Best place to see the northern lights in Iceland

The best place to see the northern lights in Iceland is where you are. Sound funny? Well, the northern lights travel at the speed of light which means you're not going to chace after them and catch them. Fact of the matter is, that you need to have clear skies, and solar activity. In 2013 the solar activity is at its maximum. Statistically this means that you should expect the best possible northern lights this year. The cycle takes 11 years which means that the lights are still pretty good in 2014 and 2015. However, the ligths are fickle. One never knows when they show up. The picture above was taken near Reykjavik. Guided Tours Available.

Best place to see the northern lights

Northern lights in Iceland over one of Reykjavik Bike Tour's favorite hotels in Iceland.

Northern lights are best viewed from Iceland, Canada, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Alaska, Scotland and Greenland. Iceland is surely one of the most accessible places to view the elusive northern lights since it only takes 2.5 hrs to fly from Scotland, 3 hours from London, 3.5 hours from Frankfurt and 5.5 hours from New York.

On a clear night in winter you may experience the northern lights as soon as you‘re out of the terminal building at Keflavik International Airport 35 miles from Reykjavik.

Best time to view the northern lights is around midnight and the best place to view the northern lights is anywhere away from the city lights in Reykjavik.

Northern lights cannot be seen every night due to cloud cover, unfavourable magnetic field conditions or lack of solar activity. But man! When you do see the northern lights it is all worth it.

The 2013 winter season is forecasted to be particularly good for viewing.

Reykjavik Bike Tours offers private northern light tours in winter.

To enquire, or to book a northern ligths tour, please send an e-mail to bike_at_icelandbike_dot_com

Iceland northern lights

Northern lights are present above Iceland nine days out of ten. Sound too good to be true? Well, technically it is correct but there are several factors to consider.

1. Darkness – it must be dark. In summer it is 24 hour daylight in Iceland.
2. Cloud cover – it must be clear to be able to see the northern lights since they exist far above the clouds.
3. Solar activity – there must be solar activity for particles to be ejected towards the Earth.
4. Solar cycle – the activity of the Sun performs in 11 year cycles. In 2010 a new cycle has just begun.
5. Magnetic field – the right magnetic conditions must prevail around the poles.
6. City lights – can be a problem if the northern lights are faint. Best is to drive away from the city to a dark secluded spot, wait and watch.
7. Moon – can also be a problem, especially when it is full, because it can be quite bright and it may overpower the light from the northern lights.
8. Timing – as mentioned before, the northern lights are elusive. One day they may occur for a minute, or dance in the sky for hours. I’ve been giving northern lights tours for decades and always enjoy the last one just as much as the first one.

I’ve been giving northern lights tours for decades and always enjoy the last one just as much as the first one.

Golden Circle Bicycle Tour and Northern Lights

Fancy a full day of activities in Reykjavik Iceland in November? How about visiting Geysir geothermal area, Gullfoss waterfall and Þingvellir - Parliament plains national park. Then jump on a bicycle in Reykjavik, learn a bit about the history of the city, get some excercise, watch the sun go down at four in the afternoon. Shop for two hours, go for an early dinner at one of Reykjavik's excellent restaurants, search for the northern lights, and go for a drink. Impossible? No it isn't. Visit our website - http://www.reykjavikbiketours.is/

Best place to see Northern lights

Northern lights are best viewed from Iceland, Canada, Norway, Finland, Sweden, Alaska, Scotland and Greenland. Iceland is surely one of the most accessible places to view the elusive northern lights since it only takes 2.5 hrs to fly from Scotland, 3 hours from London, 3.5 hours from Frankfurt and 5.5 hours from New York.

On a clear night in winter you may experience the northern lights as soon as you‘re out of the terminal building.

Best time to view the northern lights is around midnight and the best place to view the northern lights is anywhere away from the city lights in Reykjavik.

Northern lights cannot be seen every night due to cloud cover, unfavourable magnetic field conditions or solar activity. But man! When you do see the northern lights it is all worth it.

Reykjavik Bike Tours offers private northern light tours when in season. Please enquire.