11 places to stay for Northern Lights watching in Lyngenfjord

Where should you stay during the Northern Lights season in Lyngenfjord? Your choice will depend on you, your needs and who you’re travelling with. In Lyngenfjord, there are no chain hotels, instead the places are locally owned and operated. The range is from shameless luxury to simple and old-style. We have selected a few options to demonstrate the variety and provide you some ideas. There are more good options, especially in the mid-range, found throughout the Lyngenfjord area.

Lyngen North is glass igloos under the Northern Lights

We always say “stay out under the open sky when looking out for the Northern Lights”. However, after the opening of Lyngen North, we’ve had to modify that. What if your ceiling is made of glass, and you can lie in your bed and scan the night sky? No cold feet, no transport anywhere and, for some, the best part is no other people around. The view towards the northern end of the Lyngen Alps is to die for, and in the north, you see the majestic island of Nord-Fugløy. Stay here with your significant other, or with friends, and include a meal at nearby “Solvind” restaurant – the name means Solar Wind.

Reisa Lodge is relaxed comfort in the forest

The Reisadalen Valley is a winter dream right out of “Frozen” – deep pine forests, a meandering big river and steep mountains. Snow crystals glisten in the cold, and the winter night sky is usually clear in the dry, cold inland climate. Go dogsledding, try your luck at ice fishing and explore the area by snowmobile. The little suites at Reisa Lodge are cozy, warm and endlessly comfortable, and rest assured that when Aurora shows up, you have front row seats.

Skibotn hotel is the operational central for Northern Lights watchers

Splendid isolation is not your thing? Skibotn Hotel is where things happen in the inner part of Lyngenfjord. Northern Lights hunters looking for adventure both at daytime and in those precious aurora hours at night can use this midrange hotel as an operational base. The dry Skibotn valley and the Finnish border? Dogsledding in the Tamokdalen valley? Culturally interesting Manndalen? It’s all within easy reach by private car. The rooms are well-equipped and comfortable, and the restaurant offers comforting food after many hours out.

Aurora huts at North Experience are winter glamping

The Skibotn Valley is a well-known Aurora location, hidden between the steepest mountains in the area. Here you can stay the night in an Aurora Hut, a modern version of the traditional Sami lavvu. Inside the hut, it’s cozy and warm,  and the way out to the open sky is short. In spring, the Aurora Hut is packed away, and nature left alone. Sauna and jacuzzi are also available. You are in the middle of an Arctic winter night, yet safe and sound.

XLyngen is Scandinavian Chic for your gang

A gang of friends can hire a cabin on the seaside at Xlyngen. Modern, bright and Scandinavian in style, you can do self-catering, but there is also a homely, modern restaurant.  Fun activities like snowmobiling, skiing, snowshoeing and ice fishing are available.. There is an outdoor jacuzzi and a sauna, and you might even take a plunge in the sea. Packages allow you to go whale watching in the midwinter season, randonnee skiing in the sunny later winter etc.

Arctic Panorama Lodge is utter luxury on a remote island

Sometimes it’s good to be spoilt with gourmet cuisine, luxurious rooms and the odd glass of champagne. Arctic Panorama Lodge is Lyngenfjord at its poshest, found in a remote village on the Uløya Island. The views to islands, fjords and mountains are panoramic, and you can choose between a range of activities, from whale watching through snowshoeing and whisky tasting to skiing. How active or relaxing you want to be, is up to you, because more than anywhere Arctic Panorama is where you get the red-carpet treatment.

Helligskogen is a refuge for wanderers close to the border

A fjellstue – mountain refuge – used to be found every 30 km, a day’s walking distance, along the old trade routes that crisscrossed the Northern Scandinavian wilderness. Helligskogen, starting out as Finnish Pyhaouta, dates from 1846, and used to house traders and public servants en route to or from Finland. Lodging and food were provided, along with valuable travel info in Norwegian, Finnish or Sami. Today, this is a youth hostel with simple rooms in nostalgic style, catering for budget travellers looking for solitude and powder snow for outdoor activities.  The dry climate ensures extraordinarily good Northern Lights conditions.

Solhov is monumental budget accommodation

Northern Norway’s biggest wooden building opened in 1924 as a folk high school – an adult education centre.  Building a structure of these dimensions and in this grandiose style had an ulterior motive – bring Norwegian language and culture to the multi-ethnic Lyngenfjord area. Today, Solhov Castle of the Lyngen Alps is a simple but comfortable guesthouse, . with beautifully furnished rooms and shared facilities. Found near the central village of Lyngseidet, it is an excellent starting point for exploration around the Lyngen Fjord.

Aurora fjord cabins are a romantic retreat with a glass of whisky

The face of the Lyngen Fjord changes all the time. Seated with your significant other in splendid isolation at Aurora Fjord Cabins on a comfy sofa in front a one of the giant windows allows you to see the ferries crossing the fjord, the bright daylight hours and the starry nights, along with rain, snow and wind. If Aurora graces us with her presence, you’ll be the first to know. There is also a private outdoor jacuzzi, and everything is stylish, modern, and comfortable. Touring the distillery next door is a must, and all kinds of outdoor activities are on request. Or do nothing at all…

Skjervøy Hotel is close to the whales

The town of Skjervøy is as urban as Lyngenfjord gets; a good 2000 people live around a sheltered port directly on the North Atlantic. Here, the whales have come the last few mid-winters to feast on herring. The town hotel, Hotell Maritim, is a well-run comfortable place with comfy rooms, a bar and the town’s favourite restaurant. This makes it a suitable base to go whale-watching, aurora hunting and to explore both the big islands and the nearby fjords.

Manndalen sjøbuer is in the middle of the fjord village

Manndalen, Olmmaivaggi in Sami, is a valley with a tight-knit community of Sami origin. The Manndalen Craft Centre cultivates handicraft traditions going thousands of years back. In the middle of this village are the Manndalen Sjøbuer – sjøbu meaning a shack to house fishermen. However, the huts are modern and comfortable, in a homely style and suited for families or small groups of friends. The fjord views are great, as are the chances to go skiing, do easy activities and watch the Northern Lights.