When planning your aurora-chasing trip to Norway, choosing the right place to stay is essential. Here, we share the most popular northern lights hotels Norway has to offer, with tips on choosing suitable accommodation for your adventure.
Norway is one of the top destinations in the world for viewing the northern lights, so naturally, countless hotels are exclusively dedicated to the viewing experience. To make sure that you have a truly amazing experience, it is important to select the best accommodation for your particular needs and adventure.
In this article, we share a list of the most popular northern lights hotels Norway has to offer, with tips for aurora-hunters on what to look for when choosing a great place to stay.
How to Choose a Northern Lights Hotel Norway
Important Factors to Consider When Browsing Northern Lights Hotels Norway
When choosing to visit Norway to view the aurora borealis, there are many factors to take into consideration in selecting the perfect hotel and time of year to visit the country.
Timing
Timing is everything, and when it comes to viewing the northern lights in Norway, it is always best to visit the country towards the end of September until the early parts of April. Keep in mind that some accommodations are only open during the peak of the winter months, due to their annual ice reconstruction. Always keep in mind the timing of your vacation, as this will help you to determine the best places to stay.
For more tips on choosing the right timing, check out our article on the best time to see Northern Lights in Norway.
Aurora Visibility
Visibility is paramount to ensuring that you are awarded with the most awe-inspiring experiences imaginable. Not all hotels are situated in the perfect location, which is why you need to look for destinations that are situated in regions of the country that offer minimal light pollution, and fairly clear skies. Do not choose a hotel that is located in an urban center or one that offers an obstructed northern and western view.
For more tips on choosing a location, check out our article on the best places to see Northern Lights in Norway.
Access to Tours
It’s also crucial to select a destination that caters to Northern Lights hunters like yourself. The best destinations will offer a wide selection of tours to help you get out and into the Norwegian countryside. These locally operated tours can enhance your chances of viewing the elusive lights as they dance through the nice skies.
Amenities and Comfort
Of course, since you are visiting Norway during the winter months, making sure that your accommodations also provide a wide array of amenities and comfort is important. You want something that will offer you a cozy retreat and the facilities that you need to experience the natural phenomenon and enjoy your time in the great outdoors. A really useful feature for aurora hunters is an aurora borealis alarm or wake-up service in your room. This alarm sounds when the lights are active in the skies overhead, which will often be very late at night, meaning you can go to sleep instead of staying up all night anxiously looking out for them yourself.
Your Guide to Northern Lights Hotels Norway
Although there are countless hotels in Norway to view the northern lights, not all of them are created equal. When choosing to stay at the top Northern Lights hotels in Norway, always remember to plan your travels far enough in advance so you can book a room.
Northern Lights Hotels NORWAY FINNMARK
The Kirkenes Snowhotel
Official Website: https://www.snowhotelkirkenes.com/
You will find the Snowhotel in the northernmost part of Norway, in Kirkenes. Every year the hotel is re-created from scratch, entirely out of ice. As a result, no two visits to the hotel will ever be the same, as ice artisans and sculptors from all over the country help out in the annual reconstruction.
Location: Kirkenes, Finnmark
Starting Price: $300 USD per night
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Official Website: https://www.sorrisniva.no/hotels/igloo-hotel
For a more unique destination, look no further than the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel which is located in Alta. This popular hotel features rooms that are created entirely out of ice, and provide you with amazing views of the northern lights. Just imagine yourself warm under the blankets, as the northern lights light up the sky outside of the igloo. The dancing lights reflect through the crystalline structure, making the space glow. Nothing beats staying in an igloo hotel while searching for the elusive lights.
Location: Alta, Finnmark
Starting Price: $350 USD per night
The Aurora Safari Camp
Official Website: https://www.aurorasafaris.com/aurora-safari-camp/
Immerse yourself in the northern lights experience, when you choose to stay at the Aurora Safari Camp. This popular destination is located in Pasvik, and offers visitors luxuriously designed tents that provide you with panoramic views of the Norwegian countryside. During the daytime you can head out into the surrounding area, on a guided tour, or make your way through the snowscapes wearing a pair of snowshoes. While you are visiting the safari camp, why not immerse yourself in the local Sami culture, and maybe even experience some reindeer’s close-up and personal.
Location: Pasvik, Finnmark
Starting Price: $380 USD per night
Northern Lights Hotels NORWAY TROMS & SENJA
The Scandic Ishavshotel
Official Website: https://www.scandichotels.com/hotels/norway/tromso/scandic-ishavshotel
You’ll find that the city of Tromso provides you with many amazing northern light experiences just outside the city limits. Although the city is an active bustling metropolis, you will find that it has very little light pollution even in the city center. One of the most popular destinations in Tromso is the Scandic Ishavshotel, which provides guests with the perfect face camp for those looking to visit the city during the day and hunt for the auroras at night. You will simply fall in love with the rooftop terrace and the panoramic views of the Arctic skyscape.
