Updated May 2026

Þingvellir National Park — Wilderness Area in Þingvellir, Iceland

UNESCO tectonic-plate valley — the closest dark-sky site to Reykjavík airport.

★★★★★4.5· Editor's pick

Wilderness AreaFree / very budgetDark sky 5/5

Þingvellir National Park — aurora viewing site, hero photo — Photo: thingvellir.is

Þingvellir is Iceland's all-purpose national park: tectonic plates, the original Viking parliament site, salmon-clear rivers, and — critical for aurora — a designated dark-sky zone less than 50 km from the international airport. The valley floor sits at 100 m elevation with broad northern horizons over Lake Þingvallavatn. Most Reykjavík-based aurora minibus tours start here before pushing further inland if cloud cover demands it.

Aurora season

Sep → Apr

Peak months

Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar

Latitude

64.26° N (60-65)

Dark-sky rating

5 / 5

Glass roof

Aurora alarm

Not provided

What to expect

Self-drive in 45 minutes from Reykjavík. Park at the Hakið visitor center (P1) and walk 200 m to the Almannagjá overlook. Bring layers — exposed valley floor with no shelter.

Dark-sky notes

Bortle 3 at the Hakið viewpoint. Reykjavík glow visible to the south.

Amenities & features

national parkvisitor centerviewpointstour stopfree access

Book or research

For current rates, dates, and reservations, visit the property's own site:

Visit thingvellir.is ↗

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights at Þingvellir National Park?

Þingvellir National Park has a viewing season of Sep → Apr, with peak months in Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar. Dark sky is reliable here, so any moonless clear night during these months is a viable viewing window.

Where is the best aurora viewpoint here?

Bortle 3 at the Hakið viewpoint. Reykjavík glow visible to the south.

How do I get to Þingvellir National Park?

Þingvellir, Iceland. Þingvellir National Park, 801 Selfoss, Iceland. See thingvellir.is for current access details and bookings. As a wilderness area, plan self-drive or a guided tour out from the nearest town.