The northern lights, otherwise known as the Aurora Borealis, are phenomena that occur at high latitudes when solar particles ionise as they enter the earth's atmosphere, appearing in the night sky in the form of waving ribbons of colour. These ‘ribbons’ have captivated their viewers for centuries, bringing about defying awe and unspeakable mystery.

The northern lights are, in fact, occurring throughout the year, yet it is only during the dark winter nights that they become visible to the human eye. This is, naturally, what makes northern light hunting one of the most popular winter activities in Iceland. You can partake in numerous tours that take you to the best northern lights spotting locations, such as an affordable Northern Lights Bus Tour that takes you far away from the city's light-pollution, or a Northern Lights Boat Cruise that allows you to witness the auroras out on the open sea. Outside of Scandinavia, it is only possible to go northern light hunting in such places as Alaska, northern Canada and Siberia.

Modern scientific understanding of the northern lights did not mature until the 1880's when researchers discovered their connection to solar activity. Further study, seventy years later, would deepen this revelation, with new breakthroughs made in the knowledge that electrons and protons travel to earth on a ‘solar wind’. Today, research is ongoing into the northern lights as we further our understanding of deep space and our connection to it.

The northern lights have long been known to the Scandinavian people, inspiring some of the greatest and longstanding tales to have ever come out of Norse Mythology.

One of the most prominent of these relates to Ragnarök, a great future battle that, as foretold, will see the world submerged in water, and a significant number of the Gods dead, including the likes of Odin, Thor and Loki. After the events of Ragnarök, it is said that the world will be born anew, strengthening the ancient themes of birth, death and rebirth.

To prepare for this battle, Odin, the Chieftain of Asgard, would summon his most prized warriors, the Valkyries, female battle-maidens who rode on horseback carrying spears and shields. Ancient stories would surmise that the northern lights were a reflection of this Valkyrian armour.

Another widely spoken about interpretation is that the aurora was the ‘Bifrost Bridge’, a rainbow walkway that led deceased warriors into the glorious, glowing halls of Valhalla.

To the Icelandic Vikings, the aurora was a phenomenon to be celebrated, a popular trend that has continued to this day with countless Northern Lights tours taking place across the land of Ice and Fire. Neighbouring Scandinavians, however, were less than trustful.

Many Norse people, such as the indigenous Finno-Ugric people, the Sámi, felt that the lights were to be feared. Believing these dancing green, red and yellow light waves to be the souls of the dead, the Sámi were careful to never show any sign of disrespect towards the lights, be that whistling beneath them, singing, talking or even waving them to them.

It is said, that those who fail to heed these warnings will be pulled up into the sky, forever trapped among these nocturnal spirits. Due to this slumbering myth, it is thought that some Sámi people, even today, will not go outside when the northern lights dance above.

It is perhaps the Finnish who have the most beautiful allegory for the auroras, believing them to be created by the arctic fox, an animal that just so happens to be Iceland’s only native mammal. The Finnish name for the aurora translates to “Fire Fox”, a direct reference to the ethereal fox that would dash so quickly across the night sky that his tail would brush against the mountains, thus causing a vast and colourful outburst of sparks.

Still, another interpretation of the Arctic fox story differs somewhat, and provides some justification on the part of an ancient people as to why the lights only appeared in winter; instead of sparks, the fox’ tail was thought to have kicked up snowflakes into the air which then caught the light of the moon.

When it comes down to the folklore of Iceland particularly, it was believed that the northern lights helped to soothe the pain of childbirth, though women who had yet to give birth were warned not to look at them directly, in fear that the child would be born cross-eyed.

During your visit in Iceland, you have the option of seeing the northern lights on your own. But should you want to view them from the best spots, far away from the light-pollution of human settlements, you would be well advised to take a northern lights tour, in which a knowledgeable guide tells you all there is to know about this fantastic phenomenon.

Northern Lights Tours & Holidays

114 Northern Lights Tours & Holidays

Entry to the Aurora Basecamp Northern Lights Observatory with Hot Drinks

Private 2 Day Northern Lights Tour of Iceland’s Golden Circle & the South Coast

Private 3.5 Hour Northern Lights Tour with Refreshments and Transfer from Reykjavik

Scenic 2 Hour Northern Lights Cruise with Transfer from Reykjavik’s Old Harbor

Private 3 Day Northern Lights Tour of Iceland with the Golden Circle, Blue Lagoon & South Coast

Stunning 5 Day Northern Lights Winter Self Drive Tour of North Iceland by Lake Myvatn

Private & Luxurious 4 Hour Northern Lights Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik

Guided 12 Hour 4x4 SUV South Coast Tour with Northern Lights Hunting with Transfer from Reykjavik

Guided 4 Hour Northern Lights Hunt with Refreshments and Transfer from Reykjavik

Small Group 2.5 Hour Northern Lights Tour on a Luxury Yacht with Transfer from Reykjavik

Private 4 Hour Northern Lights Jeep Tour with Transfer from Reykjavik

Private Jeep Tour | Hot Springs, Northern Lights and Local Icelandic Cuisine

3 Hour Hunting the Aurora Northern Lights Sightseeing Tour with Transfer from Seljalandsfoss

Small Group 5 Hour Northern Lights Tour with Snacks, Free Photos, and Transfer from Reykjavik

4 Hour Northern Lights Tour with Icelandic Pastries & Hot Chocolate with Transfer from Reykjavik

Comfortable 4 Hour Northern Lights Hunt in a Super Jeep with Transfer from Reykjavik

Romantic 7 Day Northern Lights Self-Drive Getaway in Iceland with Ice Caving & Waterfalls

Relaxed 4 Day Northern Lights Self Drive Tour of Iceland with Day Trips from Reykjavik

Northern Lights Boat Tour From Vogar on the Reykjanes Peninsula

4-Day Northern Lights Long Weekend in Reykjavik

Two-week all inclusive vacation package in Iceland

2 Day Exploration Tour of Thorsmork Valley with a Sauna & Mountain BBQ Departing from Hvolsvollur

Scenic 3 Day Northern Lights Winter Tour near Iceland’s Lake Myvatn

Perfect 10 Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package to Iceland with Glacier Ice Caving

Self Drive Tours

Vacation Packages

Nature Tours

Adventure Tours

Cheap Bus Tours

Tours by Attractions

Top things to do in Iceland

Find the Northern lights

Explore an Ice cave

Go on a Road trip

Do the Golden circle

Visit Reykjavik

Bathe in the Blue lagoon

See the Glacier lagoon

Discover the South coast