Tucked away in the far north of Norway, just above the Arctic Circle, lies Alta – a destination where nature, culture, and adventure come together in a landscape of stunning contrasts. Known as the “City of the Northern Lights,” Alta offers a unique blend of Arctic wilderness and fascinating history, making it a must-visit for curious travelers and nature lovers alike.
Alta is one of the best places in the world to experience the aurora borealis, thanks to its stable inland climate and long polar nights. From September to March, the night skies regularly come alive with dancing green, purple, and red lights – a magical display that attracts visitors from around the globe. Whether you’re staying in a cozy lodge or a glass-roof igloo, chasing the Northern Lights here is a bucket-list experience.
The variation between seasons, the never setting Midnight Sun, and the darkness of the Polar Night defines who we are and how we live.
In the heart of the Norwegian Arctic, Alta transforms into a snow-covered wonderland each winter. From exhilarating outdoor activities to peaceful moments surrounded by silence and snow, winter in Alta offers unforgettable adventures for every kind of traveler.
One of the most iconic Arctic experiences! Glide through frozen forests and along icy rivers while being pulled by a team of energetic huskies. Whether you’re riding as a passenger or steering your own sled, the bond between musher and dogs — and the silent beauty of the surroundings — creates a once-in-a-lifetime memory.
Snowmobiling Across the Arctic Tundra
For those craving speed and open landscapes, snowmobiling in Alta is a thrilling way to explore the vast wilderness. Ride across frozen lakes, up into the mountains, or through the highland plateau with panoramic views of snowy peaks and endless white.
Visit or even stay overnight at the world’s northernmost ice hotel, rebuilt from scratch each year with a new theme. Everything — from the bar to the bedrooms — is carved from snow and ice. Even if you’re not spending the night, guided tours and dinner experiences in the warm, wood-built restaurant nearby are a must.
Alta is one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora borealis. Join a guided tour by snowshoe, sled, minibus, or snowmobile in search of the lights — or simply relax in a hot tub or glass-roof cabin while they dance above you. With clear inland skies and minimal light pollution, your chances are excellent.
Alta offers a variety of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, perfect for beginners and pros alike. Snowshoeing is another peaceful way to explore the Arctic landscape, with guided treks that often include hot drinks around a bonfire in the snow.
Wander the woods with a husky. Pause by the river. Discover what connects us.
Far above the Arctic Circle, where the northern lights dance and reindeer roam freely, lies a culture as old as the snow-covered mountains themselves — the Sámi. In Alta, Norway, this indigenous people’s traditions are not just preserved but proudly lived, offering visitors a chance to connect with a rich heritage rooted in nature, resilience, and identity.
The Sámi are the indigenous people of Northern Scandinavia, inhabiting a vast region known as Sápmi, which spans across northern Norway, Sweden, Finland, and parts of Russia. In Alta and the surrounding Finnmark region, the Sámi presence is strong — from language and clothing to food, music, and storytelling.
Historically nomadic, many Sámi were reindeer herders, following their herds across the tundra through the seasons. Today, reindeer herding remains a vital part of Sámi culture, and it’s one of the most fascinating traditions you can witness in Alta.
One of the most immersive cultural experiences in Alta is visiting a Sámi family-run reindeer camp. Here, you’ll get a glimpse into the daily life of a reindeer herder, feed the animals, and even go for a gentle ride through the snow in a traditional reinsdyrsled (reindeer sled).
What makes these visits special is the personal connection — you’re often welcomed into a lavvu (Sámi tent), where stories are shared by the fire, often over a bowl of bidos (a hearty reindeer stew), prepared just as it has been for generations.
Music plays a deep spiritual role in Sámi culture, and the joik is one of its most hauntingly beautiful forms. A joik isn’t just a song — it’s a vocal expression of a person, animal, or place, meant to capture their essence rather than describe them. When you hear a joik live, especially in a snow-covered forest or under the northern lights, it’s an unforgettable experience that transcends language.
Bright colors, intricate patterns, and silver jewelry — the gákti (traditional Sámi clothing) is not only beautiful but symbolic. Every pattern and color combination tells a story about the wearer’s family, region, or marital status.
You’ll also find duodji (Sámi handicrafts) in Alta: hand-sewn leather pouches, intricately carved knives, woven belts, and more. These crafts are not souvenirs — they’re cultural expressions made with pride and skill passed down through generations.
Meeting indigenous SĂ mi people in Norway is at the heart of meaningful, authentic and experience-rich travel. Take a look at some of our suggestions for how and where to meet and learn more about the only indigenous people of the European Union.
Finnmarksløpet – the longest dog-sled race in Europe challenge mushers to explore the limits of their capabilities and perform. The dogs and mushers must be top-trained, but also the dogs needs trust and dedication to the mushers to perform. This is achieved through taking good care of the dogs, and give them plenty of attention, food and rest. The musher must not only work while racing, but when the checkpoint is reached he or she must prioritize the dogs before resting. A good support team and training is important to success. To win Finnmarksløpet you need to sacrifice everything, that’s why we love mushing!
Finnmarksløpet was first organized in 1981 with three contestants. There were few rules and the mushers were out on their own. Back then mushing was a sport for a few dedicated people. Today mushing is a sport that engange thousands of people.
As the years passed the race grew, both in contestants and audience. In 1985 there were two race classes, in 1992 the length grew to 1000km and 12 dogs as a maximum. While the class for 8 dogs were 600 km. In 2000 the open class was extended to 14 dogs and the 8-dog class reduced to 500 km. Finally, in 2018, the race is extended to 1200 km. There has been a lot of smaller changes during the years, we listen to the competitors and try to make the race as fun and challenging as possible.
In 2001 Finnmarskløpet AS was established as a race organization. From then on the race has become more professional. What used to be a small event organized by mushers is now the largest annual sport and cultural event in the region.
Finnmarksløpet has a big media impact with stories, pictures and videos in hundreds of different media channels every year.