You’re lying warm under the duvet with nothing but glass above your head and the entire Arctic sky beyond it. When the northern lights flare up, you watch them from bed. A glass igloo in Lapland is the most romantic way to experience the region, and the Finnish north is its birthplace: the world’s first glass igloos were built near Saariselkä back in the 1990s.
In this guide you’ll find the 8 best glass igloos and aurora cabins in Finnish Lapland, from the legendary Kakslauttanen to the more affordable resorts near Rovaniemi. For each one I explain who it suits, what sets it apart and how much it costs, plus a clear comparison table and practical advice on when to book and what to watch out for.
One honest heads-up right at the start: even a glass roof won’t guarantee you the northern lights. I explain how to boost your odds in the article northern lights in Lapland. Think of an igloo as a dream come true and a luxury experience that is worth it even without the aurora.
A summary for those who don’t have time to read the whole article
- Best chances of the aurora: igloos in the far north, i.e. Saariselkä and Ivalo (Kakslauttanen, Northern Lights Village, Aurora Village).
- Best value for money: Aurora Village Ivalo and the aurora cabins at Apukka Resort near Rovaniemi.
- Prices: from ~€270 per night for an aurora cabin off-peak up to €800–1,000+ in the iconic resorts around Christmas.
- Booking: the most sought-after igloos are sold out even half a year ahead. The season runs roughly from late August to April.
- 1–2 nights are enough in an igloo as the highlight of your trip; the rest of your stay works out cheaper in a regular hotel or cabin.
How a glass igloo works and what to expect
A glass igloo is essentially a room with a heated glass dome or roof above the bed. The heated glass doesn’t fog up and snow slides right off it, so the view of the sky stays clear even in freezing temperatures. Inside you get normal hotel comfort: heating, a private bathroom (in most of them), and sometimes a sauna or kitchenette. Newer “aurora cabins” combine a log cabin with a glazed section of roof; they tend to be roomier and cheaper than the all-glass domes.
The season runs roughly from late August to April, exactly through the northern lights season. Many resorts offer an aurora alarm that wakes you when the sky lights up, even if you happen to be asleep. And because this is the most common question: yes, it’s warm inside the igloo, you can sleep in just a T-shirt while it’s −25 °C outside. ☺️
How much a glass igloo costs and when to book
Be ready for the fact that this is the most expensive accommodation in Lapland. Aurora cabins start at around €270 per night off-peak, standard all-glass igloos run between €400 and €600, and the iconic resorts will ask €800 to €1,000+ per night around Christmas. It’s cheapest from September to November and again in January, and priciest from mid-December to New Year.
💡 Tip: one or two nights in an igloo as the highlight of the trip is plenty, and you can sleep far cheaper in a regular hotel for the rest of your stay. And book really early, the most popular dates disappear even half a year ahead. The statistically best months for the aurora (September, March) are also summed up by the official Visit Finland.
Comparison: the 8 best glass igloos in Lapland
Here’s a quick overview of all eight igloos and aurora resorts. You can jump straight to booking from each cell, and you’ll find the details for each one further down the article.
| Igloo / resort | Location | What makes it stand out | From (per night) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort | Saariselkä | the legend and inventor of the igloo | ~€420 |
| Northern Lights Village Saariselkä | Saariselkä | aurora cabins + activities | ~€270 |
| Aurora Village Ivalo | Ivalo | value for money | ~€300 |
| Star Arctic Hotel | Saariselkä | views from Kaunispää hill | ~€250 |
| Levin Iglut | Levi | panorama with no light pollution | ~€500 |
| Northern Lights Village Levi | Levi | igloos + skiing | ~€300 |
| Apukka Resort | Rovaniemi | closest to the airport, activities | ~€300 |
| Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos | Sinettä near Rovaniemi | glass igloos + ice hotel | ~€310 |
Saariselkä and Ivalo: Finland’s darkest skies
The far north around Saariselkä and Ivalo has the statistically best conditions for the northern lights in all of Finland: minimal light pollution and the aurora visible on more than two hundred nights a year. If you’re going primarily for the aurora, head here.
1. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort: the legend that started it all
Kakslauttanen built the world’s first glass igloos and it’s still the most famous name in the field: hundreds of domes among snow-covered pines, kelo-glass log cabins (a wooden cabin plus a glazed section) and its own husky and reindeer programmes. It’s a bucket-list experience with all the trimmings.
But I’ll be honest: prices have shot up steeply in recent years (small igloos from ~€420, over €800 in peak season) and newer reviews tend to be mixed, with the fame taking a toll on the personal touch. It’s still an icon, just no longer the obvious first choice. Details on the resort’s website.
2. Northern Lights Village Saariselkä: heated glass above the bed
Northern Lights Village bets on aurora cabins: cosy log cabins where half the roof above the bed is heated glass. They’re roomier and more affordable than the all-glass domes (from ~€270) and the resort has excellent reviews plus its own programme from husky rides to aurora hunts on snowmobiles.
It’s a kilometre from the centre of Saariselkä, so you have restaurants and ski slopes within reach. For a first night under a glass roof this is my favourite for the balance of price, comfort and aurora chances.
3. Aurora Village Ivalo: the best value for money
A short drive from Ivalo airport, the northernmost pick of the lot, stands Aurora Village. The cabins with a glazed roof come out the friendliest on price for what you get (often including dinner), reviews praise the food and staff, and skies this dark up north work wonders.
