Where is the best place to see the northern lights?

Our local guides regularly get the question, “where is the best place to see the northern lights”

The answer is not simple. First of all we need a clear or partly clear sky. If the sky is cloudy we will not be able to see the northern lights. We also need darkness and the best is to leave the city or the town you are staying in and find a dark area with no light pollution. Check some websites that show the auroral activity, like the Met office’s website. Even though the activity is low you might still be able to see the northern lights, so if you have a clear sky and darkness, go out and search for the lights.

Some days the best condition can be in the south, maybe for example only around the area of Þingvellir national park. The next day it might be in the north, it’s all depending on the cloud coverage.