💜 Lapland for couples: the most secluded cabins under the northern lights
If you want to get away from it all together — with no neighbours behind the wall, crisp snow outside the windows and the northern lights instead of the TV — Finnish Lapland is the place to be. But TikTok and tour packages sell the image of an "igloo for €300", when in reality a romantic night can easily cost €700-900 or more during peak season.
In this article, you will learn which regions of Lapland are best suited for couples, how glass igloos differ from forest cottages, what price ranges are considered normal for the 2025–2026 season, and how to plan a route so that you can see the aurora without breaking the bank. Finland is the base here, but along the way, I will mention where it makes sense to extend your trip to Sweden or Norway if you want to continue.
A couple of important thoughts to start with:
● romance ≠ only glass igloos; sometimes a simple wooden cabin with its own sauna and silence works ten times better;
● it often makes sense to build one night in an expensive igloo into a more budget-friendly week — this is a great model of "one wow night + several quiet ones".
And yes, Lapland is not just Rovaniemi and Santa Claus. Below, we will outline where to find that "quiet winter for two".
How romantic Lapland can be for two
There are five types of accommodation for couples in Lapland:
- Glass igloos and aurora cabins
Small domes or cabins with panoramic glass roofs. Lying in a warm bed and watching green ribbons across the sky is truly amazing. These types of accommodation are available in the Rovaniemi, Levi, Saariselkä, Ivalo and Kilpisjärvi areas. - Forest cottages and huts
From individual cottages on the lake shore to entire mini-villages. Often with their own sauna, fireplace, and sometimes a jacuzzi on the terrace. This is closer to what people usually imagine when they think of renting a real hut — only in the Finnish style. - Boutique hotels with a view
For example, hotels on the hills near Rovaniemi or on the slopes in Levi: rooms with panoramic views, a restaurant, a bar, and sometimes a sky sauna. Not the most secluded, but convenient without a car and with comfortable service. - Combo resorts: activities + cabins
Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä or Levi, Aurora Village Ivalo, complexes near Rovaniemi: you live in aurora cabins, and during the day you go to husky and reindeer farms and snowmobile rides from the same base. - Completely wild options
A couple of glass igloos or cottages in the middle of the tundra, essentially a small private world. For example, igloo complexes in the Kilpisjärvi area, surrounded only by hills and a river.
The main question is not "where is more romantic," but what exactly is romantic for you: lying in a jacuzzi with a view of the hills, heating a wood-burning sauna, skiing together, or retreating into complete silence.
- "A quiet cottage, sauna, books and walks" → cottages and small eco-villages.
- "Skiing, and in the evening – to the bar/spa" → Levi, Jyllas and other resorts.
- "Maximum silence, minimum people" → north of Ivalo, Inari/Kilpisjärvi areas.
Rovaniemi and the surrounding area: convenient, but not always secluded
Rovaniemi is the official "capital of Santa Claus" and is easiest to reach by direct flights and trains. But if you are looking at Lapland as a couple, there is an important nuance: the city centre and Santa Claus Village are not about peace and quiet, but about hustle and bustle, buses and groups.
Romantic Rovaniemi begins just outside the Arctic hustle and bustle:
● Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos in the village of Sinetta is a complex with an ice hotel and glass igloos in the middle of the forest. Shuttles take you there, but it's dark and quiet around, not commercial buildings.
● Aurora Cabin style around Rovaniemi — small villages with aurora cabins: when you live in your own cabin in the snow, rather than in a large hotel.
● Sky hotels on Ounasvaara hill — views of the city and snow-covered forests, a restaurant and the opportunity to go for a walk along the ridge in the evening.
If you want to combine a winter day in Rovaniemi with a couple of nights in a more secluded place, the plan is simple:
1-2 nights in the city (Santa, museums, restaurants) → then 1-3 nights in an igloo/cabin outside the city. This makes for convenient logistics and a more authentic "we're alone in the forest" experience.
North of the busy trails: Ivalo, Saariselkä, Inari
If you want more Arctic and fewer package tour buses, check out the Ivalo–Saariselkä–Inari arc. This is where the tiny aurora villages mentioned in articles about "escaping to a glass igloo in Lapland" begin.
What's here for couples:
● Aurora Village Ivalo — a compact village with cabins that are half glass-roofed; surrounded by forest and a few reindeer, rather than a highway and bars.
● Northern Lights Village Saariselkä — a classic romantic package: aurora cabins, its own restaurant, private saunas and ready-made "Romantic Aurora Escape" packages for 3-4 nights with dinners and activities.
● Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort — famous glass igloos and chalets in the middle of the tundra, a "dream night" option if you're ready for the price tag.
Saariselkä and Inari are great because they make it easy to combine Lapland for animal lovers (husky and reindeer farms, winter fishing) with a very quiet evening: you return to your cabin, heat up the sauna, lie down under the glass — and there's no Santa Village across the road.
If peace and quiet are important to you, check on the map how far the cottages are from the road and the village. 500–800 metres of forest work wonders — the light is the same, but the noise is different.
