🏕️ Glamping in Norway: formats, seasons, how to choose a location
Glamping in Norway offers the purest form of 'comfort + nature': from Arctic domes on the coast and glass cabins with panoramic fjord views to Sami lavvos with stoves and tree houses. This article provides a comprehensive guide to glamping in Norway, covering everything from the different types of accommodation available and how winter differs from summer to what questions to ask your host, how to calculate your budget and how to travel in a way that is respectful of nature and local communities.
If you are travelling for the first time, there are two key decisions to make: which landscape is more important to you (fjords, sea, mountains or farms) and what level of autonomy you require (room amenities vs separate blocks, Wi-Fi/mobile connection and winter access). Below, you will find visual comparisons and checklists to help you make quick decisions and avoid any surprises.
🧩 Different types of glamping
There are lots of different Norwegian locations. Key formats:
🛎️ Arctic domes
Hemispherical structures on a platform, often with a transparent 'window' to the sky. The good points about it are that you can see outside, it doesn't resist the wind and it feels like the space is round. The disadvantages are that moisture may collect on see-through parts and there will be strong light at sunrise and sunset. So, you should take sleep masks.
🔥 Lavvo (Sami format)
It has a cone-shaped structure with space for a stove/fireplace inside, along with carpets/skins/podiums. In summer, the atmosphere is relaxed and 'camp-like'. In winter, it's like the polar nights, with good ventilation and everyone using the stove. The downsides are that sometimes you have to share a bathroom, and there is not much internet.
🏕️ Yurts
The tents are round and fixed to the ground. They have plenty of air and a steady temperature, which is kept warm by a stove. Often, the rooms are more 'homely' than in a lavvo.
🪟 Glass/panoramic cabins
Small houses with windows stretching from floor to ceiling, sometimes with one or two walls made entirely of glass. The good points: a private view and a cosy shell. Things to watch out for:
- You might find it hard to control the light in summer.
- You might find it gets damp because of the temperature.
- You should check in advance if you need blackout curtains and if there is any ventilation.
🌲 Tree houses
Platforms in the forest that are raised up off the ground. The good things are: it's private, romantic and you can see the tops of the trees. The downsides are things like ladders, scaffolding and sometimes weight or child restrictions.
🥚 Cocoons/light igloos that are suspended
If you're only staying for one or two nights, there are some light options available. The good things are: it looks amazing and it's close to nature. The only negative point is that there are hardly any facilities. This is perfect for people who like simple things.
🛎️ Arctic domes (Domes)
- Panoramic window and good wind resistance.
- Confirm heating and ventilation to avoid condensation.
- Check blackout/darkening solutions for summer.
🔥 Lavvo
- Genuine traditional atmosphere.
- Shared bathroom is common — check in advance.
- Pay attention to ventilation rules when the stove is used.
🪟 Glass cabins
- Floor-to-ceiling views; privacy depends on location.
- Look for blackout curtains and anti-condensation measures.
- Sauna / hot tub sometimes available as an option.
🌲 Treehouses
- Check stair access and child safety allowances.
- They may creak at night — earplugs recommended for light sleepers.
- Internet often relies on mobile coverage.
🏕️ Yurts
- Good thermal mass with stove heating.
- Suitable for groups and families.
- Confirm kitchen facilities and bathroom availability.
🥚 Cocoon / mini-igloo
- Maximum nature, minimum belongings.
- Bathrooms are often shared or nearby.
- Great for a romantic surprise or a short stay.
❄️☀️ Winter vs summer
❄️ Winter: aurora, cosiness and logistics
Winter glamping is a chance to see the northern lights right from your bed (in the case of domes and glass cabins) or warm yourself by the stove in a lavvo. Important things to consider:
- Access and parking. Check whether the access road is cleared, whether the car park is heated, and whether you need a 4×4/studded tyres.
- Heating. Ask about the type (electric/stove/heat pump), power and night mode. For glass cabins, condensation is an issue — you will need a ventilation mode.
- Daylight hours. Days are short in the north; plan active pursuits for the daytime and ‘home’ activities for the evening — sauna, board games, cooking.
- Communication. In remote areas, mobile internet is available; check the signal quality with your operator and ask about a backup router/amplifier.
☀️ Summer: polar day, water and silence
Summer means long daylight hours, warm evenings and a sea of activities.
- Sleep and light. Glass walls and domes = lots of light. Ask for blackout curtains and bring sleep masks.
- Open fires. There are restrictions on bonfires during the summer; check the status of the site, use permitted areas and safe alternatives (gas stoves where permitted).
- Book in advance. July is high demand: popular cottages are booked months in advance.
- Mosquitoes and wind. On the coast, the wind saves you from insects; in the forest, bring repellents and light capes.
- Check the heating type and follow stove/ventilation instructions.
- Confirm snow clearing and parking arrangements.
- Bring thermal layers, a headlamp/torch and spare batteries.
- Request blackout curtains and pack sleep masks if needed.
- Clarify on-site rules for open fires and barbecues.
- Plan swims, kayak trips and relaxed evening walks.
- Weather can change quickly — take a waterproof layer and warm layers.
- Demand may be lower — good chance to find flexible dates.
- Check ferry timetables and the last-mile transport options.
📋 Checklist for the host (heating, bathroom, Wi-Fi)
Before booking, send a short letter. Questions that resolve 90% of surprises:
- Heating and ventilation. Type, power, night mode, ventilation rules.
