Alta

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Alta is a town in Finnmark, Norway’s northernmost county, situated at the head of the Altafjord at around 70°N. Despite its high latitude it benefits from a relatively dry, stable climate compared to the coast, with cold, clear winter nights that are ideal for aurora viewing. The town has a long association with the Northern Lights, the world’s first permanent aurora observatory was established here in 1899 by physicist Kristian Birkeland.

The Alta Museum is the town’s cultural centrepiece, housing a UNESCO World Heritage collection of prehistoric rock carvings dating back several thousand years. The carvings depict hunting scenes, boats, animals and human figures, and the open-air site along the fjord is worth visiting in any season. The Northern Lights Cathedral, a striking spiral-shaped building completed in 2013, is another architectural highlight.

Alta’s surrounding wilderness is vast and largely uninhabited. The Altafjord and Sautso canyon (northern Europe’s largest) provide dramatic landscapes for guided excursions. Dog sledding, snowmobile tours and reindeer experiences run by local Sámi operators are popular winter activities. The Alta River is also one of the world’s finest Atlantic salmon rivers, drawing fly fishers from around the globe each summer.

For aurora viewing, the fjord’s open water and surrounding plateaux offer dark, unobstructed horizons. Several operators run evening aurora tours from the town to viewpoints away from any light pollution. Alta Airport has direct flights from Oslo and Tromsø, and the town is a stopping point on the E6 highway running through northern Norway.

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How are my chances of seeing the aurora today?

Many factors contribute to your likelihood of viewing the aurora in Alta. Geomagnetic activity, cloud cover and the amount of ambient light all play a big part. Check the forecasts for how good the viewing conditions are today.

Aurora Probability and Atmospheric Conditions

9%

There is a 9% chance of seeing the aurora overhead in the Alta area (forecast for 9 October 2026 at 3:09am UTC)

Kp 1.33

The Kp-index is a scale used to measure geomagnetic activity. It ranges from 0 to 9, with higher values indicating greater geomagnetic activity.

  • 0-2 (Very low) Far north, quite dim, and not very active.
  • 3-5 (Moderate) Can be seen further south, with increased brightness and activity. Chance of good viewing conditions nearer the pole.
  • 6-7 (High) Visible in many northern regions, with vibrant displays.
  • 8-9 (Extreme) Widespread visibility, often seen in areas much further south than usual, with intense and colorful displays.
HPI 26 GW

The Hemispheric Power Index (HPI) is a vital measure used to assess the strength of auroral activity at the poles. It estimates the total auroral energy input, with values above 20 GW indicating an aurora-active state. When the HPI reaches levels of 100 GW or more, it signifies a very significant geomagnetic storm, which can lead to spectacular auroral displays.

Bz -4 nT

Bz refers to the north-south orientation of the magnetic field embedded in the solar wind. It is measured in nanoteslas (nT).

When Bz is negative (southward), it allows solar wind particles to penetrate the Earth’s magnetic field more easily. A strong negative Bz is often associated with increased chances of seeing the Northern Lights.

Conversely, when Bz is positive (northward), the Earth’s magnetic field tends to block the solar wind, resulting in reduced aurora activity.

Bt 5 nT

Bt measures the overall power of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) from the Sun; higher numbers (e.g., above 20 nT) mean more energy available for aurora.

Density 5.72 p/cm3

Solar wind density refers to the number of charged particles in a given volume of the solar wind, typically measured in particles per cubic centimetre (p/cm3).

A typical solar wind density is around 2.76 p/cm3.

The density of the solar wind affects how many particles reach the Earth’s magnetosphere. A higher density means more particles are available to interact with the Earth’s magnetic field. When these charged particles collide with the gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, energy is released in the form of light that we see as the aurora.

Speed 359.2 km/s

Solar wind speed refers to the velocity at which charged particles are ejected from the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona.

A typical solar wind speed is about 375 km/s. When both speed and density are high, the energy transferred to the Earth’s magnetosphere increases, enhancing the chances of seeing vibrant auroras.

Light Levels

Moon

Waning crescent 8%

Sunrise 7:13am

Sunset 5:14pm

Moonrise 5:16am

Moonset 4:35pm

Weather Forecast for Alta

Snow

2°C Feels like -5°C

High
3°C
Low
0°C

  • Chance of precipitation 100%

  • Cloud cover 46%

  • South-Easterly winds 1 km/h gusts of 3 km/h

  • Rain 2 mm

  • Snow 1 mm

Aurora season in Alta

The aurora season in Alta runs from September to March. The best viewing conditions are in the peak months of October, February and March.

Peak viewing In season Off season

Book an amazing adventure in Alta

Explore this selection of tours and activities to make the most of your visit to Alta.

  • Free cancellation Likely to sell out

    4hr Dog Sledding Trip in Gargia Valley

    5.0 (31)

    4 hours From £258.65

    Experience the magic of dog sledding in the breathtaking landscapes of Alta, Norway. Join us for an unforgettable adventure where you'll receive personalized training and command your own team of huskies, a truly immersive experience. Glide through pine forests in the beautiful Gargia Valley, feeling the exhilarating synergy between you and your loyal companions. Warm up with hot coffee and tea at the historic Gargia mountain lodge while our knowledgeable guides share insights into dog sledding and local history.

