Discovering Alta, the City of the Northern Lights

Nestled at the heart of Norway’s Arctic Circle, Alta is an off the beaten path destination in the country offering both nature adventures and a great city break in Northern Norway. Alta is also renowned as one of best locations in the world to witness the mesmerising dance of the Northern Lights. I’ve visited it in early January, so I want to share my travel guide to Discovering Alta, the City of the Northern Lights.

Being the second northernmost city in the world, Alta has much to offer to visitors. It has unparalleled natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, and thrilling outdoors adventures in the beautiful Nordics landscapes. So don’t think twice and head to Alta if you are planning an Arctic getaway.

Despite of its remote location in Northern Norway, Alta is conveniently connected with other Norwegian cities by plane. There are direct daily flights from Oslo and other cities like Tromso, also considered a great destination to see the Northern Lights. For more information about Tromso, visit my travel guide.

When to travel to Alta? It depends on your travel goals. If your objective is to do some Winter activities and to chase the Northern Lights, consider visiting from September to March. This is when the lights are visible. For many tips about How to See the Northern Lights, visit my dedicated article in this blog. For outdoor activities like hiking or biking and to see green landscapes, choose Spring or Summer seasons. From mid May to the end of July you can experience another great natural phenomenon, the midnight sun when the sun never sets in the horizon.

There are many accommodation options available, from hotels and guesthouses conveniently located in the town, to cozy lodges and cabins in the fores. You can have a comfortable stay regardless of your preferences and budget. I stayed a couple of nights in Alta city centre and then I headed to a lodge in the forest.

Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, immersing yourself in Sami culture, or seeking adrenaline-fueled adventures, Alta offers an unforgettable escape into the Arctic wilderness. Start planning your journey today and discover the wonders that await in this enchanting northern gem with my travel guide to Discovering Alta, the City of the Northern Lights.

Chase the Northern Lights

Being called the city of the Northern Lights, Alta attracts many visitors hoping to see the famous aurora borealis. From Autumn to early Spring, the dark Arctic skies come alive in green, purple and pink colours, creating an otherworldly spectacle that amazes visitors.

With frequent clear skies and minimal light pollution, Alta offers optimal conditions for experiencing this celestial phenomenon. That’s the reason why it is a bucket list destination for aurora enthusiasts worldwide.

It’s possible to see the Northern Lights in the centre of Alta with the right weather conditions. But to optimize your chances of seeing the Northern Lights, go out of the city and look for a place without any artificial lights. You can join a Northern Lights tour. There are many options available, from chasing the lights by car to snowmobiling or husky sledge riding.

I was very lucky to see the Northern Lights twice during my trip to Alta. The first one was in Alta’s city centre near the Cathedral of the Northern Lights. The second one was in a Northern Lights tour that I decided to do last minute with AEventyr. The aurora forecast for that night was promising and I didn’t think twice. It was definitely the best decision and I highly recommend this company for a Northern Lights chase in Alta.

Our experienced guide drove us through a road by the sea to a remote location with a beautiful natural landscape surrounded by the mountains and the fjords. We stayed there for some hours and during the whole time we witnessed the most spectacular Northern Lights. The lights literally danced in the skies, brighter and stronger than ever, with vibrant hues of green and pink. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

Did you know that 2024 is considered one of the best years to see the Northern Lights? The sun follows 11 year cycles of solar activity, and in 2024 we are in a peak of maximum activity. I’ve seen the best Northern Lights ever in January this year. And many other people have been sharing the same experience. So this is the right time to start planning your aurora hunting!

Walk around Alta City Centre

As the cultural and economic hub of Alta municipality, the city has much to offer to visitors. It’s worth to spend some time wandering around the streets lined with colourful wooden houses against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains. You will find great restaurants and cafes to taste the typical food from Lapland. There are also local craftsmanship at artisan boutiques selling Sami handicrafts and locally-made souvenirs, as well as modern shops.

Alta’s main highlight is the Cathedral of the Northern Lights, which design was inspired by the Northern Lights dancing in the skies. This unique cathedral stands out in the city skyline as an architectural landmark and it’s a must visit place in Alta.

