🇳🇴 Norway
“Northern Lights capital of the Arctic”
Avg. Ships / Day
Avg. Time in Port
Peak Season
Oct – Oct
31 sailings over the next 12 months
Based on cruises available on Cruisello
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.
Top-rated shore excursions that fit a typical ~12h port call
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.
5-Day Forecast
Sail to Alta for $1,971pp
Compare 31 upcoming sailings.
