Staying at one of the hotels in Sweden renowned for viewing the Northern Lights would make chasing the aurora much more convenient. You will not only have all the amenities of your lodging readily available but potentially get the chance to see the aurora borealis comfortably from your room.
The northernmost region of Sweden, known as Swedish Lapland, is undoubtedly the prime locale for observing the Northern Lights in Sweden, as its position far north, within the Arctic Circle, and distant from artificial light provides the perfect setting for experiencing displays of the aurora.
Several hotels in Sweden provide customized Northern Lights accommodations and experiences, but the Swedish lodging referenced in this article stand out for their seclusion, architecture, or location advantages for observing this natural wonder.
In this article, you’ll find everything from a Sweden Northern Lights igloo lodge and cozy Sweden aurora inns to a unique Sweden Northern Lights treehotel. Any of these choices will help you get much closer to seeing the beauty of the aurora borealis for yourself.
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Best Hotels in Sweden to see the Northern Lights
In brief, here are the top Northern Lights hotels, Sweden:
- Icehotel, Jukkasjärvi: This icy accommodation located in Sweden is reputedly the best place to view the Northern Lights.
- Treehotel, Harads: A unique Sweden Northern Lights hotel.
- Camp Ripan, Kiruna: The ideal location to view the Northern Lights in Sweden from a spa.
- STF Abisko Tourist Station, Abisko: A Northern Lights Sweden accommodation in an incredible location.
- Pinetree Lodge, Särkimukka: The finest facility for viewing the northern lights in Sweden.
- The Arctic Colors Northern Lights Apartments, in Porjus, Sweden provides accommodation where one can see the Northern Lights privately.
- Aurora River Cabin, Luleå: A cozy Sweden aurora getaway called Aurora River Cabin is located in Luleå.
- Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge, Kiruna: A conveniently located Northern Lights hotel in Sweden.
1. Icehotel, the best Northern Lights ice hotel, Sweden
Icehotel is one of the most iconic Sweden Northern Lights motels. This lodging made totally of ice and snow was the first of its kind on the planet. Every year since 1989, the structure has been rebuilt with ice and snow from the nearby Torne River, so it’s never rather the same.
Icehotel offers standard ice rooms, where you’ll stay warm with sleeping bags and reindeer hides, as well as ice art suites with designs that have been hand carved by artists from all over the world. For guests who want a more ice-free experience, there are also warm hotel rooms and chalets. (Icehotel recommends booking only one night in an ice room and spending the rest of your time there in warm rooms, especially if you will be embarking on any cold-weather excursions.)
If you opt for a more lavish icy experience, you can remain in a permanent ice structure called Icehotel 365, which is available throughout the year, featuring art and luxury suites made entirely of ice. Icehotel 365 is also home to Icebar, an ice bar that serves drinks in glasses carved entirely from frozen water.
2. Treehotel, a unique Sweden Northern Lights hotel
Want to know where to stay to view the Northern Lights in Sweden from an absolutely unique accommodation? There’s no other place quite like Treehotel, where you can opt for one of seven distinct treehouse rooms.
Whichever room you select, you’ll have stunning views of the surrounding pine forest and nearby Lule River. There’s the Mirrorcube, with reflective glass walls that blend perfectly into the forest and a hidden balcony so you can get some fresh air without being observed. You can also stay in the Bird’s Nest, the exterior of which, as the name implies, looks exactly like an oversized bird’s nest.
Perhaps the Cabin, a capsule-designed tree house with an entire wall constructed of windows allowing broad perspectives of the forest and river, may appeal more. For sci-fi fans, exploring the UFO, a saucer-molded tree house adorned with sparkling accents, could entice.
Want to have the ability to see an aurora display from your room? The Seventh Room is a suite with panoramic windows that face the river valley and any Northern Lights displays, as well as a bedroom with skylight windows so you can sleep under the aurora. Otherwise, there’s the Dragonfly, which is perfect for larger groups and has multiple panoramic windows, so you can look out over the forest and take in any aurora displays in the sky.
For a more traditional cabin, stay in the Blue Cone, a wooden construction elevated on stilts granting large windows with splendid perspectives of the sky and surrounding woods. Alternatively, disregarding staying in a treehouse, the Guesthouse is a charming, more conventional accommodation with several rooms.
3. Camp Ripan, the best place to see the Northern Lights in Sweden from a spa
Kiruna is among the prime locales to take in the Northern Lights phenomenon, so remaining at Camp Ripan in the heart of Kiruna will certainly maximize prospects of witnessing an aurora exhibition. Additionally, this Sweden Northern Lights accommodation’s Aurora Spa is the ideal way to watch an aurora display from the comfort of a pool or sauna.
