When most people think of chasing the northern lights in Iceland, their minds go straight to the Golden Circle or some remote mountain pass in the middle of nowhere. But if you’ve found yourself heading east toward glaciers and black sand beaches, don’t sleep on Höfn.
This little fishing town at the edge of the southeast coast is surrounded by some of the most dramatic landscapes in the country — Vatnajökull glacier to the west, the Atlantic to the east, and enough wide-open sky to make any aurora hunter giddy. It might not have buzz of Reykjavík’s northern lights places or Akureyri’s northern light fjord views, but what it does have is silence, stillness, and some seriously dark skies.
If you’re heading this way, or even just spending a night here between glacier hikes, here’s everything you need to know about seeing the northern lights in and around Höfn — plus what to do if you want to boost your chances with a guided tour on the south shore.
Discover the Auroras
on a 5-Day Northern Lights Hunt
Why Höfn Is a Great Spot for Northern Lights Watching
Höfn is small. Like, just-over-2,000-people small. Which means light pollution here is minimal — especially if you step just a little outside the main town. You don’t need to go far to find total darkness, which is exactly what you want when the aurora forecast is looking good.
The town itself sits on a narrow peninsula surrounded by ocean and marshlands, with views of Vatnajökull glacier on one side and open skies on the other. The air feels crisp, the stars come out early in winter, and if you're lucky, the colors of the aurora borealis ribbons will follow.
One of the things I love most about aurora hunting here is how quiet it feels. In most cases you're only sharing the sky with a few locals.
Best Places in Höfn to See the Northern Lights
Let’s get into the real stuff — where to go when the aurora forecast looks promising.
1. The Höfn Harbor Path
There’s a walking path that wraps around the small harbor area in town. Start near the Pakkhús Restaurant and make your way toward the lighthouse and fish processing buildings. On a clear night, you’ll get open views to the north and northeast, and the lights sometimes reflect off the harbor water (when it’s not too choppy). It’s a solid first-check location if you’re staying in town and want to keep things easy.
2. Ósland Peninsula
This is one of the best local secrets for northern lights viewing near Höfn. It’s a small peninsula on the south side of town with minimal development, a nature trail, and an old WWII lookout post. The area is flat, the views are big, and there’s barely any light. You can walk here from most hotels in town in about 15–20 minutes, or drive and park at the trailhead if it’s cold.
3. Near the Glacier Lookout Points
On the western side of town, as you head back toward Vatnajökull along Route 1, there are a couple of safe pull-offs with views of the glacier. These spots are dark and scenic, and on the right night, you can watch the northern lights ripple above Europe’s largest glacier. Just make sure you pull fully off the road and check conditions before you drive — this area can get icy in winter.
4. Vestrahorn
If you’re up for a little road trip — and believe me, it’s worth it — Vestrahorn is about a 15-minute drive east of Höfn along Route 99, and it’s one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Iceland. Picture a spiky mountain rising straight out of a black sand beach, with a mirror-like wet sand foreground that reflects the aurora when conditions are right. It’s a favorite spot for photographers (you’ve probably seen it on postcards), but even if you’re not toting a tripod, it’s pure magic. The viewing area is on private land, so there’s a small entrance fee, but it’s open year-round and easy to access. Just check the road conditions before heading out in winter.
Close to Vestrahorn is the famous Stokksnes where you find an abandoned replica of a traditional Viking village.
5. Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach - 1h Away
Höfn is surrounded by beautiful places to see the northern lights but the closes iconic must-see locations are Jökulsárlón and the Diamond Beach for the northern lights (one of the black sand beaches to see the northern lights in Iceland). Travel Reykjavík offers travelers tours from Reykjavík in winter as far as Jökulsálón and combines the adventure with northern lights views at night (when the skies allow).
It's also worth noting that Höfn in not far from the Hoffell hot tubs, which are one of best hot springs for northern lights viewing.
Book Your 5-Day Aurora Hunt Today
Best Time to See the Northern Lights in Höfn
The aurora season here runs from late August through mid-April, with peak northern light months between October and March. The town's location in the southeast means it gets relatively stable weather compared to Iceland’s windy west coast — but you’ll still want to watch the cloud cover like a hawk.
I recommend checking:
- Vedur.is for both cloud and aurora forecasts
- The “My Aurora Forecast” app for solar activity alerts
And the best time to see the northern lights is usually between 10 PM and 2 AM, but if it’s clear and dark, keep an eye out earlier too. I’ve seen the lights show up just after 9 PM here when the KP index was only a 3. (Don’t count them out just because it’s early.)
Where to Stay in Höfn for Northern Lights Access
Here are my top three places to stay if you’re hoping to spot the aurora during your time in town — and you don’t want to have to go far to do it.
1. Milk Factory Guesthouse
A warm, modern guesthouse just a few minutes' walk from the town center. It’s in a quiet residential area with great open-sky views from the back parking lot.
2. Fosshotel Vatnajökull
Located a short drive west of town (about 10 minutes), this hotel has rooms with glacier views and a dark-sky location that’s ideal for aurora viewing. If you’re okay being just outside of town, it’s a fantastic place to stay for peace and skywatching.
Fosshotels have multiple hotels around the island, some of which are the best northern lights hotels in Iceland.
3. Höfn Berjaya
Right in the center of town you'll find Hotel Berjaya in Höfn, this is a convenient and comfortable base with views toward the harbor. Some rooms face the right direction for aurora spotting, and it’s walking distance to the shoreline and harbor paths mentioned above. This hotel is the closest one to the Ósland Peninsula.
Book Your 5-Day Aurora Hunt Today
Want a Guided Aurora Tour? Here’s the Best Alternative
So here’s the deal — Travel Reykjavík doesn’t run northern lights tours in Höfn. But if you’re starting or ending your Iceland trip in Reykjavík, they offer some excellent small-group and private aurora tours that hit the best-known dark-sky locations along the south coast.
3-Day & 5-Day Northern Lights Hunts
During daylight hours these tours take you to areas like Vík and the Golden Circle a popular northern lights place with dramatic scenery and wide-open skies. While in the evening you'll have the opportunity to see the northern lights if conditions in the nights sky are optimal.
- Have a look at the 5-Day Aurora Hunt
- Have a look at the 3-Day Aurora Hunt
2-Day & 5-Day Ice Cave + Northern Lights Tours
If you’re looking to head as far out as Jökulsárlón or Diamond Beach anyway, these tours are perfect— they include aurora hunting, glacier lagoon stops, and a guided ice cave experience. You’ll be in the same region as Höfn, but with the added bonus of a professional guide who'll monitor the light forecast for you.
- Have a look at the 4-Day Ice Cave & Aurora Tour
- Have a look at the 2-Day Ice Cave & Aurora Tour
Private Northern Lights Tour
For something extra personal, go with a private aurora tour. You’ll have your own expert guide, flexible pacing, and the freedom to chase the lights at your own rhythm. It’s the most relaxed way to make the most of the conditions — and it’s a great fit for couples, families, or anyone who doesn’t want to share the moment with fellow travelers.
Final Thoughts: Is Höfn Worth It for the Northern Lights?
Absolutely. If you're already in southeast Iceland, Höfn is a peaceful, low-light gem with real aurora potential — especially on a clear night with a decent solar forecast. Seeing the lights from within the town might dull the auroras a bit compared to areas just outside the town lights, but when the stars align (literally), you’ll get a sky full of green with hardly anyone else around.
So bundle up, grab your flashlight, and don’t forget to check the sky before heading to bed — you never know when the lights will surprise you.