Aurora Reykjavík, The Northern Lights Center Museum Visit

We thought this was very worthwhile experience as part of our Iceland trip. We had booked a Northern Lights tour, but were unable to see the lights when we went out that night. The Northern light Center was very educational on how the northern lights come to be, interactive experience with VR, and timelapse videos of northern lights throughout Iceland. What would highly recommend this when you are in Reykjavik.

We got free admission as we’d booked a Northern Lights tour that evening and this was part of the price. It’s about a 40 min walk from the city centre but we had a dry day so didn’t mind it. The museum isn’t big but we learned lots and there are some amazing pictures of the lights. The VR headsets are cool, but it only lasts 5 mins. The staff were very friendly and helpful. We were there about an hour. I’m not sure how much it cost but for a free add on it was great.

Nice little exhibit detailing the science behind the Northern Lights. The northern lights photo simulator is good for you to dial in your settings before seeing them out in the field. There's a continuous movie that shows the northern lights across locations in Iceland. I really liked the VR experience and being able to look around and see the northern lights in different locations as if you're actually there.

The experience was the perfect introduction to Iceland. The ability to slow down. Get in touch with nature. Stop the mental anxiety. Be calmed by the aurora. Be greeted sincerely by super friendly staff. They even offer sending yourself (or anyone) a post card! How cool is that? September early morning was excellent due to no crowd. Atmosphere was clean and presentable. There was no rush to hurry to the next thing. Able to linger in the science area explaining the aurora or sit even lay down in the area with big screen viewing. The section with virtual reality goggles provided 360 degree views of several island locations and amazing dancing lights. Admission fee was as expected. Purchasing the booklet provides not only all the science facts but gorgeous photos. They had to brave the bitter cold ao we could enjoy from the comfort of indoors. There is never a guarantee to see the lights with naked eyes. Often the camera captures what cannot be seen so finding that professionals have created a place to see the lights no matter when you come to Iceland is fabulous.

Basic museum about northern lights. It was okay but I didn’t learn anything different from my previous visit to Perlman museum which had several exhibits including one for northern lights.

What a great little find! Found via the hop on hop off bus tour. In the same area as 3 other stops so able to belt out a lot of sightseeing in a short period of time. The light show was so mesmerizing, plenty of comfortable seating and they even had floor pads/beds if you wanted to lay down to view. We did not as between the lights and music we would have fallen asleep, it was so peaceful. The egg pods/viewers were interesting and fun too. While leaving make sure you get a choc chip cookie! Those were amazing too!

You get a discount if you come from one of the other museums. Some interesting exhibits. We didn’t do the VR since we don’t like putting on those glasses. Some of the exhibits could use updating. For example one exhibit has a reference to what’s coming in 2019 and 2020. Also the book button on another exhibit brings up an error message.

We were very happy to see the Northern Lights since we were not going to come back in the winter. The VR show was absolutely spectacular. You felt like you were there. Wherever you looked. It was all around you. It was also something to see the difference between what your eyes see and what the camera catches. Although the long video of the Northern Lights was nice, it was a little disappointing.

Not worth to spend money & time. Poor theatre o good video quality. Don’t spend your money and time.

very different and unique. definitely a good place to visit if you are interested in the northern lights

We visited on a Saturday night and no one else was there, so we played the audio guide on our phones without using earbuds. The presentation has plenty of photos and videos, along with a scientific explanation for how the Lights occur and what happens when they do. There are also VR goggles for a 360 presentation of the Lights as seen in Iceland. We spent about an hour. The one employee was very helpful.

This was a terrifically informative and well-curated experience explaining why, how and when the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are formed and much more about their history, appearance, constitution and colouring. Our guide informed us very entertainingly and communicated with everyone in the group we joined once inside, tailoring his information to the backgrounds of the people he was talking to, and to the children present. Posters, videos and virtual reality headsets made the experience very realistic and the use of a Photo Booth to record our presence in front of an aurora image and the chance to pin our home location on a very-well-pinned world map were novel.

What a great experience. We came in July when the chances of actually experiencing Northern lights was very slim. This was a great alternative. Loved the 360 googles & the photo taken that you email to Yourself. 👏👏 Staff super friendly. Gift shop , restrooms available Provided free snack & coffee

Very informative about the cultural and scientific aspects of the auroras. Since our trip was in summer. It was the closest we would get this trip.