It’s also worth to check BorealisAlta, an interactive exhibition located in the cathedral. It showcases how the Northern Lights are deeply linked with Alta’s history. It also presents interesting stories about this incredible natural phenomenon.

Visit the First Northern Lights Observatory

The first permanent Northern Lights Observatory in the world was built in Alta at the end of the 19th century. It is located in Haldetoppen and it was founded by Kristian Birkeland, a Norwegian scientist who was a pioneer in the research of the aurora borealis. Through a series of groundbreaking experiments and observations, he discovered that the auroras were caused by electrically charged particles from the sun interacting with the Earth’s magnetic field.

In this location you will find the observatory building, as well as a residential building for those who have worked there. Now the observatory is used as an accommodation and it must be a great experience staying there. The views from the top to the fjords and inland are amazing.

Know more about Sami Culture and Traditions

Immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of the indigenous Sami people, who have called this land home for thousands of years. There are different locations and farms where you can learn about Sami reindeer herding practices and gain insight into their nomadic way of life.

Experience the warmth of Sami hospitality as you enjoy traditional dishes around a crackling fire in a lavvu, a traditional Sami tent. You will listen to captivating stories passed down through generations. Don’t miss the opportunity to do a reindeer sledding ride in the Arctic forests.

Go to the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art

In Alta is also possible to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Rock Art in Alta Museum. It showcases the largest concentration of petroglyphs in Northern Europe, providing a fascinating glimpse into the environment and human activities in prehistoric times. The rock art includes rock paintings and rock carvings. Some of the works are more than 7000 years old.

Explore Alta’s Wilderness

It’s undeniable that Alta offers an unspoiled wilderness beauty that is worth to explore. you/ Embark on hiking and nature trails that wind through rugged mountains, dense forests, and crystal-clear rivers which are frozen on wintertime. Keep an eye out for native wildlife such as reindeers, arctic foxes, mooses and eagles.

In the summer months, venture out on a midnight sun safari when the sun never sets. It is magical casting a golden glow over the Arctic landscape. At that time of the year it’s also possible to hike or bike on Alta Canyon, Northern Europe’s biggest canyon. Or you can do a traditional river boat ride.

Embrace Arctic Winter Outdoor Activities

For thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike, Alta offers a playground of outdoor activities with a breathtaking scenery. Embark on a husky sledding expedition in Finnmarksvidda, Norway’s biggest mountain plateau, with a team of energetic sled dogs. Or ride a snowmobile in snow-covered forests, mushing through pristine wilderness. In alternative, go to the slopes for exhilarating skiing and snowboarding adventures. Or try ice fishing on frozen lakes beneath the Northern Lights.

Stay in an Igloo Hotel

In Alta’s region you can stay or alternatively visit the world’s northernmost ice hotel, Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel. In the middle of the forest and at the shores of Alta river, it is located less than 30 minutes away from Alta city centre.

Open from December to April, each year the hotel is constructed by artists using ice from Sierravann nearby and water from Alta River. It’s possible to sleep in the beautiful ice carved rooms of the hotel in a warm sleeping bag, or to visit it during daytime. The decoration of the hotel is really unique with amazing ice sculptures. Additionally, it has an ice bar and a chapel.

Enjoy a Cozy Lodge in the Forest

The Igloo Hotel is part of Sorrisniva Arctic Wildernss Lodge, a premium lodge built on the banks of Alta River. It is renowned as one of the best salmon rivers in the world due to the large-scale salmons. In Summer the river is famous for salmon fishing.

Staying in Sorrisniva Arctic Wildernss Lodge is a great experience. The lodge is beautifully designed with a panoramic lounge, a restaurant which design represents the typical Sami lavuu tents, and cozy rooms with panoramic glass windows facing Alta river.

It’s worth to spend some time walking in the nature paths around the hotel, with fantastic views to the river and surrounding forests and plateau.

There are also great activities available like snowmobiling, a reindeer and Sami experience under the Northern Lights or a helicopter ride through Sorrisniva’s natural wonders.