when can you see the northern lights in iceland 2021

 

Hunt for the Northern Lights, or simmer in the famous Blue Lagoon. Darkness is easy to predict but long term predictions for the weather on any given day; i.e. December and January typically experience the most snowfall, with an average 1-inch accumulation, though sometimes up to two inches or more during these periods. Booking.com [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row], Copyright © 2017-2021 farmstayplanet.com | All Rights Reserved. What makes Iceland unusual too for those of us from more regular latitudes is the fact that these landscapes can be even more inspiring and mystical on winter nights than on summer days. As said above, it’s mainly down to luck as to whether you see the lights or not. If you’re looking for one of the best places to see the Northern Lights … Our specialists share advice and answer common questions on the aurora. You can also be sure that the owners of our recommended farm stays can show you around the local area either informally or on more official tours, and at the very least can definitely show you the best places to see the northern lights in the local area. Drive out to the countryside. Scenic Iceland and the Northern Lights (Classic, 7 Days) Destinations Reykjavik, Vik, Dover, Fludir, Thingvellir National Park, Borgarnes, Blue Lagoon Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Country Region South Iceland, Northern Lights, , 51 bus from Mjódd in Reykjavík to Skaftafell at the southwestern edge of the park. Best Times To See The Northern Lights in Iceland 2020/2021 Season: You can generally see the northern lights in Iceland any time from mid September to mid April. Required fields are marked *. The drive from Reykjavík should take about 45 minutes. When is the best time to see northern lights Northern lights in Ireland are usually visible from 9 pm to 1 am during the period from September through March. That being said though, to find yourself in what are already some of Iceland’s most stunning landscapes but this time lit up by waves of green light is an extra thrill. But make sure to travel to the outskirts and book a cabin away from the urban residency for a much better experience and a clear view of the Lights. The … Over recent years, thanks to strong solar wind activity, explorers have been able to gaze open-mouthed at the magnificent Northern Lights in Ireland. The reason is of course the fabled northern lights; the aurora borealis, one of the world’s natural wonders and something that at first sight can send shivers down the spine of even the most seasoned travelers. Thingvellir National Park is in Bláskógabyggð about 30 miles outside Reykjavík in the south west of Iceland and covers a large area around the shores of lake Thingvallavatn. If you are traveling to Iceland again, this is how a normal travel year would look like. Even though you can see the Northern Lights from Reykjavik, it’s best to stay away from city lights. This is when Nordic nights are the longest and darkest, which means you have higher chances of catching sight of the aurora. The average temperature in Reykjavík is around 1-2°C (33-35°F) in wintertime and about 12°C (54°F) in summer. Photo Credit: NASA. Solar activity is ramping up, and auroras should increase in frequency, peaking in 2024/2025. Without a doubt the best place to see the northern lights in Iceland is by basing yourself in one its many quality farm stays. Your email address will not be published. One of the easiest ways to see the Northern Lights is by a bus tour from Icelands Capital, Reykjavik. The short answer is no. While we don’t know what 2021 will bring, we can at least hope we can travel to Iceland again. You’ll also find farmstay owners can always arrange tours and trips, including northern lights viewing, in some of the amazing natural landscapes described below, and at cheaper prices than if booked from the city. It can be difficult to stay up late, but more nights equals more chances to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Catching the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) at least once is high up on many travellers' bucket lists. Though maybe not Iceland’s most spectacular national park it is undoubtedly its most important, and its barren wilderness canvas can provide sone of the best places for viewing the northern lights near Reykjavik. Although the temperature in Iceland is milder than you might expect, it’s still pretty cold! Iceland is super expensive for travelers, but its best-kept secret is free. There is no public transport to and from the park so you’ll need your own hire car or join one of the many tours from Reykjavík. An easier climb is the Saxholl crater which also offers some great wide views over the surrounding plains. Low deposits ATOL protected No Credit Card Charges . They’re best viewed away from light pollution, so you want to try and get away from Reykjavik or any towns but even then, you can see them in Reykjavik during strong displays. So, you don’t have to travel to Iceland to see the lights in all their glory (although you can, if you fancy). Though these are some suggestions for the best places to see the Northern Lights in 2021-2022, Endless Routes Travel can help you plan a custom trip to make the most of your vacation. So, when is The park is named after the Vatnajokull Glacier and to its north you’ll find the table top mountain of Herðubreið as well as many volcanoes; Askia, Holuhraun in Bardarbunga, Kverkfjöll and Snæfell. You can even rebook the tour for free if you are unlucky enough to see the Northern lights first time round. The highest temperature recorded in Reykjavik was on the 9th of July in 1976 when it reached 24,3 °C (76°F) The lowest was on the 21st of January in 1918 when it was reported at -23,5°C (-10°F). The reason is that you can better distinguish the colours of the aurora when the night sky is dark. If overlooking the sea is your idea of the best place to see the northern lights in Iceland then Snaefellsjokull will be worth visiting. If you’re looking for Northern … The lights though get few mentions. The time of fall, winter, and spring equinoxes usually feature more frequent auroras due