Hotel Rangá is a great choice if seeing the aurora is high on your list. It’s set far from city lights in South Iceland, and they even offer aurora wake-up calls, so you don’t have to stay half-awake all night checking the sky.

One of the coolest parts of staying here is the on-site observatory, if skies are clear during your stay, a local astronomer comes by to guide guests through the night sky and help you spot planets, stars, and (hopefully) the northern lights. It makes the experience feel special!

There is a restaurant on site, but it’s very expensive, so if you’re trying to keep costs down, we’d recommend picking up food from a nearby market and saving the restaurant for a splurge night or skipping it altogether. Overall, Hotel Rangá is best booked for the experience, quiet surroundings, dark skies, and a real chance at seeing the aurora without leaving your hotel. You are also able to book tours through the hotel. We'd recommend booking this well in advance so it does not get booked out!