Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center
Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center
Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Aurora Reykjavík, The Northern Lights Center is the first and only museum entirely dedicated to the Aurora Borealis in Iceland. Conveniently located in the Grandi Harbour District, the Center is a must-see when in Iceland. Whether you are planning your Aurora hunt or simply want to learn about the phenomenon, we have you covered! Dive into the world of the northern lights in a unique multimedia environment. Discover our interactive displays and our extensive collection of Aurora photography and videos - all captured by our award winning photographers and founders. The visit includes: • Northern Lights mythology around the Arctic • Aurora Science, from what causes the northern lights to the way our eyes see them • Our exclusive timelapse Aurora movie and world's first northern lights VR experience • Practical tips: maximise your chances of seeing the Aurora and learn how to take perfect northern lights photos • Meet the experts, we are happy to share our knowledge • Unique Souvenirs
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingAdmission tickets
from
HK$230.86
Full view
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Aurora Reykjavík - The Northern Lights Center and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
486 within 5 kms
Attractions
129 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Kathy FBig Water, Utah87 contributionsAurora ExhibitVery informative exhibit about the Northern Lights and how they are formed. Great video show of the lights over many of Iceland's tourist destinations. The female attendant was absolutely top notch..she made us free coffee, explained and answered all our questions, and then even called and arranged taxis for the 8 of us!!Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your visit to Aurora Reykjavik and found our exhibit informative. We're very happy to share our video show with you, and the fact that you liked it makes our day. We're also very glad to hear that our staff went above and beyond to make your experience memorable. Thanks again!Written 6 October 2023This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited October 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 5 October 2023
- arun5 contributionsA must do pre Northern Lights tour activity !!An extremely informative place to visit before my northern lights tour. A good preview really And the person in charge at the time of my visit, Shannon, was extremely friendly and approachable. Had a lovely time overall! Thanks Aurora Reykjavik!!Thank you so so much for your nice review, especially for mentioning Shannon! She is a true gem. We are really happy that you enjoyed your visit to our exhibition and learnt about the Northern Lights. It is a great idea to visit before the Northern Lights Tour as a preparation for the real thing!Written 22 January 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited January 2024Travelled soloWritten 20 January 2024
- Doug WWembley, United Kingdom1,054 contributionsA very good experienceThe Aurora building at the top of the Old Harbour is a nice little attraction that give a great insight to the Aurora Borealis, or as it is more commonly known, the Northern Lights. Inside there are small displays explaining the phenomenon and how it happens, a small cinema where you can sit for 20 or 30 minutes or so seeing images of the lights from locations all over the island and then in the small shop and coffee bar you can sit down for the final treat. A virtual reality headset with about 3 minutes of the Borealis crashing all over the sky. That bit is great, as your head swings from side to side and up and down trying to follow it all over the sky as it happens before your eyes. It is quite small exhibition and can be visited in an hour or less which is great if like us for instance, you need to fill a little time before going out on a boat or something. There is an entrance fee which is ok, but beware if, like us you have booked with an excursion such as a Northern Lights sightseeing tour that promised a free admission the Aurora Centre on the day of the tour. We went along on that assumption, only to find that the Centre had no knowledge of the promised ticket and so, being at a loose end we opted to pay for admission (for which the visit was, I think, good value). Expecting to claim the fee back from the tour company. When we tried later to do just that, the company denied that they offered such a deal and claimed that we must have seen that offer on some other firms website. I am pretty sure that we did not, but when trying to get more information from the main Icelandic booking website who we booked through, we got nowhere. So be warned, the promise of free entry may not always be honoured, but don't let that stop you from visiting the Aurora, Northern Lights Centre, it really is a very good experience.Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your visit to Aurora Reykjavik. We appreciate your kind words about our exhibition and are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the immersive experience of the Northern Lights at our center. We would like to address the concern you raised about the entrance fee in connection with Northern Lights sightseeing tours. We understand that there may have been some confusion, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. While the entrance to our exhibition is included with certain Northern Lights tours, it's important to note that this is not a universal inclusion for all tours. We recommend checking the specific details and inclusions of your chosen Northern Lights tour when booking to ensure clarity on whether the Aurora Centre visit is part of the package. We genuinely value your feedback, and it's our goal to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for our visitors. We hope this clarification helps, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Aurora Reykjavik in the future.Written 23 January 2024This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 23 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,906 reviews
Excellent
937
Very good
655
Average
207
Poor
78
Terrible
29
Rebecca P
Middletown, CT34 contributions
Feb 2020
This museum was included in my Northern Lights tour and it was a nice way to learn about the lights, what we'd be seeing, and the expectations. However, I wish it was a little more interactive with the displays and I would have loved some more direction for my camera with the test shots. Overall, worth going for a quick visit if you're off to try to see the lights.
