The 'best time of the year' to see the Northern Lights is in March - and you can currently snap up cheap flights to the home of the light show for less than 50 quid.
Undoubtedly at the top of everyone’s bucket list, the Northern Lights, formally known as aurora borealis, are a natural phenomenon that can be tricky to see with the naked eye.
On the cusp of the 'aurora oval', Iceland is widely known for being one of the best places in the world to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights in all its glory, with thousands of Brits flocking to its capital of Reykjavík every year.
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So, how can you catch a cheap flight to Iceland and when is the best time of year to see the Northern Lights? Find out everything you need to know below.
When is the best time of year to see the Northern Lights?
The Northern Lights are never guaranteed and a lot of factors need to align in order to catch a glimpse of the phenomenon. The best conditions to see the Northern Lights? You need a clear, dark sky with dry conditions. Pollution, snow or clouds can spoil your chances of seeing the lights - so it's worth heading out of the city centre if you can or further up land to escape the city's lights.
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According to Arctic Direct, the best time of day to see the Northern Lights is between 9pm and 2am with peak visibility usually around midnight.
The best window to see the phenomenon is between late September and early April with multiple online sources claiming that March is the best time to head to Iceland.
The best places to eat and drink in Reykjavík
Just like Sweden famously has Fika, a tradition that involves relaxing with friends over coffee and cake, Iceland has Kaffitímar. Essentially, it’s a great excuse to indulge in pastries and call it sightseeing. Braud & Co is one of the city’s most famous bakeries and we can confirm it lives up to the hype - just make sure to get there nice and early to beat the queue for cinnamon buns. Other brekkie spots worth adding to your list include Baka Baka for croissants and Deig for bagels.
As for tea, TikTok recommends booking a table at Sumac, Apotek or Food Cellar. Head over to Hús Máls og Menningar for an after-dinner tipple and dance, as the library turns into a bar after dark with live music on weekends.
How to book cheap flights to Iceland now
For a limited time only, you can fly to Reykjavík for less than £50. You need to book a flight from London Stansted to Reykjavík Keflavík Airport on Thursday, 6 March via Expedia UK. The flight departs at 11am and lands at the local time of 2.05pm with one personal bag that fits under the seat in front of you included. The last time we checked, seats were selling fast, so make sure to hurry if you’re keen.
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If you're based up north, you can fly to Reykjavík the day before (Wednesday, 5 March) for £50.18 with easyJet via Expedia UK. The flight departs from Manchester Airport at 4.15pm and arrives at the local time of 7pm. If you’re even further up north, the cheapest flight we can find is from Edinburgh on Tuesday, 4 March at 12.10pm to arrive at the local time of 2.35pm. As for prices, it will only set you back £43. See you there?
Topics: Travel
Danielle Fowler