Locations / Iceland / Capital Region
Reykjavík
Aurora from a capital city, with lava fields and geothermal pools a short drive away.
Next nine nights
Aurora in Reykjavík
Iceland sits slightly south of the Arctic Circle, at a geomagnetic latitude similar to Rovaniemi. Aurora is common in winter but needs clear sky and a moderate Kp to be reliable.
Reykjavík is unusual in that you can see aurora from the edge of a capital city, and a short drive reaches proper darkness at places like Þingvellir. Weather is the limiting factor: the Atlantic brings wind, rain and cloud in quick succession.
Because systems move through fast, the cloud forecast for the next few hours matters more than the overview for the whole night.
Season
September to mid April. Winter days are short; weather is fast-changing.
At a glance
- Latitude
- 64.15° N
- Geomagnetic latitude
- ≈ 64° N
- Known for
- Capital with nearby dark sites, geothermal pools
- Time zone
- GMT year-round
Getting there
Keflavík airport is about 45 minutes from the city by road.
Tips for Reykjavík
- Look at the hourly cloud bars. A two-hour gap in the cloud is all you need.
- City lights hurt. Drive 20–30 minutes out, and check road conditions first.
- Wind chill is the main danger; carry layers even for short stops.
Clear sky first, Kp second.
Our verdict weighs cloud at 65% and geomagnetic activity at 35%. What is Kp? · Where the cloud forecast comes from
Other places
Tromsø
—The aurora capital of the world, on an island you can reach by direct flight.
Alta
—Drier skies, deep winter, and the birthplace of aurora science.
Lofoten
—Jagged peaks and red fishing huts under a green sky.
Abisko
—A rain shadow beside a frozen lake, reputed to be one of the clearest places in Europe.
Rovaniemi
—On the Arctic Circle, with snow, huskies and glass igloos.
Fairbanks
—Inland Alaska: cold, dry, and under the oval more nights than almost anywhere in North America.
Yellowknife
—Under the oval, with a reputation for clear, still nights.