Levi and Jyllas: for those who want to ski and sit by the fireplace
Levi and Jyllas are often perceived as purely ski resorts, but for couples they offer an excellent balance: during the day you can ski, walk in the forest and fells, and in the evening you can retreat to your cottage with a sauna or glass roof.
Levi
● On a hill near the resort stands the Golden Crown – Levin Iglut complex: glass igloos on a hill with a panoramic view of the valley, some of which have a jacuzzi and terrace.
● In the vicinity of Levi, there are small ranches with sky view cabins, some with their own sauna and outdoor hot tub.
Ylläs
● There are many classic cottages in the forest around Ylläs: in the morning, you can hit the slopes, and in the evening, you can enjoy the sauna and the stars.
● Some of the cottages have panoramic windows overlooking the hills and minimal lighting, which is important if you are serious about the prices of activities in Lapland and do not want to overpay for a glass roof, but still dream of the northern lights.
This base works well if you like to be active: a day on the slopes (or on snowshoes/cross-country skis), in the evening — a cottage, dinner, sauna. And yes, the northern lights are just as visible here as in Rovaniemi, but there are fewer crowds.
Kilpisjärvi and the "edge of the map": when you want almost complete silence
Kilpisjärvi is less talked about on TikTok than Santa Claus, but it is this area that regularly appears in the rankings of the best places to watch the Northern Lights in Finland. On a high plateau, far from large cities, there are often fewer clouds and light pollution here.
Small complexes of glass igloos and cottages have already appeared around the lake and hills — the very format of "the two of us and three other houses within a radius of several hundred metres". Ideal if:
● you are ready to spend a few days away from big cities,
● you value peace and nature more than restaurants,
● it's not your first time in Finland and you have a rough idea of when it's best to visit Finland in winter for your comfort.
Plus, Kilpisjärvi offers the opportunity to easily "pop over" to Norway for a day (if you are travelling by car or as part of a tour) to see the fjords and then return to your quiet Finnish cottage.
How much does it cost: honest ranges for 2025–2026
Prices in Lapland change quickly, but as of the 2025–2026 seasons, the picture is as follows:
The ranges are compiled from publicly available data on websites and aggregators: glass igloos in Finland cost on average from ~€250/night in low season to almost €1,000 during the Christmas and New Year period, with some luxury options costing even more. Aurora villages such as Aurora Village Ivalo and Northern Lights Village offer romantic 2-4 night packages ranging from ~€980 to €1,300 per person in high season.
To avoid burning through your budget, it's convenient to use the "forest cottage + one night in an igloo" model: a week in a cottage, with one transfer to a glass igloo for one night.
How to choose your cottage under the aurora: a quick checklist
The main enemy of romance is not the price, but unmet expectations. To avoid this, it is useful to run your future cottage through a short checklist.
It is important that there is minimal light pollution around if the goal is to capture the aurora. Photos "at night" from reviews are the best test. Sauna and water. Is there a private sauna in the cottage or a shared one on a schedule? Is the shower in the room or in a separate building? This has a significant impact on the total bill. Transport. Is airport/station transfer included, how much does a taxi cost, is there a ski bus or is there only one bus a day?
Mistakes that kill the romance
Lapland is a very honest place: if you prepare for your trip calmly, it will respond in kind. But there are a number of mistakes that can turn a "dream trip" into "why did we pay so much money for stress".
During the Christmas and New Year peak, prices skyrocket, and fatigue after the flight prevents you from enjoying yourself. It's better to choose a full package in January–March or check into the igloo for at least the second night.
Many couples rush to book on 31 December, and end up with flights, transfers, an expensive dinner and a half-asleep "well, it's nice, yes". January-March often offer lower prices, a better chance of sunshine and a less stressful atmosphere.
Expecting three nights of auroras in a row is a sure path to disappointment. Plan ahead for cloudy evenings: sauna, candles, board games, walks in the snow, local cuisine.
Other common mistakes:
● Relying solely on TikTok images. The videos don't show that it takes 40 minutes to get there on a winter road and that a taxi there and back costs as much as dinner.
● lack of winter clothing. A beautiful coat in the photo is fine, but you still need to wear the right layers underneath (read about this in our comprehensive guide on when to visit Finland in winter and what to wear);
● Overdoing it with activities. If you have huskies, the Northern Lights, snowmobiles and a spa all in one day, romance turns into a quest. It's better to have 1-2 activities a day than to rush through a checklist.
Mini-scenarios for couples: from "light" to "full winter immersion"
To get the full picture, it's useful not just to know the places, but to see the day as a story. Here are some working scenarios for 3-6 nights.
1) "Soft start" — Rovaniemi + night in an igloo
● Nights 1–2: hotel or apartment in Rovaniemi, winter day in Rovaniemi — Santa, Arktikum museum, dinner in town.
● Night 3: transfer to the Arctic SnowHotel or another igloo base outside the city. Sauna, dinner, hunting for the Northern Lights.
2) "Quiet Arctic" — Saariselkä / Ivalo
● 3–4 nights in an aurora village: cabin, restaurant, snow all around.