If you want to maximise your aurora chances and don’t need a famous name, this is a safe bet.
4. Star Arctic Hotel: views from the top of the hill
Star Arctic Hotel sits on top of Kaunispää hill above Saariselkä and its glazed rooms and suites look out over the landscape from up high, with location scores close to a perfect ten. It’s not a classic dome among the trees but a hotel with panoramic glass, which those who want both comfort and a view will appreciate.
Prices are among the more reasonable (from ~€250 off-peak) and thanks to the hilltop location you’ll see the aurora even when it hangs low over the horizon.
Levi: glass igloos + skiing
Levi is Finland’s biggest ski resort, so here you can combine a day on the slopes with a night under the northern lights. Kittilä airport is close by.
5. Levin Iglut – Golden Crown: a panorama on the fell slope
Levin Iglut lies on a fell slope above Levi, far from the resort’s lights, and ranks among the best-rated igloos anywhere: luxury domes with a kitchenette, adjustable beds and views over the valley. A premium choice (from ~€500, considerably more in peak season) for couples who want the very best.
6. Northern Lights Village Levi: aurora cabins by the slopes
The sister resort of the Saariselkä original brings the same aurora cabin concept to Levi: heated glass above the bed, its own activities and more reasonable prices (from ~€300). An ideal combo for families where some want to ski and others want to hunt the aurora.
Around Rovaniemi: the igloos closest to Santa
Around Rovaniemi there’s more light pollution and the chance of the aurora is a touch lower than in the north, but you have the airport, Santa Claus Village and the town all within reach. For shorter stays it’s the most practical choice.
7. Apukka Resort: aurora cabins a short hop from the airport
Apukka Resort sits by a frozen lake just a few minutes from Rovaniemi airport and offers both aurora cabins and all-glass igloos (from ~€300), plus its own huskies, reindeer, snowmobiles and sauna rituals. The resort is popular with couples and families alike, and thanks to its lakeside location it has surprisingly dark skies for how close it is to town.
8. Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos: glass + ice in one
Arctic SnowHotel in Sinettä (35 minutes from Rovaniemi) is the only spot on the list where you can combine a glass igloo with a visit to a hotel carved from snow: an ice bar, an ice restaurant, a snow sauna and an outdoor hot tub under the stars. Igloos from ~€310, and if you dare, add a night on an ice bed. Details on the hotel’s website.
Practical tips to finish
A few things worth knowing when you book an igloo, so nothing catches you off guard.
- Track the aurora with a forecast, not just the glass: download an aurora app and follow the Finnish Meteorological Institute’s forecast. Ask about the aurora alarm too.
- A full moon and an igloo aren’t enemies, a strong aurora outshines even the moon, but a weaker one gets washed out. The dark weeks around the new moon are better.
- Domes rarely have blackout blinds, so in September and April expect lighter nights and bring an eye mask.
- Combine: 1–2 nights in an igloo + the rest in a hotel or cabin works out far better than the whole stay under glass. You’ll find tips for regular hotels in the guide what to see in Rovaniemi.
- Sort activities through the resort: most igloo resorts have their own huskies, reindeer and aurora hunts, saving you on transfers. You’ll find an overview of activity prices in the Lapland guide.
Where to go next: more articles
If you’re putting together your dream Lapland trip, these articles will come in handy:
- Northern lights in Lapland: when, where and how to see them
- Lapland: 20 tips on what to see and do
- When to go to Lapland: weather month by month
Frequently asked questions about glass igloos
How much does a night in a glass igloo in Lapland cost?
Aurora cabins start around €270 per night off-peak, typical full-glass igloos cost €400 to €600, and iconic resorts like Kakslauttanen or Levin Iglut can charge €800 to €1,000+ per night around Christmas. The cheapest rates are in September to November and in January.
Will I see the Northern Lights from a glass igloo?
Only if the sky is clear and the aurora is actually active—the glass itself doesn’t guarantee anything. You’ll increase your chances by choosing an igloo far in the north (Saariselkä, Ivalo), staying multiple nights, and checking the forecast. Many resorts offer an aurora alarm that will wake you during the night.
Isn’t it cold in a glass igloo?
No. Igloos are fully heated rooms with heated glass that won’t fog up and sheds snow. Inside you have standard hotel comfort including a bathroom, while outside it can easily be −25 °C.
Which glass igloo is the best?
It depends on your priorities: the most famous is Kakslauttanen (but the most expensive and with rising prices), the best value for money are Northern Lights Village Saariselkä and Aurora Village Ivalo, luxurious panorama at Levin Iglut near Levi, and the most practical location is Apukka Resort near Rovaniemi.
When should I book a glass igloo?
As early as possible. The most sought-after dates (Christmas, February, and March) are often sold out half a year in advance. Igloo season runs roughly from late August to April, covering the entire Northern Lights season.
Is one night in a glass igloo enough?
For the experience yes, for the aurora it’s better to have more attempts. A proven strategy is 1 to 2 nights in an igloo as the highlight of your trip and the rest of your stay in a regular (cheaper) hotel. If you’re primarily going for the aurora, spend at least 3 nights in the north—not necessarily all under glass.
Which is better: a glass igloo or an aurora cabin?
A full-glass dome is more iconic and you have a view all around, an aurora cabin (a cabin with heated glass above the bed) is more spacious, more private, and cheaper. For families and longer stays I recommend a cabin, for one exceptional night a dome.
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