9 Best Northern Lights Hotels in Norway to Chase the Aurora
Seeing the Northern lights is a true bucket list must, and the part of Norway north of the Arctic Circle is one of the best places in the world to tick it off your list!
You can just as easily see the Northern Lights elsewhere in Northern Europe, like Swedish hotels or Finland glass igloos or Iceland Northern lights hotels.
However, I personally think Norway is underrated here! It has some amazing Northern lights hotels that specifically bring in design elements that enhance the experience of viewing the aurora.
I’ve picked out the best hotels in Northern Norway where you can see the Northern lights dancing overhead — no Northern lights tours required (although they are quite fun!)
For the purpose of this post, I’ve focused on unique hotels offering something special to the Northern lights experience, whether that’s staying in an ice hotel, a glass igloo, or having access to incredible winter activities.
Unfortunately, some former igloo hotels like Tromsø Ice Domes are no longer functioning as proper ice hotels, but Norway still has two strong contenders in Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel and Snowhotel Kirkenes.
Anyway, let’s get into it: here are my top picks for the best Norway Northern lights hotels!
My Top 3 Norway Northern Lights Hotels
This post goes into detail about all the great places to stay, but it’s quite exhaustive, with 13 possible options… which may cause decision fatigue for some.
If you’re in a hurry, not to worry — I’ve narrowed it down to my top 3 and shared why I think each one has a unique edge that makes it an epic choice.
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aurora Borealis Observatory
✔️ Glass igloos available (check their “one bedroom bungalows”)
✔️ Gorgeous hot tubs to watch the aurora from!
✔️ Fine dining New Nordic restaurant
#2 PICK
Trasti & Trine
✔️ Unique “Radderud” two-story aurora cabins with lots of glass walls
✔️ 60-strong husky farm on-site for dog-sledding & cuddles!
#3 PICK
The Best Northern Lights Hotels in Norway
Best Glass Igloos: Aurora Borealis Observatory
Located on Senja Island about 10 minutes from Finnsnes (so away from the light pollution of Senja’s largest town) the Aurora Borealis Observatory is a fantastic place to stay to see the Northern Lights in Norway.
This is one of the few hotels where you can stay in a proper glass igloo style accommodation (the likes of which you’ve probably seen in those viral photos of those famous igloo hotels in Finland!).
From your glass igloo, you can enjoy nearly 360-degree views of the sky, all from the comfort of your own bed at this beautiful Northern lights resort.
There are also other more traditional styles of suites, but everything comes with huge windows so you can appreciate the beautiful aurora right from your own hotel!
There are ski rentals available so you can enjoy the natural winter beauty of Senja Island by day, while waiting for the aurora to make its appearance at night… which you can enjoy from a Jacuzzi or from the wide-windowed privacy of your own aurora suite.
Daily breakfast is provided and there is also a restaurant on-site providing fine dining options, including a beautifully-executed tasting menu that celebrates Northern Norwegian cuisine.
Tip: If you want to book the glass igloo, it’s listed as the “one bedroom bungalow” on the website!
Check prices and availability at Aurora Borealis Observatory here!
Unique “Pyramid” Cabins: Trasti & Trine Boutique Hotel – Book Here
Close to the conveniences of Alta just over five miles from the city and near to the Alta River, Trasti & Trine is the perfect Northern lights hotel in Norway: convenient, but far enough away from the city lights so you can see the beautiful aurora borealis!
I visited Trasti & Trine on my trip to Alta and I absolutely loved it, especially their restaurant, where my friend and I splurged on a fine dining meal there, partly to take the sting out of the fact that the pyramid Arctic cabins were not available during our trip.
Trasti & Trine has a variety of room types, from double rooms in a typical hotel to self-contained cottages. But the real draw is their iconic pyramid-shaped Arctic cabins in a completely unique geometric design, way different than the igloos you’re used to seeing online!
Their one-of-a-kind “Radderud” cabins are like little Arctic tiny houses, built over two stories, with lots of angled glass panes, so you get a great panoramic view no matter where you are in the cabin!
Note: These are listed as the one and two-bedroom cottages on Booking — take a look at the photos to ensure you’re booking the right room type!
Besides having a prime aurora watching location, you can also go snowshoeing, hiking, or cross-country skiing on trails that leave right from the hotel!
But best of all? Trasti & Trine is located just a short walk from their in-house dog kennel that houses 60 beautiful Alaskan huskies who are excited to welcome visitors — when they’re not busy dog sledding, that is!
Best Luxury Hotel: Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge
Located with a pristine view of the Gammelbollo River, Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge is a stunning Norway Northern Lights hotel option in Alta. This is probably the best luxury hotel option of all the Northern lights accommodations suggested here.
Sorrisniva is quite simply an incredible hotel, and it even has its own on-site ice hotel. (Which we’ll talk about in the next section, as it’s listed and should be treated separately)
While yes, there is an ice hotel, the con is that you have no windows. But if you stay in the Wilderness Lodge, you won’t freeze; you’ll have a warm rooms with gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows so you can see if aurora conditions are trending positively from your bed, and possibly even see the aurora if you’re extremely lucky.
These rooms also have a patio area where you can sit outside and see the aurora privately from your own terrace if you don’t mind the brisk night air!
