Gaze in awe at natural marvels, discover ancient rock art, go dogsledding and sleep in an ice hotel at this town in northern Norway.
Visit Alta to enjoy breathtaking scenery, outdoor adventures and some of the world’s most beguiling natural phenomenon. Marvel at a collection of UNESCO-protected rock carvings, explore museums and try thrilling snow adventures.
Alta is the biggest town in Finnmark and is also known as the Town of the Northern Lights. Not only are the climatic conditions perfect for viewing the atmospheric spectacle, but the world's first northern lights observatory was built here on Mount Haldde in 1899. The best time to view the lights is between September and March. Consider timing your visit to coincide with March’s Borealis Winter Festival, a week-long celebration with concerts, art expositions, food markets and dogsled races.
Go on a sightseeing tour of the town. Visit the futuristic looking Northern Lights Cathedral and the 19th-century Alta Church. Spend some time at Boazo Sami Siida, a settlement of reindeer herders where you can watch reindeer and learn about the indigenous Sami culture.
Alta is a great base for outdoor pursuits year-round. In summer, bike along the shores of Alta Fjord, go walking at Sautso-Alta Canyon and climb to the summit of Mount Haldde. Stay up late to witness the midnight sun, a period of 24-hour sunlight. During the winter months join dogsledding and snowmobile tours for exhilarating journeys across snow-covered fields.
A short drive southwest from the town center is the village of Hjemmeluft, home to the Alta Rock CarvingsOpens in a new window. Survey the thousands of paintings and carvings etched into sandstone rocks by prehistoric hunter-gatherers. Learn more about the rock art and browse exhibitions on parts of Alta’s history at the adjacent Alta MuseumOpens in a new window.
Reach Alta by flying into its airport or arrive by cruise ship. Get around by rental car or by purchasing the Arctic Travel Pass. This will give you 3 or 7 days of unlimited bus travel around the region. Stay overnight in guesthouses, lodges or a hotel carved from snow and ice.
