6 Best Sweden Northern Lights Hotels
Stretching far into the Arctic Circle, Swedish Lapland lies directly beneath the Auroral Oval, making Sweden one of the few countries with the most reliable display of Northern lights. What makes Sweden special is the unique hotels on offer, from the frozen sculptures of Ice Hotel to floating Arctic Bath. Many even offer Northern Lights wake-up calls, glass walls, or outdoor jacuzzis, ensuring you’ll never miss the Northern lights.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best hotels in Sweden to see the Northern Lights.
Located Under The Auroral Oval: Swedish Lapland, sits directly beneath the Auroral Zone, the area of the sky where the Northern Lights most frequently appear. Visit between September and March for the highest chance of catching Northern lights.
Ideal Weather Conditions: Sweden’s Abisko National Park is particularly known for its unique microclimate, where the skies stay unusually clear. Paired with almost zero light pollution, makes Sweden one of the best countries to watch the Northern lights.
Easy accessibility: Direct flights from Stockholm to Kiruna or Luleå take just about 90 minutes, and from there, most Northern Lights hotels and lodges are only an hour or two away.
Here are some of the best regions in Sweden to stay for watching the Northern Lights.
- Swedish Lapland: Sitting directly under the auroral oval, Swedish Lapland has very little pollution, long nights in winter, which make exceptional aurora viewing conditions.
- Abisko National Park (near Kiruna): This area is famed for its “blue hole” micro-climate that offers clearer skies than much of the surrounding region, making it one of the most reliable places worldwide to see the aurora.
- Lule River Valley region (including places like Harads and the shores of the Lule River): Slightly further south than Abisko, but still under excellent aurora conditions, ideal for combining luxury stays and design led hotels with Northern Lights experiences.
For the highest chance of catching the Northern Lights in Sweden, choose a hotel in the Swedish Lapland, ideally in the Abisko/Kiruna corridor or the Lule River Valley.
Related Reads: 8 Best Hotels In Norway To See Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
1Treehotel, Swedish Lapland
Photo courtesy of © Treehotel
Where: Harads (about an hour’s drive from Luleå Airport)
Treehotel located in the region of Harads in northern Sweden is truly a unique concept in the middle of a breathtaking natural setting to witness the Northern Lights. Along with being one of the best hotels in Sweden for Northern Lights, thanks to its location in the Aurora zone, part of the appeal of these treehouses is the Scandinavian design.
Set among the pristine forests of Swedish Lapland, the Treehotel offers 8 different treehouses, each unique in their own way. Suspended 4-6 meters above the ground or built on platforms among the trees, accessible by ramp, bridge, or electric stairs.
Beyond its spectacular design, Treehotel’s remote location far from light pollution ensures some of the clearest, darkest skies in Europe, make it one of the best hotel to see aurora borealis in Sweden. It also offers the opportunity to immerse in the wilderness with activities such as meeting a real life mouse, husky sled riding, northern light hunt & bonfire and more.
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2Arctic Bath Hotel, Swedish Lapland
Photo courtesy of © Arctic Bath Hotel
Where: Harads (about an hour’s drive from Luleå Airport)
Arctic Bath Hotel is a floating hotel situated on Lule river in the small village of Harads in Swedish Lapland. This all-year-round unique hotel floats on the river during the summer months and freezes into place in winter. Located just 31 miles from the Arctic circle, Arctic Bath Hotel is one of the most extraordinary hotels in the world to witness the Northern Lights. It provides front-row seat to the Arctic sky, free from light pollution and surrounded by pristine wilderness.
At the heart of Arctic Bath lies a circular main building inspired by Sweden’s log-driving history, inside which the centrepiece is an open air river pool. Choose between three striking accommodation types – Water, Land, or Suite, all of which are strategically positioned to maximize views of the surrounding wilderness and the Northern lights.
