Exploring Finnish Lapland is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Visit in winter to view the northern lights and the most magical winter landscapes, or in summer to experience 24 hours of daylight in “Europe’s last wilderness”.

This blog will cover lodging throughout Finnish Lapland, starting with the most famous town – Rovaniemi.

Interested in exploring the Arctic Circle in the winter? Check out this adventurous 10+ day itinerary. If you’ll be arriving in Helsinki, we’ve got the best lodging recommendations throughout the city here.

Know where you’d like to stay? Click on a link below to jump to recommendations.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links with recommended lodging recommendations and hiking gear. We’ll receive a small portion of that sale if you click through and reserve lodging or purchase a product. You won’t be charged more, and we haven’t been paid by any of these retailers to share their information. These are all our genuine preferences.

Glass igloo lodging

If you’re visiting Lapland, chances are you’d like to see the northern lights from a glass dome hotel. We’ve got the best glass igloos listed in each town below, but here’s what you should look for when choosing where to book to give yourself the best odds of seeing the aurora.

Choose lodging with as little light pollution as possible. If you choose lodging near larger towns, your chances of seeing the northern lights go down significantly, and if you do see them, they won’t be as bright. Refer to this light pollution map to see how far out of towns you’ll need to get away from light pollution.

Look for lodging that has motion-activated lighting around the resort rather than streetlamps that stay on throughout the dark hours. These lights will ideally be low to the ground creating less light pollution in the sky.

Low to the ground motion activated light at the Aurora Village Ivalo

Pay attention to the proximity of the glass igloos to one another when booking. You will not be able to see the northern lights from your dome if your neighboring cabins have their lights on and curtains open.

The grounds at the Aurora Village Ivalo have decent distances between cabins, but even more would be ideal.

Lodging with floor-to-ceiling windows looks aesthetically pleasing but isn’t private if people have the ability to walk nearby. We enjoyed staying in glass igloos where the windows started right near head height. This allows for a full view of the sky and privacy.

Ask resorts if they have window warmers before booking. If not, snow can accumulate faster than it will melt, blocking your view.

Ideally, you’ll be in the right place, looking at the sky at the right time to see the northern lights from your glass igloo! However, this is all up to chance, so choose a location with activities you’d like to enjoy nearby.

Full and half board

Some stays offer full and half board – meaning some meals will be included with your stay. Half board means dinner and breakfast is included each night you’ll be staying. Full board includes lunch as well. Many of the hotels include a continental breakfast with their stays as well. We were blown away by the breakfasts offered at the Scandic Hotels!

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi, located at the start of the Arctic Circle, is infamous for being the official hometown of Santa Claus. The town is small, with Santa Claus Village on the outskirts. It’s a hub for winter activities like dog sledding, reindeer safaris, and northern light tours. In the winter, the Santa Claus Village is so beautifully lit that the holiday season will never compare anywhere else!

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

LakeLodge Kiehinen & Igloos

Located on Lake Norvajärvi, the LakeLodge Kiehinen & Igloos is the best resort to view the northern lights from near Rovaniemi. It’s adults-only and features one-and two-bedroom chalets and glass huts.

Nova Galaxy Village

The Nova Galaxy Village is located 15 kilometers outside of Rovaniemi, which is great for getting out of the city's light pollution. Stays here come with private saunas and a shared bathroom. Full board is available.

Luxury:

Invisible Forest Lodge

Stay here to immerse yourself in nature just six kilometers away from the heart of Rovaniemi. They have a glass igloo, cozy and luxury cabins, and an Invisible Lodge that blends into the forest. The glass igloo comes with a private hot tub, while the Invisible Lodge has a private sauna. All reservations have access to a fully-equipped kitchen.

Artic TreeHouse Hotel

This hotel is within walking distance of the Santa Claus Village’s shops, restaurants, and activities – and comes with a hefty price tag during the holiday season. We love that each cabin has large windows looking into the forest. Stays here include complimentary use of seasonal items like snowshoes, toboggans, and fat bikes.

Mid-range:

Scandic Rovaniemi City

This is where we stayed, and we splurged and reserved a room with a sauna! The location is perfect to walk to Rovaniemi’s best restaurants and shops. Parking is available for an extra fee, and breakfast is included.

