Aurora Reykjavik
Aurora Reykjavik
4.5
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 9:00 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
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Admission tickets
from R 560,62
All you need to step foot in the door.
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  • DandP2018
    Plymouth, United Kingdom21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very interesting exhibition, friendly helpful staff
    We popped into Aurora Reykjavik after visiting the FlyOver and The Lava Show as all close by, we did not need to book. We found the exhibition very informative and interesting and well worth a look for anyone fascinated by the Northern Lights as we are. The staff were very friendly and helpful, you are even treated to a cup of tea or coffee at the end. We were very disappointed at having our Northern Lights trip cancelled that evening for the second time and the lady was very helpful suggesting a good location near the lighthouse where we might catch a glimpse in Reykjavik. We were very grateful.
    Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us at Aurora Reykjavik! We're delighted to hear that you found our exhibition informative and interesting. Our team strives to provide our guests with a memorable experience, and we're happy to hear that our staff was friendly and helpful to you during your visit. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation!
    Written 30 March 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 24 March 2023
  • Edwin R
    Geldermalsen, The Netherlands491 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do not pay for anything please
    It is a nature phenomenon high in the sky. Do not book a bus tour or the aurora centre. There are apps who predict the aurora. Only when clear skies without clouds. Just drive outside the cities and all the (road) lights. And look up to the sky. It is there or not. Try again tomorrow. Difficult to talk nice photos with your mobile. But soo romantic to experience.
    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! While it's true that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon that can be seen by simply driving outside of the cities and away from road lights, we would like to emphasize that our museum offers much more than just information about the aurora. Our exhibits explore the science, history, and cultural significance of the northern lights, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of this awe-inspiring natural wonder. We also provide tips for hunting the northern lights and camera settings to help getting people ready for the adventure, and our team of experts are able to answer all the possible questions about the phenomenon. We hope that you'll consider visiting us again in the future and exploring all that our museum has to offer. Thank you again for your review.
    Written 2 April 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 30 March 2023
  • Delliott63
    Whitby, Canada21 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Educational visit to Aurora Reykjavik
    We visited Aurora Reykjavik in July in order to learn about the Northern Lights we would only be able to see in the winter. This is a great place, with stunning visual photos, films, and even VR headsets. We learned all about the science behind the Northern Lights and even had a complimentary coffee!
    Thank you for the great review! We're glad you enjoyed your visit to Aurora Reykjavik and found the visuals, films, VR headsets, and scientific information about the Northern Lights engaging. And we hope you enjoyed your coffee too :)
    Written 12 July 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 11 July 2023
  • Debra O
    13 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good displays of aurora information
    This place is small and a bit quaint, but it contains a lot of information! The displays and videos present good views of the auroras. At the end of your visit, wait your turn to use the 3-D goggles. The young woman in the gift shop is very welcoming and nice. One other thing -- buy postcards there and they'll mail them for you!
    Thank you for your kind review! We're glad you enjoyed the information, displays, and videos on auroras. Thank you for mentioning our staff and our postcards service, we are always happy to mail them for you.
    Written 2 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Written 31 July 2023
  • Bill C
    Vancouver, Canada4,282 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth a Visit
    I used my Reykjavik City Card for 50% off the admission. There is a free audio guide that you can download onto your phone. Make sure you bring your earbuds. All the displays were very informative about the Northern Lights. There are a few interactive displays, VR headsets to experience the Northern Lights, a half-hour movie about the Northern Lights, and a gift shop. There was also a photo centre where you can get a free selfie superimposed with the Northern Lights. Staff was friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed this place.
    Thank you for your wonderful review. We're thrilled you had a great time using the Reykjavik City Card and enjoyed the informative displays, interactive experiences, and friendly staff. Thank you for offering valuable advice to other customers too; we really appreciate that!
    Written 2 August 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited August 2022
    Written 31 July 2023
  • Kathy F
    Big Water, Utah72 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aurora Exhibit
    Very 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 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 5 October 2023
  • arun
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A 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 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 20 January 2024
  • Doug W
    Wembley, United Kingdom977 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A very good experience
    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.
    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 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 23 January 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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
4.5 of 5 bubbles1 886 reviews
Excellent
924
Very good
650
Average
206
Poor
77
Terrible
29

Kendra M
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
To begin, the museum was great. Super informative preparation for seeing the lights. You’ll learn so much that will make the experience of seeing them much more important and meaningful. Our favorite part was learning about the ways that different cultures have interpreted the lights.

More, Anna helped to set us up for the self-guided museum tour and was there to make us a warm beverage as soon as we finished. She has worked as tour guide, and went through an in-depth list of activities and stuff for us to find along our car drive across the country, which was well beyond her job description and something we very much appreciated. She was kind, engaging, and not only a fantastic employee, but a fantastic presence to come across after our long day.

