0 min
Eldhraun lava field
The 1783 Laki lava, now wrapped in soft green moss, starts at your cabin door.
bistro 1783
Ten places worth the drive, all within 200 km of your cabin door. Times are from Magma on a dry day — check umferdin.is before you set off.
All bookable tours →On the doorstep under 20 min
Within an hour 50–60 min
50 min · E
Skaftafell & Svartifoss
Glacier walks on Falljökull and the easy trail to the basalt-column waterfall.
1 h · W
Reynisfjara & Dyrhólaey
Black sand, basalt columns and the sea arch. Never turn your back on the waves.
Half-day trips 1–2 h
1 h · W
Katla ice cave
Year-round super-jeep tours from Vík into the ice under Mýrdalsjökull.
1 h 15 · W · summer
Þakgil
A hidden green canyon behind Vík with quiet marked hikes. June to September.
1 h 30 · E
Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach
Icebergs drifting to the sea. Boat tours on the lagoon, blue ice caves in winter.
Into the highlands 4x4 or tour · July–September
2 h · F206
Lakagígar
The 25 km row of craters behind Bistro 1783's name. River crossings, big sky.
1 h 30 · F208
Eldgjá & Landmannalaugar
Earth's longest volcanic canyon, then rhyolite mountains and a hot river to soak in.
After dark September–April
From Magma
Northern lights chase
Guided aurora hunts when the forecast is good. Or simply step outside your cabin.
Tours are booked through Magma's travel desk at the same price as booking direct. Reception is happy to help you choose.
Some landscape photos via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY / CC BY-SA (incl. Giles Laurent, Bernd Thaller).
CHASING NORTHERN LIGHTS
WHEN TO COME
The aurora season runs from early September to mid-April, when the nights are dark enough. Activity often peaks around the equinoxes in late September and March.
READING THE FORECAST
Clear skies matter more than a high number. At our latitude a Kp of 2 to 3 is often enough to see an arc on a clear night. Check the Icelandic Met Office cloud-cover map for clear patches nearby.
WHERE TO LOOK
Start from your own patio, then walk down to the lake shore and face north over the water. There is almost no light pollution here, so switch off torches and give your eyes 15 minutes to adjust.
BEST HOURS
Usually between 22:00 and 02:00, but displays can start soon after dark. Step outside every half hour, or ask reception to call your room when the sky lights up.
TAKING PHOTOS
Use your phone’s night mode resting on something steady, or a tripod with a wide lens, ISO 1600 to 3200 and 5 to 15 second exposures. The turf roofs and the lake make a perfect foreground.
DRESS FOR IT
Even a mild night feels cold when you stand still. Bring a warm layer, hat and gloves, and a hot drink from Bistro 1783 before you head out.