Written 28 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hæ hæ rmarien!
Thank you for the informative review! We have recently renovated and added a few things, so if you´re ever in the neighborhood you´ll have to stop by and let us know what you think. As far as the camera direction, I am sorry to hear that you were not able to get that from the guide on your tour. Our own museum staff are always available to answer questions, but of course during the evening they are typically posted outside of the exhibition, in order to assist any visiting tours groups. We will certainly take your experience to heart for future planning, as we don´t want anyone to miss out on some camera aid. Thank you again for letting us know.
Happy travels!
Grelli
Written 11 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Doug W
Wembley, UK1,054 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
The Aurora building at the top of the Old Harbour is a nice little attraction that give a great insight to the Aurora Borealis, or as it is more commonly known, the Northern Lights. Inside there are small displays explaining the phenomenon and how it happens, a small cinema where you can sit for 20 or 30 minutes or so seeing images of the lights from locations all over the island and then in the small shop and coffee bar you can sit down for the final treat. A virtual reality headset with about 3 minutes of the Borealis crashing all over the sky. That bit is great, as your head swings from side to side and up and down trying to follow it all over the sky as it happens before your eyes.
It is quite small exhibition and can be visited in an hour or less which is great if like us for instance, you need to fill a little time before going out on a boat or something.
There is an entrance fee which is ok, but beware if, like us you have booked with an excursion such as a Northern Lights sightseeing tour that promised a free admission the Aurora Centre on the day of the tour. We went along on that assumption, only to find that the Centre had no knowledge of the promised ticket and so, being at a loose end we opted to pay for admission (for which the visit was, I think, good value). Expecting to claim the fee back from the tour company. When we tried later to do just that, the company denied that they offered such a deal and claimed that we must have seen that offer on some other firms website. I am pretty sure that we did not, but when trying to get more information from the main Icelandic booking website who we booked through, we got nowhere.
So be warned, the promise of free entry may not always be honoured, but don't let that stop you from visiting the Aurora, Northern Lights Centre, it really is a very good experience.
It is quite small exhibition and can be visited in an hour or less which is great if like us for instance, you need to fill a little time before going out on a boat or something.
There is an entrance fee which is ok, but beware if, like us you have booked with an excursion such as a Northern Lights sightseeing tour that promised a free admission the Aurora Centre on the day of the tour. We went along on that assumption, only to find that the Centre had no knowledge of the promised ticket and so, being at a loose end we opted to pay for admission (for which the visit was, I think, good value). Expecting to claim the fee back from the tour company. When we tried later to do just that, the company denied that they offered such a deal and claimed that we must have seen that offer on some other firms website. I am pretty sure that we did not, but when trying to get more information from the main Icelandic booking website who we booked through, we got nowhere.
So be warned, the promise of free entry may not always be honoured, but don't let that stop you from visiting the Aurora, Northern Lights Centre, it really is a very good experience.
Written 23 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your visit to Aurora Reykjavik. We appreciate your kind words about our exhibition and are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the immersive experience of the Northern Lights at our center.