Budget:

Hostel Café Koti

The Hostel Café Koti has a great walkable location in downtown Rovaniemi, and there are bus stops nearby, that make it easy to reach Santa Claus’s Village without a car. While staying here, enjoy a shared kitchen, lounge, sauna, and private parking. Choose to stay in a mixed or female-only dormitory, private rooms, or even a two-bedroom apartment.

Kemi

Kemi is a coastal town on the Gulf of Bothnia, famous for the Kemi SnowCastle and icebreaker cruise. The town is very quaint and only 30 kilometers away from Sweden.

Mid-range:

Seaside Glass Villas

The Seaside Glass Villas are home to Kemi’s SnowCastle and Icebreaker tour. Although the rooms have glass walls and ceilings, there was too much light pollution from town to see the northern lights during our stay. Parking and breakfast are complimentary.

PutiikkiHotelli Kemi 1932

The PutiikkiHotelli is a historic boutique hotel that’s recently been renovated. Although it’s next to the train station, reviews say the rooms are surprisingly quiet. Each room shares a private bath and includes a complimentary breakfast.

Posio

Posio is a great town to visit in any season, especially in the winter. It’s located near the Korouma canyon, where you can snowshoe past three frozen waterfalls, and the Riistinuturi National Park. Here you can snowshoe, cross-country ski, dog sled, or if you’re lucky, see the tykky phenomenon with snow laden trees (chances are best for this in late February to March).

Mid-range:

Posion Mökki

Posion Mökki translates to Posio Cottages, and there are two identical cabins on this small, lakefront property outside of town. Enjoy birding, swimming, fishing, and berry picking on the property.

Naali Lodge

This is a refurbished historic lodge located on a medium-sized lake. There are six shared bathrooms, with the option to privatize them. What’s most special about the Naali Lodge is their weeklong summer and winter programs offering guided activities throughout your stay, such as bear watching and dogsledding.

Budget:

Himmerki

Himmerki is located seven miles south of Posio on Lake Himmerkinlahti, offering a variety of rustic cabins that can accommodate between two and six people. They all have different amenities, such as private saunas, laundry, full kitchens, and outdoor electric sockets to warm up your car.

Ruka

Ruka is a well-known ski resort town in eastern Lapland, famous for its long ski season that often lasts from October to May. It’s an adventurer’s paradise,with winter sports of all kinds and summer activities like hiking in the Oulanka National Park or river floats.

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

Isaac Glass Village

Although Ruka is located to the south, just outside of Lapland, it’s still possible to see the aurora here. Stay at the Isaac Glass Village outside of town and away from its light pollution to give yourself the best odds of seeing the lights.

Mid-range:

Ski-Inn RukaValley

Stay here to access the ski lift right outside the front door. While you’re here, enjoy free private parking, the complimentary continental breakfast, bike and ski rentals, and a shared sauna.

Matkkailumaja Heikkala Cottages

Book these cottages to be near the ski resort, but away from the bustle. Each cottage has a well-stocked kitchen, as well as a BBQ and patio for use in the warmer months.

Kemijärvi

Kemijärvi is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like fishing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, and hiking in the Pyhä-Luosto National Park.

Mid-range:

Hotel Uitonniemi

You’ll love this small family-run hotel on the shores of Karvakkoperä Lake. It’s within walking distance of restaurants in town and has a private beach and jetty – perfect for fishing and swimming. Plus, they have a sauna and canoes available to rent.

Lapland Arctic Cabins

This is such a quaint property. Every cabin has a deck overlooking a garden view, a small kitchen, and access to a private sandy beach on Lake Pöyliöjärvi.

Luosto/Pyhätunturi

In between the small towns of Luosto and Pyhätunturi is the Phyä-Luosto National Park. The national park and towns are great places to visit year-round. You’ll find activities like hiking and biking there in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Pyhätunturi also has a small ski resort nearby, but our favorite activity here was mining for amethyst!

One-of-a-kind experience:

Lucky Ranch

The Lucky Ranch has a variety of lodging options but the most unique are the igloos. Real, igloos built of snow! They provide cots and warm sleeping bags but advise bringing thermal layers and a flashlight. A warming house and bathrooms are located nearby.

Mid-range:

Santa’s Hotel Aurora

These glass igloos are near the heart of Luosto, so there is more light pollution here than other glass igloo hotels we’ve recommended for seeing the northern lights. However, the location is great! It’s within walking distance to the Luosto Ski Resort.

