From heated glass igloos to budget city hostels — the complete guide to accommodation in Rovaniemi for northern lights and Santa Claus Village trips.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi 2026

Rovaniemi sits right on the Arctic Circle — home to Santa Claus Village, husky farms, and the gateway to Finnish Lapland. Accommodation ranges from €30/night hostels to €500/night glass igloos.

Key Decision: City vs Wilderness

Rovaniemi City Centre

Pros: Walkable, restaurants, budget options, bus connections Cons: Light pollution (aurora score 7/10 in city), less atmospheric Best for: Budget travellers, families visiting Santa

Outside Rovaniemi (10–30km)

Pros: Dark skies, glass igloos, wilderness cabins, authentic Lapland feel Cons: Need car or transfers, fewer restaurants Best for: Aurora chasers, couples, photography

Glass Igloos & Aurora Accommodation

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (8km from centre) — Designer glass-fronted pods in forest canopy. Heated, aurora alarm system. From €300/night. Book 3–6 months ahead.

Santa's Igloos Arctic Circle — Glass igloos at Santa Claus Village. Family-friendly, heated, aurora alarm. From €250/night.

Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos (30km) — Combined snow rooms + glass igloos. Outdoor hot tubs. From €150/night (snow room) or €300 (igloo).

Nova Skyland (Inari, 4h drive) — If willing to drive further, Inari's glass cabins offer darker skies and 8/10 aurora. From €300/night.

Budget (€30–70/night)

Hostel Café Koti — Central, cosy, dorms from €30
City Hotel — No-frills doubles from €60
Airbnb log cabins — Outside centre from €50/night, some with saunas

Mid-Range (€80–180/night)

Scandic Rovaniemi City — Reliable 4-star, central. From €90.
Arctic Light Hotel — Boutique, great restaurant. From €120.
Log cabins (Airbnb/Booking) — Self-catering wilderness cabins. Saunas, fireplaces. From €80.

Luxury (€200–500+/night)

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel — The standout. From €300.
Octola Private Wilderness — Ultra-luxury lodge, 30 min from Rovaniemi. €1,000+/night. Hosted by staff, all-inclusive.
Glass igloos — Various options from €250–500/night.

Tips

Glass igloos book out 6–12 months ahead for December–February
Sauna is standard in most Finnish accommodation — use it daily
Self-catering saves huge money — S-Market and K-Market have great selections
Aurora alerts — most glass igloo accommodations have alarm systems that wake you

Frequently Asked Questions

Are glass igloos worth the money?

For one night, absolutely — it's a unique experience. The heated glass doesn't fog, and waking up to aurora overhead is unforgettable. Two nights is unnecessary.

City or Santa Claus Village for families?

Santa Claus Village if kids are under 10 — walking distance to Santa's office, huskies, and reindeer. City centre for older kids who want restaurants and activities.

Read our 3-day Rovaniemi itinerary and glass igloos guide.