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If you book through them, Picolo earns a commission at no extra cost to you. Our picks are made independently by our editors.","text",[363],{"type":364},"italic",[],"0","BodyBlock",{"_uid":369,"body":370,"card":441,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"9eb502e0-57e6-4469-8279-b08b47800361",{"type":354,"content":371},[372,379,424],{"type":373,"attrs":374,"content":376},"heading",{"level":375},2,[377],{"text":378,"type":361},"In short: northern lights in Iceland",{"type":380,"content":381},"bullet_list",[382,394,404,414],{"type":383,"content":384},"list_item",[385],{"type":357,"content":386},[387,392],{"text":388,"type":361,"marks":389},"Where:",[390],{"type":391},"bold",{"text":393,"type":361}," anywhere away from city lights on a clear night. The south coast, west Iceland and the north are the strongest bases.",{"type":383,"content":395},[396],{"type":357,"content":397},[398,402],{"text":399,"type":361,"marks":400},"When:",[401],{"type":391},{"text":403,"type":361}," from about September to March, with the longest nights from November to January.",{"type":383,"content":405},[406],{"type":357,"content":407},[408,412],{"text":409,"type":361,"marks":410},"From the UK:",[411],{"type":391},{"text":413,"type":361}," direct flights to Reykjavík from several UK airports all year, in about three hours, and easyJet to Akureyri from Gatwick and Manchester from October to April.",{"type":383,"content":415},[416],{"type":357,"content":417},[418,422],{"text":419,"type":361,"marks":420},"How long:",[421],{"type":391},{"text":423,"type":361}," at least three nights, ideally four or five.",{"type":357,"content":425},[426,430,432],{"text":427,"type":361,"marks":428},"Our first choice:",[429],{"type":391},{"text":431,"type":361}," Hotel Rangá on the south coast, with an aurora wake-up service. ",{"text":433,"type":361,"marks":434},"Check availability and prices at Hotel Rangá",[435],{"type":436,"attrs":437},"link",{"href":438,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FJi8THow","_blank","url",[],{"_uid":443,"body":444,"card":463,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"8894dfce-ba3c-4f02-b995-c2438c972139",{"type":354,"content":445},[446,451],{"type":373,"attrs":447,"content":448},{"level":375},[449],{"text":450,"type":361},"Clouds, not the aurora, decide your trip",{"type":357,"content":452},[453,455,461],{"text":454,"type":361},"The aurora itself is common over Iceland. Cloud is what stops you seeing it. The ",{"text":456,"type":361,"marks":457},"Icelandic Met Office",[458],{"type":436,"attrs":459},{"href":460,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.vedur.is\u002Fweather\u002Fforecasts\u002Faurora\u002F",{"text":462,"type":361}," publishes a forecast of cloud cover and aurora activity each day. Check it in the afternoon, and be ready to drive towards a clear patch of sky. A hire car, or a hotel outside town with dark skies around it, makes all the difference.",[],{"_uid":465,"body":466,"card":523,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"aedf258c-b552-4112-b132-dcb80e2ec38d",{"type":354,"content":467},[468,473,515],{"type":373,"attrs":469,"content":470},{"level":375},[471],{"text":472,"type":361},"Where to stay: four bases",{"type":380,"content":474},[475,485,495,505],{"type":383,"content":476},[477],{"type":357,"content":478},[479,483],{"text":480,"type":361,"marks":481},"The south coast:",[482],{"type":391},{"text":484,"type":361}," about 90 minutes from Reykjavík, with waterfalls and black beaches by day and dark plains at night. The best all-round base.",{"type":383,"content":486},[487],{"type":357,"content":488},[489,493],{"text":490,"type":361,"marks":491},"Reykjanes, near the airport:",[492],{"type":391},{"text":494,"type":361}," the shortest transfer, good for one or two nights and a spa, but closer to the lights of the airport and Reykjavík.",{"type":383,"content":496},[497],{"type":357,"content":498},[499,503],{"text":500,"type":361,"marks":501},"The south-east, by the glaciers:",[502],{"type":391},{"text":504,"type":361}," Vatnajökull and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, far from any town. Best on a longer road trip.",{"type":383,"content":506},[507],{"type":357,"content":508},[509,513],{"text":510,"type":361,"marks":511},"West Iceland:",[512],{"type":391},{"text":514,"type":361}," quiet farmland, hot springs and lava fields a few hours from the airport.",{"type":357,"content":516},[517,521],{"text":518,"type":361,"marks":519},"Our advice:",[520],{"type":391},{"text":522,"type":361}," for a first trip of three or four nights, stay on the south coast. Add a night by the airport at the start or