The best hotels to watch the Northern Lights on Reykjanes Peninsula

Iceland’s northerly location close to the Arctic Circle means that it is ideally suited as a destination for travellers hoping to see the Northern Lights. The Aurora Borealis can be observed from late August to April, though to catch a glimpse of it, certain conditions need to be met. Firstly, you need strong solar activity – the more there is, the stronger the colours will be. In addition, the sky should be clear and you must have an unobscured line of sight. During your stay you’ll want to keep an eye on the forecasts yourself, keeping your fingers crossed that everything works out – the Visit Reykjanes website has the links you need here.

There’s one other, crucial point to consider. You’ll need to position yourself somewhere dark – that’s why you won’t see the Aurora during the summer months – and away from light pollution. Fortunately, this last requirement is easy to accomplish on the Reykjanes peninsula. Even if you are staying in one of its small towns or villages, it’s not hard to find a suitable location close by. So where should you consider staying? Here are the best hotels to watch the Northern Lights on Reykjanes Peninsula.

The Northern Lights Inn

This comfortable hotel is situated close to the Blue Lagoon, a few kilometres north of the village of Grindavik. As its name suggests, it’s a good place to stay if you’re hoping to view the Northern Lights. One of the main reasons for this is due to the location of Thornbjorn, a mountain that lies south of the hotel, which has a strong influence on the local microclimate. Because of the way the prevailing winds typically blow, there is often a break in the clouds right above the hotel. That means if the rest of this part of Iceland is shrouded in cloud, you might still be able to see the Northern Lights in this particular spot.

Members of staff monitor solar activity and the weather, keeping abreast of current forecasts and constantly checking US military satellite data, which is updated hourly online. Guests have the option of signing up at the front desk for an aurora call to their room. This is really handy as the Northern Lights can show up at random times and often don’t stay visible for very long, so you don’t want to be caught napping.

The Retreat at the Blue Lagoon

It follows that the Blue Lagoon is also one of the best hotels to watch the Northern Lights on the Reykjanes peninsula – in fact it’s one of the best hotels full stop. This deluxe property is a popular spot with Aurora hunters, set in nature surrounded by moss-covered lava. If the Northern Lights are spotted by staff working at the hotel, they’ll quickly dim the lights to minimise the chances of light pollution washing out the colours overhead. As with the Northern Lights Inn, they’ll happily provide a wake-up call if you need to get some sleep but don’t want to miss out.

The hotel is particularly suitable for those who are keen to photograph the Northern Lights. Doing so is far easier if you have something on the ground on which to focus your lens, and the geothermal power station in the background is ideal for this, as are the buildings and other structures that form part of the lagoon complex.

Hotel Berg Keflavik

Having outside space is crucial if you’re keen to remain at your hotel while you watch the Northern Lights. It’s always better to step outside so that nothing comes between you and the sky – you don’t want any unwanted reflections spoiling the show. This two-storey boutique hotel in Keflavik ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to choosing a base from which you might view the Northern Lights.

Step out of the hotel to the grass in front of the building and you have a view out across the marina; you’re close to the edge of the town making it very straightforward to find a dark spot for the best visibility. It also boasts a rooftop pool, and that additional height gives you an uninterrupted view of the night sky.

Lighthouse Inn

This family-run guesthouse is a stone’s throw from the Garður Old Lighthouse, perched on the north-western tip of the Reykjanes peninsula. This low-rise property is surrounded by grassy meadows in a secluded location, meaning there’s nothing much to get in the way of your view of the night sky if those green and purple ribbons start dancing across the heavens.

Garður itself is small, meaning you’ll be untroubled by light pollution if you’ve booked a stay here in the hope of catching sight of the Northern Lights. This place is situated at the edge of town. It feels remote and tucked out of the way, yet you’re less than ten minutes’ drive from Keflavik Airport. Arrive late in the day and if luck is on your side, perhaps your first experience in Iceland will be watching the Aurora Borealis.

Ocean Break Cabins

Maximise the views of the ocean in these cute and well-appointed cabins. Located in Sandgerði, close to the Atlantic Ocean, these cottages are perfect for watching the Northern Lights thanks to their rural setting. Spaced well apart, you really feel that you’re amid nature – a far cry from the city.

Each cottage comes with its own small kitchen and is roomy enough to accommodate six people, with two bedrooms (one’s a double and the other contains two twin beds) and the option to convert a sofa bed in the living room. Outside, take a seat on the patio while you wait for the aurora to show up, or soak in your private hot tub.

There’s a similar development called Harbour View in Grindavik; if you have a rental car you’re an easy drive from the rock formation called Karlinn off the south western tip off the peninsula which provides sufficient foreground interest to help you focus your camera if you’re keen to take photos of the aurora.