Throughout my 9 years residing in Norway I’ve traveled throughout to seek out my favourite locations to see the northern lights. In fact having lived in Tromsø I typically suggest staying there as a base to your northern lights journey. However if you need one thing a bit extra adventurous and a very spectacular northern lights expertise, I completely suggest staying in a glass igloo!
The northern lights are unpredictable and so they can seem and disappear once more in a matter of minutes, or generally seconds. Which means that you all the time must have yours eyes on the sky for those who don’t need to miss them!
For those who’re taking a northern lights tour (which I completely suggest), then your information will watch the skies for you, whilst you wait by a campfire or in a heat tent or bus. However for those who’ll be looking ahead to the northern lights by yourself, put together to attend outdoors within the chilly – except you guide a glass igloo!
In a glass igloo, or clear dome, you possibly can watch the northern lights from the consolation of your personal mattress.
Whereas glass igloos are extremely fashionable in Finland, Arctic Domes are extra frequent in Norway. Arctic Domes are made by a Norwegian firm and so they’re kind of like canvas and plastic igloos, so that you get wonderful views outdoors whereas staying in a heat little bubble – good for experiencing Norway.
I’ve stayed at a few dozen glass igloos and Arctic Domes round Norway and I have to say, there’s nothing fairly like watching the northern lights out of your mattress. Simply be ready to not get a lot sleep if the northern lights are lively, as you received’t be capable of take your eyes off of them.
Listed here are my favourite glass igloos and Arctic Domes round Norway. I’ve stayed at most of those, whereas a number of are nonetheless on my bucket record – perhaps for this winter?!
Glass Igloos & Arctic Domes in Northern Norway
If you wish to see the northern lights, it’s best to head to Northern Norway, north of the Arctic Circle (round Bodø or north of Bodø). Whereas we do generally see the northern lights in Southern Norway, they aren’t as frequent, whereas within the north you’ll have wonderful possibilities of seeing the northern lights so long as the skies are clear.
That is why I all the time suggest additionally reserving a northern lights tour as effectively, as your information will drive you so far as Finland to seek out clear skies. I’ve shared my favourite northern lights excursions from Tromsø right here.
Glass Igloos in Tromsø
Tromsø is all the time the primary place I like to recommend to folks desirous to see the northern lights in Norway. It’s far sufficient north that there’s virtually all the time aurora exercise every evening, so all you want is obvious skies.
Tromsø can also be very effectively arrange for vacationers. There are many resorts right here and tons of various actions on provide together with northern lights chases, canine sledding, whale watching, reindeer sledding, and many others. I’ve shared a whole information to my favourite excursions in Tromsø right here.
There are only some glass igloos and Arctic Domes round Tromsø and so they guide up months prematurely, so that you do must be fast to guide them. Additionally, you will ideally need to lease a automotive to remain at them.
You may evaluate costs and guide your rental automotive in Tromsø right here, and I’ve written a information to driving in Norway right here, together with ideas for driving right here within the winter.
Aera Glass Cabins
The Aera Glass Cabins are a superb choice as a result of they’re a brief drive from Tromsø. You may spend a number of nights in Tromsø and join some northern lights excursions and different enjoyable winter actions, after which you possibly can escape right here for a very particular expertise.
Verify present charges and availability at Aera Glass Cabins right here.
Skulsfjorden Dome
Only a thirty minute drive from downtown Tromsø, the Skulsfjord Dome is on the island of Kvaløya, which is linked to Tromsø by bridge. That is the place many northern lights excursions take guests, because the skies are darker right here, away from the sunshine air pollution of town.
And Skulsfjorden occurs to be certainly one of my favourite locations on Kvaløya – it’s wonderful for northern lights viewing within the winter and I really like mountain climbing right here with my canine in the summertime.
Verify present charges and availability on the Skulsfjorden Dome right here.
Camp North Tour
Camp North Tour has a canvas dome with home windows within the ceiling so that you can watch the northern lights from. Camp North Tour is a forty five minute drive from Tromsø, additionally on the island of Kvaløya.
