Discover Alta: City, Culture and Outdoor Trails

Alta combines distinctive cultural attractions with opportunities for outdoor activities: the Northern Lights Cathedral defines the town centre, while Byløypa invites visitors to hike and cycle in summer and ski in winter. There is also rock art nearby and panoramic views of the Altafjord from Komsatoppen. This offers a simple way to choose a holiday apartment: should your stay focus mainly on culture, outdoor activities, or both?

Cultural attractions in Alta

The Northern Lights Cathedral is in the centre of Alta, at the end of the pedestrian street. It was consecrated on 10 February 2013 and is a well-known landmark, visible from large parts of the surrounding area. The library is also next to the pedestrian street. Cultural events such as music performances, talks and exhibitions are often held there. Aurora kino Alta is in the same building as the library, so both cultural offerings can be considered together when exploring Alta.

The Alta Church presents a different historical aspect: this wooden long church was built in 1858 to designs by Stephen Henry Thomas. Its English-inspired Neo-Gothic style clearly distinguishes it from the newer Northern Lights Cathedral. Visitors interested in architectural history and different church styles will therefore find two distinct points of interest in Alta, although the buildings do not form a single complex.

Rock art and discoveries nearby

The Hjemmeluft rock art area near Alta contains more than 3,000 petroglyphs, the oldest of which are over 7,000 years old. The Alta Museum has indoor exhibitions and an outdoor area with rock carvings. This offers different ways to explore rock art: the museum’s indoor exhibitions and outdoor area on the one hand, and the scale and great age of the Hjemmeluft petroglyphs on the other. These cultural attractions offer a different focus from the trails and activities in town.

Byløypa and Komsatoppen

Byløypa is a hiking and ski route through central parts of Alta. It is about 20 kilometres long and runs from Tverrelvdalen in the east, via Sandfallet Komsa near the centre, to Eiby in the west. In summer, it is suitable for hiking and cycling; in winter, the trails are groomed for skiing. Its length and route help you factor it into your holiday plans. The seasonal uses also differ: summer hiking and cycling contrast with the groomed trails in winter.

For a different perspective, Komsatoppen can be reached from Alta via an easy, accessible walking path. From the top, there are panoramic views of the Altafjord. Those who enjoy being outdoors can consider this walking path as an option in its own right alongside the longer Byløypa; both offer different ways to experience Alta and its surroundings.

More leisure activities

Nordlysbadet is right in the centre of Alta. The pool complex includes, among other things, a water slide and a hot tub, as well as a café in both the dry and wet areas. This offers a different focus from the outdoor trails. The town centre also has a bowling alley with eight bowling lanes and five pool tables. Alta Golfpark is located at Kvenvikmoen outside the centre and has a 9-hole course.

More destinations in the same directory: Korsfjorden, Komagfjord, Kongshus, Talvik, Alta, Kviby and Hakkstabben.

Back to the main travel overview: Alta.