to increased geomagnetic activity. The famous Icelandic poet and politician Snorri Sturluson did describe them though and gave them the name Bivröst or Moving Way in the old Norse language of the time; the 1200s. It is probably also one of the cheapest. But don’t limit yourself: You can also spot the southern lights in the southern hemisphere. Lake Superior. The huge Vatnajokull National Park which covers a full 13% of Iceland’s land area is located in the south east of the country and has a wide variety of landscapes, animal and plant life. While you’ll still be able to see the Northern Lights during this time, sightings will be fewer and further between. not in the full depths of winter is not such a good idea but this is wrong; as night comes there is as much darkness then as in the middle of December, the only difference being that the sun sets later. When is Northern Lights season? Best time to visit Iceland for NORTHERN LIGHTS The northern lights, also called aurora borealis, are lights (often green) which seem to dance in the sky. Whitefish Lake. While we can’t make any guarantees, if you use these tips and go to these places and the aurora is out, you’ll hopefully have an unforgettable experience seeing the northern lights in Iceland. Question: Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision answer? Overall, the best times to visit Iceland to see the Northern Lights is October and late February. Hey my new friend! The best time of year to see the northern lights is winter, between October and April. You can see them with the full moon There is a common misconception that the Northern Lights are not visible when there is a full moon. Yes, absolutely. Best Times To See The Northern Lights in Iceland 2020/2021 Season: Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland 2020: BEST PLACES TO STAY: FARM STAYS & RURAL ACCOMMODATION IN ICELAND, PASSING THROUGH THE CITY? whether the sky will cloudy or clear, impossible and needs to be checked week to week and day to day. You can generally see the northern lights (and their sibling, the southern lights) at locations within a few degrees of latitude of the Arctic or Antarctic Circle. Coldfoot, a town in Alaska’s Brooks Range mountains, offers the best chance of witnessing the Alaska Northern Lights. Life after Lockdown Fantastic Iceland Northern Lights break What's included: Available Now departures from September to April Spend 3 nights 4 days in Iceland with this action packed city break in Reykjavik. If you're reading this ... You're most likely on your way to Iceland and asking yourself: When, how and where can I see the northern lights in Iceland? This post was originally published in November 2018, and updated in November 2020. Whitefish lake is a secluded area located within the Whitefish Lake State Park. However, three days will give you a great sense of what Iceland is all about, whilst being more economic than a longer trip. One intriguing aspect of the northern lights is how little they were mentioned in ancient Scandinavian texts. All over the park you’ll find many interesting rock formations too carved out by the above named volcanoes historical, and not so historical, activity; Holuhraun in Bardarbunga for example last erupted only in March of 2015. The lake itself could be considered one of the world’s best for fishing; a large regular inflow of water from surrounding rivers and streams and a certain unique ecology has led to it being a rich habitat for marine life and it contains some of the largest char and trout in the world. Be aware though that it is a very difficult thing to predict the chances of the Aurora being seen at any given time and because of this they tend to be pretty cautious in their predictions. As almost all of Iceland’s charm lies in its rural landscapes though this shouldn’t be seen as some kind of inconvenience, and it would be a mistake at any time of the year to not get out and stay at least a few days in some of the country’s rural heartlands. This is actually not true, as a matter of fact, many photographers say they’ve taken some To be able to see them, you need a dark night and a clear sky. Still, the northern lights are the star of the show. Furthermore, in Icelandic folklore the lights were supposed to protect mothers during childbirth but with the added twist that if an expectant mother was to look at them while in labour the child would arrive cross-eyed. As their name suggests, the northern lights or aurora borealis are visible in the northern hemisphere only. Farm stays are, by their very nature, in remote locations without much artificial lighting, and so automatically there is the added attraction in Iceland of having the northern lights on display all around you the minute you leave the house. The best place to see the northern lights in Iceland This answer surprisingly does change quite a lot at this time of year. The best thing is to book a Northern Lights holiday package, but if you haven’t much time and you’re not sure about when and where to see Northern Lights in Iceland, these tours can help you. Another feature of Thingvellir is its position bang in the middle of two tectonic plates. You can generally see the northern lights in Iceland any time from mid September to mid April. It is remote though, it’s a full five hour drive from Reykjavik and there are only a few settlements around it, the main one being Skaftafell just at the edge of the park. However, due to dark skies in the summer, it's possible to witness aurora in Michigan all year round. Points of interest in the park are of course the glacier itself, which can be climbed, but at 1446 meters above sea level and containing some tough stretches, is not for the enthusiastic beginner. The divide is right on the Almannagjá canyon, one side North America, the other Eurasia which gives a nice overground visualization of what lies underneath for thousands of miles under the Atlantic Ocean. Once those factors are in place the strength, or brightness, of the lights can be quite random depending on the amount of particles in the atmosphere at any given time, and seems to work out (very) roughly as three nights where the lights are bright and four or five nights where they are