The Most Magical Glass Igloos in Norway For Your Stay
There are many ways to see the Northern lights in Norway: going on a husky sledding tour under the aurora, snowmobiling through the wilderness, sailing through a fjord, or the classic standby, going on a Northern lights chase in search of the perfect place to spot the Northern lights.
But perhaps the best and most interesting way to see the Northern lights in Norway is by staying in one of the country’s glass igloo hotels, where you can watch the dancing aurora borealis from the comfort of your bed.
Glass igloos were first popularized in Finnish Lapland, with hotels like Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Apukka Resort, and more offering boutique accommodations with a glass roof so you can (theoretically) watch the lights while laying in bed — though the reality of the Northern lights is a little more complex than that.
Over time, glass igloos in Norway are starting to become more popular, even though Finland has certainly had a head start.
This post will go over all the best places in Norway to stay in a glass igloo hotel, far from the light pollution of the cities. I’ve tried to pick places that are conveniently located.
My Top 3 Picks for Glass Igloos in Norway
#1 TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Lyngen North
✔️ 180-degree and 360-degree glass igloos
✔️ Aurora alerts so you never miss the lights!
✔️ Private outdoor hot tub (extra charge)
#2 PICK
Aurora Borealis Observatory
✔️ Located in Senja north of the Arctic Circle
✔️ Traditional glass igloo style
#3 PICK
GLØD Aurora Canvas Dome
✔️ Rural location outside Alta, the city of Northern lights
✔️ Tons of activities on-site and nearby
What’s It Like to Stay in a Glass Igloo in Norway?
It really depends on which accommodation you pick! In general, the glass igloo scene in Norwegian Lapland is not as advanced as what you’ll find in Finnish Lapland.
Whereas most of the glass igloos in Finland have permanent structures, several glass igloos in Norway are more akin to geodesic dome-style glamping tents, with plexiglass panels from which you can watch the aurora.
While you can definitely still see the lights there, they are not quite as luxurious as Finland’s igloos, which tend to have more amenities like en-suite bathrooms with hot water showers, small kitchenettes so you can do some light cooking, etc.
There is a wide range in terms of what to expect when staying in a glass igloo style hotel in Norway so keep your mind open and be sure to read the specifications of each hotel carefully so that you aren’t disappointed.
One other expectation to manage is what the Northern lights will look like from your glass igloo. While in theory, you’ll be able to detect the aurora from out the window, that’s only if the aurora is quite strong and you know what to look for. You can see it through glass, but it will be brighter and easier to see if you go outside.
The sky also won’t be neon-colored unless you are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime geomagnetic storm. The more likely scenario is pale bands of green and possibly some slightly-visible reds or purple bursts.
Depending on where you stay, many of these glass igloos in Norway are very remote. For some, it may be best to rent a car, as long as you feel comfortable driving in winter climates. When booking cars in Europe, I always use Discover Cars — they search through 500+ tour agencies, including local rental companies that other search engines miss, to find you the best price on your car rental!
Compare prices and find the best deal on car rental in Norway here!
The Best Norway Glass Igloo Hotels
Aurora Borealis Observatory (Senja, Norway)
Located on Senja Island but away from the light pollution of the nearby town of Finnsnes, Aurora Borealis Observatory is a great place to see the Northern lights from a proper glass igloo in Norway!
From your small-but-cozy glass igloo, you can enjoy nearly 360-degree views of the starry sky — with any luck, you’ll be graced with an appearance of the aurora waving overhead in the Northern sky.
Note that these aurora domes are pretty minimalistic and don’t have indoor plumbing. There are no shower facilities inside these glass igloos; however, there is a chemical toilet which you can use so you don’t have to go outside in the middle of the night (as someone well acquainted with the Arctic cold, trust me, this can’t be overstated as a benefit!)
There are also other more traditional styles of suites if you don’t want to stay in a glass igloo and you prefer a little more comfort. Every room — including the traditional suites — comes with huge windows so you can see if the aurora is happening!
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.
Check rates and availability at Aurora Borealis Observatory here!