● During the day — huskies/reindeer/snowmobiles, in the evening — stars and the Northern Lights from your bed.
● You can add 1 night in a forest cabin without a glass roof, but with maximum silence.
3) "Skiing + Northern Lights" — Levi/Jullas
● 4–5 nights in a cottage or hotel near the slopes.
● Daytime — skiing/snowboarding, evening — cabin and sauna.
● One night — transfer to a glass igloo complex in the same region.
And then you can expand to Norway/Sweden: for example, after Levi, drive to Kilpisjärvi, and from there — a day trip to the Norwegian fjord and back to your Finnish cottage.
When the Northern Lights are the backdrop, not the goal
The most lasting romance in Lapland happens when you don't try to squeeze it out of your budget. Don't chase after ideal dates and the most expensive igloos, but build your trip around two pillars: being together and being in touch with the place.
Lapland responds well to this request: it offers many formats, from a simple cottage with a wood-burning sauna to a luxury igloo with a jacuzzi on the terrace. It is important to be honest with yourself about what you want: peace and quiet, activities, "one big night of the northern lights" or a little bit of everything. Then the question of "is it worth the money" sounds less harsh: you understand exactly what you are paying for.
If you want to plan your route, combine this article with how not to overpay in Lapland, prices for activities in Lapland, and where to rent a real hut: this will give you a clear picture of your budget and logistics.
Write in the comments where you would like to spend your first (or fifth) winter in Lapland and what format seems "right" for you: glass, forest, slope or "edge of the map". Share your findings and anti-cases — the best stories will definitely be included in updates to this guide.
FAQ
The most popular areas for honeymoons are Saariselkä, Ivalo and Levi: they have aurora villages with ready-made romantic packages, spas and restaurants on site. Rovaniemi is convenient if you want to see Santa and spend a couple of nights in an igloo outside the city. The most "wild" options are Inari and Kilpisjärvi, but it's better to go there if you already feel confident in winter conditions.
The optimal balance is aurora cabins and igloos around Rovaniemi, Levi and in the Saariselkä/Ivalo area: they combine relatively accessible logistics and decent aurora statistics. Areas such as Kilpisjärvi offer even darker skies, but are more difficult to reach. The main thing is to stay for at least 2-3 nights to catch a clear window.
If you take 3-4 nights in an aurora village with packages, the actual cost in the 2025-2026 season starts at around €2,000-2,800 for two people, including accommodation, transfers and basic activities. You can save a lot by staying in a regular cottage and adding only one night in an igloo. Detailed "mathematics" can be found in the materials on prices for activities in Lapland and how not to overpay in Lapland.
Rovaniemi is convenient if this is your first trip and you want to see Santa, cafes, and museums — it's a romantic "city" format. Saariselkä and Ivalo are about more snow and fewer people: aurora cabins in the forest, long winter trails, and more of an Arctic feel. A common solution is to start in Rovaniemi and then head north for a couple of nights.
Not necessarily, but having your own sauna in the cottage significantly enhances the feeling of "being in your own world." Aurora villages often have shared spa areas or paid private slots, which is also a viable option. If you choose a simple cottage, a sauna is almost always included, and this is one of the main bonuses of romantic Lapland.
There are many bases around Rovaniemi, Levi and Saariselkä/Ivalo that include airport transfers and local skibuses, so it is quite possible to get by without a car. But if you are looking at really wild options, such as Kilpisjärvi or isolated lake cottages, a car greatly adds to your freedom. For routes without a car, it is convenient to refer to our transport and logistics guides.
Honestly, no. The difference between an "expensive" and "very expensive" igloo is usually in the interior details, food, and options like a jacuzzi, not in the glow itself. A dark sky and minimal light pollution are much more important than the number of stars a hotel has. It makes more sense to invest in 2-3 nights at an average price than in one ultra-expensive night on 31 December.
Yes, and this is an excellent scenario: many aurora villages and cottage complexes sell tours with huskies, reindeer and snowmobiles. It's important not to fill one day with three excursions in a row, so that you have time to return to your cottage, eat, heat up the sauna and truly relax. For inspiration, check out our Lapland itinerary for animal lovers.
The optimum is 4 to 6 nights: a day for travelling and settling in, 2-3 days for activities, and 1-2 quiet evenings at the cottage and watching the Northern Lights. Less than 3 nights greatly increases the risk that you will leave without seeing a clear sky. More than a week makes sense if you combine Lapland with skiing or a trip to other regions of Finland.
In Lapland, the temperature in winter often drops to -15...-25 °C, but with the right layers, you can walk quite comfortably. The main thing is not to stand still for hours, but to combine short "outings" with warm breaks in a cabin or café. We discuss clothing selection in detail in our seasonal guides, such as when is the best time to visit Finland in winter.
It's beautiful, but very expensive and crowded, especially in Rovaniemi and large resorts. From a romantic point of view, January–March (except for school holidays) is often more appealing: there is more snow, fewer crowds, and prices and nerves are noticeably calmer. A good compromise is to spend the holidays at home and fly to Lapland in January 2026.
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