The 16 Best Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland
Are you dreaming of seeing the aurora this winter? If so, here are the 16 best Northern Lights hotels in Iceland.
Seeing the Northern Lights should be on everyone’s bucket list. It’s one of the most magical things we’ve ever seen and so insanely beautiful.
During our travels to the north, we’ve seen the Aurora several times, both in Iceland and in Northern Norway, and no matter how many times you see it, it never stops being incredible.
Many people opt to book tours to spot the lights when they’re in Iceland, which there’s nothing wrong with, and we have actually done several times too.
But, there’s something even more special, and certainly more relaxing, about seeing the northern lights from your hotel room.
So, if you’re searching for the best Northern Lights hotels in Iceland, here are the 16 best options.
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In a hurry?
These are our favourite Northern Lights hotels in Iceland!
- HIGH END: ION Adventure Hotel
- MID-RANGE: Glacier Glass Cabins
- AFFORDABLE LUXURY: Seljalandsfoss Horizons
- BUDGET: Hali Country Hotel
Where we stayed: Hotel Hafnarfjall
What makes a good hotel for viewing the Northern Lights?
When searching for a hotel to spot the northern lights, there are several things you’ll need to take into consideration.
The location and the light pollution are the most important. You’ll need to be far away from artificial lights for the best experience, which is why none of the hotels we’ve recommended below are in big cities.
You’ll also want to consider the services the hotel offers. Many hotels in Iceland provide a Northern Lights wake-up call, where staff will ring your room or knock on your door if the lights appear at night.
This is really handy, as the aurora often appears between 10 PM and 2 AM, and you might miss it while sleeping.
Then, also consider where you can view the lights. Some hotels offer geothermal hot tubs, floor-to-ceiling windows, or even glass igloos, which let you enjoy the lights comfortably without standing out in the freezing wind for hours.
The final thing you’ll need to think about is the location of the hotel itself, especially concerning the time of year. You’ll want it away from big cities, but if it’s particularly remote, it could be tricky to get to in Iceland’s tricky winter conditions.
👉 Check out our guide for how to shoot the Northern Lights with an iPhone for photography tips!
The Best Northern Lights Hotels Near Reykjavik
If you’re planning on spending your time in Reykjavik while you’re visiting Iceland, these hotels are close to the city without being blinded by the city lights.
1. ION Adventure Hotel
Located close to Thingvellir National Park, one of the best dark sky preserves in Iceland, the ION Adventure Hotel is quite exceptional. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Reykjavik.
The rooms are stylish and cosy with king-sized beds and beautiful views. The hotel itself is very well designed with a unique architecture. At the end, there’s a section with glass windows all around – ideal for northern lights viewings.
The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar with panoramic views, and an on-site spa and sauna.
2. Hotel Hafnarfjall
This place is a combination of a boutique hotel and individual cabins. Located near Borgarnes, around an hour north of Reykjavik, we stayed in one of these cabins for 2 nights while visiting the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.
They are cosy individual cabins, with a bedroom area, kitchenette, table and seating area, and an en-suite bathroom. The location is amazing, right on the edge of a quiet back sand beach and backed by huge mountains.
They also have a shared hot tub on site for evening dips.
It’s a perfect place to see the Northern Lights – with no light pollution and stunning scenery.
3. Hotel Ranga
This has got to be one of the most unique hotels in Iceland. The rooms are beautiful with exposed wooden beams and a rustic feel, and the location by the river offers fantastic views.
Located about 1 hour and 30 minutes from Reykjavik, this place is ideal for anyone looking to explore the south coast. It’s close to the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall and Skogafoss, which looks stunning in winter.
Hotel Ranga offers a restaurant with views of Eyjafjallajökull volcano and serves a delicious breakfast in the morning. It also offers a Northern Lights wake-up call service, and they turn off all the lights for this to make the experience better.
They also have a selection of outdoor hot tubs.
❤️ Check prices and book a room at Hotel Ranga
Best Hotels in South Iceland for Aurora Viewing
The south coast of Iceland is one of the most popular places to visit in the country, and it’s no surprise why. Some of Iceland’s most impressive waterfalls are located in the south, as well as black sand beaches, glaciers, and deep canyons.
Here are some of the best aurora hotels in South Iceland:
4. Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon
Located in the southeast of Iceland, near the largest glacier in Europe, Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon is the furthest drive from the capital. It’ll take around 5 hours to get here by car, depending on the weather.
Nonetheless, despite the drive, it’s one of the best places in the country to see the northern lights.
This is another really stylishly designed hotel with comfy rooms with great views. There’s an on-site restaurant and hotel bar, and a complimentary spa for all guests.
