The Best Hotels In Iceland To See The Northern Lights
Published 2025Whether you’re flying solo (super safe, btw) or planning an epic trip with your besties, Iceland is unforgettable. And the Northern Lights lighting up the sky? Magical.
And it’s not just the auroras that’ll blow your mind. Iceland’s got these crazy-cool landscapes and steamy lagoons and the most amazing waterfalls and beaches you’ve ever seen.
Oh, and here’s the best part: Iceland’s one of the safest travel destinations for women in the world. So, yeah, no stressing—just exploring and having a great time.
Keep reading for my top two hotels in Iceland for catching the Northern Lights—sharing the good and not-so-good about each one. Oh, and there are a few more hotel ideas at the end if you’re feeling inspired.
A few tips before we begin…
I highly recommend booking your flights and accommodation in advance to save money (and avoid being stuck with only poor-quality accommodations). The same applies to car hire. The best hotels book out many, many months in advance, so don’t dilly-dally….just book!
Super fun things to do
Beyond the Northern Lights, Iceland is packed with things to see and do. Here are some of my favorite local tours that I recommend you squeeze in between all your stargazing!
If you can only do one mini-tour, make it this one. The South Island full-day trip from Reykjavik. Great value. Epic times :)
Or maybe you’d like to hike some glaciers? Yes, please!
And, of course, you’ll need to make time to visit the famous Blue Lagoon.
When to visit Iceland for the Northern Lights
You’ll want to stay in Iceland for at least 5 to 7 days to increase your chances — auroras don’t appear every night. And cloud cover that just won’t budge can be annoying. Use apps like My Aurora Forecast or Aurora Alerts for real-time predictions. Local guides will also be on top of it.
So, when should you go and where should you stay to have the most amazing Northern Lights experience? Put simply, the Northern Lights season runs from September to mid-April.
Click below for the full seasonal breakdown.
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Peak viewing months: October to March — they offer the longest nights and the highest chance of clear skies.
Equinox periods: Late September and late March — these times often show increased geomagnetic activity, giving you a better shot at strong auroras.
Ideal conditions for viewing: Clear skies (clouds block the aurora), so check the local cloud cover forecast. It needs to be dark, so go far from city lights or artificial light sources. Cold, still nights often mean clear skies.
Solar activity: The aurora is closely tied to solar wind; apps and sites can help track this phenomenon (look for a KP index of 4 or higher).
Best places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland
Best areas in Iceland to see the Northern Lights
Thingvellir National Park
Kirkjufell Mountain (West Iceland)
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Southeast)
Vík and the South Coast
Basically, anywhere rural with low light pollution
My top two hotels of the Northern Lights experience
01—
Ion Adventure Hotel
Right near the stunning Thingvellir National Park, the Ion Adventure Hotel is super modern and surrounded by crazy beautiful nature. The Northern Lights Bar has these huge floor-to-ceiling windows, so you can chill inside and still catch the aurora—it’s awesome.
Since it’s way out in the middle of nowhere, there’s no city light messing up the view. Oh, and there are geothermal hot tubs outside, so you can soak and watch the lights at the same time.
Pros
Tucked away in a remote spot near Thingvellir National Park—perfect if you’re into nature vibes.
Has this outdoor geothermal pool with insane views of the lava fields around it.
The place is eco-friendly and has this sleek, modern design that feels super fancy.
The restaurant serves up food that’s local and really good quality.
You can go hiking, check out the Northern Lights, or explore hot springs nearby.
Cons
It’s kind of far from cities, so not great if you need quick access to town stuff.
Not much else around for eating out, except the hotel.
It’s a little pricey, so maybe not for everyone. But then, what’s not pricey in Iceland? :)
I love the dark, scandi-style minimalist decor, but I acknowledge that it might not be for everyone.
The hot pool is super simple and only 60cm deep—still nice to soak in while looking at the pulsating sky, though!
02—
Hotel Ranga
In South Iceland, Hotel Ranga is about an hour and a half from Reykjavik (main city). It’s a completely different hotel experience from the Ion Adventure Hotel, but equally great (if not perhaps better).
I’m not the only one who loves this place—it’s super popular for checking out the Northern Lights. The hotel staff will even wake you up if the aurora shows up, and there’s this cool observatory with big telescopes for stargazing.
It’s in the middle of nowhere, so the skies are crazy clear, and the place is super nice.
Pros
Perfect spot for exploring South Iceland and catching the Northern Lights.
Fancy countryside vibe with stuff like outdoor hot tubs.
The restaurant’s legit, serving fancy food made with local stuff.
Staff’s super nice and make everything better.
They’ve got stargazing and aurora wake-up calls, which is kind of epic.
Cons
It’s out there, so having a car is essential.
Not much for nightlife or shopping nearby, so keep that in mind.
Yikes. It’s pricey, which isn't ideal if you’re on a tight budget. But then again…it is a bucket list experience, so I think it’s worth it. And let’s face it…all of Iceland is a little pricey!
It’s so popular...booking in peak season can be a pain. Don’t miss out. Book really early.
More hotels where you can experience the Northern Lights
Here are a few more accommodation options that I think look amazing. I haven’t been to these hotels…but their reviews are amazing. Check them out!
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is right between Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, so it’s perfect if you’re into exploring Iceland’s crazy cool nature or catching the northern lights. The design’s all modern and slick, but it still fits with the wild vibes outside. It’s super close to Vatnajökull National Park, too, which is awesome for nature fans.
Northern Light Inn
The Northern Light Inn is super close to the Blue Lagoon, which makes for a cozy, chill getaway. It’s out in the countryside, so there’s way less light pollution than close to the city—better chances to catch the Northern Lights. Oh, and they’ve got free shuttles to the Blue Lagoon, so you can totally mix relaxing vibes with a little adventure. You’ll still need a car, and the decor looks more functional than luxe.
Seljalandsfoss Horizons
Right by the Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Seljalandsfoss Horizons has private cabins with big windows and outdoor hot tubs. It’s in South Iceland, so it’s in a good spot for catching the Northern Lights. The cabins look super cozy and private, which means you can chill and watch the aurora without any crowds. I see that there are also geothermal baths and hiking trails close by, which is awesome if you’re into relaxing or exploring. Definitely a sweet spot for nature lovers.
That’s a wrap for my recommended hotels for seeing the Northern Lights in Iceland.
What do you think? Whether traveling solo or with friends, I’m sure you’ll have a fab time if you plan and book your accommodation, tours and flights in advance. Check out your best flight deals here.
Please don’t leave things to the last minute and miss out. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience…make it count! Happy travels.
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