Europe
Glass Igloo Lapland Guide: and the reality of seeing northern lights in a glass igloo
Mar
There are many glass igloo options in Lapland, and seeing northern lights in a glass igloo is probably on many people’s bucket list. You get to wait for the elusive northern lights while watching the stars through the glass roof, and let’s not forget the photo opportunities!
But with so many Lapland towns you can choose, including Rovaniemi, it can be overwhelming to pick the best glass igloo for your Lapland trip.
I did a lot of research before settling on the one we stayed at, so here is all the information:
Table of Contents
Choosing the right Lapland town
While it’s tempting to just stay in Rovaniemi, you should consider other Lapland town so you have a chance to get off the beaten path, and also increase your odds in seeing Northern Lights – because that’s exactly what I did.
Top Northern Locations (Best Statistical Odds)
Kilpisjärvi – Often cited as the best location in Finland for aurora viewing. Its high latitude (69°N) and clear mountain air provide the highest statistical probability of sightings, appearing on roughly 75% of clear nights.
Inari – Located on the shores of Lake Inari, this town offers vast, dark horizons. It is a center for Sámi culture and provides excellent viewing opportunities directly from frozen lake surfaces.
Ivalo – Situated just south of Inari, Ivalo is a primary travel hub with its own airport. It offers remote wilderness settings with minimal light pollution, making it a premier spot for aurora photography.
Utsjoki – The northernmost municipality in Finland, offering extreme isolation and almost zero light pollution.
Popular Resort Towns (Best Infrastructure)
If you prefer to be somewhere with a good chance of success but also be near amenities, you should consider resort towns, especially if you are a skier, too.
Levi – One of Finland’s most popular ski resorts. It is far enough north (170 km north of the Arctic Circle) to offer frequent sightings, and many hotels provide “Aurora Alarms” to wake guests when the lights appear.
Saariselkä – A small village surrounded by fells and the Urho Kekkonen National Park. It is home to many famous glass igloo resorts, designed specifically for viewing the lights from bed.
Ylläs – Notable for its commitment to aurora viewing, the town dims its streetlights during the aurora season to reduce light pollution.
Strategic Hubs
If you don’t have a lot of time in Lapland, there’s no shame in sticking to Rovaniemi where everything is.
Rovaniemi – The capital of Lapland and the most accessible entry point. While city light pollution can make viewing difficult from the center, it serves as the primary hub for Guided Aurora Tours that take visitors into the dark surrounding wilderness with some cabins within 30 minutes drive that would be a good pick.
We decided on Ivalo at the end, as it has a direct bus link from Rovaniemi, isn’t too far from the domestic airport, and had the best option given our late booking.
Frequently Asked Questions on Glass Igloo Lapland
How much does it cost to stay in a glass igloo in Lapland?
Glass Igoo prices vary depending on the season, and depend on the luxury level. Some are also bigger and can accommodate up to 4 guests.
Budget/Entry-Level (€250 – €400): Smaller, more basic “glass cabins” or igloos in more remote areas like Arctic Fox Igloos often start at the lower end of this range.
Mid-Range (€400 – €700): Standard glass igloos with private bathrooms and aurora alert systems.
Luxury (€800 – €1,200+): Premium suites with private saunas, outdoor jacuzzis, and expansive views.
Seasonal Price Differences
Seasonality is the primary driver of cost, influenced by the visibility of the Northern Lights and school holidays.
Peak Season Dec – Feb: €550 – €1,200+, Rates peak during Christmas and New Year, often doubling standard winter prices.
Shoulder Season Sept – Nov / Mar – Apr €300 – €600, Good aurora viewing opportunities with fewer crowds and more availability.
Low Season May – Aug €200 – €400, Cheapest rates; focus shifts to the Midnight Sun rather than Northern Lights.
Cost-Saving Tips for Glass Igloo Lapland
Book Midweek: Stays from Sunday to Thursday are often 20–30% cheaper than weekend bookings.
Advance Booking: Reserve 6–12 months in advance for the best rates, as early-bird discounts can save you 15–25%.
Are the glass igloos in Finland heated?
All of the glass igloos in Lapland that are in a resort should be heated, but there are ones that are solitary cabins being dragged out in the middle of the lake or wilderness, which won’t be as well-heated.
It’s best to check the amenities thoroughly on both the booking website, official website, and google reviews!
Or look at the list I’m recommending because I have already done my homework!
Do the glass igloos in Finland have bathrooms?
Yes, but the bathrooms tend to be on the smaller side depending on which category of glass igloo you have booked. It ranges from being a dry toilet to 5 star hotel standard, but if you book a regular glass igloo in a resort, expect it to be proper but still slightly cramped.
Is Lapland very expensive?