A great experience to learn mythology as well as science behind the auroras while also seeing some amazing interactive imaging

Lots of information on the phenomenon, science and myths Wonderful video of the aurora taken in various locations around Iceland Finally a short VR experience

So relaxing and not having to brave the cold weather

Loved this experience. Lots of great images, interactive displays and explanations of how and why the aurora appears. Particularly liked the longer aurora lights film and the separate VR headset experience. Really recommend this if you’re interested in learning more about the science, mythology and history of discovery around the aurora.

I had a truly lovely visit to the Northern Lights Center in Reykjavik. The atmosphere is warm and cosy, and the friendly chat with the receptionist made the experience feel even more personal. She was welcoming, knowledgeable, and added a nice human touch to the visit. The highlight for me was the 3D presentation of the Northern Lights. It shows the aurora as it appears in different parts of Iceland, with a beautiful variety of colours and shapes. It’s a great way to understand how unique and magical this phenomenon can be — even if you don’t get to see it outdoors. There is also a small gift shop with carefully selected items, perfect for picking up a meaningful souvenir. A wonderful stop in Reykjavik and a great way to experience the Northern Lights in a calm, informative, and inspiring setting. Highly recommended.

Really a bit of a tourist trap, especially considering the cost. The museum is small and while the exhibits are interesting, you don't learn much more than you would find on a good website. The movie was really nice as we got to see places we had been and aurora captured there but we had seen an IMAX presentation at a museum back home that was much more informative. Unless you have not seen the aurora in person, you can skip this attraction.

Amazing very helpful staff. And so much to learn about Northern Lights. Also nice collection of souvenirs & clothes.

This excursion was cancelled due to inclement weather so my review is based on having received timely updates and offer to reschedule. Unfortunately we were unable to reschedule due to time constraints on our trip so we requested a refund which was processed immediately.

Interesting enough but expensive for what it is. We only visited because the entry fee was included with a nightime aurora excursion. The museum is located on an industrial estate on the far side of the harbour which is quite a walk from the city centre and not that easy to find.

We visited the day after seeing the lights for real on a tour! The VR experience was excellent and not just for kids! Overall the information and experience provided by the centre is excellent, well worth a visit.

A must stop after seeing the northern Lights in person. We learned so much about the NL but visiting here first might have diminished our experiencing the NL in person.

So glad that we went to Aurora Reykjavik - The Northern Lights Center before going out in hope of seeing the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights Center is well worth the visit. A relatively small place, the exhibits are well done and visitors will learn the fundamentals of what causes this phenomenon and the shortcomings of the human eye that make photos better than what the eye captures. There is also information on how to get the best photographs and an opportunity to practice taking photos. Giorgia was on duty at the desk and was knowledgeable and very kind.

Wonderful experience right from the warm welcome and obligatory selfie opportunity, through to the awesome images. It was nice to explore the meanings of the aurora in different cultures, before the life’s work research into its creation (book of the story now purchased), the explainers on how to take good aurora photographs was really helpful prior to our Northern Lights trip a few days later (and meant we were prepared). Nice to be able to watch the films and the VR opportunity is really fun for young people especially. Would recommend. *Double check your directions as it has recently moved to a venue closer to some of the other museums on the harbour side, don’t rely on your SatNav it is on Fiskislóð 53 NOT Grandagarður 2 where our phone directions sent us

Great experience would thoroughly recommend it.

Good experience and lots of education on the Northern Lights. The staff was friendly and very helpful. The hot chocolate was delicious!

It was a surreal experience, really informative and surprising! I wholeheartedly recommend it :)

Was very interesting and the young lady working there was a great help making sure my iPhone was set to capture the lights which we were very lucky to see on our tour the next evening

We came across this center purely by chance — and how glad I am that we did! There was some fascinating information at the very beginning of the visit, in the first hall. Then we watched a film on a big screen, and the Northern Lights video could be viewed not only from armchairs but also from loungers on the floor — looking up from below, which made the experience feel much more immersive and real. But the most amazing part was in the third hall: we took part in a virtual reality show, and it was absolutely breathtaking — it’s truly hard to put into words. It became one of the highlights of our Iceland tour.

Thoroughly enjoyed the Centre. The information and images were well laid out. The scientific side was fascinating and easy to understand. Being able to practise taking photographs was especially helpful before going out on a aurora watch tour. The virtual headsets gave a fantastic view of aurora.

