One of the best Northern Lights locations in Finland. Above 68 degrees north, deeper in the auroral oval than Rovaniemi. Where the original glass igloo was invented and where serious Northern Lights hunters come to find the real thing.
The Saariselka-Ivalo-Inari corridor is where glass igloo hotels were born. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort invented the concept here in the 2000s, and this region remains the gold standard for Northern Lights viewing in Finland. The reason is simple geography: at 68-69 degrees north, you are significantly deeper inside the auroral oval than Rovaniemi (66.5N) or Levi (67.8N).
The region has over 200 Northern Lights nights per year statistically - more than any other Finnish destination. Light pollution is minimal: Saariselka village has about 400 permanent residents, and vast wilderness stretches in every direction. On a clear night at KP 1-2, the aurora is simply overhead. No need for a high KP index, no need to drive to find dark sky.
The tradeoff compared to Rovaniemi: getting here requires more planning. Ivalo Airport (IVL) has daily connections from Helsinki and some European seasonal routes, but fewer options than Rovaniemi. A rental car is strongly recommended, public transport is very limited. And the wilderness character means fewer restaurants and activities.
For travellers who specifically want the best Northern Lights conditions and the most authentic wilderness Lapland experience this is the right choice. For families who want Santa Claus Village and ski slopes alongside aurora: Rovaniemi or Levi are better fits.
In Saariselka and Inari, the sun does not rise above the horizon for several weeks in December. This Finnish concept of kaamos - polar night - means complete darkness around the clock. Aurora can appear at any hour, day or night. Combined with the crisp cold air and vast silence of the wilderness, it creates an atmosphere unlike anything in Rovaniemi or Levi. Many guests describe kaamos as one of the most profound experiences of their lives.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort invented the glass igloo in the 2000s and remains the most famous property of its kind in the world. Those Instagram photos of people lying in bed under the Northern Lights? Many of them were taken here.
The price reality in 2026: A basic small glass igloo in peak season now costs 900 euros and more per night - up from around 500 euros in 2019. The experience itself has not changed significantly. What has changed is the competition: several newer properties in the area offer comparable or better aurora experiences with stronger recent reviews for food and service at similar or lower prices.
When Kakslauttanen is the right choice: If the name, the legacy, the scale (over 30 igloos, the largest resort of its kind), and the full on-site activity programme are important to you - it is worth it. The experience is real and the setting is beautiful.
When to consider alternatives: If your goal is "best aurora from a glass igloo at fair value", Northern Lights Village Saariselka (350m from Saariselka village, breakfast and dinner included, comparable igloo quality) and Wilderness Hotel Muotka (laser-heated glass roof, remote wilderness, stronger recent service reviews) are both delivering strong results at lower prices and with better recent feedback on food and service.
Across TripAdvisor and independent travel blogs, the pattern in 2025-2026 reviews is consistent: the aurora experience itself is extraordinary when conditions are right. Nearly everyone who sees the lights from a glass igloo describes it as one of the best experiences of their life.
The most common criticisms are about food quality not matching the price at some properties, automatic safety lights on cabin porches interfering with aurora photography, and the need to book activities months in advance for peak dates. One blogger who has stayed at 13 Finnish glass igloo hotels specifically recommends Aurora Village Ivalo and Northern Lights Village Saariselka as top picks for the Ivalo area.
The key variable in every review: clear sky. Guests who got clear nights almost universally rate their stay as exceptional. Guests who got cloud cover rate it lower regardless of the hotel. Book enough nights to have multiple chances.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselka invented the heated thermal glass igloo concept. The first glass igloo was built here in the 2000s by owner Janne Defenius as a personal stargazing shelter - and turned into a business when guests asked to stay in it.
The Finnish word for Northern Lights means "fox fires" from a Sami legend about a magical fox running across the fells, its tail sweeping sparks into the sky. In the Inari area, Sami culture is still very much alive and several igloo hotels offer authentic cultural experiences.
Europe's largest national park borders Saariselka directly. 2,550km2 of pristine wilderness with fell hiking, cross-country ski trails and total silence. Several igloo hotels are on or adjacent to the park boundary - the ultimate dark sky location.
Finland's third largest lake at 1,040km2 is a short drive from the Inari igloo hotels. Ice fishing for Arctic char and pike in winter is one of the most authentic local experiences. Several wilderness hotels arrange guided ice fishing as a core activity.
