The best places to take photos of the Northern Lights after landing at Keflavik Airport

Before we share our favourite locations for Northern Lights photography here in Reykjanes, we can give you some pointers about what makes a place suitable. Broadly speaking, these are the kinds of factors you need to take into account:

• It needs to be dark

You can improve your chances by timing your visit for autumn, winter or spring when the nights are longer. But also, locating somewhere that faces north will help a lot, giving you a clear line of sight to the night sky where all the action (hopefully) will be. Make sure that there aren’t any streetlights or other sources of light pollution as this will have a negative impact on your photos.

• There’s something on which to focus

Though the main action is of course in the sky, if you’re planning to photograph the Northern Lights in Reykjanes – or anywhere else for that matter – you’ll benefit from foreground interest as this will give you something on which to manually focus your shot. For example, a lighthouse, bridge or even a tree will make a good focal point, improving your photographs in the process.

• Accessibility

It’s a good idea to scope out a potential location in daytime so that you can identify where you might park your car and set up your tripod. Make sure there’s somewhere that you can safely pull off the road and that you don’t have to hike far over uneven ground in the pitch black. If you’re carrying camera gear and a tripod, being able to access your chosen location easily is a real plus.

• You’re on public land

Welcoming though Icelanders undoubtedly are, they don’t relish the idea of their own backyards being overrun by snappers. It’s absolutely essential you ensure you aren’t trespassing on private property; if you aren’t sure, err on the side of caution and move on to somewhere you know is public.

Photography locations close to Keflavik Airport that are ideal for getting a shot of the Northern Lights:

• Garðskagi’s lighthouses

There are two lighthouses on the far north western tip of the Reykjanes peninsula and either of them will help with the composition of your shot. The smaller of the two is squat and square. It’s also older, dating from 1897. Very slightly inland, you’ll find the newer one, which is also taller. The night sky to the north is clearly visible here. However, you’ll need to bring a sturdy tripod as the exposed location means you might encounter issues with the wind. To minimise camera shake and in the process get a better end result, be prepared to anchor the tripod and push down to keep it as steady as possible.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 15 minutes

• The Bridge between Continents

The Bridge between Continents is one of the Reykjanes peninsula’s must-see sights. During the daytime, tourists come to have a look at the plate boundary which this iconic metal structure straddles. However, it’s also a safe bet for aurora photographers. There’s a good-sized car park, from which there’s only a short walk to the bridge, and plenty of space to set up a tripod. Focusing the shot on the angular lines of the bridge is straightforward and its location relatively far from any town means you’re unlucky to be troubled by light pollution save for the headlights of other travellers.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 20 minutes

• Hvalsneskirkja

This solid looking stone church is another easy drive from Keflavik Airport. Located on the western edge of the Reykjanes peninsula, like Garðskagi it’s a little exposed to Atlantic winds. However, the building itself can act as an effective windbreak. So long as you position yourself carefully and use a robust tripod, you should be able to get some striking shots of the Northern Lights from here. The basaltic lava blocks used in the construction of the church makes for a dark silhouette, particularly when contrasted with winter snowfalls, leaving you free to inject colour into your shot from the aurora itself.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 15 minutes

• The Blue Lagoon

In Iceland, geothermal spas such as the Blue Lagoon open in the evening. Outside of summer, therefore, you might be able to book a slot where you’d have a chance of catching sight of the aurora borealis while you’re there. Surrounded by moss-covered lava fields, there’s the possibility of a great image. However there are a few things you might need to take into consideration. For instance, if the volcanic activity in this part of Reykjanes continues, be prepared to be flexible with your plans as road diversions and the temporary closure of the Blue Lagoon itself are both possible. Be sure to keep your camera or smartphone in a waterproof case and always ask permission before including fellow bathers in your photograph.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 20 minutes

• Kálfatjarnarkirkja

You’ll find this characterful church, constructed in the early 1890s, in an isolated spot close to Vogar on the northern coastline of the Reykjanes peninsula. It’s reached quickly from route 420 and is clearly signposted so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the place. Though it is popular with bus tours thanks to easy access and ample parking, one of the benefits of this site for photographing the Northern Lights is the adjacent pond. Line yourself up and pick a calm night. The prize just might be a shot where the church or aurora borealis are reflected photogenically in the water.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 25 minutes

• Seltún Krýsuvík Geothermal Area

During the daytime, visitors flock to this geothermal area to admire its colourful mineral deposits as well as its hot springs and mud pools. But it’s also a contender for an evening excursion if the Northern Lights forecast is looking promising. You’ll be able to focus your shot using the wooden boardwalk that snakes through this protected area. Depending on the exposure and amount of light, you can achieve an atmospheric shot that capitalises on the presence of rising steam as well as the green and purple ribbons of the aurora borealis above it. It’s a slightly longer drive from Keflavik Airport than some of the other locations we’re suggesting, but we think this place is well worth the extra effort.

Driving time from Keflavik Airport: 45 minutes

Wherever you plump for, the Reykjanes peninsula isn’t short of suitable locations from which to photograph the Northern Lights. Given its convenience, both for the airport and also for Reykjavik, not to mention its sparse population and lack of light pollution, it’s no wonder that this part of Iceland remains popular with those keen to snap a remarkable shot of the extraordinary aurora borealis.