dimmer. You can find links to our recommended farmstays in Iceland at the bottom of this page. Snaefellsjokull National Park, on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the west of Iceland, sweeps down from the glacier and volcano which gives the park its name directly to the sea. Of course, being a natural phenomenon you can never guarantee to see them , no matter how much you’ve planned in advance. September through March is the peak season for northern lights viewing because the nights are longest. This is when the auroras tend to peak. Seeing the Northern Lights can take a lot of dedication since they can appear at any time of night. The Science Bit: What Causes the Northern Lights? Borealis Expedition, a top-rated, multi-day Northern Lights Iceland tour. 4. That’s why you … You are more likely to see the northern lights in Scotland between September and March. Why not find out when is the best time to see the Northern lights 2021. From cold and isolated Greenland to the The northern lights are one of the biggest draws to visiting Iceland, however they are also one of the most elusive and unpredictable attractions this country has. With a slightly longer season than Iceland, stretching from mid-September through late April, Alaska is a great no-passport-required option for U.S. residents. Here’s our roundup of some of the best places, and the best times, to see the northern lights in Iceland in 2020/2021, as well as some of the best places to stay in rural Iceland. Northern lights seen from space. Regardless of when you expect to visit Iceland, I do hope you’ll consider hiring me to plan your trip . Is seeing the northern lights something you want to cross off your bucket list in 2021? Caused by charged particles from the sun hitting atoms in Earth’s atmosphere and releasing photons, it’s a process that happens constantly. Certainly it’s not enough to see everything, and for a trip like the Iceland Ring Road for example, we recommend at least a week. Iceland will therefore be one of the first countries to welcome you if you decide to visit Europe in 2021, thanks to its sensible welcome mat to vaccinated tourists. The first, obvious needs are darkness and a clear sky H… Well, it is believed that during the Viking era solar activity was much weaker than now, and so the northern lights were a much rarer phenomena, generally only appearing during intense solar storms that happen only rarely but tend to produce lights that are more red in colour, as happened in 2014 when extra solar activity produced reddish lights that were visible all over northern Europe, and even in southerly regions of the U.K. and Ireland that had rarely seen them before. While Iceland’s highest mountain; Hvannadalshnjúkur is to be found south of the glacier. In itself the farm stay concept is interesting and enjoyable, and adds a extra dimension to any vacation, but all the more so in a country with such a strong rural heritage as Iceland. That being said though, be sure to use some common sense; you have to be very careful walking and hiking in the wilderness after dark. Once you leave the artificial lights of the cities and towns and you find yourself surrounded by natural darkness then the view there will be as good as anywhere. When can you see the northern lights in Iceland 2021? Blue Lagoon is the perfect location to see the Northern Lights during the season. Best time to see Northern Lights The season of aurora borealis in the Northern hemisphere generally lasts from August through April. Popular sites in the park are the Silfra Gorge, where you can dive and swim in crystal clear waters between the continental plates, the Ohara waterfall, and Nikulasargja Gorge which is popularly known as Peningagja or money gorge; the tradition is that you come to throw money in the water when you want a wish to be granted. It was referred to as the Alþing general assembly and continued at the site until 1798 when it moved to Reykjavík. With such a weighty and important historical site on its doorstep, it’s easy to overlook the natural wonder of the place. Cautious, but also sometimes quite wrong; there are many occasions when the forecast will be weak but where the lights come out dancing super brightly for long lengths of time, and of course the opposite is also true, so take it as a guide but always be prepared for some randomness. You can see the Northern Lights pretty much everywhere in Iceland. In fact, if we can normally travel again in 2021, the What options do you have after a day tour? The best time of year to see the northern lights is winter, between October and April. Official Website: http://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/english. You can see the Northern Lights in Iceland when you visit in September. So why would this be? If you have a hire car go with it as far as possible and don’t wander off too far on foot, unless you have a torch and really know where you’re going! Iceland is quickly climbing the ranks as one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. We are set in nature, surrounded by moss-covered lava fields. In season there is a tremendous amount of birdlife to be seen too and the lava plains that run between the volcano and the coast are in patches filled with up to one hundred and thirty species of plants. CHECK OUT HOTELS IN REYKJAVIK HERE VIA BOOKING.COM, To narrow down these results, tick the boxes below as required then click search, http://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/english, MAP SEARCH: CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED FARM STAYS IN ICELAND IN 2020. The mystical, mysterious effect the northern lights can have on people might be detracted somewhat by the sober scientific explanation of the phenomena but to a scientist there is no mystery; the aurora borealis is quite simply the result of a meeting between highly charged particles from the sun being drawn towards the Earth’s poles and striking the atoms of various gases in the local atmosphere. Literary fans might recognize the name from Jules Verne’s Journey To The Center Of The Earth; it was here that the passageway to the center of the earth was found. 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