Our experience was truly a 10 out of 10 and we will recommend this to anybody in Reykjavík before they go to see the northern lights.
Written 6 March 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.
Wow, thank you so much for the awesome review! We're really happy to hear that you had a fantastic experience at Aurora Reykjavik. It's great that you found the museum super informative and that it enhanced your appreciation for the Northern Lights. And big shoutout to Anna! We're so grateful for your kind words about her. We're lucky to have her on our team, she's a true gem. Thanks a million for giving us a perfect 5 out of 5! We're over the moon that you had such a great experience, and we can't wait to welcome more visitors with open arms. Feel free to spread the word about us to anyone heading to Reykjavík for the Northern Lights – your recommendation means the world to us!
Written 7 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

princessunicorn98
County Cork, Ireland45 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2024 • Couples
Good thing to do if your in reykjavik and have time but not a must. We spent about an hour here learning about the science behind the nothern lights. We also got to try virtual goggles. Free tea/coffee of your choice at the end. It gave us good tips for chasing the lights.
Written 5 March 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.
Thanks for checking us out! We're glad you found it a good way to spend some time. If you ever want more tips or have suggestions for making it a "must," feel free to share. Hope your future light chasing is a success!
Written 6 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Tas_wanderers
Hobart, Australia15 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Family
We went to the Aurora Reykjavik museum, which we found really interesting. It was a great activity on Christmas Day to do, when a lot of things were closed. We also booked an aurora hunting tour through Aurora Reykjavik. Whilst they don't run the tours themselves, they facilitate them and work with key partners. My husband went the first night and despite a great KPI that night the wind and weather was against them, so he was able to book again. In booking again we struggled to hear from the company that was due to take him aurora hunting again. Aurora Reykjavik were amazing, they contacted them on our behalf and kept us informed of what was going on. They were amazing! and my husband got to see an Aurora...so he was thrilled. I would not hesitate booking an aurora tour through this company as they were so great to deal with and really wanted to help us and make sure we got the best chance to see an aurora. A big thank you to Giorgia who was amazing in helping us.
Written 25 February 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.
We can't thank you enough for such a heartwarming review! 🌟 It's fantastic to hear that you found our museum interesting, especially on Christmas Day when options were limited. We're thrilled that we could play a part in making your holiday memorable. It means the world to us that you had a positive experience with our aurora hunting tour facilitation. Weather can be a tricky player in this game, but we're overjoyed we could assist in ensuring your husband got a second shot and, ultimately, witnessed the aurora. Thank you as well for mentioning Giorgia! This makes our day :)
Written 28 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

PaulandHolly
Andover, UK72 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We were very lucky to have seen the Lights the night before with Bus Travel. As part of their package we had free entry to this exhibition. We were greeted by a really helpful man who seemed to be everywhere when we had a question or wanted to buy something from the well-stocked shop. The virtual reality masks were a great finish and were non chargeable too!
Written 16 February 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 very much for your ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-star review, dear Holly. We're glad to hear you saw the Northern Lights!
Written 20 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

smiler590
South Shields, UK58 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Outside is an indication of what’s inside.
I didn’t get to see ‘the real thing’ on my visit so decided I’d go to this museum and enjoy thot.

Although it is informative, it’s all a bit dated. There was only one member of staff - who was helpful pleasant enough - but he had to run between the entrance and the cafe - and anywhere else he was needed.

All in all I was disappointed.
My advice - spend a bit more money and visit The Perlan Museum instead - give this one a miss.
Written 15 February 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.
Dear smiler590, Thank you for your recent visit to our museum and for sharing your feedback. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by the shortage of staff during your visit. Due to unexpected illness, we were short-staffed, resulting in one team member having to multitask between various areas. Excitingly, we will be moving to a new location in May, offering fresh exhibits and improved facilities. We hope you will consider visiting us again to explore our new space. Thank you for your valuable feedback, which helps us improve our services.
Written 20 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Katie M
12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Couples
The staff member was very friendly and helpful both at the start and the end of the tour. The audio guide really enhanced the experience, we learned a lot about the northern lights scientifically and their historic meanings. We also got some helpful tips for seeing them in real life. The VR experience at the end was fun and the complimentary drink was great on a cold day. I loved the gift shop and got some great recommendations from the staff member on that day.
Written 7 February 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 so much for your kind words! We're really happy to hear that you enjoyed your experience at Aurora Reykjavik. We love to read that we could provide friendly and helpful service, and it's wonderful to know that you felt well taken care of both at the start and the end of the tour and that you found our tips useful!
Written 12 February 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Doug W
Wembley, UK977 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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.

arun
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
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!!
Written 20 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 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 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Elisa W
Albany, NY31 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Solo
I think my expectations may have been too high! Don’t get me wrong though, it was definitely interesting, informative, and the virtual reality set (my first time using one) was super cool. And the cup of hot cider at the end was lovely. I’m just waiting waiting waiting to see the real thing with my own eyes. And I’ve only got one my night, tomorrow, remaining in Iceland.
Written 12 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 about your visit to Aurora Reykjavik. We appreciate your feedback and are delighted to hear that you found our exhibits interesting and informative. We're also thrilled that you enjoyed your first experience with virtual reality and the cup of hot cider at the end. We understand that the anticipation to witness the Northern Lights firsthand can be quite high, and we regret that you haven't had the chance to experience them during your visit. As the natural phenomenon is dependent on various factors such as weather conditions and solar activity, it can be challenging to guarantee sightings on specific nights. We hope that despite this, your overall experience with us was enjoyable, and we sincerely appreciate your understanding.
Written 14 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jamie I
Portsmouth, UK42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
We were recommended to do this by our hotel. The outside of the venue is not very impressive but the information and experience inside was really great! They provide all of the folk stories for the different countries.
There are amazing photos of the northern lights and information on how they are formed.
There is also a lovely cinema type room where you can enjoy lots of photos of the northern lights.
Would really recommend to visit.
Written 27 December 2023
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.
Thanks a bunch for checking us out on the hotel's recommendation! We're thrilled you enjoyed the inside scoop at Aurora Reykjavik. It's awesome to hear you found the info and experience great, and we completely agree with you: we love those folk stories!
Written 3 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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AURORA REYKJAVIK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about Aurora Reykjavik

Aurora Reykjavik admission prices can vary. Entrance tickets currently cost R 556,25, while a popular guided tour starts around R 1 189,22 per person.



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