Best Glass Igloos in Finland: The Complete Guide to Sleeping Under the Northern Lights

Few travel experiences are as iconic as falling asleep watching the northern lights dance across the sky through a glass ceiling. Finland pioneered this concept, and Finnish Lapland remains the best place in the world to do it.

But the glass igloo market has exploded. There are now dozens of options across Lapland, ranging from basic heated domes to luxury glass-walled suites. Prices vary wildly, availability books out months in advance, and not all of them are worth the money.

This guide covers the best glass igloo accommodations in Finland — where they are, what they cost, what the experience is actually like, and how to book.

How Glass Igloos Work

Before diving into specific properties, it helps to understand the basics:

• Heated glass prevents frost from forming on the ceiling panels, keeping your view clear even at -30°C
• Most are small — a double bed, a small bathroom, and not much else. You're paying for the ceiling, not the square footage
• Aurora alerts are offered by most properties — a wake-up call or app notification when the northern lights appear
• Season runs from late August to early April, with peak northern lights season from September to March
• Prices range from €250 to €700+ per night. Peak season (December–February) commands the highest rates
• Book early — the best properties sell out 6–12 months in advance for peak dates

1. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort — The Original

Location: Near Saariselkä, about 250 km north of Rovaniemi

The story: Kakslauttanen invented the glass igloo concept in the 1990s and remains the most famous name in the business. It's the one you've seen in every Instagram travel account.

What they offer:

• Glass Igloos — the classic. Compact (about 30 sqm), each with a glass ceiling, double bed, and small toilet. No shower in the basic igloos — you use shared facilities.
• Kelo-Glass Igloos — the upgrade. A proper log cabin with a private sauna, fireplace, and a glass-ceilinged bedroom extension. This is the version worth booking if budget allows.
• Glass Igloos for families — larger units sleeping 4.

Honest take: The original glass igloos are showing their age — they're small, basic, and the shared bathrooms are a drawback. The Kelo-Glass Igloos are significantly better. The resort itself is well-run with an excellent restaurant and a wide range of Arctic activities. The location near Saariselkä offers good dark skies and aurora probability.

Book: 8–12 months in advance for December–February dates. Their booking system opens annually — set a reminder.

2. Arctic TreeHouse Hotel — The Design Statement

Location: Near Rovaniemi, 5 minutes from Santa Claus Village

The story: Opened in 2016, Arctic TreeHouse took the glass igloo concept and gave it a Scandinavian design upgrade. These are elevated suites with floor-to-ceiling windows facing north, set among the forest canopy.

What they offer:

• ArcticScene Suites — glass wall facing the northern sky from an elevated platform among the trees. Beautifully designed with wood interiors, en-suite bathroom, underfloor heating.
• ArcticScene Premium — larger versions with sauna
• Glass Houses — standalone glass-walled houses sleeping up to 4

Honest take: The most aesthetically beautiful glass accommodation in Finland. The design is genuinely stunning — warm wood, clean lines, perfect integration with the forest. The north-facing glass wall gives a panoramic sky view rather than a ceiling bubble. The location near Rovaniemi means easy access to the airport and town, but also slightly more light pollution than more remote options. Aurora probability is good but not the highest in Lapland.

Best for: Design-conscious travellers, couples, families visiting Santa Claus Village.

3. Levin Iglut — The Golden Crown

Location: Levi fell, near Levi

The story: Perched on top of Levi fell at 340 metres elevation, these panoramic igloos offer some of the widest sky views of any glass accommodation in Lapland. The altitude puts you above the tree line with an unobstructed 360° horizon.

What they offer:

• Golden Crown Igloos — premium glass igloos with a nearly fully glass ceiling and large windows. Each has a bedroom, living area, private sauna, kitchenette, and full bathroom.
• Northern Lights Igloos — simpler glass-ceilinged rooms, more compact but still comfortable

Honest take: The location is the real star. Being on top of the fell gives you the widest unobstructed sky view of any glass igloo property. If the aurora appears, you'll see it regardless of which direction it comes from. The Golden Crown igloos are spacious and well-equipped — having a private sauna and kitchenette is a significant upgrade from the basic Kakslauttanen igloos. Levi itself is a ski resort with good restaurants and facilities.

Best for: Aurora hunters who want maximum sky coverage. Skiers combining a glass igloo night with a Levi ski trip.

4. Arctic Snow Hotel & Glass Igloos — Rovaniemi Alternative

Location: Lehtojärvi, about 30 km from Rovaniemi

The story: A smaller, more intimate property that combines glass igloos with a snow hotel (rooms carved from snow and ice). The forest setting offers genuine wilderness atmosphere and dark skies.

