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the best place to see northern lights in iceland

Where to See Northern Lights in Iceland: Kirkjufell Iceland's Best Place

Have you ever dreamed of seeing the beautiful Northern Lights? Iceland is known for being one of the best places in the world to see them, and if you’re looking for a truly magical experience, then Kirkjufell Mountain in Iceland may be just the place for you.

This breathtaking destination is located just 134 kilometers (83 miles) from Reykjavik and located on the Snaefellsnes peninsula in western Iceland. Kirkjufell Mountain is considered one of Iceland's most iconic landscapes and its spectacular shape makes it a great spot for taking photos.

But more than its beauty, what makes this location such a popular spot to view the Northern Lights is its unique combination of dark night skies, wide open spaces, and closeness to major cities such as Reykjavik. In this article, we will explore why Kirkjufell Mountain is widely considered as one of the best places in Icelandic to catch a glimpse of these mysterious auroras.

How to Increase Your Chances of Seeing the Northern Lights?

Did you know that over 80% of tourists miss the Northern Lights due to the lack of Aurora knowledge? Don't let that be you! The right time and the right place are the key. Northern Lights Online Course and Aurora mobile app designed for beginners will significantly increase your chances.

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What Is Kirkjufell and Why It Is So Unique

Kirkjufell is one of the most iconic places in Iceland and a great destination for Northern Lights viewing and photography. It's located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, about two hours outside of Reykjavik. This mountain is unique for its symmetrical shape since it has three peaks, each one facing a different direction. It also looks like an arrow pointing north so it makes a great backdrop and framing while you're looking at the Northern Lights.

What makes Kirkjufell so attractive when it comes to Northern Lights viewing and photography? First of all, its shape gives viewers the perfect opportunity to capture stunning images with magnificent foregrounds. Secondly, its surrounding area offers beautiful scenery with mountains, beaches, waterfalls and cliffs providing opportunities for unparalleled photography sessions. Finally, but not least, there are no light pollution which makes for perfect conditions for capturing Aurora's reflection in water or skies.
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How to Get to Kirkjufell From Reykjavik

Visiting Kirkjufell is easy when you’re in Iceland — it's only a two-hour drive from the capital city, Reykjavik, and offers stunning views of the majestic mountains all the way there. Once you're close, simply follow the signs to Kirkjufell; it's hard to miss as it stands out with its unique shape.

You'll find parking either at the foot of Kirkjufell Mountain or just off to the side. Make sure you wear good shoes as there are rocks and dirt paths you will have to climb. The best view of Kirkjufell Mountain is from its peak, so if you’re feeling up for a hike take your time and make sure you enjoy the beautiful scenery around you.

If you're visiting during winter months when nights are long, ensure that you have warm clothes and a flashlight packed in case night falls quickly. And don't forget your camera! This is one of Iceland's most Instagrammed locations – capturing a breathtaking shot of Kirkjufell Mountain with the Northern Lights in the background is quite an experience.
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Why Seeing the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell Is a Must-Do Activity in Iceland

Kirkjufell is one of the most iconic places to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, and for a good reason. Not only is it easily accessible from Reykjavik by car, but it also offers some of the best viewing conditions for a truly unforgettable experience.

Waterfall Background
The mountain's most recognizable feature is its magnificent waterfall—Kirkjufellsfoss—which creates an enchanting backdrop that can't be found anywhere else. This natural backdrop makes Kirkjufell an ideal location for northern lights photography and a breathtaking spot to watch the aurora borealis in all its glory.

Mountain Isolation
Another factor that makes Kirkjufell such a great place to see Northern Lights is its isolated location. Located in the middle of nowhere, Kirkjufell offers amazing views with luxurious amounts of darkness that make for ideal conditions for Aurora-spotting. So if you're looking for a truly magical experience with no distractions, Kirkjufell won't disappoint.
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Photography Tips for Capturing the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell is arguably the best place in Iceland to see and photograph the Northern Lights. Located on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in western Iceland, this 463-meter-tall mountain is an iconic sight—so much so that parts of the TV show Game of Thrones were filmed at its majestic base.

Not only is this a great spot to look out for Auroras, but it's also beloved by photographers for its backdrop and juxtaposition against the southern shoreline. Here are some tips to consider when photographing the Northern Lights from Kirkjufell:
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  1. Look for dark spots on the horizon, as these are ideal places from which to take shots with Kirkjufell in them. If you're lucky and can find a lake or river nearby, you'll get a reflection of the lights in your photos.

