How to Plan the Perfect Northern Lights Viewing Trip in Iceland

It wasn’t long ago that travelers recoiled at the idea of visiting Iceland in the wintertime. Iceland? In winter? The country’s name should dismiss the very premise. But Sif Gustavsson, the former director of Iceland’s tourism board, had an epiphany: She could brand the slow winter months as “northern lights season,” and all those frozen-over landscapes might take on new appeal.

Fast-forward a few years, and you know how that story ended: Iceland has become one of the hottest travel destinations on earth, and the coldest months are seeing unprecedented interest. In fact, interest has almost outpaced development, with hotels racing to open their doors in the capital city of Reykjavik while intrepid outfitters beef up their offerings for upscale travelers.