Located on Norway's Northern coast, Alta is best known as a prime destination for viewing the Northern Lights. It's situated right on the head of Alta Fjord, but has a surprisingly mild climate, which makes it an ideal place for travelers who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking and fishing. Alta also has a deep indigenous culture and history that is evident throughout. Sami Siida offers a look at the traditional Sami lifestyle and Hjemmeluft, where cruisers can check out rock carvings dating back to some time between 4200 and 500 B.C., has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Those who get a kick out of a bit of schtick should head to the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel -- a luxury hotel that is entirely made of ice and is only open between January and when it begins to melt in the Spring -- for a meal or any number of activities, from ice fishing to a snowmobile safari.
More about Alta
Why go to Alta?
Sign Up for Price Drop Alerts
Be the first to know when tomorrow's prices drop so you can book with confidence.
Why go to Alta?
Alta’s mild climate makes it one of the easier destinations in Northern Norway to explore.
Though Alta is a popular spot for Northern Lights viewing, the weather may not always cooperate.
Alta is a culturally and historically rich town that is surprisingly accessible.
![MS Otto Sverdrup]({"imageUrl":"https://images.r.cruisecritic.com/default-images/ship.png","width":[272,500],"height":[200],"title":"MS Otto Sverdrup","layout":"fill","objectFit":"cover","dpr":1,"quality":55})
![User Avatar]({"imageUrl":"https://images.r.cruisecritic.com/community/badges/cc_2011_badge_member.jpg","title":"User Avatar","layout":"intrinsic","objectFit":"cover","width":[400],"height":[400],"dpr":1,"quality":55}){kind=icon}
![Cruises to Barbados]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3052/image","title":"Cruises to Barbados","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to San Juan]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3470/image","title":"Cruises to San Juan","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to St. Maarten]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3517/image","title":"Cruises to St. Maarten","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Miami]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3328/image","title":"Cruises to Miami","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3165/image","title":"Cruises to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Southampton]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3499/image","title":"Cruises to Southampton","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Barcelona]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3053/image","title":"Cruises to Barcelona","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Venice]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3569/image","title":"Cruises to Venice","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Rome (Civitavecchia)]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3453/image","title":"Cruises to Rome (Civitavecchia)","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Lisbon]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3297/image","title":"Cruises to Lisbon","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Sydney (Australia)]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3532/image","title":"Cruises to Sydney (Australia)","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Amsterdam]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3028/image","title":"Cruises to Amsterdam","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Athens]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3039/image","title":"Cruises to Athens","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Santorini]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3476/image","title":"Cruises to Santorini","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Kusadasi]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3276/image","title":"Cruises to Kusadasi","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Marseille]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3320/image","title":"Cruises to Marseille","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Genoa]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3177/image","title":"Cruises to Genoa","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Mykonos]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3348/image","title":"Cruises to Mykonos","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Budapest]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3085/image","title":"Cruises to Budapest","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})
![Cruises to Vienna]({"imageUrl":"https://images.cruisecritic.com/image/3573/image","title":"Cruises to Vienna","width":[75],"height":[75],"dpr":1,"quality":55})