They also have huskies who live there who are available for dog-sledding, and they offer really extended excursions — like a 30 kilometer full-day husky sledding trip. They also offer all sorts of other on-site experiences, from snowshoeing to snowmobiling to going fishing for king crabs to reindeer sledding with Sami reindeer herders and more!
Check prices and availability at Sorrisniva Arctic Lodge here!
Best Igloo Hotel: Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Sorrisniva’s exclusive Igloo Hotel is one of the most incredible Northern lights hotels in Norway for a unique experience… if you don’t mind the cold. However, do note that the ice hotel rooms won’t have a good view of the aurora, since they are totally surrounded by ice with no windows.
So if you are looking for aurora spotting from your room, you will want to book one of the standard ‘warm rooms’ in the Wilderness Lodge above.
Alternately, you can also stay one night in the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel for the experience (which let’s be honest, the novelty probably wears off after one night) and then switch to a warm room in the neighboring lodge with panoramic windows for the rest of your stay.
Heated Arctic Glamping Tents: GLØD Aurora Canvas Dome
Arctic glamping, anyone? Don’t worry… there’s heat! One of the more unique ways to stay in a Northern lights hotel in Norway is to stay in a tented dome with GLØD Aurora Canvas Dome!
You get to stay in a tent with see-through paneling so you can watch the aurora dance overhead on nights with a clear sky — all while you still feel very at one with nature.
Don’t worry about feeling cold — the canvas dome comes with a log-fueled fireplace and electric blankets are also available so you’re sure to feel extra cozy. Also, there is a sauna available for guest use!
Note that the bathroom is located outside the canvas dome in an outhouse right nearby the tents… but that just means that if you have to get up to use the bathroom, the aurora might surprise you.
Best Glass-Walled Cabins: Flatmoen Natur Lodge
One of the best Northern lights hotels in Alta is the Flatmoen Natur Lodge! The accommodation style is a bit unique here in that each suite is a standalone wooden cabin with large floor-to-ceiling windows on 3 sides of the cabin, giving you nearly 360-degree views to enjoy aurora watching!
The design is very typically Scandinavian and comfortable (the Norwegian word for that would be koselig!) Each unit comes with its own private hot tub, so you can watch the aurora dance overhead from the privacy of your own little fenced-in private terrace.
There is also an en-suite bathroom, unlike some of the other options on this list which require you leaving the accommodation to use an outhouse, so it’s great if that’s a concern for you!
There are only two of these glass cabins, so be sure to book in advance if this is the right Northern lights hotel for your trip.
Best Rorbuer-Style Traditional Fishing Huts: Hattvika Lodge
The charming Hattvika Lodge located in Ballstad in the Lofoten Islands is a great choice for a Norway Northern lights hotel.
In general, the Lofoten Islands are more of a summer destination, when the midnight sun allows for hours of Arctic water sports like sea kayaking and even surfing! As a result, it’s a little harder to find a Northern lights hotel in the Lofoten Islands, but Hattvika Lodge is one of those hotels that works really well for aurora spotting as well as summer activities.
The Lodge features “Rorbuer”, which are traditional Norwegian fishing huts that have been modernized beautifully.
Each little hut has been updated with modern Nordic design, evoking a beautiful modern mountain lodge vibe on the inside, despite being located in a small fishing village!
The rooms feature have large windows and comfortable amenities like saunas and hot tubs great for enjoying the winter nights!
Tip: The Deluxe Studio and the Deluxe Two-Bedroom have the best windows for aurora spotting and amazing views day or night!
Best Waterfront Cabins: Lofoten Basecamp
Located in Leknes in the Lofoten Islands, Lofoten Basecamp is simply beautiful. Its cabins perched over the water are pretty much the closest thing Norway has to overwater bungalows — just Arctic-style, so you’ll hardly want to jump in!
Each little unit has its own terrace that offers a stunning overlook of the sea view — and the Northern lights at night, if you’re lucky and the weather (and solar storms) are cooperating!
Each unit also has a kitchen with dishwasher, oven, and fridge, so it’s perfect if you are self-catering to save some money (or cater to a dietary requirement) while you are traveling Norway.
Enjoy the stunning sea and mountain views from your private terrace, where you can enjoy the Northern lights at night.
Northernmost Snow Hotel: Snowhotel Kirkenes
While it’s really remote and will require a flight with several stops, one of the best options is Snowhotel Kirkenes, about 6 miles from the city of Kirkenes, close to the Norwegian-Russian border.
This snow hotel is simply spectacular to behold, made entirely of blocks of ice and snow. The property also has a sauna, restaurant, and free WiFi on-site.
Inside the handful of snow suites, your room will feature ice sculptures, and have thermal bedspreads and sleeping bags available so that you can stay warm despite the air temperature being below 0 Celsius.
Not feeling up to staying in a snow hotel? There are also wooden cottages, inspired by traditional Sami architecture, with large windows perfect for viewing the Northern lights!
You can also enjoy all sorts of traditional Northern Nordic winter activities here, such as dog sledding, husky rides, snowmobile safaris, and more.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016, visiting 75+ countries in total. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. As a former educator, she merges her writing and educational experience to encourage ethical, sustainable travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and TBEX. Her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. When she’s not on the road, she lives in Bangkok, Thailand.