Kurula’s Resort

Overlooking Lakke Phyäjärvi, Kurula’s Resort offers the perfect respite in nature without having to venture far. Rooms are apartment-style with kitchenettes and saunas.

Levi Sirkka

Levi is home to Finland’s largest and most popular ski resort, located in the village of Sirkka. It’s known for having an impressive number of slopes, a great après-ski scene, and year-round activities like mountain biking and hiking. You’ll find more private rentals here and higher prices.

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

Northern Lights Ranch

Located 15 kilometers away from the ski resort and light pollution, the Northern Lights Ranch is one of the best places to stay for a chance to view the northern lights. Stays here include a complimentary shuttle into town throughout winter, snowshoes, ice skates, and a private sauna for an hourly rate.

One-of-a-kind experience:

Lapland Hotels Snow Village

Book lodging here to stay in a castle made of ice and snow! The hotel is created with a different theme each year, open from December 25th to early April with unusually late check-in times. You can expect your room to be chilly, and you’ll need to store your luggage in a locker outside your room. If an overnight here sounds too intense for you, take a tour during the daytime.

Luxury:

Raanakka House

This is a private three-bedroom home that sleeps up to eight. It’s less than two kilometers from the ski lift, has a hot tub, fireplace, and all-around cozy atmosphere.

Mid-range:

Break Sokos Hotel Levi

The Break Sokos Hotel is a short walk away from the ski lifts, Samiland, Spa Water World, and restaurants in town. This is by far the most walkable location in Levi.

Levin Primus

Levin Primus is located less than two kilometers to one of the Oy Levi Ski Resort’s lifts. You’ll love this private rental with a glass roof, sauna, and hot tub.

Saariselkä

Saariselkä is a small town based around the Saariselka Ski and Sport Resort. This is where you'll find Finland’s longest toboggan run! It’s also known for its proximity to the Urho Kekkonen National Park and is in a prime location for hiking, cross-country skiing, and viewing the northern lights.

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

Top Star Saariselkä – Arctic Glass Cubes

Although these cabins have light pollution from the ski resort, it’s still possible to see the northern lights from them — and the location can’t be beat. We love that they’re a five-minute walk to the toboggan run and Kaunispää Peak restaurant at the top of the lift.

Mid-range:

Northern Lights Village Saariselkä

These glass dome cabins are located just below the ski resort. Since they’re at a lower elevation than the Top Star Saariselkä resort, we think these would be the second-best place to stay in order to view the northern lights.

Járvi

Járvi is an adult-only lodge. Stay on the first floor to have a room with a classic log cabin style or on the second floor to enjoy their modern Skyview rooms. Rates include full board, use of the pool, saunas, fitness studio, and guided activities.

Ivalo

You’ll find the small town of Ivalo just 30 kilometers past Saariselkä. The town is homier than the ski resort, offering more affordable, yet beautiful, lodging.

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

Aurora Village Ivalo

We based our trip to Finland around staying in these glass domes and it was 100% worth it! The resort is located just outside town, with minimal light pollution, so you have great odds of seeing the northern lights here (like we did!).

Reservations here come with full or half board, and every meal will be incredible. Reserve their riverside sauna to make this experience unforgettable.

The resort also provides snowshoes, fat bikes, sleds, and more snow toys for guests to use at their leisure.

Mid-range:

Hotel Kultahippu

Guests love the riverside rooms with decks overlooking the Ivalo River. Reservations include breakfast and access to a shared sauna. There is no elevator in the building, so book according to your needs.

Inari

Inari is in the center of Finnish Lapland and is known as the heart of the indigenous Sámi culture. You'll find great wilderness experiences here, including fishing, hiking, kayaking, and hunting for the northern lights. Visiting the Siida Museum is a must while you’re in town.

Best stay for viewing the northern lights:

Lake Inari Mobile Cabins

This is where we’ll be staying when we make it back to Lapland again! Your journey here starts at Base Camp where you can join activities, sauna, and have dinner by an open fire. Around 8-9 pm, you’ll get into your cabin and a guide will tow you and your lodging onto the lake. The snowmobile will return between 8-9 am the following morning to bring you back to Base Camp for breakfast.

Mid-range:

Wilderness Hotel Juutua

Located on the beautiful Juutunanjoki River, guests say staying here is peaceful and quiet. The rooms with the balconies and private saunas are guest favorites!