Northern Lights Tours from Akureyri

Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and featuring dark night skies, Akureyri makes a prime base for catching the colorful Northern Lights in Iceland. Here’s how to get a chance at witnessing this elusive natural phenomenon on a winter tour from Akureyri.

When to Go

The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are generally visible around Akureyri from September through April—when Iceland experiences its darkest and clearest night skies. Travelers often have to seek out the best viewing points (a tour guide can help with that), but the unbelievable display of dancing lights is well worth the effort. Keep in mind that Iceland can experience a few as five hours of daylight during this time of year and that the frozen winter nights are quite cold—be sure to bundle up.

Where to Go

Home to only 18,000 residents, Akureyri is large enough to offer stylish cafes and restaurants, friendly bars, and contemporary art galleries, yet small enough to offer a true taste of life in Iceland away from the capital city of Reykjavik. Northern Lights tours take you away from any light pollution in town and out into the north Iceland countryside for the best shot at catching the natural phenomenon.

How to Go

As you head out into the quiet wilderness, Northern Lights tours from Akureyri highlight Iceland’s natural beauty, soaring peaks, and clear lakes—the perfect backdrop for nature’s winter light show. Head out on a coach tour into the Icelandic countryside, choose boat cruise for a Northern Lights hunt, or tackle off-road routes on a 4x4 jeep safari, all with hotel pickup and drop-off included.