Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, is a vibrant city known for its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and as one of the best places to experience the Northern Lights. With its unique blend of urban charm and natural beauty, Reykjavik offers an unforgettable setting for witnessing this spectacular phenomenon.
Why Reykjavík? Reykjavík is surrounded by incredible natural landscapes, making it easy to escape the city lights for optimal Northern Lights viewing. The city is rich in history and culture, featuring numerous museums, galleries, and geothermal spas. Take a day trip to visit the Golden Circle, including Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall. The best months for Northern Lights viewing are from September to April, with peak viewing opportunities during the winter months when nights are longer.
Weather conditions can change rapidly, so keep your plans flexible to enhance your chances of witnessing the Aurora.
A trip to Reykjavík for the Northern Lights is a fantastic way to experience Iceland’s natural beauty and vibrant culture. Whether you’re hunting for the Aurora or exploring the city’s rich offerings, Reykjavik provides a perfect backdrop for an unforgettable adventure.
Credit: Gantas Vaičiulėnas
Credit: Matheus Bertelli
Credit: Pavel Danilyuk
Credit: It's MJ!
Credit: wired_optics
Credit: Thibaut Tattevin
Credit: Einar H. Reynis
Credit: Nicolas J Leclercq
Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Reykjavík. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.
There is a 7% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Reykjavík area (forecast for 6 November 2025 at 5:11pm UTC)
The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.
Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).
When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.
Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.
Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimeter (p/cm3).
A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.
The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.
Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.
A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.
Waning gibbous
Sunrise 9:27am
Sunset 4:55pm
Moonrise 3:22pm
Moonset 12:38pm
5°C Feels like 5°C
Chance of precipitation 70%
Cloud cover 80%
North-Easterly winds 3 km/h gusts of 5 km/h
Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Reykjavík.
4.9 (5189)
11 hours From £182.73
The Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon are the two most popular sights to visit in Iceland. Book this small group day tour and enjoy visiting both the Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon in a relaxing fun filled day. Admission to all sights, also the Blue Lagoon, is included in the tour price so as soon as you have booked you can relax and start looking forward to your adventure. Your first stop is at the Thingvellir National Park, the UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. This is where the American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, which allows you the unique feeling of having one foot in each world. Next destination is the famous Geysir Hot Spring. Watch Strokkur erupt every few minutes up to 30 meters high. Here you can buy a lunch during the stop. Gullfoss the Golden Waterfall is next and will amaze you with its beauty and raw power. Adding even more, you will visit the Kerid Volcanic Crater before heading off the Blue Lagoon for a relaxing end to a great day.
4.2 (419)
5 hours From £160.82
Discover one of the 25 Wonders of the World at Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon! Immerse yourself in its stunning milky blue waters, rich with natural silica, sulfur, and algae, known for their rejuvenating properties. Indulge in a complimentary 100% natural silica mask at the in-water mask bar – the perfect way to refresh your skin while you soak in this geothermal paradise. Choose between Comfort and Premium admissions to tailor your experience: Comfort includes all the essentials for a relaxing soak, while Premium offers extra perks like use of a bathrobe, two additional masks of your choice, and a second drink to enhance your visit. A visit to the Blue Lagoon is an absolute must for any traveler seeking relaxation and tranquility in Iceland. And with our included round-trip transfers from Reykjavík, getting there is effortless. Treat yourself to this unforgettable experience – book your escape today!
4.5 (1054)
10 hours From £208.44
Explore Iceland's iconic Golden Circle on an unforgettable journey that blends natural wonders with thrilling adventure. Begin with the awe-inspiring sights of Thingvellir National Park, where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates converge. Marvel at the powerful Gullfoss waterfall, cascading dramatically into a rugged canyon. Then, experience the geothermal activity at the Geysir geothermal area, home to bubbling mud pools and erupting geysers. But the excitement doesn't end there – embark on an exhilarating one-hour snowmobile ride across the vast Langjökull glacier, Iceland's second largest ice cap. Feel the rush as you traverse pristine snowfields and panoramic icy landscapes, guided by expert instructors ensuring both safety and thrills. This tour promises the perfect blend of natural beauty and adrenaline-pumping action, offering an unparalleled Icelandic experience that will leave you with lasting memories of this breathtaking land.
4.8 (5816)
10 hours From £104.12
Visit the natural wonders of Iceland on this 10-hour tour from Reykjavik. Travel in a minibus to the black sand beaches of Reynisfjara, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss waterfalls, Sólheimajökul glacier and the Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup and drop-off.
4.7 (2119)
2 hours 30 minutes From £86.17
Sky Lagoon, a scenic geothermal lagoon that opened in 2021, is a relaxing passage through Icelandic bathing culture. There you are surrounded by reefs, lava cliffs, and the open ocean and you get a chance to unplug, without having to even leave the capital area. Sky Lagoon is visited equally by locals and travelers and has become their Zen place in the city. The unique architecture invites you to time travel between centuries where the strong natural connection from the early ages and the advanced modern technology of today come together in perfect harmony. Their 7-step Ritual, a therapy of hot and cold. helps you relax and restore which is the core of the experience. At the edge of Sky Lagoon, you’ll find a 75-metre long infinity edge giving you the feeling of sea and sky coming together as one.
5.0 (18441)
3 hours From £112.42
Local food, city & history tour of Reykjavik. In the tastiest sight seeing tour in Iceland, we explore down town Reykjavik through delicious local cuisines that you would never come across in your typical “to-do in Iceland” itinerary! You will stroll around the city and visit 5-6 wonderful local restaurants with a fun & knowledgeable guide by your side. In our tours you will have a chance to try the best local cuisines of Iceland in each season, like the delicious Icelandic lamb, home made Icelandic ice cream from a secret family recipe, an authentic catch of the day, a hot dog from the famous Icelandic hot dog stand and much more! If you like to experience Reykjavik, Iceland’s culture, unique cuisine, local restaurants and make new friends, you should definitely join our Reykjavik Food Walk. Just make sure you show up hungry!
Discover Restaurants, Hot Springs, Waterfalls and more…
Record Store
Bakery
Brewery
Hot Spring
Bakery
Waterfall
Seafood Restaurant
Seafood Restaurant
Restaurant
Other Great Outdoors
Waterfall
Garden
Lighthouse
Waterfall
Waterfall
Church
Concert Hall
Waterfall
Garden
Seafood Restaurant
Hot Spring
Scandinavian Restaurant
Bar
Lake
Park
Swimming Pool
Park
Seafood Restaurant
Park
Japanese Restaurant
Waterfall
Scenic Lookout
Hot Spring
Harbor or Marina
Coffee Shop
Hot Spring
Bar
Spa
Bar
Bistro
Outdoor Sculpture
Hot Spring
Lebanese Restaurant
Ice Cream Parlor
Swimming Pool
National Park
Other Great Outdoors
Aurora ForecastPlanning Your Northern Lights AdventureNorthern Lights PhotographyScience Of The AuroraNorthern Lights PlaylistNorthern Lights Myths And Legends
Kaldi Bar/Café is a Bar and Café at Laugarvegur 20b (Klapparstígur), 101 Reykjavík, Ísland




64°8'44"N, 21°55'45"W
Good beer and a lovely place.
Halldor U30 December 2013
Cool local pub! 16:00-19:00 : the happy hours with à but one get one offer. Their oktober kaldi and their einstok pale ale are really great choices!
Chew W15 October 2013
Simply the best beer in town !
Stefán P16 March 2013
Try the unfiltered selection.
Kern M21 January 2013
Brewery
Lebanese Restaurant
Japanese Restaurant
Record Store
Bakery
Bistro