Seeing the aurora borealis, the spectacular display that occurs when solar particles enter our planet’s atmosphere and emit burning gases upon impact that produce various colored lights, was on my bucket list for years. Having visited many countries in the far north during my travels, I’ve been lucky to see the northern lights many times now, and it definitely doesn’t disappoint. The further north you go and the more solar activity there is, the better, which is why visiting Norway, especially the most northern destinations, will significantly increase your chances of witnessing this breathtaking natural phenomenon. These hotels can all provide the perfect base for your getaway and the opportunity to watch without leaving the property itself.
Lyngen Lodge - Olderdalen
Nestled in a remote area, high above the Arctic Circle with very little light pollution and a view of the Lyngen Alps, Lyngen Lodge is one of the most incredible hotels to view the northern lights by night and vistas that include towering snow-covered mountains and fjords during the day. There’s a viewing platform for watching the lights, or you might see them while soaking in the outdoor Jacuzzi. There are plenty of other things to do in the area, including snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. The hotel also has a sauna and a lounge with a huge open fireplace, along with a restaurant that serves delicious Arctic meals featuring foraged wild local herbs, mushrooms, and mountain plants.
Key Amenities:
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Northern Lights viewing platform
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Outdoor Jacuzzi and a sauna
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Restaurant with Arctic fare with locally foraged ingredients
Lyngenfjordveien 799, 9146 Olderdalen, Norway— +47 47 62 78 53
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Alta
The Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel looks as if it came from Disney’s “Frozen,” carved entirely out of ice. One of the world’s most incredible ice hotels, it opens in January and closes up again in the spring, perfectly coinciding with the best time to view the northern lights – and, as it’s located outside of the city of Alta, the lack of light pollution and dry winter climate ups your chances significantly. The beds include warm sleeping bags and reindeer fur to ensure you stay nice and cozy, as the interior of the hotel is a constant 19 to 24 degrees. The hot tub is the perfect place to enjoy more warmth, and Mother Nature’s light show might even be displayed as you soak. There’s also an ice bar, made out of solid blocks of ice, where you can sip a stiff drink in an ice glass, while the restaurant offers a menu of dishes prepared using fresh, local ingredients.
Key Amenities:
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Outdoor hot tub and sauna
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Ice bar and restaurant on-site
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Activities such as reindeer-sledding and northern lights viewing excursions
Malangen Resort - Mestervik
Made up of hotel rooms and self-catering cottages and apartments with cooking facilities and fjord views, Malangen Resort offers a Northern Lights Watch package in the winter that includes expert guides who will keep watch for the lights while you’re sleeping. If they make an appearance, you’ll be woken up with a magical Sami song. One of Norway’s top resorts, this is also the perfect place to experience dog sledding, which the staff will be happy to arrange. There’s an outdoor hot tub and a sauna for relaxation afterward, along with a restaurant and bar.
Key Amenities:
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Northern lights wake-up calls available
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Restaurant and bar with a free Norwegian breakfast buffet included
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Outdoor hot tub and sauna
Snowhotel Kirkenes & Gamme Northern Light Cabins - Kirkenes
Snowhotel Kirkenes & Gamme Northern Light Cabins hosts a seasonal annex that’s made up of ice with quirky igloo-like rooms that include access to shared bathrooms along with timber cabins with en-suite facilities. The long list of activities on offer makes it a standout, with dog sledding tours, an Arctic king crab fishing tour, cross-country skiing, and the Northern Lights tour that will increase your odds of seeing the aurora, although there’s a good chance you’ll catch the show right from the property. There’s also a restaurant and lounge made of ice and a sauna.
Key Amenities:
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Multiple excursions, including a Northern Lights tour
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Sauna
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Restaurant and lounge made of ice
Tromsø Ice Domes Hotel - Øverbygd
Open just before Christmas through early April, the Tromsø Ice Domes Hotel is renowned for its opportunity to see the northern lights, located just outside Tromsø, away from the light pollution. It even offers Norther Lights igloos that are rebuilt every winter and include sleeping bags and reindeer skins. Guided tours of the hotel, snowshoe walks while hunting for the aurora, and delicious campfire-cooked meals are all part of the experience.
Key Amenities:
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Snowshoe/Northern Lights tours
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Ice sculpture exhibition
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Traditional Norwegian breakfasts and campfire-cooked meals
Reinefjorden Sjøhus - Reine
Reinefjorden Sjøhus sits in a stunning, secluded Lofoten Islands location outside the popular town of Reine, just a short walk from the iconic Reinefjord. It hosts homes with sea views, waterfront cabins, and apartments and cabins, all of which have floor-to-ceiling windows ideal for watching the aurora in comfort. While there is no restaurant on-site, all include full kitchens, and there’s an eatery just steps from the hotel, and many others just a bit further.