Yes, Lapland is quite expensive, which is why you should plan your stay properly in advance to maximise value for money.
Some easy ways to save money would be:
- Book accommodation with breakfast (and dinner for glass igloo), or all-inclusive stays if the package is good value
- Bring your own food, like cup noodle to eat for lunch or dinner
- Alternative option for glass igloo if you do drive, is to stay at remote cabins where there’s not much light pollution and wait for the Northern Lights.
Seeing Northern Lights in Glass Igloo
The ultimate goal for staying at a glass igloo is to see the Northern Lights in the comfort of the bed, and to get nice photos! Having done a Northern Lights tour in deep winter in Rovaniemi, I have to admit that being in a glass igloo is much better, and honestly both are at the mercy of nature in terms of Kp Index and cloud coverage – see my full northern lights guide for more scientific info.
The only real danger of waiting for the Northern Lights in a glass igloo is falling asleep, which actually happened to us! Because I forgot and put my phone on silent.
If you stay at one of the resorts that is part of the Northern Lights Alert app, they have a camera-based alert with on location camera that covers Utsjoki, Ivalo, Levi, Saariselkä, Kakslauttanen, Ylläs, Muonio, Pyhä, and Rovaniemi. We ended up staying at one of them in Ivalo.
It is probably better if you stay at one of the resorts where the camera is mounted, but if you are in the region, it’s also probably helpful!
How to be ready for the Northern Lights
For resorts with the Northern Lights Alert app
Make sure the app is also allowed to send notifications on ‘Do Not Disturb’ and or ‘Sleep’ mode by:
- Going to Settings -> Focus -> Do Not Disturb/Sleep
- Under notification click Apps
- Allow notification for Northern Lights Alerts (and any other relevant apps)
- Make sure your phone has sound on as otherwise it’ll still be silent notification
Photography tips
- Set an action camera on starlapse/timelapse mode just in case you missed it (which actually happened to me)
- Have your camera or phone already set up and mounted on a tripod for a quick shoot when it comes
You can see all the settings on my northern lights guide.
Aurora Village Oy (Ivalo)
This is the one that I ended up picking, since it is recently renovated, and includes breakfast and dinner in the accommodation price.
It is also in Ivalo, about 4 hours north of Rovaniemi, which means it’s deeper in the Arctic Circle. And the town boasts a 70% rate of seeing northern lights when the skies are clear.
Pros:
- Comparatively cheaper than Rovaniemi options, especially when it comes to their packages
- Accommodation price includes breakfast and dinner
- Have the option of glass igloo, glass igloo suite, and glass tower which is their own design
- Have ski suit, snow boots, and mittens rental free of charge at the expedition hut next to the reception
Cons:
- We booked a transfer, but was not picked up – and we were not able to get an answer as to why we were not picked up
- You have to take your own luggage via sled to your own room
- No orientation on check in, I had to take a photo of the map myself to navigate
- Their activties are on the pricier side – unless you do the package!
Aurora Igloo Suite
We had hoped to get the 3D2N package with the cheapest aurora igloo but it was sadly sold out on the 2 nights that we could be there. So we ended up staying at the same price but with no activities and in the suite.
The added bonus is that there is a table and seating area, and also an extra room that we didn’t need but could fit a family of 4 nicely.
Because there was no orientation, it took us a while to figure out, but we love that the lights are dimmable for both above the bed and in the living room. And they have a mini fridge, a great kettle that keeps the water hot, as well as tea and a coffee machine.
The one thing I’d say is that the bathroom shower stall doesn’t have a proper curtain or partition so water do get everywhere.
You also have snowshoes hanging on the side of your cabin, so you can use any time.
Food at Aurora Village Oy (Ivalo)
We have half board included, which means breakfast and dinner. Breakfast is a buffet selection which was very decent.
Dinner are set menu each day, and you can check the menu by the reception. You have to choose between 6:30 pm or 8 pm seating.
They serve a 3 course meal with bread, olive oil, and vinegar already on the table.
That might actually be our favourite part, but honestly the food was very good as well.
Sauna at Aurora Village Oy
We did end up trying their wooden sauna, which is available for private use and cheaper than the modern jacuzzi option. I love that you can take a dip into the icy river directly below, although the walk down was torture to our feet!
This came to 90 euros or so for the two of us, and we had it for 1.5 hours!
Verdict
Note: given my experience, I would not organise my transfer with them but call and arrange with a taxi company
Ivalo Glass Igloo
Kakslauttanen has an interesting dome-design that makes you feel like you are in an underground bunker looking up. It has a complete 360 degree views of the sky above versus just the regular half dome design.
Inari Glass Igloo
Lake Inari Mobile Cabin – for a truly unique and remote experience that won’t be as expensive, you can stay in a mobile cabin where they’ll drag you out into the middle of the frozen lake overnight to wait for the Northern Lights. During the day, you can relax in the main building with shared kitchen and living room.