We would like to address the concern you raised about the entrance fee in connection with Northern Lights sightseeing tours. We understand that there may have been some confusion, and we apologize for any inconvenience caused. While the entrance to our exhibition is included with certain Northern Lights tours, it's important to note that this is not a universal inclusion for all tours.
We recommend checking the specific details and inclusions of your chosen Northern Lights tour when booking to ensure clarity on whether the Aurora Centre visit is part of the package.
We genuinely value your feedback, and it's our goal to provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for our visitors. We hope this clarification helps, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Aurora Reykjavik in the future.
Written 24 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Dilip P
United States8 contributions
Mar 2020
We stayed awake for three nights and did not see the northern lights and were giving up the chance to see it. Until the last night in Vik, while we were coming back to the hotel for our long day tour, when our tour guide happen to see one. We all ran out of the bus to see the awesome display of this unusual display of this phenomenon. The camera picked up more details than our naked eyes. This is what we came to see and are were happy to end our trip with this.
One have to keep in mind, that they might go back without seeing the northern lights, because it is intermittent.
One have to keep in mind, that they might go back without seeing the northern lights, because it is intermittent.
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hæ hæ Dilip!
We are so glad to hear that you saw some lights! It can definitely be a time consuming and surprising hunt depending on conditions, that is for sure. Sounds like you got lucky though! Thanks for letting us know about your experience, and happy travels in the future!
Takk
Grelli
Written 11 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris S
Aberdeen, UK196 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A very good exhibition. This small, well laid out display gave an excellent description of the science behind the phenomena and there were some absolutely stunning images. The staff were friendly and this was the only place we visited that did reduced entry rates for senior citizens.
Written 27 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hæ hæ 416ChrisS!
It is great to hear that you enjoyed your time with us. I am glad that you got to take advantage of the reduced rate- and also that you found our staff helpful. They love meeting fellow aurora enthusiasts and globetrotters, so it is always an excitement to see who stops by. Thank you for letting us know about your experience, we appreciate your support.
Happy travels!
Grelli
Written 12 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jaana S
Balsta, Sweden94 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
A good way to catch Aurora, if the conditions are in your favour. Good service with pick up on several places around the city. A nice giftshop and a lot of information about Aurora at the museum. Nice and informative bus driver who took us to a good place spotting Northern Lights, we got to see some modest action as well.
This is very weather dependent and they decide if the tour will be done at all during the day. Book as late as possible and keep track of the weather and Aurora forecast if you can.
Unfortunately it was a popular place for several companies, but probably you need to pay a lot more to get exclusive.
This is very weather dependent and they decide if the tour will be done at all during the day. Book as late as possible and keep track of the weather and Aurora forecast if you can.
Unfortunately it was a popular place for several companies, but probably you need to pay a lot more to get exclusive.
Written 6 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hæ jaana444!
It sounds like you got to attend one of the aurora tours that meets up at our museum! We are so glad that you enjoyed it, and that you had a chance to catch some lights. Lady Aurora is certainly an elusive subject.
And you are correct on the weather forecasting- tour guides spend a great deal of time adjusting their plans for various factors like available solar activity, activity spikes, cloud cover, light pollution, and inclement weather. Because of these details, sometimes the plan is adapting even while you´re on the tour! That kind of flexibility is the mark of a seasoned aurora hunter. Because of the length of most tours (3-4 hours average), and the difficulty of cloud cover, it can always be possible that you will encounter other hunters if there is very little clear sky. It is a lot like gathering around the only good window sometimes, in that way. Fortunately (and sometimes unfortunately), we get lots of surprise weather, so it´s always good to plan aurora hunts early in your trip, so that you have as many chances as possible to catch a good window. It´s definitely not a hunt for nothing!
Thanks again for sharing your experience, and for paying us a visit.
Takk!
