Nicknamed the “Capital of the North,” this cozy little city has its fair share of charm: snow-covered mountains, colorful old houses, and beautiful fjord views.
If you’re wondering whether Akureyri is a good place to see the northern lights, let me just say: yes. Absolutely. Especially if you’re already heading north and want the mix of urban comfort and aurora potential.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know — where to go, where to stay, and even what to do if you want an aurora experience beyond the city.
Discover the Auroras
on a 5-Day Northern Lights Hunt
Why Akureyri Is a Great Base for Northern Lights Watching
Let’s clear this up right away: while Akureyri is a city by Icelandic standards, it’s still small enough that you can get away from light pollution in under ten minutes. That’s what makes it such a great base — you get cafés, restaurants, and guesthouses galore, and you can be standing under dark skies in no time.
The city is nestled along the Eyjafjörður fjord, with mountains rising on both sides. That creates a bit of a microclimate — less wind, clearer skies, and surprisingly stable winter weather.
And because you’re in a fjord you can get colorful reflections on the water when the auroras are strong.
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Best Places in Akureyri to See the Northern Lights
While you can sometimes catch the aurora right from your hotel window (especially if you're staying on the edge of town), here are my tried-and-true favorite places to watch the northern lights in and around Akureyri:
1. Kjarnaskógur Forest
Just a short drive (or taxi ride) from the town center, this peaceful forest park is a local favorite. There’s a wide open area just past the main parking lot where you’ll get a dark sky view and a little shelter from wind.
2. The Old Harbor Area
Down by the sea near the town center, you can follow the walking path along the harbor and get a wide-angle view of the northern sky over the fjord. On clear nights, the aurora reflects beautifully on the water. It’s especially nice if you don’t want to leave town but still want a shot at seeing the lights.
3. Súlur Mountain Parking Area
If you’ve rented a car and don’t mind a short drive uphill, head to the parking area near the trailhead to Súlur (the peak that towers over the city). You’ll get elevation, open sky, and almost no light pollution. Just be mindful of snow and road conditions — ask a local if you're unsure.
4. Forest Lagoon
This is one of my favorite newer spots in town — and not just because you can sit in a geothermal infinity pool while you wait for the sky to light up. Forest Lagoon is just a few minutes outside central Akureyri, tucked into the hillside with fjord views and steamy serenity. And the baths are open every day until midnight, which is perfect as the best time to see the northern lights is in the late evening, and also why I included it as one of the best hot springs to watch the northern lights.
5. Hof Cultural and Conference Center
Okay, hear me out — this isn’t your typical dark-sky spot, but if you’re attending a concert or event at Hof and step outside during intermission, keep an eye on the sky. The plaza out front has a surprisingly open view toward the fjord, and I’ve caught glimpses of auroras here while walking back to my car.
6. Hlíðarfjall Ski Area
If you’re visiting in winter and happen to be skiing at Hlíðarfjall during the day, consider sticking around after the lifts close. The mountain’s location high above town offers some of the darkest skies in the area. There’s a small parking lot where you can pull over and wait—just bring snacks, blankets, and a good playlist.
7. Jólahúsið – The Christmas House
Yes, it’s Christmas all year round here. This bright red gingerbread-style house just outside Akureyri is packed with holiday decorations, candy, and the kind of warm vibes that make you feel like a kid again. And because it’s outside town, it also happens to have dark skies once night falls. Pop by during the day for a little festive magic and return in the evening for a chance at aurora spotting with a side of twinkle lights. (It doesn’t get much cozier than that.)
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Akureyri
You can spot the aurora in Akureyri between late August and mid-April, but the best months for the aurora borealis are from October through March. The long nights and typically clearer winter skies up north make this region a solid pick for aurora hunting.
The best time of night? That sweet spot between 10 PM and 2 AM. But honestly, I’ve seen the lights start dancing at 9 PM and still going strong at 3 AM — so keep your eyes on the sky anytime it’s dark and clear.
You don't need to go to the middle of nowhere to see the colors of the aurora borealis but you’ll always need:
- Clear skies: cloud cover is the #1 aurora blocker
- Solar activity: use the Vedur.is forecast or a good aurora app
- Patience and warm layers: thermal leggings, good boots, and a windproof shell are your best friends.
You can find more about what causes the aurora borealis in Iceland.
Where to Stay in Akureyri
Whether you’re visiting for a few nights or using Akureyri as a base to explore North Iceland, these are my top places to stay for comfort and easy access to downtown Akureyri. You can also have a look at are the best northern lights hotels in Iceland.
Hótel Kea
Right in the heart of town you'll find Hótel KEA this hotel has modern rooms and fjord-facing views. If you’re lucky, you can catch the lights right from your window — or even better, from the street outside without going far.
Berjaya Akureyri Hotel (formerly Icelandair Hotel Akureyri)
Berjaya Akureyri is a personal favorite when I want a reliable, cozy stay close to everything. The rooms are bright and Scandinavian-simple, and the location is just outside the busiest part of town—quiet, but still walkable to shops and restaurants. Some of the upper rooms have great views over the fjord, and the hotel’s location gives you an easy jumpstart if you decide to chase the lights by car later in the evening.
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Looking for a Guided Aurora Tour? Travel Reykjavík Has You Covered
Now, here’s the thing — while Akureyri is a fantastic place to see the northern lights, Travel Reykjavík doesn’t currently offer aurora tours based in the north. But if you’re starting your trip in Reykjavík or want a guided experience with curated stops, Travel Reykjavík by Snæland Travel has great tours.
3-Day & 5-Day Northern Lights Hunts
These are small-group tours that take you to Iceland’s south coast and Golden Circle a popular northern light place — where the skies are dark, the landscape is dramatic, and the guides are checking forecasts in real time to find the best viewing locations every night. Each night you'll have the opportunity to see the northern lights in Vík (or around that area).
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2-Day & 5-Day Ice Cave + Northern Lights Adventures
Want the full winter wonderland experience? These tours combine aurora hunts with glacier lagoon visits and actual ice cave tours. They're a great option if you're looking for something beyond the basics — and want those "only in Iceland" moments. You'll also visit iconic sights including Reynisfjara black sand beach a great place to view the northern lights (one of the black sand beaches to see the northern lights), frozen waterfalls, and Diamond Beach another northern light viewspot, although note that you'll be visiting the sights during the day and viewing the lights around Vík area.
- More on 4-Day Ice Cave & Aurora Hunt
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Private Northern Lights Tours
Prefer to travel on your own terms? These ones are for you. Travel Reykjavík’s private northern light tours gives you your own driver-guide, flexible timing, and a tailor-made route based on the best conditions that night.
Even though these tours don’t go to Akureyri, they’re an excellent alternative if you're building your itinerary around seeing the aurora and want to make the most of your time in Iceland.