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The Northern Lights can be tricky to track down. A number of factors have an influence on whether or not you’ll be lucky enough to see the aurora borealis during your visit to Iceland and even then, there are no guarantees. But the odds are more favourable over the coming season than they have been for some years. In this article, we’ll explain about solar cycles, sunspots and the solar maximum – and explore how they relate to your chances of witnessing the Northern Lights.

As the 21st century progresses, climate change increasingly dominates the news headlines. The impacts of rising global temperatures are felt all across the Arctic region and even though much of the country sits below the Arctic Circle, they haven’t escaped Iceland. Glaciers are retreating at a concerning rate and other effects such as changing weather patterns are also starting to be felt. But how does climate change relate to the Northern Lights? Let’s take a look and find out.

Iceland’s a great place to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis, and within it, the Reykjanes peninsula is one of its top destinations for seeing the Northern Lights. To have any chance of success, certain conditions need to be met. For instance, you’ll benefit from a strong aurora forecast, coupled with clear skies free of cloud. But you’ll also find it much easier to spot them when they do show up if the place you’re standing is dark – such as in many places across Reykjanes. Let’s take a look at why the peninsula is so well suited to an aurora hunt.

At the International Geological Conference held in Busan, South Korea between August 25 - 31, a new list of one hundred geological sites on the planet was presented, including two sites in Iceland, Reykjanes and Vatnajökull.

There is currently no ongoing eruption. The eruption that began in Reykjanes on the evening of August 22 ended on the 6th of September. This eruption was the 9th one since the eruptions began in March 2021, and the 6th one in the current location. The eruption area is closed to visitors. Follow any updated news here.

It’s often said, but that doesn’t make it any less true: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. And although you won’t want rain, sleet or snow ruining your chances of seeing the aurora borealis, there’s a good chance that if the hunt is on, you’ll have to contend with cold temperatures and gusty winds. So let’s take a look at how to dress for a Northern Lights expedition in Iceland so you can give your full concentration to what’s going on in the sky rather than the distraction of numb feet, frozen fingers or a cold nose.

There are a number of things you can do in preparation for a Northern Lights tour in Iceland. Some of these are best arranged before you arrive in the country while others can be done once you’re already here. In this article, we’ll walk you through what to think about and what to do so that you maximise your chances of seeing this truly awesome natural phenomenon with your own eyes. Here’s your handy checklist.

If you’ve been reading up about the Northern Lights and seeking tips about how to improve your chances of seeing them during your trip to Iceland, chances are you’ve seen something about darkness. In this article, we will explore why it’s a common topic and why it’s relevant to your preparations.

The police chief has reduced the containment area due to the ongoing volcanic eruption at Sundhnúkagígar.

When volcanic activity first kicked off on the Reykjanes peninsula a few years ago, it came as a bit of a surprise. After all, the area hadn’t experienced an eruption for something like eight centuries. Over the past three years, volcanic activity has increased and subsided several times. The most recent phase began in late 2023 and has been ongoing on and off ever since. These eruptions have had a significant impact on the town of Grindavik in the south of the Reykjanes peninsula and also periodically, to the Blue Lagoon in the middle. So what effect, if any, will this have on your travel plans?

An eruption has started in Reykjanes and remaining Grindavik residents have been evacuated.

The cafe is located within close proximity of the popular Hvalsneskirkja (Hvalsnes Church), and is the first cafe to be opened in the area.