4 MAGICAL ICE HOTELS IN NORWAY TO VISIT THIS WINTER!
WONDERING WHERE TO VISIT THE BEST ICE HOTELS IN NORWAY?
Check out our blog post below to discover the 4 BEST ice hotels in Norway to either stay overnight or take a day trip to!
It includes the best tour operators, booking a stay at a Norway ice hotel and what to expect, prices, on-site facilities and restaurants, getting there and much more!
We categorise the ice hotels by location, starting from the furthest north of Norway, gradually descending south:
1. SNOWHOTEL KIRKENES
Nestled in the picturesque town of Kirkenes, Norway, Snowhotel Kirkenes is a captivating Arctic destination. Its pièce de résistance is its stunning ice hotel, an architectural masterpiece crafted entirely from ice and snow.
The best part? This snow hotel is set in a climate controlled tent in the warmer months, meaning you can stay at this Snow Hotel all year long!
Beyond the ice hotel, visitors can also engage in activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling and Northern Lights tours.
Open from: Open all year round!
Location: Kirkenes, northern Norway.
Closest airport: Kirkenes Airport, Norway (KKN). 13km (15 minute drive) to Snowhotel Kirkenes.
How to get there: You can either drive there yourself, use their free transfer service or be taken during an organised Snowhotel Kirkenes guided tour.
Top highlights: Opportunity to stay in an ice hotel 365 day a year, and amazing tours on offer here.
BEST GUIDED DAY TOURS TO SNOWHOTEL KIRKENES:
⭐ Snowhotel Kirkenes 365 Day Visit tour
(Includes guided tour of Snowhotel, plus reindeer and husky park. You can request hotel pick-up / drop off prior after booking the tour)
STAYING OVERNIGHT AT SNOWHOTEL KIRKENES
| Room Types Available | Room Prices Per Night |
|---|---|
| “Snow Double Room” | 1 person: £240 (approx.) 2 people: £490 (approx.) |
| “Snow Family Room” | 1 person: £240 (approx.) 2 people: £490 (approx.) 3 people: £700 (approx.) 4 people: £900 (approx.) |
ON-SITE FACILITIES
- Snowhotel 365
- Snowhotel Restaurant
- Gamme Cabins
OTHER ACTIVITIES AT SNOWHOTEL KIRKENES
- Husky tours
- Husky mountain hike
- Husky taxis from the airport!
- Snowmobile safari
- Showshoe walking
- Northern Lights safari
- Ice fishing
- Sami experience
- Snow yoga
2. SORRISNIVA IGLOO HOTEL
During Winter, an unforgettable Arctic adventure awaits at the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel in Alta, Norway.
This remarkable ice hotel is built every year at the luxurious Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge, one of the best places to stay in Alta Norway for Northern Lights!
The ice hotel at Sorrisniva offers guests a unique opportunity to sleep in cozy ice suites amidst the stunning frozen artistry between December to April every year.
Beyond the hotel, visitors can take part in thrilling activities like ice sculpting, snowmobiling, and mesmerising Northern Lights excursions, promising an enchanting winter experience in the heart of the Arctic wilderness.
Open from: Mid December – early April.
Location: Alta, northern Norway.
Closest airport: Alta Airport, Norway (ALF). 21km (25 minute drive) from Sorrisniva Igloo hotel.
How to get there: You can drive there yourself, do an organised Sorrisniva Igloo hotel guided tour.
Top highlights: Igloo hotel includes an Ice Chapel (can hold wedding ceremonies and baptisms!), have a blue ice drink in the Ice Bar.
BEST GUIDED DAY TOURS TO SORRISNOVA IGLOO HOTEL
⭐ 4 hour Snowshoe Trip and Ice Hotel Guided Tour
STAYING OVERNIGHT AT SORRISNOVA IGLOO HOTEL
| Room Types Available | Room Prices Per Night |
|---|---|
| “Double Room” | 1 person: £250 (approx.) 2 people: £350 (approx.) |
| “Exclusive Suite” | 1 person: £380 (approx.) 2 people: £480 (approx.) |
ON-SITE FACILITIES
- Sorrisniva Igloo hotel
- Ice chapel
- Ice bar
- Jacuzzi & sauna experiences
- Maku Restaurant
- Lavvu Restaurant
ADDITIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES
- Northern Lights tours
- Husky experiences
- Snowshoeing
- Reindeer experiences
- Sami culture experiences
- King Crab experiences
3. TROMSØ ICE DOMES
Tromsø Ice Domes is a breathtaking Arctic wonderland nestled in the heart of northern Norway’s pristine wilderness, set within the Arctic Circle. It is one of the very best things to do when visiting Tromsø!
The highlight of this unique destination is of course the awe-inspiring Ice Domes, open from mid December to early April.
Guests can immerse themselves in the ethereal beauty of the sculpted ice and snow architecture at this resort. The sheer detail and craftsmanship found within the Tromsø Ice Domes are guaranteed to make your jaw drop, with the designs truly getting even better year upon year!
Beyond the unique chance to stay overnight here, guests can indulge in unforgettable activities on-site, such as dog sledding, snowmobiling and Northern Lights tours, ensuring an unforgettable Arctic experience all in one place.
Open from: Mid December to early April.
Location: Tamok Valley, 95km from Tromsø City centre.
Closest airport: Tromsø Airport, Norway (TOS). 99km (1 hour 30 minute drive) from Tromso Ice Domes.