end.",[],{"_uid":525,"image":526,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":532,"caption_text":533,"caption_title":14,"image_caption":533},"115f33a4-3081-4e88-ae66-99857b145091",{"id":14,"alt":527,"name":527,"focus":14,"title":527,"width":340,"height":528,"source":529,"filename":530,"copyright":529,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":531,"is_external_url":200},"Hot tubs by the river at Hotel Rangá on the south coast of Iceland",2159,"Hotel Rangá \u002F Hotels.com","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793650080\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Ficeland\u002Fhot-tub-river-hotel-ranga.jpg",{"alt":527,"title":527,"copyright":529},"FullImage","Hot tubs at Hotel Rangá, a warm place to wait for the aurora",{"_uid":535,"body":536,"card":642,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"8d64f8f4-ed59-4aae-9737-2e76f1e12866",{"type":354,"content":537},[538,543,549,561,567,572,583,591,596,600,608,613,617,625,630,634],{"type":373,"attrs":539,"content":540},{"level":375},[541],{"text":542,"type":361},"The best hotels for the northern lights in Iceland",{"type":373,"attrs":544,"content":546},{"level":545},3,[547],{"text":548,"type":361},"Hotel Rangá: the south coast",{"type":357,"content":550},[551,553],{"text":552,"type":361},"A timber lodge between Hella and Hvolsvöllur, with an aurora wake-up service, an observatory and hot tubs by the river. Rated 9.6 out of 10 across 272 reviews. ",{"text":554,"type":361,"marks":555},"See our full review of Hotel Rangá",[556],{"type":436,"attrs":557},{"href":558,"uuid":559,"anchor":197,"target":560,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ficeland\u002Fhotel-ranga","7743ff95-c787-4f67-be5d-82ce86809a76","_self",{"type":357,"content":562},[563],{"text":433,"type":361,"marks":564},[565],{"type":436,"attrs":566},{"href":438,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},{"type":373,"attrs":568,"content":569},{"level":545},[570],{"text":571,"type":361},"The Retreat at Blue Lagoon: Reykjanes",{"type":357,"content":573},[574,576],{"text":575,"type":361},"Suites of about 40 m² by the Blue Lagoon, with a spa and three restaurants, about 21 minutes from Keflavík Airport. Rated 9.8 out of 10 across 176 reviews. ",{"text":577,"type":361,"marks":578},"See our full review of The Retreat",[579],{"type":436,"attrs":580},{"href":581,"uuid":582,"anchor":197,"target":560,"linktype":28},"\u002Fen-gb\u002Fpicolo\u002Fdestinations\u002Feurope\u002Ficeland\u002Fthe-retreat-at-blue-lagoon","a55b0e98-de32-48ab-950e-5afa6cf13199",{"type":357,"content":584},[585],{"text":586,"type":361,"marks":587},"Check availability and prices at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon",[588],{"type":436,"attrs":589},{"href":590,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FriX3BAX",{"type":373,"attrs":592,"content":593},{"level":545},[594],{"text":595,"type":361},"Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon: the south-east",{"type":357,"content":597},[598],{"text":599,"type":361},"A large hotel near Vatnajökull, about 23 minutes from Jökulsárlón, with a restaurant and a sauna. Rated 9.6 out of 10 across more than 1,000 reviews. Choose it for a road trip with glaciers by day.",{"type":357,"content":601},[602],{"text":603,"type":361,"marks":604},"Check availability and prices at Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon",[605],{"type":436,"attrs":606},{"href":607,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FCnx5tkF",{"type":373,"attrs":609,"content":610},{"level":545},[611],{"text":612,"type":361},"Hotel Húsafell: west Iceland",{"type":357,"content":614},[615],{"text":616,"type":361},"A hotel with geothermal pools and a sauna in the countryside, a short walk from Húsafell Canyon Baths and about 7 minutes from the Hraunfossar waterfalls. Rated 9.4 out of 10 across 414 reviews.",{"type":357,"content":618},[619],{"text":620,"type":361,"marks":621},"Check availability and prices at Hotel Húsafell",[622],{"type":436,"attrs":623},{"href":624,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FphUqCC9",{"type":373,"attrs":626,"content":627},{"level":545},[628],{"text":629,"type":361},"Hotel Kea: Akureyri in the north",{"type":357,"content":631},[632],{"text":633,"type":361},"A central hotel in Akureyri, a two-minute walk from Akureyri Church and about 5 minutes from the airport, with a restaurant and family rooms of about 38 m². Rated 8.6 out of 10 across more than 1,000 reviews. Choose it if you fly easyJet to Akureyri and want a town base for tours into the dark countryside.",{"type":357,"content":635},[636],{"text":637,"type":361,"marks":638},"Check availability and prices at Hotel Kea",[639],{"type":436,"attrs":640},{"href":641,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.hotels.