The 6 Best Glass Igloos in Iceland
Glass-walled igloos belong on any Iceland short list. They’re right beside the smoking lava fields, thunderous waterfalls, and black-sand beaches when defining local adventures. And the best glass igloos in Iceland promise more than just spectacular views of the night sky.
You could settle into anything from slick Reykjavík hotels to camper vans circling the Ring Road or cabins tucked against quiet fjords on your visit. But our stay in a glass igloo was an extraordinary experience.
Watching the northern lights ripple overhead – or the midnight sun drift across a pastel sky – while you stay warm and comfortable brings Iceland’s untamed nature straight into your room.
This is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you’ll be talking about for years to come, whether or not you actually see the northern lights. The stars alone are something else,
Below are the top glass igloo stays to help you capture that magic for yourself.
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Table of Contents
- Why Book a Glass Igloo?
- Your Best Choices Of Glass Igloo In Iceland
- The Best Glass Igloos Near Reykjavík
- Glass Igloos Worth the Road Trip
- A Quick-Pick Guide
- Booking & travel tips from repeat visits
Why Book a Glass Igloo?
Iceland’s night sky is spectacular – but the weather can turn in minutes. Clear-roof cabins solve the problem. You stay warm, dry, and ready the very second the aurora breaks through. Every option we talk about below offers:
- Wide, sky-facing glass (roofs, walls, or both)
- Heating and good insulation – no 3 am frostbite worries
- Dark-sky locations away from city glare
- Comfort touches such as a private hot tub, kitchen, or en-suite bath
Your Best Choices Of Glass Igloo In Iceland
You might want to stay out of sight of civilization, or prefer to be a bit closer to the capital. Either way, there is a small but excellent selection of these unique glass igloos in Iceland. We’ve narrowed it down to the best 6, which are all impressive for slightly different reasons.
The Best Glass Igloos Near Reykjavík
Reykjavík is a small but interesting city, and it might surprise you to learn that you can actually see the northern lights from Iceland’s capital. Usually light pollution puts a stop to that, but if you head to the harbour you can get a spectacular view given the right conditions.
Many aurora hunting trips run from Reykjavík so staying just outside the capital is not only super convenient for a short stay, but it also gives you a great chance of seeing those magical lights in the sky from your glass igloo.
If you’re exploring Iceland without a car then one of these glass igloos is a great option.
1. The Buubble Hotel, 5 Million Star Hotel – Golden Circle (about 70 min east of the city)
Here you’ll sleep inside a clear bubble tucked into a lovely birch grove. The bubbles are heated but entirely see-through; bathrooms, showers, and a tiny lounge sit in a nearby service house.
If you’re arriving without a rental car, this Bubble Hotel is easy to get to with a Golden Circle day tour with evening drop-off. Facilities are shared, meaning less privacy, but the “sleeping in the forest under glass” feeling is absolutely unbeatable.
2. Panorama Glass Lodge – Akranes (about 55 min NW of the city)
Standing alone next to the Hvalfjörður fjord, this timber-and-glass cabin gives you mountain, water, and sky views from your pillow. A geothermal hot tub and a hammock share the deck. Inside, you’ll find a compact kitchen and a rain shower that also faces the stunning view.
Shopping runs need to be planned as there’s no on-site restaurant, but the solitude and scenery make the prep completely worthwhile.
Glass Igloos Worth the Road Trip
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous then stay in one of these Iceland glass igloos outside the city centre. It’s worth the trip, as you’ll find the most incredible scenery along the way and the lights will be even brighter away from any city pollution.
3. Aurora Igloo – Hella, South Coast (about 1 hr 40 min from the city)
The small cluster of domes sits on open farmland with almost zero light pollution, meaning outstanding sky viewing. Choose from standard domes that use a separate bathhouse and upgraded units that add an en-suite.
Seljalandsfoss and other South Coast sights are within a 40-minute drive, so you can chase waterfalls by day and northern lights by night.
4. Mirror House – Snæfellsnes Peninsula, West Iceland (about 2 hr 30 min from the city)
This is a tiny cabin wrapped in mirrored glass that reflects the surrounding lava field. During the day, it blends into the landscape. After dark, enjoy a private planetarium effect through the roof.
Kirkjufell mountain, black-sand beaches, and fishing villages are short drives away.
5. Glass Cottages Iceland – Lava Desert near Hekla (about 2 hr SE of the city)
Designed for couples, these eco-minded cubes have glass walls and ceilings, and even a glass-roof shower. Each unit features a hot tub, full kitchen, and no television – nature is the star of the show.
The setting on a wide lava plain gives an unobstructed 360° horizon for both aurora viewing and volcano spotting.
6. Northern Lights Iglúhús – Árskógssandur, North Iceland (about 5 hr north of the city)
If you’re driving the ring road, this North-Coast retreat lets you watch the lights with a backdrop of fjords rather than lava. The igloo-style cabins sit above a quiet riverside hamlet, and local hosts serve hearty breakfasts in the morning.
Winter nights are long, and village lights are minimal, boosting your odds of a clear display. This is a great opportunity to meet some friendly Icelanders during your stay.
A Quick-Pick Guide
| Your priority | Book this igloo | Reason |
| Short escape from the capital | Panorama Glass Lodge | Under an hour’s drive from the city, full kitchen & hot tub. |
| No rental car, easy touring | 5 Million Star Hotel | Can be bundled with Golden Circle transport. |
| Best price-to-aurora ratio | Aurora Igloo, Hella | South-coast weather clears quickly; competitive winter rates. |
| West-Iceland photography loop | Mirror House, Snæfellsnes | Ideal base between Reykjavík and the Westfjords. |
| Eco-luxury & volcano views | Glass Cottages, Hekla | Off-grid feel with upscale touches. |
| Northern itinerary | Northern Lights Iglúhús | Fjord scenery and long, dark nights up north. |
Booking & travel tips from repeat visits
- Reserve six months ahead for peak aurora season (September–March). Inventories are tiny – many sites have fewer than ten units.
- Shop in Reykjavík before you leave town. Outlying supermarkets close early, and restaurant choices can be slim.
- Pack an eye mask in summer. From late May to early August, the midnight sun can turn your glass roof into a lantern, making it hard to sleep.
- Track both cloud cover and KP index. A clear sky with low solar activity can still produce faint lights, while a high KP reading needs gaps in the clouds. Apps like ‘My Aurora Forecast’ can help you identify when the chances of spotting the northern lights are highest.
- Be mindful of the road conditions. Winter storms can shut sections of Route 1. Try to build buffer days into your schedule and check road conditions each morning before you head out.
- Pack carefully for the time of year you’re travelling in. Iceland experiences a range of seasons and some pretty extreme weather. You will want to be prepared with the right Iceland packing list.
Conclusion: The Best Glass Igloos In Iceland
A night in a glass igloo costs more than a standard guesthouse. But the first time we watched green ribbons flicker overhead without leaving our duvet, we understood the premium!
If you’re heading to Iceland during peak northern lights watching time then I would say it’s 100% worth booking a few nights in a glass igloo and hoping for the best (plus the stars are simply magical).
If you’re visiting Iceland in summer then I wouldn’t say it’s worth the price. You don’t get very much night during which to watch the night sky, and the glass can turn your accommodation into a bit of a greenhouse. It’s better to save your money for trips to the waterfalls and other spectacular places.
If you’re itching to try it, just pick the region that fits your itinerary, book early, and let Iceland’s restless sky do the rest.
And please send us your photos, they never cease to amaze us.
