Last Updated on October 9, 2025 by Sam
Seeing the stunning Northern Lights in Akureyri is guaranteed to be a highlight of any trip to Iceland. While most people visit for the excellent whale watching in Akureyri, few experiences compare to seeing the Aurora Borealis light up the night sky. You’ll definitely need a bit of luck, but with the right conditions, the Northern Lights put on one of nature’s most spectacular displays. There are a couple of prime viewing spots near the town, including Gásir and the remarkable Godafoss waterfall. Here’s everything you need to know about seeing the Northern Lights in Akureyri.
How To See the Northern Lights in Akureyri
If you’re hoping to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, then one of the most important things is to find a dark spot without much light pollution. The town centre of Akureyri has light pollution from buildings and streetlights, so it can be hard to see the Northern Lights unless aurora activity is particularly strong.
The best advice is to head away from the town centre into a more remote location. We recommend renting a car to help see the Northern Lights, as you don’t have to drive far to reach near-complete darkness, which gives you the best chance of seeing the sky light up.
Renting a car gives you the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights in Akureyri and allows you to see more of Iceland’s beautiful nature, including waterfalls, volcanic craters, and more.
Renting a car is one of our top money savings tips in Iceland, so it’s worth doing if you want to avoid paying for tours. If you don’t plan on renting a car then fortunately it’s also possible to see the Northern Lights from some of the best hotels and places to stay in Akureyri.
Where To See the Northern Lights in Akureyri
The best place to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri itself is Gásir, which was the main trading post in Northern Iceland during the Middle Ages. There’s plenty of parking, and there’s very little light pollution, making it a great place to see the Aurora.
Even when aurora activity is fairly low, it’s still possible to see it at Gásir if you have the right conditions. It wasn’t visible elsewhere in town, and we could only see it due to the dark conditions at Gásir.
Before heading to Gásir to see the Northern Lights, it’s worth checking the Icelandic Met Office Aurora forecast. This gives an indication of how active the Aurora is at any time on a scale of 0 to 9, known as the Kp Index.
This helps predict how likely you are to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri or other parts of Iceland. We saw the Aurora at Gásir when the forecast was only 3 (moderate activity), and although the colours weren’t overly strong, it was still impressive. If there’s a forecast of 3 or above and clear skies, then it’s worth heading out to look.
Aurora at Godafoss Waterfall
The Northern Lights can also be seen from several places around Akureyri, with Godafoss being a particularly popular spot. This stunning waterfall is around a 30-minute drive from the town, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the falls and the Aurora together.
It’s worth bringing a tripod, as that way you can get some brilliant long exposure shots of the waterfall with the Northern Lights above.
If you don’t want to drive so far, then any dark spot outside of the town gives you a chance to see the lights if there’s reasonable activity and clear skies.
Northern Lights Tours in Akureyri, Iceland
If seeing the Aurora is on your bucket list, consider taking a Northern Lights tour. These tours are more expensive than doing it yourself, but the operators know exactly where to see the Aurora on any given night, giving you the best chance of success.
Guides help point out the Northern Lights to you and also provide tips on photographing them, as it can be tricky to get good photos. In many cases, they’ll take photos for you and send them to you after the tour.
Northern Lights tours from Akureyri typically start from €100 per person and can be booked in advance via Get Your Guide. Most tours offer free cancellation or date changes with at least 24 hours’ notice, so if the forecast looks bad, you can easily reschedule.
Click here to browse Aurora tours on the Get Your Guide website!
Best Time To See the Northern Lights in Akureyri
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri is from September to April. It’s possible to see the Northern Lights in Iceland outside of these months, but it’s unlikely, as the country experiences long daylight hours during summer, and the Aurora is only visible when it’s dark.
Between September and April, there’s much less daylight, which means there are more hours when the Aurora is potentially visible. Even when you visit at the right time of year, you need to be a bit lucky with the conditions, which can be tough as the sky can often be cloudy during Iceland’s winter months.
To give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights, it’s best to stay in Iceland for as long as possible. The longer you stay, the more chance you have of having an active Aurora with the right conditions for it to be visible.
FAQs: Northern Lights in Akureyri
What are the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon that produces vivid displays of colour in the night sky in high-latitude places like Iceland. They’re formed when particles from the Sun meet gases in Earth’s atmosphere, creating streaks of green, pink, and red light.
How likely am I to see the Northern Lights in Akureyri?
There’s no way to guarantee seeing the Northern Lights in Akureyri, as it depends on aurora activity and having the right viewing conditions. In many ways, you make your own luck, so we recommend spending as long as possible in Akureyri (or Iceland in general), as that way you have more chances of catching a display.
What conditions affect seeing the Northern Lights?
Seeing the Northern Lights requires three main conditions: high aurora activity, clear skies, and darkness. If there’s strong activity, you can often see the lights by looking to the north in remote spots away from light pollution.
What are some other things to do in Akureyri?
One of the best things to do in Akureyri is to go whale watching, with tours running all year round in Eyjafjordur. You can also explore the Akureyri Botanical Garden, visit Godafoss Waterfall, or unwind in the Forest Lagoon thermal baths.
Please note that some links in this article are affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. This money is used to support this website and cover the costs of keeping it online and free to access!
Like this guide to the Northern Lights in Akureyri? Pin it!