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FQFZWKX1",[],{"_uid":644,"image":645,"theme":14,"author":14,"component":532,"caption_text":651,"caption_title":14,"image_caption":651},"d0bdc1f0-8689-4813-b432-97177448d439",{"id":14,"alt":646,"name":646,"focus":14,"title":646,"width":340,"height":647,"source":648,"filename":649,"copyright":648,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":650,"is_external_url":200},"Geothermal pools and a sauna at Hotel Húsafell in west Iceland",2560,"Hotel Húsafell \u002F Hotels.com","https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793650107\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Ficeland\u002Fgeothermal-pools-hotel-husafell.jpg",{"alt":646,"title":646,"copyright":648},"The geothermal pools at Hotel Húsafell in west Iceland",{"_uid":653,"body":654,"card":689,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"0e6bc449-ffff-43e0-94fa-9df88f740e69",{"type":354,"content":655},[656,661,673,681],{"type":373,"attrs":657,"content":658},{"level":375},[659],{"text":660,"type":361},"Getting to Iceland from the UK",{"type":357,"content":662},[663,665,671],{"text":664,"type":361},"Reykjavík's Keflavík Airport has direct flights from several UK airports all year, in about three hours. easyJet also flies to Akureyri in the north from Gatwick and Manchester from October to April, according to ",{"text":666,"type":361,"marks":667},"Visit North Iceland",[668],{"type":436,"attrs":669},{"href":670,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.northiceland.is\u002F",{"text":672,"type":361},". Akureyri is a good base for a quieter trip, with darker skies close by.",{"type":357,"content":674},[675],{"text":676,"type":361,"marks":677},"See flight and hotel packages to Reykjavík",[678],{"type":436,"attrs":679},{"href":680,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002FiwS9977",{"type":357,"content":682},[683],{"text":684,"type":361,"marks":685},"See flight and hotel packages to Akureyri",[686],{"type":436,"attrs":687},{"href":688,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},"https:\u002F\u002Fexpedia.com\u002Faffiliate\u002Fr8vK5qT",[],{"_uid":691,"body":692,"card":703,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"5031769c-13f0-4595-b785-d85294857dcf",{"type":354,"content":693},[694,699],{"type":373,"attrs":695,"content":696},{"level":375},[697],{"text":698,"type":361},"Reykjavík or the countryside?",{"type":357,"content":700},[701],{"text":702,"type":361},"Reykjavík has the most restaurants and tours, but the city lights wash out a faint aurora. If you stay in town, book a tour that drives out to dark skies. Staying in the countryside means you can watch from the hotel every clear night. For three or four nights, we would split the stay: one night near the airport, the rest on the south coast.",[],{"_uid":705,"theme":308,"title":706,"people":707,"cta_link":730,"overline":731,"body_copy":732,"component":733,"cta_label":734},"fa82d3d1-6172-489d-a1d2-d00bceb203f6","Hotel Rangá: our pick in Iceland",[708,719],{"_uid":709,"name":710,"text":711,"image":712,"cta_link":717,"component":718,"job_title":14},"a32f8103-64dc-4935-a45f-a0d3d0923fc8","Aurora over the lodge","The timber lodge sits on open plain with little light around it, so the sky above the hotel is dark whenever the clouds clear.",{"id":14,"alt":713,"name":713,"focus":14,"title":713,"width":340,"height":714,"source":529,"filename":715,"copyright":529,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":716,"is_external_url":200},"The northern lights over Hotel Rangá",2554,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793650077\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Ficeland\u002Fnorthern-lights-over-hotel-ranga-hella.jpg",{"alt":713,"title":713,"copyright":529},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":560,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},"person",{"_uid":720,"name":721,"text":722,"image":723,"cta_link":729,"component":718,"job_title":14},"dd8f0532-5a82-4237-b053-197b3118a442","Suite with fireplace","The river-view suites have a fireplace and large windows, a warm place to wait between the calls from the front desk on a busy aurora night.",{"id":14,"alt":724,"name":724,"focus":14,"title":724,"width":725,"height":726,"source":529,"filename":727,"copyright":529,"fieldtype":16,"meta_data":728,"is_external_url":200},"A suite with a fireplace at Hotel Rangá",3000,1687,"https:\u002F\u002Fres.cloudinary.com\u002Fpicolo\u002Fimage\u002Fupload\u002Fv1793650083\u002FPicolo\u002FHotels\u002Ficeland\u002Fsuite-fireplace-hotel-ranga.jpg",{"alt":724,"title":724,"copyright":529},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":560,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},{"id":14,"url":438,"target":560,"linktype":440,"fieldtype":29,"cached_url":438},"Our recommendation","For a