Where to Find it & How to Get There
To get here, the fastest way is to fly to Bardufoss Airport and then take a shuttle transfer to Finnsnes (about 1.5 hours). The hotel can arrange pickup from there. The shuttle services are timed with the flights so you don’t have to stress missing the transfer — it will wait for you!
You can also fly into Tromso and then take an express boat transfer to Finnsnes, which takes about 1.5 hours. The seas can be a little rough during the winter, but it can also be really scenic.
Lyngen North (Lyngen Alps, Norway)
One of the best igloo hotels in Norway is at Lyngen North! These luxury glass igloos offer stunning views of the Lyngen Alps and the fjord — meaning that even if the lights don’t come out to dance, you’ll still have a mesmerizing view.
While a ‘glass igloo’ may sound cold, thermal glass igloos have all the cozy amenities you need to stay warm and have a comfortable stay, like 3-layer insulated glass, heated floors, heat pumps to maintain a steady and warm indoor temperature, and your own ensuite bathroom with a shower (with hot water, of course!).
It’s like staying in any other hotel room, except for the views are like no other! They also have their own aurora alarm system, so you won’t miss the lights.
They offer 180-degre-view igloos, which sleep two and have a small seating area. These igloos have a double bed facing out towards floor-to-ceiling glass walls with a perfect view of the landscape. A portion of the ceiling is glass as well.
There are also 360-degree igloos, which also sleep two with a queen-sized bed. Instead of having floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire roof — all 360 degrees of it — is made of glass for the perfect panoramic view!
The 180-degree igloos offer a better landscape view, whereas the 360-degree igloos offer a more full view aurora while you lay on your cozy bed.
There is a restaurant in a separate building on-site so you don’t need to leave your winter wonderland oasis — dinner is just a short walk away. You can also book time in the private outdoor hot tub for an extra charge.
The glass igloo resort is open all year, so you can enjoy the midnight sun if you visit in June, or you can start to hope for glimpses of the Northern lights as early as late August.
How to Get There
This hotel is conveniently located in the Lyngen Alps, on an island between Tromsø and Skjervøy. If you haven’t heard of Skjervøy, it’s where you’ll find the best whale watching in Norway!
Typically, people will stay and explore Tromsø for a few days, enjoying some cool winter activities before driving or catching the bus to Lyngen North. During the winter months (December through March), you can take the Arctic Route bus which brings you directly to the hotel. It leaves Tromsø city center daily at 9 AM and arrives at 12:30 PM.
You can also fly into the nearest airport, Sørkjosen Airport, and receive a free airport pickup.
Aera Glass Cabins (Tromsø, Norway)
One of the more unique places to stay near Tromsø, Aera Glass Cabins are located just 25 kilometers from the city but feel like a world away due to the epic scenery.
With a seafront location with mountains behind you, you have a glorious canvas for the Northern lights to make an appearance!
There are both aurora glass cabins with a kitchenette and dining area (my preference — they look a lot cooler!) as well as aurora “igloos” (which are really canvas tents with glass panels in front and in the ceiling as well).
There’s also a lovely sauna on-site and dinner can be delivered to your door if you want to watch the lights with a homey meal like reindeer stew!
How to Get There
This is one of the most easily accessible glass igloo options in Northern Norway. You can just take a taxi from Tromsø or rent a car for your trip. There’s also a bus option but it’s not as frequent. Note that you’re about a 45 minute drive from the city center of Tromsø because even though it’s only 25 kilometers it’s along a pretty rugged coastal road.
GLØD Aurora Canvas Dome (Alta, Norway)
For a beautiful arctic dome glamping experience, check out GLØD Aurora Canvas Dome in the beautiful Finnmark city of Alta (one of my favorite places to visit in Norway in winter!).
The aurora dome is sort of like a glass igloo meets a canvas glamping tent — you’ll find canvas panels interspersed with see-through panels which combine to make large windows, which offer you views of the snowy forest by day and the starry sky by night.
While it doesn’t look like your traditional glass igloo, you can theoretically still have the chance to watch the Northern lights from bed.
