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Iceland is known for its stunning landscape filled with unique geological formations like vast lava fields, mighty waterfalls and stunning black sand beaches. What’s more, our country regularly makes headlines for dramatic volcanic eruptions, some of which are even located underneath majestic glaciers. But beyond these natural wonders, Iceland is also known for being a good place to see the northern lights.
Winter’s long, dark nights make Iceland an excellent spot to watch the magical aurora shimmer and dance. But you will want luxurious and comfortable accommodation where you can relax and indulge while you are waiting for the northern lights to appear. That is where Hotel Rangá comes in! We firmly believe that Hotel Rangá is the best hotel to see the northern lights in Iceland. Keep reading to learn more about the northern lights and why Hotel Rangá is so special.
What are the northern lights?
Even if you have never seen the northern lights, you have likely seen a photo of this unique phenomenon. Just picture it – shimmering bands of green light dancing across a dark night sky. But what are the northern lights, anyway?
The true origin of the northern lights has to do with the activity of the Sun. This may seem counter intuitive, since the aurora is only visible at night. However, the aurora actually results from the collision of charged particles from the Sun with Earth’s magnetic field and atmosphere. Specifically, these solar particles interact with atoms and molecules of oxygen and nitrogen in the upper atmosphere. This interaction releases energy in the form of the stunning colors we associate with the aurora.
Is Iceland a good place to see the northern lights?
Iceland is a wonderful place to see the northern lights! In fact, Iceland is one of the few inhabited areas where it is possible to regularly spot the northern lights.
Because Iceland is located near the North Pole, we are able to see the northern lights on a regular basis. Let’s unpack that a little bit. The Earth’s magnetic field directs charged solar particles towards the North and South Poles. There, they interact with gases in the atmosphere and release energy in the form of green, purple and pink light. This means that only countries that are located near the poles are able to experience the mysterious beauty of the northern lights. However, on the rare occasions when there are particularly strong solar storms, the northern lights can be visible in other locations.
What’s more, Icelandic winters are famous for having long, dark nights. In fact, during the shortest day of the year in mid-December, Iceland experiences only 4 hours of daylight. This gives us about 20 hours of darkness when it is possible to see the northern lights!
Does Iceland experience much light pollution?
No – Icelandic skies have very little light pollution. This is due to several reasons. First, Iceland has a small population of just over 400,000 inhabitants. Most Icelandic residents live in the capital city of Reykjavík. This reduces the number of light sources that contribute to light pollution.
As a result, Iceland has many small towns and rural areas that have little to no light pollution. Unlike most parts of the globe, Iceland still has areas where it is possible to experience the night sky as our ancestors did. Furthermore, we know how rare it is to experience the night sky in such a way. Consequently, there are many efforts to reduce unnecessary lighting across the country.
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Iceland?
The best time to see the northern lights in Iceland is during the fall and winter months. To be specific, northern lights are visible in Iceland from late August to early April. During these months, there is enough darkness to see the aurora. On August 31st, sunrise is at 6:08 and sunset is at 20:45. The shortest day of the year in Iceland is around December 21st. On this day, sunrise is around 11:22 and sunset is around 15:29. By April 1st, the days are getting longer – sunrise is at 6:44 and sunset is at 20:20.
It is important to remember that Iceland experiences a unique phenomenon known as the midnight sun. This means that from mid April to mid August, Iceland experiences extremely long days with little darkness. Therefore, if you want to visit Iceland to see the northern lights, you will need to book your stay at Hotel Rangá during the wintertime.
Can you see the northern lights in any weather?
We can only see the northern lights if there are clear skies. This means that any form of precipitation is a big no no. In fact, any form of cloud coverage will interfere with our ability to see the northern lights. As a result, we usually recommend that visitors spend at least 4-7 days in Iceland if they want to see the northern lights. That way, you will hopefully at least experience a few clear days when you can see the aurora. Check out Hotel Rangá’s four night Age of Aurora package to save big while you enhance your chances of seeing the northern lights.
Is Hotel Rangá a good place to see the northern lights?
We believe that Hotel Rangá is the best hotel to see the northern lights in Iceland. Hotel Rangá is located in the heart of south Iceland, several miles away from the nearest village. This means that our property has very limited light pollution. What’s more, whenever we experience an aurora sighting, we turn off all external lights.
Worried about missing the northern lights while enjoying your stay? Don’t be! Hotel Rangá offers a special northern lights wake-up call for all our guests. Our staff will notify you the moment the aurora makes an appearance—even if it is the middle of the night. So be sure to have your camera, coat, hat, and gloves ready before you go to bed. The aurora’s beauty can be unpredictable, and we never know how long it will last once it begins its mesmerizing dance.
Not only is Hotel Rangá an amazing place to see the northern lights, it also provides guests with luxury accommodation and amenities. Despite our rural location, we have a gourmet restaurant, well-stocked bar, geothermal hot tubs and an incredible game room. Furthermore, our amazing staff will do our very utmost to ensure your comfort and satisfaction in every aspect of your stay. Hospitality is our priority, and we are passionate about making your trip to Iceland the best experience possible.