  • Free cancellation

    Northern Lights tour with Alta Adventure

    4.5 (129)

    4 hours From £176.76

    We offer a tour for a small group to enjoy togetherness and excitement while hunting for Northern Lights in the beautiful landscapes of the Altafjord. We arrange organized guided tours since 2007 and have the knowledge about how to find the Northern Lights if the conditions are there. On our tours you normally will have 80-90 % chance of seeing this spectacular view. Each tour is different, as we focus on finding the optimal place with the greatest chance of seeing the lights. We therefore sometimes have to drive quite far to find them, while sometimes we find them in the surrounding area. Necessary driving distance decide whether we establish a camp with a fire, or whether we serve hot chocolate and snacks at one of our short stops. While enjoying the great outdoors, we will share with you local stories about Norwegian way of living, local history from the Stone Age, Sami culture, reindeer-herding, 2nd World War and the modern society in Alta. We are normally back just over midnight.

  • Free cancellation

    Northern Lights Chase in Alta, Norway with Local Guide

    No reviews

    5 hours From £145.22

    Witness the enchanting Northern Lights in Alta, Norway's capital for aurora sightings. This guided tour offers a unique Arctic experience, where a professional guide will lead you to prime locations to catch the breathtaking Aurora Borealis. Enjoy the comfort of a modern bus accommodating up to 25 guests, ensuring a personal touch as you learn about the rich Sami culture and Arctic stories. Warm up with provided thermal clothing, hot beverages, and snacks while capturing unforgettable moments with included photography. - 5 hour tour from 19:00 to 00:00, perfect for all ages - Travel in a comfortable bus, equipped with toilet facilities - Local guide sharing insights into Sami culture and the Arctic - Pickup available from various locations in Alta: Alta Cruise Port Scandic Hotel Thon Hotel Flatmoen Nature Sorrisniva

  • Free cancellation

    Alta: The Northern Lights Bus – A warm and Local Experience

    3.7 (3)

    3 hours 30 minutes From £117.57

    Leave the lights of Alta behind and join Finnmark Adventure, a small local company based in Alta, for a warm and comfortable journey into the Arctic night. There is no fixed route. Our local guides follow the weather and clouds and adjust the journey to find the best possible conditions. When the sky looks promising, we stop. Step outside, breathe the Arctic air, take photographs, enjoy the silence and look up. Your evening includes a dedicated Aurora presentation, explaining how the Northern Lights are created and why they appear in different colors. You will also hear old Arctic stories and Sámi traditions surrounding these mysterious lights. Perhaps that is why the Aurora can feel so magical. Our bus is warm and comfortable, with plenty of space to relax. Warm drinks and snacks are served during the evening. We can never promise the Northern Lights — nature decides. But our local guides will use their knowledge and experience to give you the best possible chance to see them.

  • Free cancellation

    Northern Lights Adventure By Snowmobile

    4.9 (45)

    4 hours From £255.41

    The highlight of any trip above the arctic circle: experiencing the magical northern lights dance across the sky. The mystery of light has given us many myths and legends over the years. Everything from heroes who lit up the sky to mysterious fire foxes and warnings of danger. The dry and stable climate in Alta provides the best conditions for seeing the Northern Lights. On this trip we combine the excitement of snowmobiling with experiencing the northern lights dancing across the sky. We take you along the old postal road up to the very edge of Finnmarksvidda to a mountain range called Beskardes. Far away from the lights of the city this trip provides the ideal conditions to see the northern lights in a beautiful winter landscape. If we are lucky we will get to see the magnificent northern lights dancing across the sky on our trip, or be treated with a beautiful arctic night sky.

  • Free cancellation Likely to sell out

    Small Group Whale Watching by RIB

    4.8 (12)

    3 hours From £227.03

    In winter, whales come to the herring-rich fjords in northern Norway to hunt. This is a unique opportunity to experience the whales up close while exploring the beautiful Fjords of northern Norway. You will get to enjoy the beautiful winter skies, while surrounded by mountains and the fjords wildlife. Once on the boat we will make our way out into the fjords to look for humpback whales and Orcas. We will keep a safe distance and turn off our boat engines to minimize the disturbance to the whales. The whales are just as curious about visitors as we are about them, so they will most likely come and swim around our boat. Please note that while we try our best, we can not guarantee that we will actually see whales on the trip. The season start and end date can be adjusted according to whale migration patterns. We conduct this tour in small groups of maximum 12 participants only to ensure a great and personal experience for all of our guests.

Places to check out around Alta

Discover Restaurants, Campgrounds, Mountains and more…

Explore more nearby Alta

Get off the beaten track, these nearby destinations also offer opportunities to see the Northern Lights and are within easy reach of Alta.

  • Blue wooden cabin surrounded by beautiful purple flowers, Kautokeino, Norway

    Credit: Andrea Maschio

    Kautokeino

    69°0'39"N, 23°2'29"E

    Aurora probability in Kautokeino: 9%

    Kautokeino, a remote town in Norway’s Finnmark region, is a cultural hub for the indigenous Sami people, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional Sami culture, reindeer herding and the stunning Arctic wilderness.

  • Two reindeer on the roadside going into Hammerfest, Norway

    Credit: Secret Travel Guide

    Hammerfest

    70°39'48"N, 23°40'57"E

    Aurora probability in Hammerfest: 9%

    Hammerfest, one of the northernmost towns in the world, is a charming Arctic destination known for its rich history, vibrant culture and stunning natural beauty, making it a must-visit spot for travelers seeking unique experiences in Norway’s far north.

  • The rugged coastline at Nordkapp, Norway

    Credit: Sayo Oladeji

    Nordkapp

    71°10'15"N, 25°47'2"E

    Aurora probability in Nordkapp: 9%

    Nordkapp, or North Cape, is a dramatic cliffside destination in northern Norway that offers breathtaking views of the Arctic Ocean and the midnight sun, making it a must-visit spot for travellers seeking to experience the raw beauty of the far north.

Other places in Norway

BodøLofotenTromsø