Verify present charges and availability at Camp North Tour right here.
Glass Igloos in Lyngen
The Lyngen Alps is my favourite mountain getaway from Tromsø. Lyngen is a few two hour drive from Tromsø and the drive itself is totally on a principal freeway so it’s fairly straightforward even within the winter when the circumstances are snowy and icy.
Once I lived in Tromsø I’d typically head to Lyngen for the weekend, particularly within the winter so I may benefit from the snowy panorama.
Aurora Fjord Cabins
The aurora fjord cabins are certainly one of my favourite locations to remain in all of Norway. Whereas not technically a glass igloo or dome, these cabins of ground to ceiling home windows going through north proper over the water, in order that they’re the right place to look at for the northern lights.
Verify present charges and availability at Aurora Fjord Cabins right here | Examine my keep on the mini Aurora Fjord Cabins right here
Lyngen North
Lyngen North is the primary glass igloo I stayed at in Norway, and I’ve now returned to remain there 3 times. Not solely are their glass igloos beautiful (with connected loos!), however the location of the igloos is so lovely.
Oh and so they even have an unimaginable restaurant on website, so you’ll actually have an opulent keep right here.
And for those who don’t need to drive right here they will organize transport to and from Tromsø for you.
Verify present charges and availability at Lyngen North right here.
North Expertise
The glass igloos at North Expertise Basecamp are slightly below a 90 minute drive outdoors of Tromsø, by Lyngenfjord, which I personally assume is likely one of the most lovely fjords in Norway.
The drive is very easy even within the winter because it’s on one of many principal highways within the space, so try to be completely effective renting a automotive and driving right here your self.
The glass igloos listed below are good for watching the northern lights from the heat of your mattress. Plus they’ve an outside jacuzzi and a lovely barrel sauna on the property as effectively.
Verify present charges and availability at North Expertise right here.
Glass Igloos in Alta
After Tromsø, Alta is my second prime advice for a northern lights journey to Norway. Alta is even farther north than Tromsø, and it’s a smaller metropolis that feels very Arctic. Whereas Tromsø is the most important metropolis in Northern Norway with essentially the most bars per capita in all of Norway, Alta has a powerful out of doors wilderness tradition.
As an alternative of going out in town, locals right here spend their free time snowmobiling throughout snowy fields, canine sledding, and ice fishing.
Glød Explorer
The Arctic Domes at Glød Explorer in Alta are literally the nicest Arctic Domes I’ve stayed at in Norway. Glød Explorer is a bit out of city, in a quiet wooded space, however they will organize transport for you, in addition to a bunch of excursions and actions. In reality for those who guide two nights or extra they’ll embody a free choose up in downtown Alta or on the airport.
They’ve a set of 5 domes, so this isn’t the identical distant wilderness expertise I’ve had different locations, but it surely’s way more accessible, and the dome itself provides the next stage of luxurious. It even has an connected rest room, and within the morning earlier than breakfast somebody introduced espresso to my door and supplied to gentle a hearth in my wooden burning oven.
There are additionally showers and a sauna in the primary constructing 30 meters from the domes.
Since staying right here I’ve been recommending the Glød domes in Alta to all my family and friends, as they are surely such a singular and cosy place to expertise the northern lights. In order for you northern lights lodging that’s straightforward to get to even and not using a automotive, with the potential for organized excursions and actions, then the domes at Glød Explorer are good.
Verify present charges and availability at Glød Explorer right here | Examine my expertise at Glød Explorer right here
Flatmoen Nature Lodge Alta
The glass suite at Flatmoen Nature Lodge is kind of half cabin, half glass igloo. The complete bed room is glass, with glass ceilings for northern lights viewings. And so they have an outside jacuzzi! Watching the northern lights kind a jacuzzi is certainly one of my all time favourite aurora experiences.
I additionally love that they’ve a kitchenette with a fridge and a stovetop, so you can also make your personal meals right here for those who like.
Verify present charges and availability at Flatmoen Nature Lodge right here
Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge Alta
If you wish to keep in an precise igloo product of snow and ice, you possibly can keep on the Sorrisniva Igloo Resort, which you’ll be able to guide right here.