The spa’s indoor pool allows visitors to view the amazing display of the aurora borealis while swimming, as panoramic windows provide sights of the glowing skies. The outdoor pool also presents opportunities to soak in the pool and gaze upwards at the magnificently illuminated night sky overhead by the lights of the northern lights. Guests can even witness the Northern Lights from the comfort of the sauna, which has expansive windows permitting views of the landscape and firmament outside.
In terms of lodging, you can stay in one of the camp’s four cabins or even camp in the camping area if you truly want a basic experience. The camp also offers many facilities in addition to the spa: a tennis court, playground, restaurant, pub, and miniature golf.
4. STF Abisko Turiststation, a Northern Lights Sweden hotel in an incredible location
One of the hotels in Sweden that is optimally located to witness the Northern Lights display is the STF Abisko Turiststation, which is situated right inside Abisko National Park.
Abisko National Park houses the Aurora Sky Station, an observation tower granting sweeping perspectives of the sky and park that is staffed with experts on the aurora who can answer any inquiries you may have. You won’t find a location for lodging better positioned than this Sweden aurora hotel in regards to witnessing the lights. The national park also provides plenty of hiking trails as well as downhill skiing on Mount Njullá, ensuring you’ll discover ample activities here.
STF Abisko Turiststation provides various accommodation possibilities to suit budgets that differ: you can opt for a private cottage, personal hotel room, or shared hostel room containing bunk beds. This Sweden Northern Lights lodge also has a restaurant offering panoramic perspectives of Lake Torneträsk and the surrounding hills and serves Lapland cuisine. There’s even a sauna for guests to unwind in.
5. Pinetree Lodge, the best aurora lodge, Sweden
If you’re searching for an excellent northern lights lodge in Sweden, look no more distant than Pinetree Lodge, one of the prime Northern Lights hotels globally. Situated by a lake in a forest, this Sweden aurora borealis hotel provides serenity and beautiful views of the surroundings. If you appreciate dogs, you won’t discover a better place to lodge, as there are more canines than people in the area.
You can surely stay busy, even though Särkimukka is a tiny village; form bonds with the huskies at the lodge’s Husky Camp or unwind in the hot tub and sauna. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to the lodge’s restaurant, which serves modernized versions of traditional Swedish fare, or soak up the ambiance at the Brown Bear Bar.
Lodging possibilities at the lodge consist of rooms, wooden cabins, Northern Lights apartments (with windows facing north for optimal viewing of the Northern Lights), Arctic Living apartments, Wilderness Cabins (with no electricity or running water!), or Aurora Hideaways, glass igloos for seeing the Northern Lights in Sweden.
- Medium budget: Inn Bairro Alto B&B
6. Arctic Colors Northern Lights Apartments, where to stay to see the Northern Lights in Sweden if you want privacy
Arctic Colors Northern Lights Apartments are the ideal choice if you are longing to have some solitude as you chase the Northern Lights. These two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens have everything you need to relax and refuel before embarking on your Northern Lights adventure, including an on-site restaurant and sauna.
The apartments are situated in Porjus, a tranquil, remote area with low light air pollution and one of the finest places to view the Northern Lights in Sweden. You will also be near four national parks, like Muddus and Stora Sjöfallet, if you want to see the Northern Lights over stunning scenery that incorporates mountains and waterfalls.
7. Aurora River Cabin, a cozy Sweden aurora hotel
You can relax near the fireplace with scenic lake views at the Aurora River Cabin. This Sweden aurora borealis lodging has a sauna and grill available for guests, and each private cabin features a patio with a perspective over the neighboring waterbody. Visitors will furthermore have access to a garden and personal beach area.
Among the top trips to view the Aurora Borealis is a journey to Luleå, where the Aurora River Cabin is found. When not observing displays of the lights, activities like hiking, skiing and summer fishing can be pursued.
8. Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge, a luxurious Sweden aurora borealis hotel
Remaining in the center of the Swedish wilderness does not necessarily mean giving up comfort. At Máttaráhkká Northern Light Lodge, you’ll find everything from beautiful mountain perspectives and a steam room to a hot tub and a cozy lounge with a fireplace. In addition, this Sweden northern lights hotel offers free coffee, tea, and biscuits to any guests seeking a snack or pick-me-up.
The lodge’s rooms feature decor inspired by classic art from indigenous Scandinavian tribes known as Sami, and breakfast is covered in the price of accommodations. Guests looking to stay occupied can go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hunting for the Northern Lights.
No matter which accommodation you stay at in northern Sweden, remembering to check the Northern Lights forecast each day on the official website of NOAA, as well as the cloud outlook in Sweden on the website of the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute to see if there will be clear skies in your area.
If you’re a photographer seeing the aurora borealis for the first time, refer to my definitive guide to capturing the Northern Lights before your trip.
Good luck chasing the Northern Lights!