What they offer:

• Glass Igloos — heated glass-ceilinged rooms with en-suite facilities, each accommodating 2
• Snow Hotel rooms — sleeping in ice rooms at -5°C on reindeer hides and warm sleeping bags (an experience in itself)
• Combined packages — one night glass, one night snow

Honest take: Better value than Kakslauttanen or Arctic TreeHouse, with a more intimate atmosphere (fewer total rooms). The 30 km distance from Rovaniemi means darker skies than in-town options. The snow hotel is a genuinely fun side experience. Less polished than the premium options but authentic and well-priced.

Best for: Budget-conscious travellers who still want the glass igloo experience. Those wanting the snow hotel combo.

5. Star Arctic Hotel — Remote and Stunning

Location: Near Inari and Saariselkä

The story: A newer property with architecturally distinctive star-shaped glass cabins. Located in a remote area with excellent dark-sky conditions.

What they offer:

• Star View Suites — uniquely shaped cabins with angled glass walls and ceiling, private bathroom, heating
• Activities — snowmobile tours, ice fishing, northern lights tours with local Sámi guides

Honest take: The star-shaped design is more than a gimmick — the angled walls give a wider field of view than traditional dome shapes. The remote location near Inari means some of the darkest skies and highest aurora probabilities in Finland. Less infrastructure and dining options than the bigger resorts, but that's part of the appeal.

6. Nova Skyland — Inari's Northern Outpost

Location: Near Inari

The story: Modern aurora cabins with large glass walls facing north, situated in one of the best aurora-viewing locations in all of Finland.

What they offer:

• Aurora Cabins — glass-fronted cabins with panoramic windows, en-suite facilities, and electric aurora alerts
• Wilderness setting with minimal light pollution

Honest take: Inari is statistically one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights — further north and away from any significant light pollution. Nova Skyland capitalises on this with smart cabin placement. Less well-known than Kakslauttanen, which means easier booking and fewer crowds.

7. Arctic Fox Igloos — Ranua

Location: Ranua, about 80 km south of Rovaniemi

The story: A smaller, family-friendly option near the Ranua Wildlife Park (home to polar bears, the only ones in Finland).

What they offer:

• Glass Igloos — compact but comfortable heated glass rooms
• Combination with Ranua Wildlife Park — excellent for families

Honest take: The most budget-friendly glass igloo option with the added bonus of the wildlife park nearby. Less remote than northern options, which means aurora viewing isn't quite as reliable, but still firmly within the auroral zone.

Best for: Families with children combining glass igloos with wildlife.

Tips for Booking Glass Igloos

When to Book

6–12 months in advance for December, January, and February dates. March is slightly easier to book and offers longer days for daytime activities plus still-good aurora chances.

How Long to Stay

One night in a glass igloo is sufficient for the experience — you'll likely want to combine it with 2–3 nights in regular accommodation at the same or nearby destination. A common pattern: 3 nights in a hotel in Levi or Rovaniemi with activities, plus 1–2 nights in a glass igloo.

Maximising Aurora Chances

Not every glass igloo night delivers an aurora. To maximise odds:

• Choose northern locations (Inari, Saariselkä) over southern ones (Rovaniemi, Ranua)
• Book during new moon for the darkest skies
• Stay multiple nights if possible
• Use aurora alert services and check the space weather forecast

What If There's No Aurora?

Even without the northern lights, sleeping under a glass ceiling in the Arctic is magical. You'll see stars like nowhere else, and the silence of the Lapland wilderness is an experience in itself. During full moon, the moonlit snow landscape through the glass is hauntingly beautiful.

Beyond Glass Igloos: Other Unique Arctic Stays

If glass igloos are fully booked, consider:

• ICEHOTEL in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden — sleep in a hotel carved from ice and snow
• SnowCastle Kemi in Kemi — the world's largest snow fort with accommodation
• Treehotel near Luleå, Sweden — architecturally stunning treehouses including the mirrored Mirrorcube
• Bubble tents at various Lapland properties — inflatable transparent domes, cheaper than glass igloos

Getting to Finnish Lapland

Most glass igloo properties are accessible via:

• Fly to Rovaniemi (RVN) — direct flights from Helsinki (1.5 hours), seasonal direct flights from London, Frankfurt, Paris
• Fly to Ivalo (IVL) — closest airport to Saariselkä, Inari, and the northern properties
• Fly to Kittilä (KTT) — closest to Levi
• Train from Helsinki — the overnight Santa Claus Express to Rovaniemi is a classic way to arrive

Finnish Lapland delivers one of the most unique accommodation experiences on Earth. Whether you choose the famous Kakslauttanen, the design-forward Arctic TreeHouse, or a quieter option near Inari, a night in a glass igloo under the Arctic sky is unforgettable.

Plan your Finnish Lapland trip with our destination guides: Rovaniemi, Inari, Levi, and Saariselkä.