The suites also have a large panoramic window, and executive suites have a balcony with a private hot tub.
5. Hotel Kria
Located in Vik, the most well-known town along Iceland’s south coast, Hotel Kria is another great northern lights hotel in Iceland.
It’s the most urban of all the hotels on this list as Vik town centre is just a short distance away. But its location just outside the main town means you can still see the northern lights from here.
There’s a restaurant, bar, and garden, and a black sand beach just 5 minutes away on foot. The hotel is very modern, having only been completed in 2018, so rooms are all well-equipped and comfortable.
Plus, the mountain views surrounding Vik are pretty stunning, and you’ll be close to a lot of the south’s most popular attractions.
If you want something that’s not completely in the middle of nowhere, this is our top pick!
6. Skalakot Manor Hotel
Tucked along the south coast between Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, this hotel is beautiful. It looks more like an elaborate country house than a regular hotel with its dark building, green roof, and many windows.
Outside, there’s a sun terrace and a unique outdoor fireplace. There’s also a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, and an elaborate restaurant. The rooms are luxurious, and you can spend your evenings relaxing in the spa.
Because of its remote location, this hotel is ideal for spotting the Northern Lights.
7. Seljalandsfoss Horizons
Located around a 2-hour drive from the capital, between Reykjavik and Vik and right next to Seljalandsfoss, this is one of our favourite Northern Lights hotels in Iceland.
It’s another combination of hotel and individual cabins, with rooms in the main hotel or private cottages if you’d prefer to be separate.
Both options have self-catering facilities with a private kitchenette, an en-suite bathroom, a cosy bed, and incredible mountain views.
The remote location means it’s ideal for Northern Lights viewing, and you can enjoy the sun terrace and garden from your cabin.
They also serve a delicious continental breakfast daily from the dining area.
Best Aurora Hotels in North Iceland
North Iceland often has more extreme winter weather than South Iceland, but it also has a higher chance of northern lights activity. You’ll get deep snow, husky sledging, whale watching, and some amazing geothermal areas if you stay in the north.
Here are our favourite hotels for viewing the Northern Lights in north Iceland.
8. Fosshotel Myvatn
Lake Myvatn is one of the most underrated areas of Iceland, rich in geological wonders and beautiful volcanic scenery. Fosshotel Myvatn is located on the edge of the beautiful lake, surrounded by mountains.
It’s situated about an hour from Akureyri along the Ring Road, so is ideal if you’re flying into this airport. Plus, it’s just a 10-minute drive from Myvatn Nature Baths, so you can go and soak in North Iceland’s answer to the Blue Lagoon as well.
The hotel itself offers a restaurant with a lake view, comfy rooms, and a Northern Lights wake-up service.
9. Viking Cottages and Apartments
Located just outside Akureyri, but not close enough to be affected by the city lights, these cabins and apartments are super cosy. The individual apartments can sleep between 2 and 4 people and are incredibly well-designed.
You’ll find a cosy living area, kitchenette, dining table and seating, large comfortable double beds and big glass windows. Several of the apartments also come with their own private hot tub.
They’re located about a 10-minute drive from the city centre, so it’s much easier to hire a car to get here. But it’s worth it, and we had an amazing stay here.
❤️ Check prices and book a room at Viking Cottages and Apartments
10. Brimnes Cabins
This might be the most remote accommodation on this list. Located in Ólafsfjörður, a small town at the top of the fjord in Akureyri, these cabins are perfect for those looking for a quiet escape.
To reach them is around a 50-minute drive from Akureyri along the fjord. Be extra careful if you’re doing this in deep winter, as the road can be slippery.
When you arrive, you’ll find a collection of wooden cabins featuring a bedroom, living area, kitchen and dining space and a private hot tub. There are 1, 2, and 3-bedroom cottages, and they all have stunning views over the mountains and the fjords.
Unique and Luxury Northern Lights Stays
These places are for those looking for something a little bit extra. Iceland isn’t known for its glass igloos the way Finland is; however, there are still some pretty cool accommodations that are perfect for spotting the northern lights.
11. Bubble Hotel
For something truly unique, have you ever considered staying inside a bubble? Bubble Hotel will let you do just this, and the comfortable tent gives you a 360-degree view of the surroundings.
You could literally see the Northern Lights above you from the bed!
It’s located near the Golden Circle, around a 1.5-hour drive from Reykjavik. Bubble Hotel is perfect for connecting with nature. The entire room is open, but because it’s so secluded, you feel completely alone.
There’s also a shared bathroom with a shower cabin and a mini kitchenette.
