Alta
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What better way to experience the aurora borealis than in the city of northern lights? Add a stay at a unique hotel made of snow and ice, and you have a holiday like no other.
Alta is far away from it all yet still close to a myriad of experiences. A modern city in Northern Norway surrounded by the arctic tundra and mountains.
Some of the first modern scientific studies of the northern lights were carried out in Alta. Hike up to the top of the Haldde mountain, where the world's first permanent northern lights observatory opened in 1899. Although the observatory closed in 1926, its buildings remain (one of them is now a Norwegian Trekking Association cabin where you can spend the night).
In Alta, experienced northern lights hunters can guide you to the best spots on legendary and sparse Finnmark plateau or to the Arctic coast. A guide will increase your chances of seeing the lights. Maybe you'll even get to see orcas and humpbacks returning to the area! The whales often enter the Altafjord to feed on herring in around November, December, and January. Several local companies operate whale safaris.
The cold and long winters provide excellent conditions for dog sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and riding a fat bike (an off-road bike with oversized tires), and make it to build Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel every year. Here, everything is made of ice: the rooms, the beds, and even the glasses in the bar. It's also a good spot to watch the northern lights before crawling under reindeer hides in your warm and comfortable sleeping bag. In 2021, Sorrisniva also opened a brand new lodge, with huge glass windows facing the Alta river, so you can enjoy the Green Lady (should she dance) from the privacy and comfort of your own room …
Visit the beautiful Nordlyskatedralen ("The Northern Lights Cathedral") and make sure to try Alta’s cuisine, which is influenced by its multi-ethnic heritage, with both Sami and Finnish elements. Alta has been a meeting place for a variety of indigenous groups since the Stone Age. The famous Alta salmon, game from the Finnmark plateau, reindeer, and fish from local lakes and fjords are all prominent items on the menu.
The best places to see the lights
- Hike up to Komsatoppen, close to the city centre
- Go to Lathari, a beach 9 kilometres outside the city centre
- Drive to Suolovuopmi, at the edge of the Finnmarksvidda plateau
Plan your trip to Alta
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.
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.
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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