Key Amenities:
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Secluded self-catering accommodation with full kitchens and floor-to-ceiling windows for aurora viewing
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Guided tours, watercraft, and bicycle rentals
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Free parking & Wi-Fi
Senja Fjordhotell - Stonglandseidet
At Senja Fjordhotell, all rooms offer magnificent mountain and fjord views while providing the perfect vantage point for watching the aurora when it appears. All include TVs, minifridges, kettles, and free Wi-Fi too. There are also three-bedroom waterfront fishermen’s cottages on the pier with fully equipped kitchens. A complimentary breakfast is included, while the on-site restaurant offers dining over the bay on meals focused on local ingredients.
Key Amenities:
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Snowshoe rentals with snowshoeing are available right out your door
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On-site restaurant
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Complimentary breakfasts
Dragøyveien 28, 9392 Stonglandseidet, Norway— +47 97 71 99 99
Mary-Ann's Polarrigg - Longyearbyen
Located in the Arctic town of Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost settlement, there are few better places to watch the northern lights. It’s home to one of the most distinctive resorts in Norway for watching the northern lights, Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg, offering luxurious accommodation in a building that was once used as barracks for the local miners. Amenities include the on-site sauna and hot tub that provides the ultimate place to watch for the aurora while relaxing in the soothing, warm waters. A bar, a game room with darts, foosball, a pool table, and a restaurant serving Arctic-inspired fare are all on-site too.
Key Amenities:
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Outdoor hot tub and a sauna
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Game room with darts, foosball, + a pool table
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Restaurant and bar
Postboks 17 Longyearbyen SJ, Longyearbyen 9170, Svalbard and Jan Mayen— +47 94 00 77 80
Thon Hotel Lofoten - Svolvær
The Thon Hotel Lofoten offers a trendy, eco-friendly stay in the heart of the Lofoten Islands, one of the best places to visit in Norway. As it sits in the picturesque Svolvær harbour, you’ll not only enjoy fabulous views of the surrounding mountains and the water but you’ll be perfectly situated for marveling at the aurora. There’s a lounge and a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine like dried cod and Lofoten lamb, with a free breakfast served daily. Guests also enjoy complimentary access to a nearby gym, while Northern Lights excursions and other activities can be arranged. The variety of accommodation options includes basic rooms with minibars, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi. Some have harbor views and more upscale perks like espresso machines, and there are also apartments with full kitchens and separate living rooms.
Key Amenities:
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Northern lights excursions and various activities available
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On-site lounge and restaurant
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Complimentary access to a nearby gym
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromsø
Radisson Blu Hotel, Tromsø is arguably the best hotel in the well-known international chain when it comes to watching the northern lights in Norway, and Tromsø is one of the world’s best destinations for viewing the northern lights. It even includes a glass bridge, where in the winter, the aurora can sometimes be spotted illuminating the night sky. Located near Tromso’s harbor, it’s also convenient for enjoying city attractions like the Arctic Cathedral and Polar Museum exhibits while offering a number of impressive facilities. It includes a sauna, a modern fitness room, a bar, and a restaurant. Rooms and suites include the usual amenities like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, but it may be worth splurging for a unit with a balcony showcasing water or mountain views.
Key Amenities:
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Glass bridge for Northern Lights viewing
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Sauna and fitness room
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On-site bar and restaurant
Aurora Borealis Observatory - Silsand
Rooms at the Aurora Borealis Observatory were all designed for observing the colorful dancing lights from panoramic windows. There are a variety of options, from the basic Aurora Hut with its glass roof to the one- and two-bedroom luxury suites that feature free access to the private Jacuzzi area. If you want to go all out, there’s a villa with four bedrooms, four living rooms, a large kitchen, a fireplace, a private observatory, and a big porch with a private Jacuzzi. The property also offers an excellent bar and restaurant, ski equipment rentals, and many activities, including aurora hunting tours. Plus, when the northern lights make an appearance, you’ll get a wake-up call.
Key Amenities:
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Northern lights wake up calls
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Aurora hunting tours and other activities/excursions
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Restaurant and bar on-site
Holmen Husky Lodge - Alta
Holmen Husky Lodge in Alta, one of the snowiest places to visit on earth, offers accommodation in glass lavvos that are a permanent interpretation of the temporary dwellings that the Sami people have used for years, allowing them to follow their reindeer herd across the treeless mountain plateau. While the toilet and shower facilities are steps away, that stroll brings the opportunity to watch the lights in the Arctic sky. All are heated and come with electric blankets to ensure you stay extra cozy, and there’s also an outdoor hot tub where you can soak with a view of the aurora. As you might imagine, huskies are a big part of the experience too, with beautiful dogs to cuddle up with and dog-sledding adventures to enjoy. The barbecue hut is a popular place for preparing your own meals, and there’s an outdoor fireplace to gather around too.
Key Amenities:
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Dog-sledding excursions
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Outdoor hot tub and sauna
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Outdoor fireplace and BBQ hut