12. Glacial Glass Cabin
This incredible mirror cabin is one of the most unique places to stay in Iceland. Located along the south coast towards Hella, about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Reykjavik, this cabin is surrounded by mirrors, giving it a truly surreal look.
It has a cosy bedroom, en-suite bathroom, bathrobes, a seating area, and a kitchenette inside, along with a private hot tub outside.
It’s within close proximity to Seljalandsfoss and Skogafoss, along with many other attractions along the south coast. It’s the perfect place to unwind, and the reflections on the cabin make a Northern Lights sighting here even more magical.
13. Camp Boutique
Situated right on the southern coast, close to Selfoss, this luxury glampsite will give you a wonderful way to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. It’s very calm and quiet with a selection of tents and domes in the beachfront location.
In winter, their aurora dome is perfect for Northern Lights hunting. With a glass roof, you can see the lights dancing above your head.
Inside the tent is a comfy bed and seating area, and you’ll find a shared bathroom and shower block just a short distance away.
Budget-Friendly Hotels to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
Want to see the Northern Lights but can’t afford to splash out on expensive accommodation? These options are still great for aurora hunting, but don’t have such a hefty price tag.
14. Héraðsskólinn Historic Guesthouse
Situated along the Golden Circle route, this guesthouse is perfect for those looking for an affordable Northern Lights hotel in Iceland.
Housed inside a former school building, the guesthouse is simple, yet charming, with comfy rooms for either couples or families. There’s a restaurant downstairs and you can enjoy a drink in the bar or read a book in the library.
It’s a short distance to both Thingvellir National Park, Burarfoss, and Geysir, and remote enough that you can see the Northern Lights in the winter. Laugarvatn Geothermal Bath is also right next to the guesthouse.
❤️ Check prices and book a room at Héraðsskólinn Historic Guesthouse
15. Hali Country Hotel
Located a 5-hour drive along the south coast, just past Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon, this is another affordable Northern Lights Hotel in Iceland.
You can book a room overlooking the Vatnajökull Glacier or the Atlantic Ocean, and you’ll be just a 15-minute drive from Diamond Beach and the Glacier Lagoon.
The rooms themselves are simple with a comfy bed, seating area, and en-suite. There’s also the option to book a cosy two-bedroom cottage instead, ideal if you’re travelling as a group, or if you’d prefer to have your own self-catering facilities.
The remote location of the hotel makes it ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.
16. Guesthouse Skútustadir
Back in Northern Iceland, this Guesthouse is situated on the southern shore of Lake Myvatn.
They offer rooms with either private or shared bathrooms, have a laundry room on site, and a shared kitchen. You can also book a two-bedroom cottage if you’d prefer the extra space or a private kitchenette.
Admittedly, the design is a little old-fashioned, but the rooms are comfortable, and the prices are great. You’ll be close to some of the best things to do in North Iceland, including the Hverir Geothermal Area and Myvatn Nature Baths.
The hotel offers breakfast in the morning, which includes homemade bread and jam. The area is remote enough that you can see the Northern Lights right above you with the right conditions.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Reykjavik?
Technically, yes, you can if the aurora is really strong, but it won’t be the best experience due to the city lights.
Light pollution makes the northern lights appear much less vibrant, so if you want the best viewing experience, we recommend getting outside of Reykjavik.
Do you need a rental car to stay at these hotels?
Yes, you’ll definitely need to hire a car to get to most of these hotels.
Public transport in Iceland isn’t very good outside of the major cities like Reykjavik and Akureyri, and it’ll be very expensive to take a taxi.
However, make sure you’re aware of winter driving conditions in Iceland before you decide to rent a car.
🚗 We always book our hire cars through this platform, and we LOVE them!
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
You can see the Northern Lights in Iceland any time between the end of August and the middle of April. After that, the midnight sun makes the nights much too light, so even if the activity is there, you won’t see it.
We’ve seen the Northern Lights twice, and both times were in March. We did try to see them in both January and December, but there was too much cloud cover on both occasions.
We personally feel that the best time to see the Northern Lights in Iceland is either October to November or February to March.
During this time, the weather is a bit more stable, and while the nights aren’t quite as long, there is still plenty of darkness.
👉Check out our full guide to the best time to visit Iceland for all our tips.
Final Thoughts
Staying in an aurora hotel is one of the best things to do in Iceland. It’s comfortable, convenient, and can be a truly beautiful experience for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.
There are some truly great hotels up and down the country that can give you an amazing Northern Lights experience, and we hope this article has given you plenty of inspiration for your next trip!
👉 If you’re interested in chasing the lights instead of waiting for them to come to you, check out our favourite Northern Lights tour in Iceland.
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