Northern lights
Aurora hotels and glass igloos: watch the northern lights from bed
Glass cabins facing the sky, an ice hotel by the river and glass igloos in the Finnish wilderness. These are the aurora hotels we recommend in Northern Norway and the Nordics, where you can see the northern lights without stepping out into the cold.
You lie under the duvet, warm and safe, as the sky above you begins to move. First a faint green veil, then waves of light dancing across the glass roof. Watching the northern lights from bed is a dream for many, and in Northern Norway and the rest of the Nordics there are hotels built for exactly that.
These are the aurora hotels we recommend, from glass cabins outside Tromsø to an ice hotel in Alta and glass igloos in Finland.
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Aurora hotels in Norway
AERA Aurora Glass Cabins: glass cabins near Tromsø
Modern glass cabins outside Tromsø, with huge glass walls facing the sky and the mountains. One of the most spectacular places in Norway to watch the aurora from bed.
Book your stay: See rooms at AERA Aurora Glass Cabins
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: an ice hotel in Alta
A hotel built of ice and snow by the Alta river, rebuilt every winter. Combine a night in the ice with aurora hunting in Finnmark.
Book your stay: See rooms at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Malangen Resort: fjords and dark skies
A resort by Malangen south of Tromsø, with a restaurant, bar and dark nights far from city lights.
Book your stay: See rooms at Malangen Resort
XLyngen: seaside stays below the Lyngen Alps
Seaside accommodation beneath the Lyngen Alps, one of the best areas for the aurora around Tromsø.
Book your stay: See rooms at XLyngen
Yggdrasil Farmhotel: a farm hotel with a spa
A peaceful farm hotel outside Tromsø, with a spa and the sky right above the farmyard.
Book your stay: See rooms at Yggdrasil Farmhotel
A glass cabin near Tromsø.
Glass igloos and aurora stays in Sweden and Finland
To extend your aurora trip, some of the world’s best-known aurora hotels are a short journey from Northern Norway.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort: the famous glass igloos
Glass igloos in the Finnish wilderness of Lapland, with the sky right above your bed.
Book your stay: See rooms at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
Abisko Turiststation: aurora in the Swedish mountains
A classic mountain station in Abisko National Park, known for clear skies and good aurora conditions.
Book your stay: See rooms at Abisko Turiststation
How to choose an aurora hotel
A dark location: The further from city lights, the better you see the aurora.
A view to the north: Cabins and rooms with an open view of the northern sky give you the best chance.
Several nights: The aurora does not appear every night. Book at least two or three.
Aurora alerts: Some hotels offer night-time aurora alerts so you do not miss it.
Book early: The most popular glass cabins fill fast in season.
Combine the aurora with winter experiences
An aurora hotel stay gets even better with daytime adventures. Many places offer or help you book dog sledding, reindeer safaris, snowshoeing and snowmobile trips. The short winter days often bring a beautiful blue light, and in the evening you can sit by the fire and wait for the sky to light up.
What to pack
Warm layers: Wool next to the skin, a warm mid-layer and a wind- and waterproof outer layer.
Good winter boots: Cold feet ruin an aurora hunt faster than anything.
Hat, mittens and a scarf: You lose a lot of heat from your head and hands.
Camera and tripod: And spare batteries, as the cold drains them quickly.
When is the season?
The aurora season in Northern Norway and Lapland runs from around September to late March or April. Midwinter gives the longest darkness, while autumn and late winter often bring milder weather. Read more in our guide to the northern lights in Norway and how to read the northern lights forecast.
Frequently asked questions about aurora hotels
Where can you see the northern lights from bed in Norway?
AERA Aurora Glass Cabins outside Tromsø has glass cabins with huge glass walls facing the sky.
Are there glass igloos in Norway?
There are several glass cabins and aurora cabins in Northern Norway, and the best-known glass igloos are in Finnish Lapland, including at Kakslauttanen.
What is an ice hotel?
An ice hotel is built of ice and snow and rebuilt every winter. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta is one of the best known in Norway.
How many nights should you stay?
Book two or three nights, so you have more chances if one night is cloudy.