Glass Igloo Holidays in Lapland

You’ll find glass igloo retreats dotted across Lapland, an Arctic region that includes the northern reaches of Finland, Sweden and Norway. While all of these countries have a few glass igloos, Finland has the most.

Although not all of these glass-domed cabins lie within the Arctic Circle, many are located within the “northern lights belt” (or “aurora zone”). This band encircles the Earth at latitudes of 65-72°N and is where most aurora activity happens. So it’s the place to be if you want to hunt for the northern lights during your trip to Lapland.

Many of Finland’s glass igloos, also known as aurora cabins, are located in Lapland. While you’ll find a few clustered in the far north, near Lake Inari, most are close to Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland’s regional capital. And this Arctic town has an airport, making it even easier to get to these dreamy retreats.

These Nordic Visitor packages include a glass igloo stay at the Arctic SnowHotel on the shores of Lehtojärvi lake. It’s located just 30 kilometres (19 miles) outside of Rovaniemi, so you can enjoy the benefits of the countryside while still being close to the town.

With panoramic views of the sky, a glass igloo stay makes for an extraordinary way to encounter the aurora borealis. Just imagine laying in bed, gazing through domed glass windows as the northern lights dance overhead.

What’s more, you can request to be woken up if the aurora appears, so you don’t need to worry about missing out if you fall asleep. And you can adjust the position of the beds for an even better view of the northern lights.

It’s worth bearing in mind that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon, so seeing them isn’t guaranteed. That said, if the skies are clear and aurora activity is high, you won’t find a much better way to soak up the beauty of this unforgettable sight. Learn more in this guide to the northern lights in Lapland.

Aside from the glass roof, these igloos are just like normal hotel rooms. This means that as well as solid walls for privacy, your glass igloo will have a bathroom, small fridge, electric kettle, toiletries and free Wi-Fi.

You’ll find that all of the glass igloos at the Arctic SnowHotel are constructed using thermal glass. Not only can this be heated to melt off any snow covering the view, but it keeps the warmth in.

Plus, you can adjust the temperature in your igloo to suit your needs. So however cold it might be outside, your stay will be cosy.

Find out what to expect when you step outdoors in this guide to Lapland’s climate.

The northern lights are active year-round in Lapland, but they’re only visible when it’s dark. This means you’ll want to visit Finnish Lapland when the days are at their shortest during the winter months of December to March.

As well as darkness, you’ll need high levels of aurora activity, low light pollution and cloudless skies. Luckily, come winter, you can encounter all of these things in Lapland.

In fact, the region’s position within the “aurora zone” means there’s plenty of solar activity, which causes the northern lights. And with less daylight throughout winter, the long nights will give you more opportunities to see them. Lapland’s remote location also ensures it won’t be hard for you to get away from any nearby light pollution.

Of course, the final thing you’ll need in your favour on a Lapland northern lights tour is the weather. While this is outside of your control, you’ll find there tends to be more snowfall, which brings clouds, during December and January. Meanwhile, skies are often clearer in February and March as it snows less.

When these key conditions come together, you’re in for a truly awe-inspiring experience. Read this article to learn more about the best times and places for watching the northern lights in Finland.

The cost of a glass igloo stay depends on the hotel and how many nights you want to sleep under the stars. But choose one of Nordic Visitor’s Finland glass igloo trips, and you can be sure you’re getting value for money.

That’s because these tours are packed with inclusions, such as accommodation, daily breakfasts, guided activities, some evening meals, and more. Not to mention the fact that you’ll have a dedicated travel consultant, who knows Lapland inside out, to make all the arrangements for you.

To find out exactly what you get with your trip, check out the “What’s included” tab on the online tour page.

While the northern lights are one of the top reasons to visit Lapland, you’ll find there’s plenty more to see and do here. In fact, getting festive with these Christmas and New Year packages is another popular way to experience the magic of this region.

As well as being a dream destination for family adventures, Lapland’s out-of-the-ordinary accommodation options and thrilling experiences also make it perfect for romantic escapes.

Get inspired by these other things to do here:

• • Tour Santa’s workshop, have a festive feast on a Santa Claus Village trip
• • Whizz through frosted forests on these Lapland snowmobile safaris
• • Explore snowy Lapland on a husky sled tour with an expert guide
• • Sleep in a room carved from ice on a Lapland snow and ice hotel trip
• • Go on a reindeer sleigh ride and learn about the Sámi culture in Lapland

For even more ideas, read these handy articles:

• • Best Lapland holidays for a winter getaway
• • Lapland holidays for adults: Grown-up escapes

If you’re not travelling to Lapland on a Christmas or New Year tour, you can choose from start dates between December and March. Some tours even have guaranteed departures.

The Christmas glass igloo trip has a set departure date of 23 December. Meanwhile, opt for the New Year glass igloo package and you’ll be able to pick from a handful of selected start dates in the run-up to 31 December.

Find out what dates are bookable for the trip you’re interested in by checking each tour’s availability calendar online.

These glass igloo packages have been designed so you can enjoy guided excursions while also having time to yourself. But it’s also possible to personalise your itinerary by adding more activities or extra nights.

This is easy to do when you book online. Simply browse your tour’s optional extras and add the ones you want to your itinerary. Take your pick from experiences such as ice fishing, relaxing in a private snow sauna, and chasing the aurora by husky sled.

Plus, on trips that combine time in a glass igloo with a stay in Rovaniemi, you can pick the level of accommodation that works for you. Explore other types of accommodation in Lapland in this travel guide.

For more information about tailoring your trip, or if you have something specific in mind, just ask your dedicated travel consultant.

It’s best to check what flights are available before booking your Lapland glass igloo tour. But we recommend waiting to purchase flights until your travel consultant has finalised the arrangements for your itinerary.

Once you’ve received the email confirming your itinerary, you can go ahead and book your flights to Finnish Lapland.

Although your glass igloo will be cosy, you’ll need plenty of warm layers when you venture outside on a Lapland winter tour. In the area around Rovaniemi, the average temperature between December and March ranges from -7°C to -12°C (19°F to 30°F).

To get you started, here’s a list of the most important things to pack for Lapland:

• Winter boots with good grip
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal base layers
• Warm gloves, hat, and a scarf or neck warmer
• Thin thermal gloves (ideal as a base layer under snowmobile gloves)
• Heat pads for hands and feet
• Warm socks
• Small backpack or day bag
• Sunglasses
• Reusable water bottle

If you’re taking part in winter activities that need extra warm clothing, your guide will provide insulated outer layers for adults and children over 4. Please note, this means 4 years is the minimum age for some Lapland excursions. And for activities available to infants (aged 0-3), make sure to bring suitable thermal clothing.