoy the experience much more if you’re warm.
Hire a Car for Maximum Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of hiring a car is the freedom to chase clearer skies.
If one area is cloudy, you can often drive somewhere with better conditions.
We’ve always had excellent experiences with Blue Car Rental.
🚗 Hire your car here:
https://www.bluecarrental.is/?affiliate=IcelandicAdventure
Campervan Adventures
If you’re travelling around Iceland in a campervan, you’ll have even more flexibility to follow good weather forecasts.
We explored Iceland with CampEasy, and it’s one of the best ways to maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora.
Book through our link and you’ll also receive an exclusive FREE Easy Start Pack.
🚐 Book your CampEasy campervan here:
https://campeasy.com/?tap_a=107011-a856e5&tap_s=8902128-1989f0
Stay Connected
You’ll probably check the aurora forecast several times each evening.
Reliable mobile data is invaluable.
We always use Saily eSIM.
📱 Save 10% here:
https://go.saily.site/aff_c?offer_id=101&aff_id=15717
How to Photograph the Northern Lights
You don’t need an expensive camera.
Modern smartphones do an excellent job.
The biggest mistake people make is trying to photograph the lights like a normal night scene.
Instead, use Night Mode or long exposure settings.
Best iPhone Camera Settings
If you have an iPhone 11 or newer, follow these steps:
Turn on Night Mode
The Night Mode icon appears automatically in low light.
Increase the Exposure Time
Tap the Night Mode icon.
Slide it to:
10–30 seconds
The darker the location and the steadier your phone, the longer the exposure.
Keep the Phone Completely Still
Use:
- Tripod
- Phone mount
- Rock
- Fence
Anything stable.
Even tiny movements reduce image quality.
Turn Flash Off
Flash won’t help.
Leave it disabled.
Shoot in RAW (if available)
If using an iPhone Pro model:
Settings → Camera → Apple ProRAW
This gives much more flexibility when editing later.
Best Android Camera Settings
Many Android phones include a dedicated Night Mode, Astrophotography Mode or Pro Mode.
If available:
ISO
400–1600
Higher ISO makes the image brighter but introduces more noise.
Shutter Speed
10–30 seconds
The brighter the Aurora, the shorter the exposure you can use.
Focus
Set manually to:
∞ (Infinity)
Autofocus often struggles in darkness.
White Balance
Around
3500–4500K
This produces natural-looking colours.
Use a Tripod
This is the single biggest improvement you can make.
Camera Settings for DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras
If you’re bringing a dedicated camera:
- Lens: Wide-angle
- Aperture: f/2.8 (or lowest available)
- ISO: 800–3200
- Shutter: 5–20 seconds
- Focus: Manual (Infinity)
- Shoot in RAW
- Use a tripod
- Use a remote shutter or timer
Experiment depending on how bright the Aurora is.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy It!
This is our biggest tip.
So many people spend the entire display staring at their camera.
Take your photos…
…but also put the phone down for a few minutes and simply enjoy what’s happening above you.
The memory will last much longer than the photograph.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these:
❌ Staying in Reykjavík
❌ Looking through clouds
❌ Using flash
❌ Holding your phone by hand
❌ Giving up after 20 minutes
❌ Not dressing warmly
Final Thoughts
Seeing the Northern Lights is one of those experiences that never gets old.
Every display is different, and that’s part of the magic.
With a little patience, some luck with the weather and the right camera settings, you’ll dramatically improve your chances of both seeing and capturing one of nature’s greatest spectacles.
Whether you’re photographing them with an iPhone, Android phone or professional camera, remember to take a moment to simply look up.
It’s a memory you’ll never forget.
Good luck—and happy Aurora hunting!
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