The aurora domes are quite spacious, with seating areas, a large bed, and a wood-fired stove to keep you nice and toasty-warm during your stay. Note that there are no en-suite bathroom facilities so you will have to used a shared bathroom.
There is a sauna provided for guest use, and it’s the perfect way to warm up in between time spent watching for the aurora.
How to Get There
The nearest airport is Alta Airport, just about 5 miles away — so it’s an easy taxi ride or transfer.
If you start in Tromsø and are relying on public transit, you can take the Arctic Route bus up to Alta and then take a taxi to GLØD’s facilities.
Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge and Igloo Hotel (Alta, Norway)
Sorrisniva does not have traditional glass igloos but they do offer aurora cabins with large floor-to-ceiling windows perfect for observing the view! These rooms have large windows that face the landscape and offer aurora views, but they don’t have the traditional aurora dome style of accommodation here.
Still, the views that they do offer through their large windows offers an excellent chance to see the aurora from your bed, like you would in a traditional glass igloo. However, what they do have is an on-site igloo hotel, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel, which is absolutely spectacular.
This is a complete ice hotel with all the things you’d expect: an ice bar, an ice restaurant, and even ice rooms you can spend the night in! They have to rebuild it each year, so it’s only open from December 11 to April 7 for the 2024-2025 winter season, and it’ll be fully disassembled by late April.
Check rates and availability at Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel here!
How to Get There
The closest airport to Sorrisniva Wilderness Lodge is the Alta Airport, one of the major airports in the Northern Norway region. There are several flights between Tromsø and Alta every day, usually for reasonable prices.
It’s just a short drive (about 20 minutes) from the Alta Airport. Several flights a day serve Alta so it’s not too hard to get here. There is also the Arctic Route bus which you can take from Tromsø!
Snowhotel Kirkenes (Kirkenes, Norway)
Located near the Russian border, Snowhotel Kirkenes is the most remote Arctic snow hotel in the world! Kirkenes one of the northernmost places in Norway at 69° N, plus it is located inland away from the coastal cloud cover… both of which make it a rather ideal place for seeing the Northern lights during aurora season.
While Snowhotel Kirkenes is mostly a traditional ice igloo hotel (complete with ice rooms you can stay in!) it also has glass igloos cabins like you might find in other destinations.
However, for some reason, they don’t call these accommodations ‘glass igloos’ but rather ‘gamme Northern lights cabins’.
What is a ‘gamme’? It’s a traditional wooden hut used by hunters and fishermen up in the Sápmi region. However, these huts have been given a modern, tourist-approved upgrade, with large glass-plated arched windows that offer panoramic views of the Northern lights.
You can watch the lights either from your living room seating, your bed, or even your en-suite bathroom! Note that each night at the Snowhotel includes both breakfast and a 3-course dinner at their delicious on-site restaurant Låven.
Check current rates and availability at Snowhotel Kirkenes here!
How to Get There
Kirkenes is one of the furthest points north in Norway, but luckily it has its own airport. It’s only a 15-minute drive from Kirkenes Airport to Snowhotel Kirkenes, so you can easily arrange a transfer from the hotel or hire a taxi at the airport.
You can also take the Hurtigruten all the way here but it may be an expensive option.
Trones Eye (Trøndelag, Norway)
One option for a ‘glass igloo’ style experience in Central Norway is Trones Eye, which offers clear bubble dome where you can glamp in the forest! Because this is glamping style accommodations, don’t expect the amenities like en-suite bathrooms that you might find in more luxurious glass igloos.
This ‘glass igloo’ option is actually probably better in summer and in shoulder-season months like September because it can get quite cold, even with the heat on. That said, you’ll be in the middle of the beautiful nature of Trøndelag, which is located in central Norway.
How to Get There
As mentioned above, Trones Eye is located in the central Norwegian region of Trøndelag. This area is not north of the Arctic Circle; therefore, aurora activity is less likely, but still possible on very strong solar event days!
The best way to get to Trones Eye is to fly into Trondheim and drive about 1.5 hours – we recommend renting a car for this.
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.
