Alta in winter

It doesn’t get much cooler then this!

Experience authentic Arctic living in this remote

and peaceful town in Northern Norway!

Alta is the largest city in Finnmark, a county in the far north of mainland Norway. With wast Arctic landscapes and plenty of space, it’s a great place to hunt for the northern lights in peaceful and unique surroundings.

You’ll also find high-quality accomodation and experiences for travellers looking for something secluded and special.

Experience UNESCO-listed history, unique nature and architecture, and learn more about the Sami, the indigenous people from the North.

Enjoy close encounters with animals such as reindeer and huskies. Dog sledding in pristine landscapes is a must-do, if you are visiting the area.

Spend time outdoors before slowing down by the fire in secluded and cosy hotels.

There are daily flights from Oslo and Tromsø.

Find inspiration below, or go directly to:

Nordlyskatedralen Cathedral in Alta surrounded by northern lights

Snowscooters on the Alta river and Finmarksvidda

A woman and two small children enjoying reindeer sledding

People looking at ancient rock carvings.

In Alta, you can marvel at the northern lights in autumn and winter. The season starts at the end of August and lasts until the beginning of April.

Did you know that the world's first permanent northern lights observatory was built in Alta at the end of the 1800s?

A visit to the Northern Lights Cathedral, the city's architectural landmark, is also a must. It's architecturally impressive both inside and out, and there's even a northern lights exhibition in the basement!

Then, get ready for a true adventure.

Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is a luxury hotel situated beside the Alta River. Both the interior and exterior of the hotel are made of snow and ice. It even has ice glasses in the bar.

Say good night and crawl into your warm sleeping bag. It feels like being on a genuine Arctic expedition!

The ice hotel is located at the cosy and exclusive Sorrisniva Arctic Wilderness Lodge.

Enjoy panoramic views of the Alta River and the surrounding forests and plateau. Then discover delicious local delicacies at the hotel's restaurants, such as tender reindeer meat and vibrant cloudberries.

The Alta region is also a hub for some of the most distinguished dog mushers in Norway.

Get close to nature on a dog sled, and be a dog musher for a day! Go on a short trip, or join a true adventure, for example across Finnmarksvidda, Norway's biggest mountain plateau.

You can also experience Finnmarksvidda and stunning landscapes in the Alta region on a guided snowshoeing tour. Or maybe you'd like to go cross country skiing? You'll find everything from shorter trips to full expeditions!

A fun thing to do, is to go on a snowmobile adventure. Most people join a shorter, guided tour, but adventures over several days are also possible.

Stay in a cabin or lavvo, a traditional Sámi tent, which indigenous people have been using for over 2,000 years.

Historically, several indigenous communities have gathered in Alta, including the Kven people and the Sámi. Immerse yourself in local Sámi culture at Sami Siida, located just outside the city centre.

Here you'll learn more about their traditions, lifestyles, food, and clothing.

Reindeer are an important part of Sámi culture, and were often used for transportation before snow scooters were invented. Nowadays you can try reindeer sledding for fun in the winter months. You can also meet and feed the reindeer.

Visit The World Heritage Rock Art Centre, Alta Museum, and see some of the roughly 6,000 UNESCO-listed rock art paintings and engravings at the Hjemmeluft World Heritage Site. Some of the works are as much as 7,000 years old. Note that this outdoor area closes after the first snowfall…

… but the Alta Museum stays open! Explore exhibitions about rock art, local history and world heritage.

Northern lights activities

Things to do in Alta

The sami dish bidus, also known as reindeer stew in a dish by the fire

A truly unique experience in this part of Norway, is a King crab safari! Enjoy the adrenaline of a speedy RIB boat and catch king crabs, one of the world's most exclusive seafood delicacies.

Or maybe you'd prefer a whale safari? Look out for killer and humpback whales against a stunning Arctic backdrop, between October and January.

Seafood is actually at its best during the colder months, but that's not the only local food on offer! Try reindeer in traditional dishes, such as the Sámi stew bidos, or modern takes at the local restaurants.

Juicy blueberries, lingonberries, and cloudberries are also local delicacies to look for on restaurant menus.

For a unique adventure and culinary experience, head to Trasti & Trine. This homey boutique hotel is run by the couple Johnny Trasti and the dog musher champion, Trine Lyrek.

After an unforgettable dog sledding trip into the wilderness , you can enjoy the most exquisite tastes of Finnmark and the Arctic, as Johnny is considered one of the best chefs in Northern Norway!

Sit back and admire the forest and surrounding nature through the huge windows in their exquisite design cabin, and wait for Aurora to dance!

Another great place for both design lodges and husky adventures is nearby Holmen Husky Lodge, with their triangular Forest Suites.

Food and drink

Sleeping under the northern lights in a dome in Alta

If you have never spent the night in a dome before, you can try this wonderful style of glamping (yes, it’s warm and comfortable!) at Glød Explorer's Aurora Canvas Domes or Gargia Lodge.

If you're really lucky, you can watch the northern lights dancing across the sky from your bed.

Glød also offer plenty of fun outdoor activities so that you can make the most of the autumn and winter seasons! Try fatbiking, northern light hunting, skiing or snowshoeing.

Autumn in Alta is a great time for certain nature experiences before the snow arrives.

Explore the Alta Canyon in a traditional river boat on the Alta River, by bike, or on foot. Hike to the top for great views of both the canyon and the meandering river. Maybe you'll even see the northern lights dance across the sky.

For more local history and culture, visit Pæskatun, Alta's slate quarry. Learn more about Alta's famous slate and cut your own souvenir stone!

Alta offers both Arctic adventures and a city break in a single destination. The view of the surrounding nature is amazing, even when you're in the city centre with its hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Where to stay

People walking along the main street in Alta.

Alta is also a great starting point for further adventures in Finnmark. From here you can explore the nearby towns of Kautokeino and Karasjok, also known as the Sámi heartland, or continue north to The North Cape, or head northwest for vast landscapes in Varanger and Kirkenes.

Alta has achieved the certification Sustainable Destination. Although this does not mean that the destination is completely sustainable, it has made a commitment to work systematically to reduce the negative effects of tourism, while strengthening its positive ripple effects.

Visitalta.no/en

Getting here and around

By plane
Alta Airport has direct connections to Oslo, Tromsø and several towns and communities in the region.
From Oslo, the flight time is less than 2 hours. From Tromsø, the flight time is 35 minutes.
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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.
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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 RV94 to Skaidi and then E6 to Alta.
Check out more information on driving to Northern Norway.
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See it for yourself

Want to find the Northern Lights? You Need to watch this!
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
Alta Museum - World heritage rock art centre

Seasons and climate

Due to the temperate waters of the Gulf Stream, Alta has a much milder climate than other parts of the world at the same latitude, such as Alaska and Greenland.

Alta has good climatic conditions – little precipitation, pleasant winters and relatively warm summers.

January and February are the coldest months, with an average temperature of -8°C.

July and August are warmest with an average temperature of 13°C.

April and May are the driest months, with an average 19 mm of rainfall. July is the wettest month.

Strong winds can occur.

Get the latest weather forecast on yr.no. Read more about the northern lights.

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