Grelli
Written 11 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kelly M
7 contributions
Mar 2022
Aurora Reykjavik is a dream. The owners are Aurora Borealis enthusiasts and majority, if not all, of the stunning photos displayed in the museum are originals. Aurora captures everything- folklore from around the world, the science behind the northern lights, interactive demonstrations of how the northern lights are created and how to take a photo of the northern lights when you do see them! They had informative videos and a beautiful display of lights from locations all across Iceland. They even had VR headsets to create an immersive experience. I highly recommend, especially before going searching for the northern lights. There was a lot of love and appreciation put into Aurora Reykjavik.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so very much Mickaeka,
Your incredible review leaves us speechless!
Aurora Reykjavík is a small private institution, put together and run by few northern lights hunters and enthusiasts.
We truly put our hearts in what we do, and reading words such as yours makes us incredibly proud and grateful.
Thanks again, and safe travels!
Written 12 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wesley C
Tucson, AZ10,285 contributions
Aug 2021
Museum dedicated to the aurora borealis/northern lights phenomenon, which appears in Iceland during the winter months. If you're visiting Iceland during other times of the year, this is the next best thing to seeing it in person. Your visit starts by examining how different cultures relate to it and the legends they have developed to explain it. Another section examines the science behind the lights. The final section is a mind-blowing video showing photos of the northern lights taken in various locations around Iceland. This was one of my favorite stops and I highly recommend it!!!!
Written 13 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Takk fyrir, Wesley!
We definitely agree, there's nothing like seeing the northern lights in nature!
Our team has spends well over a decade hunting the Aurora, and never tires of it.
The cinema experience you so enjoyed is a just tiny little selection of our favourite shots over the years. No voiceover nor explanation was added to it - only some music - so to somehow convey the feeling of experiencing the northern lights in person, or at least revive some of that magic. And we are constantly working on adding more video contents, both realtime and timelapse from our latest Aurora hunting expedition. This way, our visitors can get a taste of what to expect during the ongoing season too.
Thanks again for your review!
Written 12 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
2017Ravs4
Crickhowell, UK133 contributions
Mar 2022
We didn’t get to see the northern lights, so we came to the centre as the next best option. They were very friendly and the entrance cost also entitled you to a free hot drink. It was very interesting to learn about the northern lights and see them virtually. The entrance price was better value than some other places.
Written 18 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Takk fyrir, what a review!
Our Center is the first exhibition about the northern lights in the country, and the widest collection of video and photo materials of its kind.
We know that nothing compares to seeing the Aurora in nature, but we try our best to offer travellers a good alternative, no matter the season.
We hope that the cosy atmosphere of our Center - with our very own Aurora cinema and VR experience - somehow made up for the lack of northern lights, and that a nice cup of coffee and the enthusiasm of our staff made your day extra special.
Thank you again!
Written 16 May 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ScubaPLondon
Greater London, UK31 contributions
Feb 2022
Having been on a Northern Lights coach tour the night before (didn't see anything due to cloud and full moon) this was an on impulse visit (after we'd done the Flyover Iceland experience). It's excellently presented with information suitable for all ages and very informative - you can tell that those who've created it have a passion for their subject. We spent around an hour and a half, and both myself and my 16yr old son thoroughly enjoyed it. Staff were very helpful and welcoming - even giving me a (free) coffee which was welcome. The "tech' including VR headsets worked well and obviously much thought had been put into the structure of the experience. If you get the chance do go!
Written 16 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hæhæ.
Thank you for your exceptional review!
Your kind words means so much to us.
We are proud and happy to have provided you and your son with a most enjoyable experience - and a lovely cup of coffee.
We know that there is nothing like seeing the northern lights in nature, but hope that our Center and nice atmosphere in some measure made up for the unsuccessful Aurora hunt.
Thanks again!
Written 18 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
arees18
Swansea, UK11 contributions
Nov 2022
I stopped here before going on a Northern Lights tour in the evening. There was lots of information on taking pictures, the phenomenon itself, beliefs around the aurora. Whilst I learned a lot, it was a very quick experience and I would recommend reading about aurora in a book instead.