Levi Glass Igloo
Levin Iglut Glass Igloos – is the most popular and luxurious choice in Levi. a boutique luxury resort located on the slopes of the Utsuvaara Fell (340 meters above sea level) in Finnish Lapland. It is widely considered one of the best locations for Northern Lights viewing because it sits high above the lights of the Levi center (10 km away), providing an unobstructed 360-degree view of the Arctic sky.
Northern Lights Village Levi – a solid choice in Levi with a choice of aurora cabin and cabin suite, they have a restaurant that serves up a buffet spread, too. They have a 6 euro shuttle to and from the city center twice a day, and it’s 30 minutes from the airport.
Levi Nordic Star Igloos – is a newer, family-owned hospitality property that offers a more spacious, “cabin-style” alternative to the classic circular glass igloos. But don’t worry, you’ll still get the glass view!
Saariselkä Glass Igloo
Star Arctic Saariselkä was another choice that was high on my list. It’s a premium 4-star resort perched on the summit of Kaunispää Fell, providing one of the highest vantage points in Saariselkä for Northern Lights viewing. Located approximately 270 km north of the Arctic Circle, it sits directly adjacent to Finland’s longest toboggan run and the Saariselkä Ski Centre.
Northern Lights Village Saariselkä – it’s located just 1 km from the Saariselkä ski resort, making it much more walkable to town than most. It is a larger resort with 80 Aurora Cabins with half-glass roofs.
Rovaniemi Glass Igloo
While we opt not to stay in glass igloos or resorts in Rovaniemi, I did good research and want to share them with you.
My main reason to not stay nearby is because of their distance from the city center, and the lack of public transport options.
The other reason I went up north was that it’s slightly cheaper and also further north in the Arctic Circle. Which meant there are higher chances of seeing northern lights. But having on the ground experience now, the most important factor is cloud coverage, so you should choose an option most suitable to your itinerary, and it is totally valid to stay in Rovaniemi.
Taxis are rather pricey in the area, but if you’re comfortable to drive by yourself, here are my top picks:
Note: a lot of resorts offer package tours, but it’s almost always cheaper to book tours separately.
Kotatieva
We really enjoyed our time at Kotatieva winter park – and they are a resort. There’s a small cluster of cozy wilderness cabins or apartments tucked into a snowy forest. Booking a stay often includes a “Day in Kotatieva” ticket, providing access to their famous forest ice-skating track, reindeer rides, and snowshoeing.
Rough Price: ~€400 to €700+ for the first night (includes activities); subsequent nights ~€100–€300.
Arctic Panorama Resort
This was another one of my top choices – a luxury 5-star hotel situated near Ounasvaara fells. They offer family rooms and upscale amenities like a hot tub and outdoor fireplace. The resort specializes in all-inclusive multi-day packages (e.g., 3-night “Arctic Romance”) that bundle accommodation with half-board dining and curated Arctic excursions.
Rough Price: ~€600 to €950+ per night.
Lapland Glow Chalets
A boutique property offering modern, soundproofed chalets that emphasize privacy and comfort. Each unit typically includes a private sauna and a hot tub, making it a “hidden gem” for couples seeking a quiet, high-quality getaway about 10–15 minutes from the city center. Did I mention it’s new?
Rough Price: ~€400 to €650+ per night.
Arctic Treehouse Hotel
This award-winning luxury hotel features “nest-like” suites perched on a hillside with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows designed for viewing the Northern Lights and forest. It blends modern Scandinavian design with Lappish traditions and includes the high-end Rakas Restaurant & Bar on-site.
It was one of my top choices, however, it is a bit away from the town and Santa Claus Village. If you don’t drive it is going to be a bit expensive to get in and out as they also don’t offer pick up or drop off.
Rough Price: ~€600 to €1,200+ per night.
Silver Birch Resort Lapland
This resort focuses on traditional Lappish hospitality with classic wooden cabins set amidst silver birch forests. It is generally more budget-friendly than the high-design glass hotels, providing a rustic and authentic wilderness atmosphere with easy access to cross-country skiing and aurora viewing spots
Rough Price: ~€250 to €450+ per night.
Apukka Resort
Located on an old tavern site between two lakes, Apukka is famous for its diverse “Aurora” accommodations, including glass-roofed cabins and unique ice beds. It serves as a full-service adventure hub, offering on-site husky safaris, snowmobile tours, and a variety of traditional Finnish sauna experiences.
They have a shuttle service that links it with Santa Claus Village and the Rovaniemi town center, making it one of the more attractive options for non-drivers aside from the Santa Claus Village cluster.
Rough Price: ~€450 to €850+ per night.