Location: Tromsø, Troms
Starting Price: $200 USD per night
The Lyngen Lodge
Official Website: https://www.lyngenlodge.com/en/
When it comes to a more secluded retreat, look no further than the Lyngen Lodge which is located deep within the awe-inspiring Lyngen Alps. Staying at the Lodge, provides visitors with the perfect northern light experience, as it is an excellent base camp for countless Arctic activities. While you are in the Alps, head out into the Norwegian countryside on a dogsled tour, or even take a cruise through the fjords. At the end of the day, view the northern lights as they dance through the night sky, from the comfort of the largest viewing terraces, or head out deeper into the Alps for a more secluded and surreal experience.
Location: Lyngen Alps, Troms
Starting Price: $400 USD per night
The Malangen Resort
Official Website: https://www.malangenresort.com/en/
Just outside of Tromso, along the shores of the scenic fjords, you will find the amazing Malangen Resort. This beautiful resort provides visitors with some of the most awe-inspiring experiences of the northern lights imaginable. Head out into the Norwegian countryside as you join a northern lights Safari, or simply unwind in the luxurious cabins or glass igloos. The magnificently carved glass igloos, provide you with a panoramic view of the Arctic landscape and ensure that you have a truly memorable experience if the northern lights make their grand appearance.
Location: Balsfjord, Troms
Starting Price: $300 USD per night
The Tromsø Ice Domes
Official Website: https://www.tromsoicedomes.com/
When it comes to a truly extraordinary experience, look no further than the Tromsø Ice Domes. Every year, the ice domes are rebuilt entirely out of place, providing visitors to the region with some of the most amazing views of the elusive lights. During the daytime, head out into the Norwegian countryside on a guided tour, or try your hand at ice sculpting. You will simply enjoy your vacation in Norway, as you choose Tromso as your base camp.
Location: Tromsø, Troms
Starting Price: $350 USD per night
The Arctic Panorama Lodge
Official Website: https://arcticpanorama.com/
When it comes to the perfect destination for viewing the elusive lights, look no further than the Arctic Panorama Lodge. This popular Lodge is located on a hill that overlooks the majestic Lyngen Alps, offering guests some of the most breathtaking views of the northern lights imaginable. You also be able to head out into the countryside on guided tours or spend your afternoons snowmobiling through the Alps. If you’re looking for something a little different, why not try your hand at ice fishing, or simply stay snuggled in your room, enjoying the intimate accommodations.
Location: Skibotn, Troms
Starting Price: $320 USD per night
The Aurora Fjord Cabins
Official Website: https://www.auroraspirit.com/accomodations/
The Aurora Fjords Cabin is a perfect destination for viewing the northern lights, as the well-designed lodging provides visitors with unobstructed views of the Norwegian fjords, and the northern Arctic sky. Each cabin is cozy and intimate and is equipped with some of the most modern amenities imaginable. Location self is far away from any urban center, which reduces the amount of light pollution that can interfere with your viewing experience. Enjoy the northern light experience, in Senja, the heartland of Norway.
Location: Senja, Senja Municipality
Starting Price: $300 USD per night
Hotel Options in Svalbard
Although geographically separate from the rest of Norway, Svalbard is officially a part of Norway. While this lone island is challenging and expensive to visit, its position deep within the auroral oval makes Svalbard an excellent spot for seeing the aurora borealis.
The Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Spitsbergen
Official Website: https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-spitsbergen-polar
If you’re looking for a more upscale destination in the polar Arctic, then look no further than the Radisson Blu in Spitsbergen. This comfortable destination offers the perfect base location for those who are looking to hunt for the elusive lights. Not only will you have plenty of opportunities to view the northern lights without obstruction from city lights, but you also be provided with some of the most modern amenities imaginable. The Radisson Blu is the perfect option when it comes to viewing the northern lights in style.
Location: Longyearbyen, Svalbard
Starting Price: $250 USD per night
Conclusion
This wraps up our article on the best northern lights hotels Norway has to offer. This is not an exhaustive list, of course, but rather our shortlist of some of the most popular hotel options for aurora-hunters like yourself. The most important things to consider when shortlisting and choosing a suitable aurora hotel or resort for yourself are:
- Timing: Northern lights are visible in Norway between late September to early April, so your stay must fall within these dates.
- Secluded Location: A location away from city light pollution and obstructions such as tall trees is ideal.
- Tours: Good hotels will offer their own northern lights tours or be listed as a pick-up point for tours.
- Amenities: Of course, look for the amenities that make you feel happy and comfortable, such as hot tub, sauna, restaurant and aurora wake-up service.
For more tips on planning a successful northern lights trip to Norway, be sure to check out all the articles on our Northern Lights Norway page.
Happy aurora hunting!
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