northern lights trip to Iceland, we would book Hotel Rangá on the south coast. It lies about 90 minutes from Reykjavík, far from city lights, and the staff call your room when the aurora appears.","HalfAndHalfBlock","Check availability and prices",{"_uid":736,"body":737,"card":839,"layout":366,"component":367,"article_rounded":200},"2b7cc82d-1a60-49ef-84ba-bec492d6fdd5",{"type":354,"content":738},[739,744,752,760,768,773,778,782,787,791,796,800,805,809,814,818,823],{"type":373,"attrs":740,"content":741},{"level":375},[742],{"text":743,"type":361},"Our verdict",{"type":357,"content":745},[746,750],{"text":747,"type":361,"marks":748},"What Picolo would choose:",[749],{"type":391},{"text":751,"type":361}," Hotel Rangá for a first northern lights trip of three or four nights, with a night at The Retreat at Blue Lagoon at the start or end. For a road trip, add Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon.",{"type":357,"content":753},[754,758],{"text":755,"type":361,"marks":756},"Why:",[757],{"type":391},{"text":759,"type":361}," the south coast combines dark skies with sights by day, and Rangá's wake-up service means you do not miss a display.",{"type":357,"content":761},[762,766],{"text":763,"type":361,"marks":764},"The trade-off:",[765],{"type":391},{"text":767,"type":361}," the countryside hotels are a long drive from Keflavík, so you need a hire car or transfers. For a short city break, stay in Reykjavík and book a tour.",{"type":373,"attrs":769,"content":770},{"level":375},[771],{"text":772,"type":361},"Frequently asked questions",{"type":373,"attrs":774,"content":775},{"level":545},[776],{"text":777,"type":361},"When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?",{"type":357,"content":779},[780],{"text":781,"type":361},"From about September to March, when the nights are long enough. November to January gives the most darkness, while September, October and March often have milder weather. Clouds matter more than the month, so book at least three nights and check the forecast from the Icelandic Met Office each afternoon.",{"type":373,"attrs":783,"content":784},{"level":545},[785],{"text":786,"type":361},"Can you see the northern lights from Reykjavík?",{"type":357,"content":788},[789],{"text":790,"type":361},"Sometimes, when the aurora is strong and the sky is clear, but the city lights wash out a faint display. For a better chance, drive out of town or join a tour that heads to dark skies. Staying in a hotel in the countryside lets you watch every clear night without a tour.",{"type":373,"attrs":792,"content":793},{"level":545},[794],{"text":795,"type":361},"Where is the best place to stay in Iceland for the northern lights?",{"type":357,"content":797},[798],{"text":799,"type":361},"The south coast is the best all-round base, about 90 minutes from Reykjavík, with dark plains at night and waterfalls and beaches by day. Hotel Rangá between Hella and Hvolsvöllur is our first choice. For a short trip, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is close to the airport.",{"type":373,"attrs":801,"content":802},{"level":545},[803],{"text":804,"type":361},"How many nights do you need to see the northern lights in Iceland?",{"type":357,"content":806},[807],{"text":808,"type":361},"At least three, ideally four or five. The aurora is common over Iceland, but cloud can cover the sky for a night or two. More nights give you more chances, and a hire car lets you drive towards clearer skies when the forecast shows them.",{"type":373,"attrs":810,"content":811},{"level":545},[812],{"text":813,"type":361},"Is Iceland or Norway better for the northern lights?",{"type":357,"content":815},[816],{"text":817,"type":361},"Both lie under the auroral oval, so your chances are similar on a clear night. Iceland combines the aurora with hot springs and dramatic scenery close to the airport. Northern Norway, and Tromsø in particular, has more organised chases and a milder coastal winter. Choose by flights from your airport and the trip you want.",{"type":373,"attrs":819,"content":820},{"level":375},[821],{"text":822,"type":361},"Sources",{"type":357,"content":824},[825,827,831,833,837],{"text":826,"type":361},"The aurora and cloud forecast comes from the ",{"text":456,"type":361,"marks":828},[829],{"type":436,"attrs":830},{"href":460,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},{"text":832,"type":361},", and the easyJet route to Akureyri from ",{"text":666,"type":361,"marks":834},[835],{"type":436,"attrs":836},{"href":670,"uuid":197,"anchor":197,"target":439,"linktype":440},{"text":838,"type":361},". Hotel facilities, room sizes, distances and guest ratings come from Hotels.com. The four bases, the comparison of the hotels and our picks are Picolo's own. 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