How to get there: You can either drive yourself there, use the transport services to/from Tromso city centre or be taken as part of an organised Tromsø Ice Domes guided tour.
Top highlights: Short movie in the Ice Cinema, Ice bar.
BEST GUIDED DAY TOURS TO TROMSO ICE DOMES
⭐ Tromsø Ice Domes Guided Tour & Reindeer Visit
STAYING OVERNIGHT AT TROMSO ICE DOMES
| Room Types Available | Room Prices Per Night |
|---|---|
| “Double Room” | Overnight all-inclusive package begins at 15000 NOK (Approx. £1175) for 2 people. Includes: Transfer by bus from and back to Tromsø city English-speaking guide Overnight stay in a double room in the ice hotel Food and beverages Entrance and guided tour to Tromsø Ice Domes Non-alcoholic ice shot in the ice bar Short movie in the ice-cinema Winter overall suit, boots and mittens All necessary gear (depending on the chosen activity) Activities to choose between: Dogsledding Snowmobiling Reindeer Sledding |
ON-SITE FACILITIES
- Ice Hotel
- Ice Cinema
- Ice Bar
- Breakfast and dinner in “warm part of the hotel”. Warm part of hotel includes restrooms, showers, dressing rooms, reception, bar and lounge.
ADDITIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES
- Northern Lights chase tours
- Dog sledding (day & night)
- Reindeer sledding (day & night)
- Snowmobiling (day & night)
- Snowshoeing
4. HUNDERFOSSEN SNOW HOTEL
Nestled amidst the snowy landscapes of Lillehammer, Norway, Hunderfossen Snow Hotel is set within the captivating Hunderfossen Winter Park – an unforgettable Winter retreat.
The centrepiece of this frozen Wonderland is this remarkable Snow Hotel, featuring intricately carved ice rooms that provide an unforgettable Arctic accommodation experience.
There are 24 beautifully sculpted Snow Hotel ice rooms available to stay at during the Winter months. There’s also an epic Ice Bar, Ice Cathedral and countless ice sculptures to check out too!
Beyond the Snow Hotel’s unique allure, visitors can also enjoy an array of other activities around the Winter Park like snow rafting, snow slides, live performances and much more!
Open from: From February
Location: Fossekrovegen, Fåberg, Norway.
Closest airport: Oslo Airport, Norway (OSL). 158km (1 hour 50 minute drive) from Hunderfossen Snow hotel.
How to get there: You can either drive yourself or catch a 2 hour 10 minute direct train from Oslo Airport!
Top highlights: 24 beautiful ice-sculpted rooms. As the Snow Hotel is part of the Hunderfossen Winter Park, so all Snow Hotel guests will also get free admission into the park!
STAYING OVERNIGHT AT HUNDERFOSSEN SNOW HOTEL
| Room Types Available | Room Prices Per Night |
|---|---|
| “Family Room” | Up to 6 people (4 single beds, 1 xtra large double bed): £1,160 |
ON-SITE FACILITIES
- Ice Hotel
- Ice Bar
- KOS Restaurant
- Bagges and Woody’s Café’s
- Outdoor Ice Gallery (Winter Park)
- Ice Cathedral (Winter Park)
- Snow rafting
- Live performances & fireworks (Winter Park)
ADDITIONAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES
- Hunderfossen Winter Park
- Nearby ski school
WHAT TO PACK TO STAY IN AN ICE HOTEL
In an ice hotel you stay overnight in conditions close to freezing point. Therefore, we advise to bring the following items with you:
Our packing suggestions:
- A warm hat
- Long-sleeved shirt
- Long trousers
- Wool socks
- A GoPro to capture amazing footage of the night sky or Northern lights!
- Refillable water bottle to take into the room with you.
- Your swimsuit (in case of on-site jacuzzi experiences, such as at Sorrisniva Igloo hotel).
ICE HOTELS IN NORWAY: “KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S
ARE ICE HOTELS WORTH IT?
Yes, ice hotels are absolutely worth a visit if you get the chance to on your trip to Norway. To stay overnight in an ice hotel is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, though it may not be for everyone.
In this case, consider taking guided tour to an ice hotel in Norway, as to see these incredible creations of snow and ice is absolutely worth a visit!
DOES NORWAY HAVE AN ICE HOTEL? IF SO, HOW MANY ICE HOTELS ARE THERE IN NORWAY?
Yes, there are ice hotels where you can visit or stay overnight in Norway. There are four ice hotels to experience in Norway: Snowhotel Kirkenes, Sorrisniva Igloo hotel, Tromsø Ice Domes and Hunderfossen Snow Hotel.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STAY AT AN ICE HOTEL IN NORWAY?
The cost to stay overnight at an ice hotel in Norway depends on where you stay, though generally you can expect to pay £400 – £500 a night.
HOW COLD IS IT AT THE ICE HOTEL IN NORWAY?
Typically, you can expect temperatures in ice hotels to varying between -1°c to -7°c.
CONCLUSION: ICE HOTELS IN NORWAY
In conclusion, Norway offers a breathtaking array of ice hotels that promise a truly unique experience, whether you choose to stay overnight or visit on a guided tour.
You can find three of these hotels snuggled far north of Norway, including Snowhotel Kirkenes, Sorrisniva Igloo hotel and Tromsø Ice Domes.
Not forgetting Hunderfossen Snow Hotel in south Norway, easily accessible from Oslo Airport. Whichever you choose, these ice hotels invite you to embrace the magic of winter in Norway like never before!
This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!
Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com
A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.
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