And for those who don’t need to sleep on a mattress product of ice, in addition they provide rooms and fits with large glass home windows wrapping up across the ceiling at their Arctic Wilderness Lodge.
Verify present charges and availability at Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge right here
Igloo Inns in northern Finnmark
As you drive north of Alta into the far north of Norway the panorama turns into extra barren and you actually really feel like you might be on the prime of Europe.
I really like northern Finnmark and I’m nonetheless fairly tempted to maneuver there someday. In the summertime you’ll see reindeer wandering throughout, and naturally within the winter it’s a superb place to see the northern lights!
Wild Caribou Dome in Lakselv
Lakselv is a 2.5 hour drive from Alta, and so they even have their very own airport (although flights listed below are sometimes costlier than flights into Alta). Right here you possibly can keep on the Wild Caribou Arctic Dome, which is completely positioned for watching the northern lights!
Verify present charges and availability on the Wild Caribou Dome right here
Aurora Glamping in Kokelv
There’s one other lovely Arctic Dome in Kokelv, a few two hour drive from Alta.
I stayed right here within the autumn and even the daytime views from the dome had been spectacular. The dome is ready on the highest of a hill so you possibly can see the sky throughout the dome, good for looking ahead to the northern lights.
Verify present charges and availability at Aurora Glamping in Kokelv right here | Examine my keep in Kokelv right here
Glass Igloos in Senja
Senja is a big island about three hours south of Tromsø. You may lease a automotive in Tromsø and drive all the way down to Senja (the drive is alongside the freeway, so fairly straightforward within the winter as effectively). Or you possibly can fly into Bardufoss, which is about 45 minutes from Senja.
You’ll undoubtedly must lease a automotive when visiting Senja, plus you’ll need to discover the island! I’ve written a full information to Senja right here, in addition to visiting Senja in winter right here.
Aurora Observatory in Senja
The Aurora Borealis Observatory in Senja has one glass igloo on their property, so make sure you guide effectively prematurely! In any other case you possibly can keep in certainly one of their lovely rooms of their lodge.
Verify present charges and availability on the Aurora Observatory right here
Glass Igloos in Narvik
Narvik has Norway’s northernmost practice station, although apparently it isn’t linked to the Norwegian rail line however as a substitute to Sweden. From Narvik you possibly can take the practice to Abisko and Kiruna, that are the 2 greatest locations in Sweden to see the northern lights. And you’ll even take the practice all the best way to Stockholm!
I’ve written extra about visiting Abisko, Sweden right here. I’ve additionally shared my 1 – 2 week itinerary together with Narvik, Abisko, and Lofoten right here.
Arctic Dome in Narvik
The Arctic Dome in Narvik stands alone on the facet of the mountain above Narvik, so that you’ll have your northern lights views all to your self.
Verify present charges and availability right here | Examine my keep on the Arctic Dome right here
Glass Igloos in Lofoten
Lofoten is likely one of the most spectacular locations in Norway – and that’s saying quite a bit, contemplating how lovely this complete nation is. The views in Lofoten can’t be beat, and it’s a hiker’s mecca in the summertime. However I’ve additionally visited Lofoten many occasions within the winter, and it’s great to get to discover the islands with out all the large vacationer crowds of the summer season.
Lofoten lies above the Arctic Circle, in order that they do get lots of northern lights, nevertheless the climate right here is sort of unpredictable, so that you could be unfortunate with cloudy skies. Within the dozen or so occasions I’ve visited Lofoten I’ve solely seen the northern lights there twice.
However I nonetheless assume Lofoten generally is a great alternative for a northern lights journey as a result of even for those who don’t see the aurora you’ll have a beautiful time right here. It’s simply so lovely!
Arctic Dome Lofoten
There is just one Arctic Dome in Lofoten, so that you’ll must guide it shortly! This Arctic Dome is within the north of Lofoten, a 40-minute drive from Svolvær Airport. It’s tucked out of the best way from the primary vacationer path, whiles nonetheless close to some fashionable hikes and unimaginable views.
