If you want the novelty of sleeping in an architectural masterpiece made entirely of ice, plus bucket-list Arctic adventures, these are the three coolest hotels in Europe this winter.

The first of them opened in Jukkasjärvi, Swedish Lapland. ICEHOTEL began in 1989 as an ice-and-snow art exhibition, then welcomed its first overnight guests a year later. Since then, the hotel has been rebuilt each winter using ice harvested from the nearby Torne River. When the season ends, the ice melts back into the river, completing an eternal cycle that makes each edition unique.

The world’s most unique hotel is built entirely from ice and snow. Swedish Lapland’s Icehotel is one of the most famous and innovative places you could ever dream of staying.

This year, ICEHOTEL 37 opens on December 11 and welcomes guests until April 2027. Among the new art suites, The Cold Descent (by Edmund Chan and Tan Taitien) features an ice-cold pool as part of the artwork, while The Emperors Suite (by Dennis Taylor and Michelle Taylor) is filled with hand-sculpted emperor penguins. Meanwhile, the permanent wing, ICEHOTEL 365, celebrates its tenth anniversary and lets visitors enjoy ice and snow art year-round. Its newest addition is a podcast studio built entirely of ice and snow, which the hotel hopes will be the world’s first of its kind.

“I am very proud of everyone who contributed to ICEHOTEL 36. Some of the artists brought years of experience, while others had never worked with snow and ice before. Thanks to hard work and a positive spirit, we managed to get everything ready on time!” said Luca Roncoroni, the hotel’s Creative Director.

Visitors can stay overnight in individually themed suites carved from ice, with beds covered in reindeer hides and thermal sleeping bags. Nearby heated facilities include bathrooms, changing areas, and communal spaces.

Finland and Norway also offer a wide range of icy experiences. Norway is home to the world’s northernmost igloo hotel, the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel near Alta. Every winter, they use 250 tonnes of ice and 7,000 cubic meters of snow to rebuild it around a new theme. Past themes have included Sami culture and the Vikings. From December 20 to March 31, guests sleep on ice beds, then head out on snowmobile, husky, or snowshoe excursions, chase the northern lights, or discover Sami culture. For the romantics, Sorrisniva also has an Ice Chapel that hosts weddings and baptisms.

Sorrisniva is a year-round resort offering guests premium accommodations in the new Arctic Wilderness Lodge, unique stays in the World’s Northernmost Igloo Hotel, world-renowned cuisine and fine dining, and a wide range of wilderness adventures across the Arctic’s dramatically different seasons.

Since the 1970s, the Wisløff family has steadily developed Sorrisniva into a world-famous Arctic destination and a leading entity in Alta. The family has lived here along the Alta River since the late 1880s, working in farming and fishing. In 1970, the family wanted to share the wonders of one of the world’s greatest salmon-fishing rivers and began offering riverboat experiences to Alta Canyon, Europe’s largest river canyon. This was the tip of the iceberg for Sorrisniva’s journey toward becoming a premium resort.

In Rovaniemi, the gateway to Finnish Lapland, the Arctic SnowHotel has been rebuilt each winter since 2008. From December 15 to March 31, about 20 snow rooms welcome up to 70 guests, along with an Ice Restaurant with tables and benches carved from ice, an Ice Bar, and an Ice Chapel. The hotel also claims to have the world’s only snow sauna, where steam rises between walls of snow. If you prefer a warmer stay, you can book one of the 39 heated glass igloos, where an Aurora Alarm buzzes when the northern lights appear above your bed.

Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus in Finland and transforms into a magical winter wonderland during the Christmas season. With its snowy landscapes, festive atmosphere, and unique experiences, it’s the perfect winter getaway.

Starting December 15, step into one of the world’s largest snow and ice hotels for a visit, or spend the night surrounded by stunning snow and ice art for a once-in-a-lifetime stay. You can also sleep under the stars in a cozy, heated glass igloo and enjoy Arctic activities like ice sculpting, starting as early as September 1.

During your visit, explore thrilling activities, sip a drink from an iced glass, and dine at one of our three restaurants. In winter, you can also experience the unforgettable Snow Sauna and Ice Restaurant.

Not ready to sleep at -5°C? Good news: you can also visit all three hotels during the day. An entrance ticket costs 395 NOK (≈ €38) at Sorrisniva, 325 SEK (≈ €29) at ICEHOTEL, and 35€ at the Arctic SnowHotel.

The Three Coolest Hotels in Europe this Winter, Tor Kjolberg reporting.