Our hotel in Alta
Alta is one of the northernmost towns in Norway and the largest town in Finnmark. It’s easy to get here since the airport is located a short distance from the city. Alta offers world class nature and activities.
accommodation in alta
We have 1 hotel in Alta, Scandic Alta. Our hotel is the perfect place to stay when exploring and experiencing this exciting destination.
Alta and surroundings
Alta, also called the City of the Northern Lights, is the largest city in Finnmark county. Compared to other areas in the north, Alta has a relatively mild climate. The nickname ‘City of the Northern Lights’ comes from the fact that Alta was the world’s first city to have a Northern Lights observatory, built at the end of the 1800s. There’s a lot to do in Alta, both in summer and winter. In the winter, you’re surrounded by the clear light and contrasts that characterise Finnmark in the winter season. The area offers many activities, from speedy snow scooter tours to calmer dog sledding trips. With a scooter, you can access beautiful areas that you would otherwise not be able to experience. Combine with an ice-fishing trip, or go out at night to search for Northern Lights in areas with no other disturbing lights. Many guests also choose to experience the Northern Lights from a dog sled. There are several options for trips with huskies who love to run and pull the dog sleds. To better understand northern Norway, it’s important to get some insight into the Sami culture. Here you can visit a lavvu and listen to ‘joik’ (chanting), ride a reindeer sled and maybe help out herding the reindeer.
Alta is located in the innermost part of Altafjorden, surrounded by forest, plains, coastal and mountain landscapes – perfect for those who love outdoor life and activities such as hiking, biking and fishing. In the summer, you can also see the preserved rock carvings at Hjemmeluft. The Altaristningene papers are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and they are the most important documentation of people living here from around 4500 to 500 BC.
In Alta, you’ll experience the midnight sun from 19 May to 24 July on clear days. Komsafjellet mountain in Alta is a popular place to observe the midnight sun.