It’s additionally shut the the Vesterålen Islands, north of Lofoten.
Verify present charges and availability on the Lofoten Arctic Dome right here.
Glass Igloos in Helgeland
Helgeland is my favourite area in Norway! Helgeland prolong south of Bodø to the southern level of Northern Norway. As a result of most of Helgeland lies proper under the Arctic Circle, it’s not the greatest place to see the northern lights, but it surely’s nonetheless in Northern Norway, so that you’ll have significantly better probabilities right here than in locations in Southern Norway like Trondheim or Bergen.
Once I lived in Mosjøen in Helgeland I noticed the northern lights a number of occasions a month, however nowhere close to as typically as I noticed them after I lived farther north in Tromsø.
Helgeland is beautiful, and because it’s not as well-known amongst vacationers as Lofoten it’s a lot quieter – and the locals listed below are so pleasant! The Arctic Domes listed below are additionally the most cost effective you’ll discover in Norway. Sometimes it’s a summer season vacation spot, however again after I lived in Helgeland I beloved the winters there as effectively.
I’ve written a full information to Helgeland right here.
Yttervik Tenting in Mo i Rana
Mo i Rana is correct under the Arctic Circle, so whilst you received’t have the perfect possibilities of seeing the northern lights right here, your probabilities will nonetheless be fairly good! I used to go to Mo i Rana quite a bit after I lived in Mosjøen as a result of that they had the closest H&M and my favourite second hand retailer in all of Norway (Askeladden).
Yttervik Tenting close to Mo i Rana has a spectacular igloo good for watching the northern lights.
Verify present charges and availability at Yttervik Tenting right here.
Alstahaug Arctic Dome
I consider the Arctic Dome in Alstahaug is the most cost effective Arctic Dome or glass igloo you’ll discover in Norway. It’s on the island of Austbø, a brief ferry from Sandnessjøen.
Verify present charges and availability at Alstahaug Arctic Dome right here.
Seløy Globe
The Seløy Globe can also be on somewhat island with views out over the ocean – additionally good for recognizing the northern lights within the winter. This could even be a beautiful place to remain in the summertime!
Verify present charges and availability on the Seløy Globe right here.
Glass Igloos in Southern Norway
Whereas the northern lights sometimes solely seem a number of occasions of yr in Southern Norway, it’s nonetheless enjoyable to remain in a glass igloo or dome even with out the northern lights!
The Eye Igloo close to Trondheim
The Eye Igloo has turn out to be a favourite escape for locals in Trondheim. The Eye isa 1.5 hour drive from Trondheim and would make a enjoyable nature escape for those who’re planning a weekend within the metropolis. I’ve shared my Trondheim information right here.
Verify present charges and availability at The Eye right here.
Trollheimen Treetop Cabin & Dome close to Trondheim
Additionally a 1.5 hour drive from Trondheim, the Trollheimen Treetop Cabin is beautiful and it has a transparent dome on prime with a mattress so that you get to remain in a treehouse AND dome! This is likely one of the coolest locations to remain in Norway, and the Trollheimen mountain space is beautiful.
Verify present charges and availability at Trollheimen Treetop Cabin & Dome right here.
The Mirror On Grautaneset close to Kristiansund
The mirror on Grautaneset, close to Kristiansund, isn’t exaclty a glass igloo. As an alternative it’s a mirrored cabin with views out three partitions. It additionally has a scorching tub and appears like essentially the most particular place to remain for those who’re ever close to Kristiansund.
Kristiansund additionally occurs to be close to Norway’s most well-known highway: Atlantic Ocean Highway.
Verify present charges and availability right here
Aurskog Dome close to Oslo
The Aurskog Dome is a transparent dome a 45-minute drive from Oslo. The proprietor additionally has a farm close by the place you possibly can meet his alpacas!
Verify present charges and availability right here
Åsbygda Igloo close to Oslo
Åsbygda is one other igloo close to Oslo, about an hour’s drive from Oslo, with views of the Vikerfjell, Norefjell and Gaustatoppen mountains.
