Why is the Reykjanes Peninsula a top destination to see the Northern Lights?

Northern Lights viewing can be achieved close to Keflavik Airport

Most international visitors to Iceland arrive at Keflavik Airport. Though in winter some flights also arrive in Akureyri in the north of the country, the vast majority of tourists will step out of the arrivals hall into Reykjanes. The airport sits at the north western tip of the peninsula. This means that wherever you plan to visit in Iceland, whether that’s the capital or beyond, you’ll travel through the peninsula to reach your destination.

It makes sense, therefore, to make Reykjanes itself your destination – or at least one of them. Potential Northern Lights viewing locations such as the lighthouses at Garður are minutes away from the airport, making such a place an enticing prospect if you just can’t wait to get started on this aspect of your holiday.

The roads around the Reykjanes peninsula are generally in great shape

 Though Garður isn’t far, you might also wish to venture a little further in your hunt for the aurora. Follow the coast road in either direction – south or east – and you’ll find plenty of suitable places to pull off and park up. The peninsula’s roads are well-maintained, so if you’re driving in Iceland for the first time you shouldn’t find it too challenging.

You’ll need to be aware that some temporary closures may be in place as a result of the ongoing volcanic eruption. These are clearly communicated online and you can stay abreast of real-time information and plan any diversions before you set out. In any case, throughout much of the peninsula it’s business as usual and the roads are fully open.

Reykjanes is also easy to reach from Reykjavik

 If you’ve chosen to base yourself in Reykjavik, that doesn’t rule out a return to the Reykjanes peninsula during your trip. Getting to and from the capital takes no time at all – even to the furthest point in the south west corner of Reykjanes it’s typically less than an hour’s drive and much of it is significantly closer.

Depending on your flight schedules, you might also opt for a Northern Lights hunt at the beginning or end of your trip. Alternatively, we’d highly recommend that you consider spending at least a night or two somewhere on the peninsula. Some hotels, such as the Northern Light Inn and the upscale properties at the Blue Lagoon, may even be able to offer a wakeup call if the aurora shows up while you’re sleeping. That’s a bonus as you’ll be fresher and comparatively well-rested for the following day’s sightseeing.

The peninsula is sparsely populated, meaning there’s little light pollution

When it comes to the aurora, light pollution is not your friend. If the Kp index is really high (suggesting that there’s likely to be a lot of solar activity), finding somewhere dark isn’t as crucial. But often, you’ll have a mid-range forecast and so tucking yourself out of the way of streetlights and illuminated signs is a real game changer.

The Reykjanes has few settlements of any considerable size, making it ideal for a Northern Lights hunt. As much of the peninsula is not well-lit, however, it is wise to scope out possible locations in daylight, or wear a head torch that can be easily switched off as soon as you’re in position.

The area’s landmarks are interesting while you wait for the aurora to show up

One of the downsides to going on a Northern Lights expedition anywhere is that they don’t show up to a strict timetable. This randomness means you are often going to find yourself hanging around for some time waiting for them to make an appearance. So how do you keep boredom at bay?

One strategy to mitigate against this is to find a spot where there’s something to see, such as at the Bridge between Continents where the North American and Eurasian plate boundaries are pulling apart. This has another advantage: if the aurora does materialise, then you’ll have some well-placed structures to create foreground interest in your photos.

There are ample sites with uninterrupted views of the sky

One of the fundamentals to any Northern Lights hunt is that you need an unobstructed view of the sky. North facing, wide open spaces and places that look out over the water are both highly prized by aurora seekers. What you don’t want is to be surrounded by buildings that are going to get in the way.

Because so few people live in Reykjanes compared to, say, Reykjavik, it’s straightforward to install yourself in position far from any structures that might interrupt your line of sight. Try a church such as Kálfatjarnarkirkja, for example, which is convenient to the coast road linking the airport and the capital yet still feels isolated.

You might see the Northern Lights from the iconic Blue Lagoon

 One of the disadvantages to setting aside part of your vacation time for a Northern Lights excursion is that there’s no guarantee that they’ll be visible during your stay. They’re a magical sight and worthy of any bucket list, but that only compounds the disappointment if your aurora hunt is a bust.

There’s an easy way to ensure that the evening is still a success and that’s to combine a chance of viewing the Northern Lights with another activity. One option that you should consider is to make a booking for the Blue Lagoon for an evening slot. You’ll be able to experience one of Iceland’s most iconic geothermal spas and the aurora, if it appears, will be a magnificent bonus.

There’s plenty to do and see during daylight hours

All your holiday time is precious, and even if the Northern Lights have been the primary driver for your autumn, winter or spring trip to Iceland than you’ll want to fill your days with fun activities too. The good news is that if you’re looking for things to do across the Reykjanes peninsula, there are plenty of options.

For instance, if the weather is fine and you’re keen to get outdoors, you might consider a short hike along its dramatic coastline or a visit to Krýsuvík geothermal area. If you’re keen to escape the chill of the outdoors, there are some cool museums here too, including Viking World, where you can see a replica Viking ship and nearby, the interactive Icelandic Museum of Rock and Roll.

As you can see, there are myriad reasons why the Reykjanes peninsula is a top destination to see the Northern Lights. Why not plan to stay here next time you come to Iceland with the hope of seeing the aurora borealis?