Written 21 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to write a comment about us, we are happy that you learnt about the Northern Lights in our museum. We try to provide exhaustive information about northern lights science and mythology, together with videos and pictures taken by our award winners photographers. We also help with camera settings, and overall provide an immersive experience. But we love books too :) and we recommend everybody to learn about this amazing phenomenon!
Written 28 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi. Do I need any other document to prove that I am a student to get a student ticket? Or my university ID will be accepted?
Written 21 February 2020
Hey there, we are visiting Reykjavík over Christmas. We are only there 4 nights and wondered if we can get some suggestions of where to book in for Christmas lunch and also what to see and do at that time of year seeing as the days are very short. We are interested in a food tour and seeing the Northern Lights just to name a couple of things. We can’t wait to explore! Thanks in advance, Danielle 😁
Written 7 November 2019
Definitely do a northern lights tour and Golden circle tour. We had those days and did the southern island tour. You can do a regular tour and the northern lights at night.
Written 8 December 2019
ciao a tutti siamo un gruppo di 10 persone circa che verrà in islanda per 4 gg per cercare di vedere l'aurora boreale.
potete indicarci delle strutture dove poter soggiornare possibilmente insieme ad esempio condomini baite etch etch.
grazie milla
Laura
Written 17 August 2018
budfarley1
Sanford, North Carolina
We want to visit in November... what are our chances of seeing the Northern Lights?
Written 30 August 2017
Hi there! November is a great time of year to visit, as you are well within the auroral season at that time. Chances of course vary depending on things like the presence of solar activity, and the weather in the area that you are staying- and these factors change very frequently. November is often a low precipitation month however, and so there is some inherent luck on that front.
Our staff are experienced at interpreting the auroral forecast- and are always happy to elaborate further if you are planning a hunt. (I will note though, that this information is not easily attained very far in advance, and is most accurate within 3 days of the date in question.)
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have more questions. Good luck, and happy hunting!
Grelli
Written 10 April 2018
Hi
I wondered if you could tell me how much it costs to get into the museum?
Thanks
Helen
Written 15 January 2017
Hi Helen and thanks for asking.
It costs ISK 1600, until 1st of May, It will be ISK 1800 after that.
More information on Aurora Reykjavik can be found on Aurora Reykjavik web page.
Best regards Hordur.
Written 16 January 2017
What are the chances of seeing the northern lights in November? Is this one of the best times ? If not when would you recommend? Thankyou
Written 1 April 2016
Hi Summerscales123, thanks for writing. November is a great time to view the lights, as you are well within the auroral season (mid August-mid April), and there are plenty of dark hours. The probability of seeing auroral activity is definitely high in November, but is of course affected by many different factors, like cloud cover that evening, and general solar activity levels. The experience can also be affected by where you happen to be watching from, as proximity to city light or a fuller moon phase can affect how your eyes process the light.
That being said, I would definitely recommend November, but I would also keep in mind that at any time of year, the many factors required for auroral visibility must all be cooperating for a successful aurora hunt. Good luck!
Written 21 November 2017
Aung W
Los Angeles, California
Hi what are the changes of seeing Aurora in March?
Written 18 November 2015
Hi there Aung,
March is a great time of year for auroral viewing. Our season ends in April- so there can truly be some prolific views available between February and March. Typically mid to late March hosts some milder weather (on average), though this can be a factor that changes your probability quite frequently. It is hard of course to predict this very far in advance, so it is helpful to think of what other priorities you may have on your trip. Either way- anytime between mid August- mid April will put you within the auroral season. Happy hunting, and please don´t hesitate to reach out to our staff with any additional questions that you may have.
Grelli
Written 10 April 2018
Aung W
Los Angeles, California
Hi what are the chances of seeing Aurora in March?
Written 18 November 2015
HI. He chances of seeing the lights is good so long as you've got some cloudless nights and the solar activity is good. If that all aligns then you still have a shot at it. The less light you have invading the area the better but there are still so many things out of our control that you have to cross your fingers too. Good luck. They're worth waiting for
Written 7 February 2016
Showing results 1-10 of 12
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing