Aurora Igloo South Review: Sleeping Under the Stars in Hella, Iceland
Enjoy the magic of camping… minus the discomfort.
Pretty magical, even without the northern lights!
There's a particular kind of overconfidence that comes with booking an igloo in Iceland. You picture yourself lying in a warm, transparent pod, a glass of something good in hand, the northern lights pulsing overhead like the sky has been switched to a setting nobody told you about. It looks incredible on Instagram. It looks incredible in your head.
But, obviously, Lady Aurora (and nature) doesn’t work on a schedule.
We stayed at Aurora Igloo South just outside the small town of Hella on Iceland's south coast, during a night of low KP and stubborn cloud cover. We didn't see the northern lights. What we did see was a gorgeous orange sunset, followed by the kind of star-filled sky you only get when you're far enough from anything to actually notice the dark. It wasn't what we'd planned. It was still worth every minute.
This is the honest version of that stay.
What is Aurora Igloo South?
We were very excited to settle in our dome!
Aurora Igloo South is a glamping property set on a former horse breeding farm about 100 km east of Reykjavík, on the outskirts of Hella. The concept is exactly what it sounds like: transparent dome pods, arranged across a quiet stretch of Icelandic countryside, pointed at the sky. The property is built around a simple but effective idea — give people the sky without asking them to suffer for it. No tent pegs, no rain coming in, no 3 AM negotiation between the experience you wanted and the temperature outside (we’ve been there, and it’s awesome, but we understand it’s not for everyone).
There are two locations in the Aurora Igloo family: South (Hella) and North (near Hvammstangi in northwest Iceland). The southern one integrates naturally into a Ring Road itinerary and sits within easy reach of the south coast's major attractions, making it one of the more logistically sensible "special night" stops in Iceland.
How the igloos are built — and how they stay warm
This is the question most people arrive with, usually paired with a skeptical squint: it's Iceland, it's winter, it's a dome — surely you're cold?
The pods are constructed from rigid polycarbonate panels — the same category of material used in commercial glazing and greenhouse construction. Polycarbonate looks like glass but is dramatically lighter and far more impact-resistant. It handles wind, snow loads, and the kind of temperature swings Iceland specializes in without the fragility of glass, and it maintains its clarity over time in a way that cheaper PVC alternatives don't. The panels are fitted into an aluminum frame that gives the dome its structure, and the whole assembly is sealed and anchored to a ground base.
The curved shape isn't just aesthetic — it's load-bearing geometry. The dome form distributes wind pressure and snow weight across the whole structure rather than concentrating stress at any single point. That's partly why you can put a small transparent building in a South Iceland field and not retrieve it from a neighboring county in February. And, trust us, with that wind, it wouldn’t be surprising.
Inside, the heating is more thorough than you might expect. There's an internal heater that keeps the air temperature comfortable, and the beds themselves are heated — not "there's an extra blanket" heated, but the mattress itself is warm. Aaaaaaah… getting into it at the end of a cold Icelandic evening is one of those small luxuries that registers as disproportionately good. The private igloos also have heated floors in the bathroom. Two ventilation portholes in the dome shell can be opened for fresh air — and, crucially, for aurora photography if you don’t want to step outside in your PJs, since glass panels pick up reflections and condensation that ruin long exposures. Privacy curtains are fitted around the interior for when you actually want to sleep.
The wind and rain can be loud, so you’re provided with earplugs. We would advise you to bring a sleeping mask, especially if you visit in spring or summer!
Private igloo vs. standard igloo
Aurora Igloo South offers two configurations, and the difference is more meaningful than it might first appear.
Standard igloos share bathroom facilities in the main service building a short walk away. They're well-suited to a one-night stop traveling light — but space inside the pod is genuinely limited. There's room for two people and what you need for the night; not much beyond that. These are designed around the experience.
Private igloos come with an en-suite bathroom module attached directly to the pod — shower, toilet, and heated floors, all accessible without stepping outside. They're noticeably more spacious, with actual room for a suitcase. There's also a small fridge and a tea and coffee setup, which transforms the experience from "we slept in a pod" to something that feels like a proper stay. It's camping, but with none of the discomforts that make camping sometimes feel like a character-building exercise rather than a holiday.
We stayed in a private igloo, and the en-suite made a real difference in comfort. Across the property there are 12 standard units and 15 private ones — so private availability is actually higher than standard, which is unusual for tiered glamping. Book either well in advance for winter weekends.
Our experience at Aurora Igloo South
I wish all my mornings started like this!
Arrival is via self-check-in — before you get there, you receive a code. You use it to let yourself in, find your pod, and get on with your evening. For a place built around arriving after dark and leaving early to hit the south coast, this is exactly the right approach. It's worth arriving before dark on your first visit simply because navigating an unfamiliar Icelandic field in pitch black is more atmospheric than practical. And that sunset…. weather allowing!
The pod itself delivered everything it promised. The heated bed was the standout detail — properly warm in a way that makes the cold outside feel entirely irrelevant and frankly unreal. With tea and coffee on hand, a small fridge, and a private bathroom you never have to leave the pod to reach, the experience sits in a very specific and comfortable category: the outdoors, fully curated.
There’s no restaurant onsite, but there are a few options in Hella, as well as a bakery that opens as early as 7am.
The sky — with and without aurora
We had a low KP night and persistent cloud cover. We didn't see the northern lights despite using our special playlist. And the stay was still genuinely excellent.
The sunset over the snowy field was just incredible. Later, when the clouds pulled back, the stars were extraordinary — the kind of density that quietly recalibrates your sense of scale. I’m obsessed with northern lights but Jake is obsessed with stars and planets, so I think he was happier than I was! Lying in a heated bed, inside a transparent dome, watching that overhead: it felt like camping, except warm, horizontal, and in a real bed with a cup of tea on the nightstand.
We have no trouble imagining what a strong aurora would look like from that same position. It must be something else.
The location helps with the odds. The flat, open landscape around Hella gives you an unobstructed horizon in most directions, and the low light pollution means that when solar activity is high enough and skies are clear, this is a genuinely good spot to be. Obviously, Iceland's south coast weather is famously changeable — fronts move fast, forecasts shift overnight — and no dome changes that. What the setup does is remove the friction of chasing: you're already in position, already lying down, already watching. If the lights appear, you'll know.
For a deep-dive into how aurora forecasting works, when the season peaks, and what actually drives the lights, our Northern Lights Hub pulls together everything we've learned across years of chasing aurora across the Arctic.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
In Iceland, and in the Arctic in general, travel insurance is always a good idea. We use and recommend HeyMondo — great coverage, and you get 5–15% off if you book through us!
About Hella — and why it works as a base
We had a different color and weather every 10 minutes. Typically Icelandic!
Blink and you’ll miss Hella. It's a quiet town of around 800 people: a river running through it, flat agricultural land in most directions, and the brooding outline of Hekla volcano visible to the north on clear days. That being said, it’s a pretty decent size for an Icelandic town! It has a supermarket, a few restaurants, a petrol station, and a swimming pool — always worth building into the schedule; Iceland's municipal pools are one of the country's genuine pleasures.
For travelers, Hella is primarily a strategic hub. The Ring Road passes directly through, putting most of the south coast within comfortable striking distance. From the Aurora Igloo property: Seljalandsfoss in 45 minutes, Skógafoss in 45 minutes, Reynisfjara black sand beach in just over an hour, Þingvellir in 55 minutes, the Westman Islands ferry at Landeyjahöfn in 30 minutes, the Golden Circle in about an hour, and Landmannalaugar in two hours.
Did you know?
The name Hella is old Norse for "flat rock" or "ledge," referring to a set of man-made caves nearby believed to have been carved by early Irish monks around the time of Iceland's settlement in the ninth century. The town itself developed later — growing around a general store established in 1927 — but it sits in landscape with much older layers beneath it. The Caves of Hella are open for guided tours. The surrounding area is also prime Icelandic horse country — multiple farms offer riding tours, and the property itself sits on former horse breeding land.
🧳 Plan your Iceland adventure
✈️ Find flights — fly into Keflavik for international flights.
🏨 Find a place to stay — aurora igloos, cozy cabins, and hotels we love.
🚗 Compare car rentals — explore the ring road and beyond.
🧭 Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off) — protect yourself (and your camera gear) from Arctic surprises.
🧳 Arctic gear — check our travel essentials on Amazon.
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off) — track a real Arctic animal and stay connected to the north.
FAQ: Aurora Igloo South
Where is Aurora Igloo South located?
On the outskirts of Hella in South Iceland, approximately 100 km east of Reykjavík — about 1 hour 20 minutes along Route 1, the Ring Road.
What is the difference between standard and private igloos at Aurora Igloo South?
Standard igloos share bathroom facilities in a nearby service building and have limited interior space — best for a one-night stop traveling light. Private igloos have an en-suite bathroom attached directly to the dome, more space including room for a suitcase, and include a small fridge and tea and coffee setup.
How are the igloos kept warm in winter?
Internal heaters keep the air temperature comfortable. The beds themselves are heated, and the private units have heated bathroom floors. The rigid polycarbonate dome construction retains warmth well and handles wind and snow loads without structural issues.
Can you photograph the northern lights from inside the igloo?
Glass panels create reflections and condensation that affect long-exposure shots. The pods have ventilation portholes that can be opened for unobstructed sky access — better for photography. Stepping outside briefly for a clean shot is also an option.
Is Aurora Igloo South worth it if you don't see the northern lights?
Yes. We had cloud cover and a low KP night and still left happy. A sky full of stars and a long Icelandic sunset are not consolation prizes — the experience holds up on its own terms.
Do you need a car to reach Aurora Igloo South?
Yes, practically speaking. Public transport to Hella is limited to one bus per day from Reykjavík. A rental car is the right call for this part of Iceland.
How does check-in work at Aurora Igloo South?
Self-check-in via a code sent before arrival. No front desk or fixed check-in window — arrive when it suits, enter your code, find your pod.
What attractions are near Aurora Igloo South?
Seljalandsfoss (45 min), Skógafoss (45 min), Reynisfjara black sand beach (1h10), Þingvellir (55 min), Golden Circle (1h), Westman Islands ferry at Landeyjahöfn (30 min), Landmannalaugar (2h).
Is Aurora Igloo South open in summer?
Yes. Summer brings the midnight sun, birdlife, and wildflowers. No aurora, but sleeping in a transparent dome under a sky that never fully darkens is its own thing entirely.
Where can I learn more about northern lights forecasting and aurora travel?
Our Northern Lights Hub covers forecasting, peak season timing, best destinations across Europe and the Arctic, photography tips, and the science behind the lights.
Here is our favorite playlist to call the northern lights:
If you're treating Aurora Igloo as a guaranteed northern lights experience — a transaction where you pay and the sky performs — you'll be at the mercy of Icelandic weather, which has been operating on its own terms for considerably longer than the hospitality industry has existed. Clouds happen. Low KP happens. We can confirm both firsthand and still recommend the place without hesitation. And, generally speaking, you should never base an entire trip on northern lights — they should be the cherry on top!
But, if you're treating it as an unusually good place to sleep in South Iceland that happens to be optimally positioned for aurora viewing, you’ll probably enjoy your stay. The private igloo is comfortable in a way that feels considered. The heated bed changes the quality of a cold night in ways that are hard to overstate. The self-check-in makes logistics easy and flexible. The location is excellent for south coast access. And the sky — with or without green ribbons moving through it — is the kind of sky Iceland occasionally hands you as a quiet reminder of why you came. One thing is certain: it’s always a surprise
Planning a trip to Iceland? Check out our guides:
🌋 Iceland Travel Guide — Volcanoes, waterfalls, and the road trip of your geothermal dreams.
🇮🇸 Things to Do in Iceland in Winter — Ice caves, auroras, and all the frozen magic you didn’t know you needed.
🛁 Brekka Retreat, Hvalfjörður — Private sauna, geothermal hot tub & northern lights over Iceland's most underrated fjord.
🏨 Best Northern Lights Hotels in Iceland — Cozy cabins, glass igloos, and wild skies where the aurora dances right above your bed.
🐴 Horseback riding in Iceland — Learn about the horse culture in Iceland and our experience near Reykjavik.
🔥 Lava Show in Reykjavík — Watch lava melt and solidify right in front of you.
🤿 Silfra snorkeling in Þingvellir — Swim between two continents in the clearest water on Earth.
♨️ Hvammsvík Hot Springs, Hvalfjörður — Eight geothermal pools cut into the North Atlantic coast and a Viking settlement older than Iceland's parliament.
❄️ Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