The Water Cabins, floating along the shoreline and reached by a footpath over the water. The Suites, nestled among birch trees, are spacious retreats with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the flowing Lule River, while the Land Cabins are large, comfortable accommodations that can host up to five guests, ideal for families or small groups.
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3Icehotel, Swedish Lapland
Photo courtesy of © Icehotel
Where: Kiruna
Located in Jukkasjärvi, Icehotel sits right under the Auroral Oval, giving it some of the most reliable conditions for seeing the Norther lights. Despite its secluded location, Icehotel is located just 15 minutes from Kiruna Airport (KRN), with regular flights from Stockholm.
Staying at Icehotel is a twofold experience, a combination of one of the most unique stays in the world whilst being one of the best Sweden Northern Lights Hotels. Founded in 1989, Icehotel was the world’s first hotel to be built entirely from ice and snow and is still rebuilt every winter using ice harvested from the nearby Torne River.
There are two options, opt to stay outside in the ice suites which is open from Dec – April or in the warm comfort at Icehotel 365 (the year-round section) to watch the Northern Lights shimmer across the sky. Or combine the two for the best of both. On offer are various different Northern lights packages to help you make the most of your stay.
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4Aurora Safari Camp, Swedish Lapland
Photo courtesy of © Aurora Safari Camp
Where: Along the Råne River (about an hour’s drive from Luleå Airport)
Nestled among the trees on the banks of Lake Degerselet, part of the Råne River, Aurora Safari Camp is one of the best Sweden Northern Lights hotels and the world’s first glamping site specially designed to celebrate the unique climate of Arctic Sweden. Surrounded by forest in every direction except when you look up, the camp offers uninterrupted views of the night sky, making it one of the best destinations to watch the Northern lights.
Located about an hour’s drive from Luleå Airport or 40 minutes from Boden train station, the final stretch in winter includes a charming snowmobile sleigh ride from reception. It features 5 heated cabins, three large Tipi Cabins and two cosy Lapland Cone. The lapland cone come with panoramic glass ceilings, making it the perfect hotel to watch the Northern lights even from the comfort of your bed. It also has a floating sauna on the lake that is open all year round along with activities like guided snowshoe, Northern Lights
Snowmobile Safari and more.
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5Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins
Photo courtesy of © Aurora River Camp Glass Igloos & Cabins
Where: Kiruna, Swedish Lapland (about a 15-minute drive from Kiruna Airport)
Located in the heart of Swedish Lapland, just outside Kiruna, Aurora River Camp offers a unique and intimate Northern Lights experience. Its north-facing camp in Kiruna, surrounded by boreal forests, and remote location ensures minimal light pollution, offering clear, dark skies that are ideal to catch the Northern Lights spotting.
Choose between the traditional cabins or modern glass igloos which are located right next to the Torne River, glass walls and ceiling will provide you with unforgettable view of the night sky and Northern Lights shows. Aurora River Camp also offers various winter activities such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, and Sami cultural experiences, making it a full Arctic adventure.
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6Aurora Mountain Lodge
Photo courtesy of © Aurora Mountain Lodge
Where: Lannavaara
Nestled in the small village of Lannavaara, north of the Arctic Circle along the Lainio River, Aurora Mountain Lodge offers remote wilderness for the best chance of catching the Northern Lights and immerses you in authentic Lapland life. With a year-round population of just 80 people it has a strong connection to the indigenous Sámi culture. Aurora Mountain Lodge is also home to more than 50 huskies. Stop by the Husky Camp any day to meet some hardworking doggies.
Choose between the Aurora Cabins and Aurora Suites, the suites feature stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to watch the Northern Lights dance right from your bed. On nights when the aurora is shy, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the majestic Kourmakka mountain from the lounge and restaurant areas. After a night of aurora hunting, unwind in the outdoor sauna, perfectly positioned for relaxation under the Arctic sky.
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* All listings featured in this article were independently selected. However, when you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All the images belong to the respective owners. Main Image © Arctic Bath Hotel
