The northern lights church in Alta often sees its namesake appear immediately overhead.
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The spectacular start to the 2024-25 season has created headlines around the world. For many people living in parts of the U.S. and U.K., there have been rare opportunities to catch a glimpse of mother nature’s light show, typically reserved for Arctic destinations.
However, even with more potential sightings farther south than usual over the months to come, there are still many reasons to plan an aurora hunting trip to the north of Norway.
Alta remains a reliable destination for aurora displays, with frequent sightings under clear skies. If the weather plays ball, the chance of a northern lights sighting is good, even with a relatively weak aurora activity forecast.
Introducing Alta
While Tromsø is renowned as one of the best places to witness the northern lights, it’s far from your only option—especially for those eager to immerse themselves in the culture of the north while waiting for the elusive aurora, affectionately known as the ‘tricky lady,’ to dance across the sky.
With a population of just 20,000, Alta may seem small, but it serves as a regional hub for a vast area of Northern Norway, offering far more than most visitors expect.
Known as the “northern lights city,” Alta lives up to its name. Whether you want to explore the snow-covered wilderness, dive into Sami culture, or simply relax in comfort as you await the night’s spectacle, Alta promises an unforgettable Arctic escape paired with—hopefully—stunning light displays.
Northern Lights Tours In Alta
When planning an aurora hunting adventure in Alta, the biggest decision is whether you’ll join a tour with the professionals, or seek out the lights independently.
A northern lights display above the city of Alta, Norway.
David Nikel
Don’t rush into booking a northern lights tour, as no two tours are the same. The primary difference comes down to location.
Some tours focus on the experience aspect, blending an evening of traditional food and captivating storytelling in a cozy, fixed location.
Although these are enjoyable, a more effective option for increasing your chances of success is to join a bus or boat tour with flexible destinations. On such a tour, the guide will use the latest technology to consider cloud cover and other conditions to lead the group to an optimal destination on that particular evening.
From private tours in a taxi to dog sledding, there are multiple ways to hunt the lights on a tour. Tours are easy to find on Google and popular tour marketplaces, but Visit Alta is the best place to get an overview of what’s available.
Do you even need a northern lights tour? Smartphone apps such as Windy help predict cloud cover to a reasonable degree of accuracy, helping independent travelers decide whether to stay in Alta or head farther afield.
Of course, having your own transport is another helpful factor for independent hunters.
Other Things To Do In Alta
Even if you visit at the height of the winter solstice, it doesn’t get completely dark all day in Alta.
The historic rock art found in and around Alta has been given UNESCO World Heritage status.
David Nikel
So, you’ll need a plan to fill your time during the few hours of daytime twilight, or the hours of daylight if you’re visiting earlier or later in the northern lights season.
Alta’s Rock Carvings: The main attraction at Alta Museum is the UNESCO World Heritage listed rock carvings.
Dating back thousands of years, these rock carvings depict scenes from everyday life, including hunting, fishing, and social activities, as well as animals such as reindeer, moose, and bears. They show just how important the connection with the natural environment was to people living in these often harsh conditions.
Visitors can explore the outdoor pathways that wind through the rock art sites, while indoor exhibitions offer further context and details about the significance of the carvings and a dose of Sami history and culture as well.
Visit the Northern Lights Cathedral: This striking modern building is an architectural curiosity in Alta’s otherwise functional city center.
Even if you don’t like the exterior (and many don’t!), the interior church hall is beautifully designed, taking inspiration from, of course, the northern lights.
The striking interior of Alta’s Northern Lights Cathedral is clearly inspired by the aurora borealis.
David Nikel
In the basement, an exhibition on the science and mythology of the northern lights is available for an extra charge.
Explore Sami Culture: Alta offers various ways to experience the traditions of the indigenous Sami people, from visiting reindeer farms to learning about their history at the Alta Museum.
Aside from the museum, the best place to visit in and around Alta is Sami Siida. Founded in the 1990s by a Sami family from the region, Sami Siida is an experience center designed to share Sami culture. Activities include reindeer herding, northern lights experiences, food experiences, and more.
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel: For a memorable Arctic experience, spend a night in the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel (late December to early April), a few miles south of Alta.
Built entirely from snow and packed with ice sculptures, the accommodation offers magical memories regardless of aurora activity. Sorrisniva is also a base for outdoor experiences from dog sledding to ice fishing, and of course, the rural riverside location is the ideal basecamp for aurora watching.
Practical Matters
For the vast majority of international travelers, getting to Alta involves a flight from Oslo with Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) or Norwegian. Book as far in advance as possible for the best availability and rates.
Packing appropriately for winter conditions is crucial. When dressing, do as the Norwegians do for all outdoor activities and follow the layering principle.
While checking the weather forecast for Alta, remember that temperatures will drop significantly when you head out for a northern lights chase, especially if you’re venturing inland and away from the coast.
If the idea of sleeping on a bed of ice at Sorrisniva doesn’t appeal or you want a budget-friendly option, several modern hotels are available in the downtown area of Alta including Thon and Scandic.
Although just 20,000 people live in Alta, the downtown area has a surprisingly large shopping mall. Here, you’ll find supermarkets, drug stores, and clothing stores, should you need to stock up on extra layers before heading out into the Arctic wilderness.
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Publish date : 2024-10-16 03:42:00
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