A great place where you can find solid scientific information, history, myths and legends. If nature has been unkind and you have not been lucky enough to experience this exceptional phenomenon, a spectacle on a cinematic screen offers the opportunity to see, for more than half an hour, the most spectacular Northern Lights recorded. At the same time, you are prepared to understand why the lens of the camera can capture the subtleties of light wavelengths that escape the naked eye.

We really enjoyed this. It was extremely educational and beautiful at the same time. The area was clean and modern and even had a nice gift shop at the end. Our favorite part was where you could lay down, listen to beautiful relaxing music, and watch a beautiful compilation of northern lights pictures. A Blu Ray dvd of this is also available for purchase.

My solo traveling experience at Reykjavik’s Northern Lights Museum was fantastic. Self tour guide was great. Very informative information provided about northern lights from its history to discovery and how they are formed etc. Virtual reality experience was okay could have been bigger in room space instead of sitting down better to stand up to look around a full 360 VR Experience. Make sure you pick up a copy and purchase your Blu-Ray souvenir disc of Nortthern Lights actually recorded in Iceland for a memorable keepsake! Worth checking out!

Closest thing to the real thing! I was supposed to go travel out for a couple hours to see the actual northern lights on site that very very late night but weather was not advisable so the tour got cancelled. So the next best thing was the Virtual Reality at the museum to see the northern lights! I am so glad I did it before I left Iceland to see what's it really like being there on site. The museum is full of informative information about everything northern lights from its history to how it is formed to where the best locations are to see it. Thanks Aurora Reykjavik team for this wonderful experience!

Thanks to the video describing how the Aurora forms, I finally understand! Well done. The explanation of how different cultures viewed the Aurora was also intriguing. Thanks for the display explaining how to set a camera or smart phone to photograph the Aurora. Don't miss the view through the virtual reality goggles. We appreciated unique items in the gift shop, and friendly and informative assistance from Anna and Laura. Definitely recommended.

Fantastic museum, easy to find & good value for money. Very informative with some excellent exhibits & beautiful images of the Northern Lights - the exhibits also included English-language audio which was very helpful. They also sell some beautiful photography artwork of Iceland and the Northern Lights, I found it difficult to choose just one print to buy as a souvenir!

The museum was informative and interesting. In addition to information about the northern lights there were photos and artifacts and an included audio tour. There was a 20 minute video of scenes of the lights in various locations around Iceland. And at the very end there was a 3D virtual tour also included. AND there is a Photo Booth that takes your photo in front of a scene of the northern lights then emails you your picture. This is way cool.

Very good exhibits on explaining and experiencing the northern lights. Recommend the cinema showing and the 3d experience. Nice coffee shop and souvenir shop.

Very cool! Worth repeat visits! The old location was great and the new one has all the expected stuff plus more: even better.

This attraction is an informative and interactive experience and we learnt so much about the Northern Lights. Allow about an hour for your visit. The virtual reality headsets at the end of the tour are a great way to view the aurora in comfort - perhaps not as good as seeing the real thing, but the best that can be done digitally with real footage. 100% recommended attraction - it was a highlight of our trip to Reykjavík.

It is easy to overlook this small centre among the midst of attractions on the outskirts of Reykjavik but IF you have any interest in the aurora borealis this is a worthwhile and definite stop to make. There is history, there is background, there is an interesting movie and best of all is the virtual reality viewing of various lights from across different parts of Iceland that you can look at with no time limit. Best of all the staff are courteous and informative - a good use of our time while we were in Iceland and an easy walk from downtown.

Very nice pictures and intresting Information. The 360° VR view was great. We head a good time - good alternative because we could not see the North Lights real when we stayed in Iceland.

It was an enjoyable and educational experience. One benefit I enjoyed was taking a free picture in front of an aurora and having it sent to my email. Considering I was there when the aurora was not visible, that was fun!

Enjoyed this quite a bit. I learned so much and liked watching the lights on the big screen. The virtual reality headset was really good.

Very good expedition see something we would not have seen normally. Northern lights were well explained and the VR was a beautiful way to experience the effects.

I visited the Aurora Center with a complimentary ticket and brought a friend along. Our guide, a lovely Spanish girl named Rose, was kind, welcoming, and really added to the experience. The show was fascinating — very informative and scientifically engaging, helping us understand the magic behind the northern lights. We went in winter, and I recommend dressing warmly — the space is quite cold and feels almost like you’re outside under the real auroras. Also, don’t miss the cozy café and souvenir shop — it has a charming vintage vibe and offers some really nice items. A memorable visit overall — thank you to the team, and especially to Rose!