Northern lights in Alta

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Welcome to Alta, a city located directly under the northern lights oval. Here you can experience winter adventures on powdery snow and the open sea. Maybe even the whales will show up?

Alta is a modern city of 20,000 people found in a secluded and protected pine-clad valley at 70 degrees north, surrounded by arctic tundra and mountains. Found directly under the northern lights oval, Alta enjoys a stable inland climate with plenty of clear skies that allow aurora to appear most nights. In fact, the first modern studies of the northern lights started here.

In the Snow Hotel, a warm sleeping bag keeps you comfortable, but conventional hotels are also plentiful. Getting to Alta is easier than you might think.

Winter activities and aurora hunting

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Specialised northern lights chasers go much further, either to the arctic coast or to the vast, largely empty Finnmark plateau in the south by bus, thus increasing their chances to see the lights.

Whale watching

Last year, orcas and humpback whales showed up in the Altafjorden fjord to feed on herring. They will probably return this winter season too, around November, December, and January, and if so, whale safaris are on offer.

Alta’s cuisine is influenced by its multi-ethnic heritage, with both Sami and Finnish elements. The famous Alta salmon, game from the Finnmark plateau, reindeer and fish from lakes and fjords are prominent on the menus.

Find more inspiration on Northern Norway’s official website.

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nordnorge.com

A dog resting under the northern lights.
Photo: Stefan Dahlqvist

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.
Photo: C.H / visitnorway.com

An ice sculpture in Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel.
Photo: Bård Løken

Dog sledding in Alta.
Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo / nordnorge.com

Bonfire in Alta.
Photo: Trym Ivar Bergsmo / nordnorge.com

Other winter activities in Alta

Where to stay in Alta

Northern lights forecast

The NorwayLights app provides the best prediction for when to see the northern lights in the area.

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Getting here and around

Get in-depth travel information for travelling to Northern Norway

By bus

Careful planning is essential when travelling by bus in Finnmark. There are buses connecting most communities in the region, but departures may be infrequent.

From Hammerfest to Alta there are 1–3 daily departures, and the travel time is 2.5 hours. From Honningsvåg, there are 1–2 daily departures, and the travel time is 4 hours.

Kirkenes to Alta will take 11 hours by bus, and there are 3 weekly departures. From Tromsø to Alta there is one daily bus, which takes 6 to 7 hours. Find more information on travelling by bus to Northern Norway.
By car

All roads are open year round, but some mountain passes may close for short periods in winter.

From Tromsø, follow the E6 to Alta.

From Hammerfest, follow the Rv 94 and then the E6 to Alta.

Check out more information on driving to Northern Norway.

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By plane

Alta Airport has direct connections to Oslo, Tromsø and several towns and communities in the region.

From Oslo, the flight time is just over 2 hours. From Tromsø, the flight time is 40 minutes.

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