Alta

🇳🇴 Norway

Northern Lights capital of the Arctic

1

Avg. Ships / Day

13h

Avg. Time in Port

Peak Season

Not really a peak season

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4 sailings over the next 12 months

Based on cruises available on Cruisello

About Alta

Alta is a modern Arctic town at the head of the Altafjord in northern Norway. Known as the "City of the Northern Lights," it's one of the best places to see the aurora between September and March. The Northern Lights Cathedral, with its spiralling titanium shape, is a recognisable piece of modern architecture and visible from the harbour. The surrounding fjords and mountains make a strong backdrop for the compact town centre. The Alta Museum, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has rock carvings dating back 7,000 years, depicting hunting scenes and rituals. The Sautso canyon, northern Europe's largest, can be visited by boat in summer. Dog-sledding and snowmobile tours run in winter. The town's position inside the fjord keeps temperatures surprisingly mild for 70°N latitude. Reindeer meat and king crab are the local specialties, served at several restaurants near the waterfront.

Port Location

Things to do in Alta

Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~13h port call

Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

4.5(129)4h20:00–00:00+1
Fits your port day
From $241per person
Viator
Snowmobile safari in the mountain plateau of Finnmarksvidda

Snowmobile safari in the mountain plateau of Finnmarksvidda

5.0(70)5h09:00–14:00
Fits your port day
From $313per person
Viator
Sleigh Ride w/ snacks - Experience Arctic Farm Life

Sleigh Ride w/ snacks - Experience Arctic Farm Life

5.0(63)2h 30m10:00–12:30, 18:00–20:30
Fits your port day
From $191per person
Viator
Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

4.9(44)4h17:30–21:30, 17:45–21:45, 18:00–22:00 +2
Fits your port day
From $334per person
Viator
Sleigh or wagon ride in the arctic Country side

Sleigh or wagon ride in the arctic Country side

4.9(34)3h10:00–13:00
Fits your port day
From $233per person
Viator
4hr Dog Sledding Tour under the Northern Lights

4hr Dog Sledding Tour under the Northern Lights

4.9(34)4h18:00–22:00, 19:00–23:00, 21:00–01:00+1
Fits your port day
From $373per person
Viator
4hr Dog Sledding Trip in Gargia Valley

4hr Dog Sledding Trip in Gargia Valley

5.0(30)4h08:30–12:30, 09:00–13:00, 10:00–14:00 +5
Fits your port day
From $339per person
Viator
Evening Tour and Aurora Borealis Sightseeing in Norway by ATV

Evening Tour and Aurora Borealis Sightseeing in Norway by ATV

4.8(33)5h18:00–23:00, 19:00–00:00+1, 19:40–00:40+1 +1
Fits your port day
From $232per person
Viator
Alta Fjord Whale Watching on a Heated Boat

Alta Fjord Whale Watching on a Heated Boat

5.0(23)4h09:30–13:30
Fits your port day
From $265per person
Viator
4hr Finnmarksvidda Snowmobile Adventure

4hr Finnmarksvidda Snowmobile Adventure

5.0(20)4h09:00–13:00, 10:00–14:00, 11:45–15:45 +2
Fits your port day
From $302per person
Viator
Sleigh ride Under The Northern Lights

Sleigh ride Under The Northern Lights

5.0(19)3h 30m20:00–23:30
Fits your port day
From $329per person
Viator
Horseback riding

Horseback riding

4.6(17)2h10:00–12:00
Fits your port day
From $265per person
Viator

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews.

Starting prices per person. We may earn a commission when you book through our partner links — at no extra cost to you.

Cruises visiting Alta

Sun & Aurora Run – Rio, Casablanca & Tromsø

36 nightsMajestic PrincessBuenos Aires🇦🇷
From$6,250per person
View details

Gilded Tundra – Tromsø, Alta & Trondheim

14 nightsSky PrincessSouthampton🇬🇧
From$2,783per person
View details

Quick Facts

TimezoneEurope/Berlin (UTC+1)
CurrencyNorwegian Krone (NOK)
$10 ≈ NOK 96
LanguagesNorwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian
TippingService included; not expected

Todays Weather

2°
Partially cloudy
9 km/h
UV 1

5-Day Forecast

Wed-2°
Thu2°
Fri2°
Sat3°
Sun1°

Cruise Lines stopping in this port

Sail to Alta for $2,783pp

Compare 4 upcoming sailings.

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