- Bathroom. Inside or nearby? Shower — in the cottage or in a shared block? Hot water.
- Kitchen. Stove/induction/gas, dishes, refrigerator/freezer, grill area.
- Communication. Internet type, advertised and actual speed, mobile backup.
- Parking/access. Distance from parking to the cottage, winter cleaning, late check-in.
- Additional fees. Bedding/towels, final cleaning, firewood/sauna, pets.
- Accessibility. Thresholds, door width, shower without a tray, parking at the entrance.
- Quiet and neighbours. Quiet hours, rules for parties/drones.
💸 Budgets and seasons
Prices depend on the format, region and date. Guidelines for double occupancy/night:
- Low season (late autumn, early spring): lavvo/yurts from ‘budget’, domes and glass cabins — ‘medium’.
- High season (July, holiday weeks): glass cabins by the fjords and tree houses — ‘above average/high’, lavvo/yurts — ‘medium’.
- Winter (northern lights, New Year): popular northern locations add to the base price; consider firewood/sauna as additional charges.
What else affects the bill:
- Bedding/towels. Sometimes included, sometimes rented per set.
- Final cleaning. May be a mandatory extra charge.
- Last mile transport. Taxi/transfer from station/ferry.
- Activities. Kayaking, snowshoe rental, sauna/hot tub.
🌿 Ethics and sustainability
Glamping is not a ‘hotel in the forest,’ but rather a guest in nature and often a guest on a farm. Simple rules make the holiday comfortable for everyone:
- Waste sorting and pant. Separate your rubbish and return your deposit containers (pant).
- Silence. Observe ‘quiet hours’ — this is respect for your neighbours, animals and the place itself.
- Fire and safety. Use permitted areas/equipment, do not light open fires where prohibited, keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Water and energy. Conserve hot water, turn off unnecessary lights/heating when leaving.
- Animals and farms. Do not feed animals without permission, close gates, report allergies in advance.
- Trails and vegetation. Walk on marked trails and do not pick plants.
Eco memo
Remember: you are a guest in nature and in local communities. Leave the place better than you found it.
- ♻️Sort wasteSeparate recyclables and return deposit bottles (pant) where applicable.
- 🔇Keep quietRespect quiet hours (generally after 22:00) — for neighbours and wildlife.
- 🔥Safe firesOnly make fires in designated areas or approved appliances; follow local rules.
- 💧Save waterUse hot water sparingly and switch off heating when you leave.
- 🐑AnimalsBring pets only with host permission; do not feed wildlife or livestock by hand.
🧭 How to choose a location in 5 steps
- Picture of the world. What do you want to see from the window: the sea, a fjord, a forest, mountains, a farm? This determines the format (glass cabins by the fjords, lavvo in the tundra, tree houses in the forest).
- Season and scenario. Winter — aurora/stove/cosiness; summer — polar day/walks/water; off-season — balance of price and weather.
- Amenities. Private bathroom vs shared facilities; indoor kitchen vs summer kitchen; sauna/hot tub.
- Communication/work. If you are travelling with a laptop, check your internet and mobile coverage.
- Logistics. Travelling without a car? Plan the “last mile” in advance.
🧳 What to bring (besides the basics)
- Summer: sleep mask, light windbreaker, insect repellent, flip-flops for the bathhouse/sauna.
- Winter: thermal layers, warm socks, headlamp, hand warmers, covers for equipment.
- All year round: reusable water bottle, slippers, power bank, earplugs, small first aid kit.
❓FAQ
Yes. Most locations are designed for winter: there is electric heating, stoves and insulation. It is important to check in advance the type of heating and night mode, as well as instructions for ventilation to avoid condensation.
Layering is key. A base layer of thermal underwear, a warm middle layer and a windproof/waterproof ‘shell’. Plus, a hat/gloves can come in handy even in summer on the coast, and in winter — warm socks and spare mittens.
No. In some types of accommodation (lavvo, yurts, some tree houses), the bathroom may be in a separate block nearby. Check the location, availability of hot water and heated floors in the shower room.
Yes, if you check the internet in advance: ask about the type of connection and actual speed, ask for a photo of the router and check about mobile backup. It is also important to understand the ‘quiet hours’ policy at the site and the availability of a desk/sockets by the window.
Follow the host's instructions: melt small pieces of wood, keep the dampers in the recommended position, do not dry things directly on the stove, and ventilate the room. Keep water/a fire extinguisher nearby and make sure that sparks do not fall on carpets/skins.
In the north, there is polar day. There is a lot of light in glass cabins and domes, especially in the early morning. Ask for blackout curtains and bring a sleep mask — this solves the problem.
Ask about snow clearance, the gradient of the last section and the average snow depth. Even with a 4×4, winter tyres/chains and extra time for the journey are important. If in doubt, choose a location closer to the motorway/station.
This is a common practice among small hosts. To get a fair price, ask in advance: are bedding/towels included or rented, is final cleaning mandatory, how much does a wood set and sauna use cost.
Glamping is about peace and nature. Most sites have ‘quiet hours’ and noise restrictions. If you are coming with a group, check the rules in advance and choose a format where there is sufficient privacy and distance between the cabins.
Often yes, but by agreement. Check the deposit/surcharge, rules on the territory and in the cabin, and whether there are animals on the farm — this is important for safety and allergy sufferers.
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