When is northern lights in Iceland? When is the best time to see the northern lights?

The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is between the months of September and April, when Iceland has its darkest nights.

The northern lights, just like stars, can only be seen when it’s dark outside. And the darker it is, the better. But it doesn’t always get dark in Iceland. In the summer season, Iceland has what is called the midnight sun, meaning that even in the middle of the night, the sun is still visible.

In the middle of winter, from November to February, Iceland has the least amount of daylight. In January, some days only have 4 and a half hours of daylight. That means you have almost 20 hours of darkness, which increases your odds of seeing the northern lights drastically.

That said, the winter months are also the most cloudy, which can inhibit visibility. The perfect formula for seeing the northern lights is a clear, dark night in the middle of winter, on a new moon. The brightness of the moon can also block some visibility of the northern lights, so you’re less likely to see them with a full moon.

Even still, the northern lights are dancing all year long, so even if you’re not visiting in the middle of the winter, you can still get lucky!