  2. Bring extra lenses with you, such as wide-angle and even telephoto lenses for capturing close-ups of the Aurora Borealis dancing up above.

  3. Use a tripod—you’ll need it to keep your photo camera steady while shooting long exposures at night, usually 6-10 seconds long.

  4. Take advantage of its location close to Reykjavik —you can be there in as little as 90 minutes or so!

  5. Have fun and be creative; if you’re patient enough, you might be able to capture some amazing shots that will remain forever imprinted in your memory!
where to see the northern lights in iceland

Best Times to Experience the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell is an incredible spot to witness the Northern Lights in Iceland. Although you can’t guarantee the appearance of these beautiful lights, you can increase your likelihood of success by visiting during certain periods of the year.

The best times to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell are between September and March, as this is when Iceland is in peak season for seeing them. This is also when the days are shorter and the skies are darker, allowing for optimal viewing conditions. Additionally, the nights of full moons should be avoided due to their brightness which could potentially hinder your view and photograph.

Finally, it is important to note that while the Aurora Borealis usually begins to get active around darkfall, they can often appear late in the evening or early morning hours. An experienced local guide may be able to help provide greater insight into when it’s best to view and photograph these dramatic ice-blue lights at Kirkjufell.
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Benefits of Seeing the Northern Lights at Kirkjufell

Kirkjufell, located near the small fishing town of Grundarfjörður on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula in Iceland, is one of the best places in Iceland to see the Northern Lights. Not only is it easily accessible from Reykjavik - about a two and a half hour drive - but its unique landscape makes it an ideal spot for viewing and photographing the lights.

So why is Kirkjufell the best spot for Northern Lights viewing and photography? Here are some of the benefits:

Easy accessibility
Since Kirkjufell is just a two and a half hour drive from Reykjavík, it’s easy to get to from most parts of Iceland. That means you don’t have to travel too far - or spend too much money - to see this amazing natural light show.
iceland see northern lights
Uninterrupted views
Kirkjufell doesn’t have any light pollution, making it an excellent spot for stargazers and photographers. It also has stunning landscapes in every direction, which make for great photo opportunities when you’re taking photos of the lights.

Fewer crowds
Compared to other popular spots, like Reynisfjara Beach or Grotta Lighthouse, Kirkjufel has fewer crowds so you are less likely to be competing with other people for space while you’re trying to take photos or even just enjoy the view!

Northern Lights Online Tools: Chasing Aurora Like a Pro

The most useful Northern Lights online tools for a successful Aurora hunt. Are you about to hunt the Northern Lights on your own? Then you will find these resources helpful. If you are trying to see Aurora for the first time we recommend signing up for the Northern Lights Online Course where is explained step-by-step all you need to know to see the Northern Lights in an easy way.

  1. Northern Lights essential online tools designed for beginners to help you see Aurora like the handy Aurora Mobile App and Northern Lights Online Course will help you to understand how Aurora works and to monitor real-time activity.

  2. The Northern Lights Forecast for 3 days and long-term Aurora forecast for up to 27 days ahead can be found here: Geophysical Institute Forecast, NOAA Aurora Forecast, Spaceweatherlive Forecast or in the Northern Lights App.

  3. Find the best Aurora spots with the light pollution map and cloud cover prediction.

  4. Northern Lights activity in real-time: Real-time Aurora activity (worldwide magnetometers), Solar Wind activity, Sun's activity, Aurora live Boreal webcams list or Aurora App.

  5. Additional resources to know when it will be dark enough Darkness graph & Map and how much the moon will illuminate the sky Moon Phase + Moonrise & Moonset.

  6. If you decide to go with professional Aurora hunters here you can find the top-rated Aurora Tours.

iceland best place to see northern lights

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kirkjufell really is a breathtaking natural wonder and the best place to see the Northern Lights in Iceland. Offering plenty of options for both novices and professionals, the views here are truly spectacular and can’t be beaten. From the odd yet beautiful mountain formations to the incredible Aurora Borealis, there really isn’t another place in the world like this! Make sure you make the most of your visit to Kirkjufell and take home some beautiful memories!

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