Saariselka village has around 400 permanent residents. The nearest significant town (Ivalo) is 25km away. This means almost zero light pollution - aurora at KP 1-2 is clearly visible with the naked eye. Compare to Rovaniemi where you need KP 3+ to cut through city glow.
Public transport between Ivalo Airport and Saariselka exists (bus twice daily) but is impractical for most igloo hotels. Rent a car at Ivalo Airport. Roads are well maintained in winter but allow 45-60 minutes from the airport to the furthest Inari properties.
The main cluster. Saariselka village sits at 68.4N with direct access to Urho Kekkonen National Park. The original glass igloo location - Kakslauttanen and Northern Lights Village are both here. Closest to the airport and with the most on-site facilities.
One of the most affordable glass igloo resorts in Finnish Lapland - aurora cabins from €239/night in September. 80 north-facing cabins, guided aurora hunts, and the legendary Searching for Santa family experience.
Aurora cabins with own sauna. Bed beneath huge glass roof window. Variety of Aurora tours provided: with snowmobile, reindeer, husky, snowshoeing or Aurora camps. 45 km from Ivalo airport at Kakslauttanen area.
The birthplace of the glass igloo concept, founded 1973. The world largest glass igloo resort with 214 units in two villages, 241 km above the Arctic Circle. World largest smoke sauna, Scandinavia largest planetarium, resort brewery. Breakfast and 3-course dinner included. 40 min from Ivalo Airport. From €424/night.
Small luxury hotel with Aurora Cabins and View Suites. One of the best panorama view from the hotel as soon as it is located in a unique spot on top of the Kaunispää mountain near Saariselkä village. 29 km from Ivalo airport. Activities: restaurant and bar, sauna, ice fishing, Northern Lights tours, skiing, reindeer and husky safaris, snowmobile rides.
Slightly further north and closer to the airport than Saariselka. Ivalo area hotels are often more remote and wilderness-focused, with fewer on-site facilities but darker skies and a quieter atmosphere.
The resort offers Aurora cabins with glass celling, Restaurant and Activities. 12 km from Ivalo airport. 3 km from Ivalo village center. Reindeer are living at Aurora Village. Feeding & photographing the reindeer activity on-site.
Wilderness Hotel Nangu offers extraordinary accommodation in the wilderness in Lake Inari Aurora Hut. It is small huts for 2 persons with glass roof and panorama scenic and sky view. You can see the Northern Lights from a bed during winter, or Midnight sun during summer.
The furthest north and most remote. Inari is the capital of the Finnish Sami region with a significant indigenous culture and Lake Inari on the doorstep. Properties here, including Nellim on the Russian border, offer the most extreme wilderness experience and some of the best aurora statistics in Finland.
Small mobile glass wall cabins. Unique experience to stay in the middle of the frozen lake. In December-April cabins can be moved to Lake Inari for special Lapland night experience away from lights. 50 km from Ivalo airport.
Wilderness resort in Finnish Lapland, 45 km north from Ivalo airport. 12 Aurora Cabins, 40 wilderness rooms and 8 log cabins. Lappish themed restaurant with panorama views onto Lake Inari. Premium view onto Lake Inari and the northern sky from Aurora Cabins.
Real wilderness! Aurora bubbles in the middle of nowhere. Suitable for 1 overnight experience for wilderness lovers and adventure seekers. 51 km - Ivalo Airport.2 4 km from Tsarmitunturi Wilderness Area. 10 km from Russian border.
All 9 properties from Saariselka (68.3N) to Nellim (68.8N). Notice the spread - the furthest north properties have the best aurora conditions.
More planning required than Rovaniemi, but the reward is the best aurora location in Finland. Allow extra travel time and always rent a car.
Daily flights from Helsinki (1h 40min). Some seasonal European routes in winter. 25km from Saariselka village (25 min drive), 65km from Inari. Car rental at the airport. Most igloo hotels provide airport transfer if arranged in advance.
More flight options to Rovaniemi. Then rent a car and drive 260km north to Saariselka (2.5 hours) on the E75 highway - a scenic route through increasingly wild Lapland. Good option if flights to Ivalo are full or expensive.
Local bus runs twice daily between Ivalo and Saariselka. Check timetables at matkahuolto.fi. Impractical for most igloo hotels which are not on the bus route. Only option without a car for Saariselka village properties like Northern Lights Village (350m from bus stop).