All regions / aurora forecast
North Iceland tonight
Akureyri is the aurora capital if you're staying north. Clear weather patterns, less Atlantic storm activity than the south, and world-class landmarks like Goðafoss and Lake Mývatn within a 30-minute drive.
Where to watch in North
Three curated viewing spots with drive times, conditions, and why they work.
Goðafoss waterfall
'Waterfall of the Gods' — wide, powerful, and easy to access. The north-facing viewpoint is perfect for aurora compositions.
40 min east of Akureyri
Paved parking, gentle path, well-lit even at night
Lake Mývatn
A shallow volcanic lake surrounded by pseudo-craters and geothermal areas. Huge dark sky, and you can warm up at Mývatn Nature Baths afterwards.
1h east of Akureyri
Many gravel roads, some close in winter
Húsavík harbor
Whale-watching town with a wooden church and a dark harbor. North-facing coastline — aurora over the sea is common.
1h 15min north-east of Akureyri
Paved everywhere, stay near the harbor lights for shelter
How to get there
Driving times from where most visitors arrive.
Tips for this region
Specific-to-North knowledge, not generic advice.
In North, the weather moves fast. A rental car is how you keep up.
Clouds roll in. Clouds roll out. Tours stick to a schedule — with your own car you drive to where the sky is open. Code mapoficeland saves 15% on KeyCar.
Book a car 15% offOther regions
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