Pocket Guide: Alta, Norway

Resting on the shores of Altafjord on Norway’s northern coast, Alta shines with natural beauty.

Living up to its name as the “Northern Lights City”, Alta’s frequent clear skies are ideal for viewing the magical aurora borealis.

Other winter-time activities include husky- or reindeer-pulled sled rides, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. 

A hunt for the Northern Lights must be at the top of your list.

Head out with a guide to various viewpoints and on a clear night, behold the faint wisps of colour or great shimmering curtains of the aurora borealis over the boreal forests and tundra. 

Other highlights include visiting a local Sami village to learn about this vibrant indigenous culture.

Your hosts at a delicious traditional lunch will regale you with stories of Sami traditions and modern life.

Stop by Alta’s most striking modern landmark, the Cathedral of the Northern Lights (pictured above), and then head to the Alta Museum to see 7000-year-old rock carvings. 

Alta is in the far north of Norway, with the closest major city being Tromsø.

If you’re visiting by cruise, Viking visits Alta on its 13-day ocean voyage, In Search of the Northern Lights.