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.
Arctic Winter Adventure
Snowhotel Kirkenes, Hurtigruten & Tromsø.6-day winter adventure tour including an overnight stay at Kirkenes Snow Hotel, a cruise with Hurtigruten to Tromsø, and a wide selection of optional winter activities. | Authentic Scandinavia
Northern Lights Stay at Lyngen Lodge
Mountain Lodge and winter adventures under the Northern Lights5-day stay in boutique lodge with transfers, dog sledding, all meals, snowmobiling, and sea safari. | 50 Degrees North
Aurora Canvas Dome
Save 10% by joining our Adventure ClubSpend a night in a glass dome under the northern lights. Wake up inside the remote pine forest of Alta overlooking majestic snow-covered mountains. Private bathroom and sauna facilities available. | Booknordics.com
Lofoten & Northern Lights by 50 Degrees North
Authentic experience in the Lofoten Archipelago4-day tour with Aurora Chase Guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin. | 50 Degrees North
Ice Hotel, Northern Lights and Tromsø
Dog sledding, King crabs, Reindeer sleighExperience Norway’s best northern lights destinations, Kirkenes & Tromsø, on this amazing 7-day round trip from Oslo. | Fjord Travel
Northern Lights Cruise
Visit Tromsø, the North Cape and Kirkenes6-day tour, including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling. | Authentic Scandinavia
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Arctic tapas under the Northern LightsJoin our Northern Lights Cruise and enjoy a delicious arctic tapas menu from our local partner in Tromsø while we look for the Northern Lights! | Brim Explorer.
Northern Lights Safari
Dog sledding and Aurora safari
Join us on a 6-day northern lights round trip to Tromsø
from Oslo. Fly to Tromsø where you will experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights. | Fjord Travel
5-Day Northern Lights and Winter Adventure in Lyngen
Exciting winter activities and northern lightsWant to gaze up at the northern lights dancing in the pitch black sky? Or swing crampons and an ice axe deep into a frozen waterfall? How about a cross-country skiing course followed by a trip in remote mountains? Or dog sledding? This trip lets you experience all of these activities and more! | Hvitserk
Norwegian Fjords & Northern Lights
Oslo, Bergen, Flåm and Tromsø6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city Tromsø. Amazing winter activities like dog sledding, northern lights safari, and much more can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia
Crystal Lavvu Stay with Whale Watching and Northern Lights
Spend your night in a Crystal Lavvu under the Northern LightsSpend your night in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. We pick you up in Tromsø and take you out on an adventure of a lifetime! Dinner, breakfast, transportation and whale watching included. | Book Nordics
Tromsø Wildlife & Northern Lights
Tromsø City Break with a Wildlife Cruise4-day break to Tromsø including a wildlife cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one day free, you will have the opportunity to add additional winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. | Authentic Scandinavia
Magical Northern Lights
Go dogsledding and whalewatchingThis journey encourages you to create your own magical connection in Alta, going on adventures such as dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice-fishing, and seeking the illuminations of the polar night. | Up Norway.
Northern Lights Dinner Cruise outside Tromsø
Dinner, boat tour, northern lights huntOn board an hybrid-electric boat outfitted with panoramic windows, you will glide silently into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights. | Go Fjords
Short Winter Cruise
Experience Tromsø and a Hurtigruten Cruise4-day tour including a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities, including dog sledding and northern lights excursions. | Authentic Scandinavia
Tromsø Winter Break
Tromsø, Northern Lights and Dog Sledding4-day winter break to Tromsø in Northern Norway, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia