Why Alta, Norway? The underrated Finnmark town
Frosted Eli at the Haddle Northern Lights Observatory
When we got to Alta with my friends Ludi and François, locals kept asking us: “Why Alta”?
Indeed, many visitors skip Alta on their way to the North Cape, or just stop in Tromsø. And you know what? They’re missing out. Big time.
Alta might not be plastered all over Instagram, but that’s the beauty of it. And, as you know, our kind of destination here at Penguin Trampoline!
It’s the kind of place where nature does the talking, and trust us, it’s got plenty to say! And interestingly for us Arctic addicts, Alta is considered the northernmost city in the world with a population surpassing 10,000.
So, keep reading to find out why visit Alta, Norway!
Haldde observatory
If you’ve been following us for a while, you know we’re northern lights addicts.
So, when we heard about the first northern lights observatory in the world, we had to go!
We didn’t rent a car on this trip, so we ordered a cab at 5am — it was fall, so we had to make sure to come back before dark — and off we went, a 1000 m ascending elevation from sea level to the top!
This isn’t just any old trek — you’re walking in the footsteps of scientists who studied the Northern Lights here over a century ago. Yeah, we’re talking aurora borealis before it was cool.
The ambiance at Haddletoppen was eery! Love the "star gate" on the left!
We started with no snow and ended up in a frosty fog — obviously no views, but the ambiance was just eery and so surreal!
In October, we met absolutely nobody on the trail, so we made sure to bring a map, food, water and layers of clothing, as there was a 15 degree difference at the summit. Also, phone coverage is practically non-existent, so do exercise caution — like coming back before dark!
Northern lights at Mt Haddle
Weather allowing and in season, you can book an overnight trip to Mt Haddletoppen. Check our guide: Northern Lights for Dummies for our best tips!
Alta Canyon
Then there’s the Alta Canyon, also known as the Gargia Canyon. Let’s be real: this isn’t the Grand Canyon, but it’s a lot closer to your Viking dreams. Picture this: jagged cliffs, deep gorges, and a roaring river. There’s this wildness to the place that makes you feel small in the best way possible. Whether you’re hiking through or just stopping by for the views, it’s a place that’ll make you rethink why you didn’t hear about Alta sooner.
The hike itself is not difficult, but blink and you’ll miss the signs, especially with a fresh blanket of snow like in our case!
Dog sledding… or almost
In October, dogsledding wasn’t an option as the snow was way too thin, and only in the surrounding mountains. But I (Eli) never go up North without mushing, especially when I’m traveling with friends who’ve never tried! Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Dog sledding? Isn’t that a winter thing?”
Well, I have great news for you! Even when there’s no snow, you can hop on a “sled”, or cart — on wheels, that you pilot a bit like a bike. Dogs need to train year round, so they thoroughly enjoy it too!
Although the landscape isn’t as magical as in winter, the bumps and the mud make it a really fun experience.
We booked a tour at the Tourist Office with Holmen Husky Lodge, and had a blast!
We always recommend a travel insurance, especially in Arctic climate and/or if you’re going to undertake outdoor activities. Get 5% with our partner HeyMondo!
On the pic: Eli ready to go!
Alta Museum
Alta Museum might not be on your must-visit list yet, but hear me out. It’s got something pretty rare. Alta boasts Northern Europe’s largest collection of rock art, created by ancient hunter-gatherers. These remarkable works, including both carvings and paintings, were crafted between 7,000 and 2,000 years ago. Recognized for its historical significance, Alta’s rock art was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List on December 3rd, 1985, making it Norway’s only prehistoric monument on the list. The World Heritage Site encompasses four locations featuring carvings (Hjemmeluft, Kåfjord, Amtmannsnes, and Storsteinen), as well as one site displaying rock paintings (Transfarelv).
Plus, the museum itself is perched on the edge of the fjord, so even if history’s not your thing, the view alone makes it worth the stop.
Alta's rock art, UNESCO World Heritage site
Northern lights
Alta is one of the best places on Earth to catch the aurora borealis in all its electric, sky-dancing glory. The town is far enough north to give you some serious aurora action, but it’s not as overrun as places like Tromsø, and it definitely has less light pollution, meaning you can enjoy the show in peace.
And Mother Nature was really kind to us, as we didn’t even have to get off the plane to start watching the lights!
Once at the airport, we rushed to our accommodation and kept enjoying a really strong aurora, that came back 2 more times during our stay — we had fog and rain the other days.
5º in Alta, Norway: the perfect bikini weather!
We posted this picture on Facebook with my friends Ludi and François, and the next day, when we got to the Tourist Office, we were greeted with a “Why the swimsuits?”
Whether you’re taking in the show from the city, venturing out to quieter spots like Sorrisniva, or even heading back up the Haldde Observatory for a truly out-of-this-world experience, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to catch the Northern Lights in Alta.
No more crowded tours, no more jostling for the best view — just you, the wild Arctic sky, and a light show you’ll never forget.
Check out our guide to get the best chances!
Northern lights from the terrace of our awesome accommodation
Friendly locals
The town of Alta isn’t the kind of place that overwhelms you with noise or chaos. Nope, it’s a town that invites you to slow down, wander through its quiet streets, stop in at a café, chat with a local and take it all in.
Guess what? There’s even a mall for rainy days with all your typical Nordic brands and a nice amount of restaurants for such a small, septentrional town!
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Alta is a more affordable than its bigger, most popular “neighbors” like Tromsø. We booked an accommodation for 3 people with sauna and sweeping views on the fjords — northern lights included for 60 €/night! So, if you’re traveling on a budget, Alta might be worth considering.
And speaking of locals, they’re the kind of people who’ll make you feel like you belong. Being off the beaten path, we found people to be a lot more welcoming than in tourist hotspots.
Maybe it’s the northern hospitality, or maybe it’s just the magic of a town that’s not trying to impress anyone — it’s just being itself.
We could ride the bus for free, people will pick you up on the road, if you’re stranded — this is actually typical in the Arctic — and someone even invited us to a beer at the local Barila Pub!
If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, make your way up to the Komsa Mountain viewpoint. The hike is short but sweet, and the panoramic view from the top will make you wonder why everyone isn’t talking about Alta.
Eli enjoying the view from Komsatoppen
Easy access
One of the best-kept secrets about Alta is how easy it is to get there. You can fly directly from Oslo, and in just a few hours, you’ll be stepping into this arctic paradise.
The airport is super close to the city. No complicated transfers, no hassle — just you, the landscape, and all the adventure waiting for you.
Here is my personal playlist to call Lady Aurora:
So, why Alta? Because it’s everything you didn’t know you were looking for. It’s the incredible views, the friendly locals, the unpretentiousness. The kind of quiet beauty that sneaks up on you.
It’s not here to compete with the big names — it’s here to be your new favorite secret. Go ahead, discover Alta before everyone else does!
