Café$$
Friends Cafe Alta
Monday: Closed; Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM; Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM...
Restaurant in Alta. Description pending editorial review.
NorgeTravel Score
6Exceptional
Google★ 5.0(14)
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City Guide
Alta
Alta sits at 70°N at the head of the Altafjord in Finnmark. The UNESCO-listed rock carvings at Hjæmmalu̇ft date to 7,000 years ago. The Northern Lights observatory at Haldde sits at 904 meters. The Alta Canyon is Northern Europe’s largest at 400 meters deep.
Population: 21,000Airport: ALF AltaCanyon depth: 400 mBest time: Sep–Mar (aurora) / Jun–Aug (midnight sun)
What to see in Alta
0 guides with practical info, honest assessments, and no filler.
Things to do in Alta
22 activities and tours based in Alta.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Northern Lights at Haldde Observatory
Alta, Norway
Alta sits at the base of one of Norway's most productive aurora corridors. The Northern Lights Observatory runs guided evenings from Haldde mountain, 904 meters above sea level, where the KP index threshold for visible aurora drops below 3 due to altitude and minimal light pollution. Haldde is where Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland conducted the first systematic aurora research in 1899 and 1900.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Dog Sledding at Holmen Husky Lodge
Alta, Norway
Holmen Husky Lodge sits in the Finnmark wilderness outside Alta, running expeditions with a kennel of 300 Siberian huskies. The 5-hour session covers 30 km of trail through birch forest and open plateau, with participants driving their own sled after a 20-minute instruction. The lodge serves a warm meal at the midpoint. Outside temperature typically runs -10°C to -25°C in January and February.
🌌Northern NorwayLuxury
Snowmobile Safari across Altafjord
Alta, Norway
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel operates snowmobile routes across the frozen surface of Altafjord, covering 60–100 km of open fjord ice and forested riverbanks. Altafjord freezes reliably each winter and provides a natural flat corridor for the route. The safari departs from Sorrisniva, 20 km east of Alta, and follows the Altaelva river valley before heading onto the fjord ice.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Flatmoen nature
Alta, Norway
4.9/5(85)Google
Flatmoen nature offers guided tours and cultural experiences in Alta. In the Norwegian Arctic, local knowledge is the difference between a good trip and a wasted one — this operator covers the local terrain. 85 Google reviews.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
GLØD Explorer AS
Alta, Norway
4.8/5(158)Google
GLØD Explorer AS offers guided tours and cultural experiences in Alta. In the Norwegian Arctic, local knowledge is the difference between a good trip and a wasted one — this operator covers the local terrain. 158 Google reviews.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Æventyr
Alta, Norway
4.8/5(60)Google
Æventyr offers guided tours and cultural experiences in Alta. In the Norwegian Arctic, local knowledge is the difference between a good trip and a wasted one — this operator covers the local terrain. 60 Google reviews.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Trailhead Alta Canyon
Alta, Norway
4.6/5(151)Google
Trailhead Alta Canyon leads glacier and mountain hikes from Alta. Route difficulty and conditions vary by season — check directly for current availability and what's included. 151 Google reviews.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Alta Tourist Information
Alta, Norway
4.6/5(96)Google
Alta Tourist Information offers guided tours and cultural experiences in Alta. In the Norwegian Arctic, local knowledge is the difference between a good trip and a wasted one — this operator covers the local terrain. 96 Google reviews.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Alta Museum - World Heritage Center for Rock Carvings
Alta, Norway
4.5/5(3,372)Google
Beyond its scenic views over the Alta Fjord, this museum features an open-air rock carving exhibit.
Where to stay in Alta
36 properties in Alta. Hotels, cabins, and apartments — booked via Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayLuxury
Trasti & Trine
Gargiaveien 29, Norway
4.8/5(570)Google
Trasti & Trine is a full-service hotel in Alta, Finnmark. Central location with direct access to Alta's main sights. Rates and availability via Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Storfjord Hotel
Øvre Glomset 110, Norway
4.8/5(495)Google
Elegant quarters, some with fjord views, in a woodsy-chic hotel offering a spa & upscale dining.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge
Nordelvdalen 200, Norway
4.8/5(155)Google
Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge is a self-catering cabin near Alta, Finnmark. Kitchen facilities and independent access make it a practical choice for multi-night stays. Check availability on Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Aurora Distillery Cabins
Årøybuktnesset 44, Norway
4.8/5(105)Google
Aurora Distillery Cabins is a self-catering cabin near Alta, Finnmark. Kitchen facilities and independent access make it a practical choice for multi-night stays. Check availability on Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Sorrisniva
Sorrisniva 20, Norway
4.7/5(861)Google
Offbeat igloos in an eclectic seasonal lodge offering a restaurant, an ice bar & an outdoor hot tub.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Alten Lodge
Nikkihompen 52, Norway
4.7/5(64)Google
Alten Lodge is a self-catering cabin near Alta, Finnmark. Kitchen facilities and independent access make it a practical choice for multi-night stays. Check availability on Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
ONGA Boutique Lodge
Mathisdalen 481, Norway
4.6/5(83)Google
ONGA Boutique Lodge is a self-catering cabin near Alta, Finnmark. Kitchen facilities and independent access make it a practical choice for multi-night stays. Check availability on Booking.com.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Gargia Lodge
Gargiaveien 96, Norway
4.5/5(254)Google
Relaxed rural lodge featuring a restaurant & a bar, plus a sauna & an outdoor hot tub.
🌌Northern NorwayMid-Range
Thon Hotel Alta
Labyrinten 6, Norway
4.4/5(1,324)Google
Low-key hotel within a shopping center, featuring colorful rooms, a restaurant & free breakfast.
Where to eat in Alta
29 restaurants rated by NorgeTravel. Scores combine Google, TripAdvisor, Facebook, and Yelp ratings.
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Ratings aggregated from Google, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Facebook. Dice score (1-6) is a weighted composite. NorgeTravel earns no commission on restaurant reservations.
Norwegian$$
Flatmoen nature
Monday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM; Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM...
Restaurant in Alta. Description pending editorial review.
NorgeTravel Score
6Exceptional
Google★ 4.9(85)
Norwegian$$$
Trasti & Trine
Check website for hours
Restaurant in Alta. Description pending editorial review.
NorgeTravel Score
6Exceptional
Google★ 4.8(570)
TripAdvisor
(152)
Norwegian$$
Raus Social
Monday: Closed; Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday: 3:00 – 10:00 PM...
Restaurant in Alta. Description pending editorial review.
NorgeTravel Score
6Exceptional
Google★ 4.8(68)
TripAdvisor
(123)
Facebook★ 4.4(7)
Plan your Alta trip
Alta is one basecamp. Norway has many. Explore the other cities or head into the fjords and mountains.