Best Hotels in Alta, Norway — From Igloos to Fjord Views
Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Photo credit Sorrisniva
Alta doesn’t roar like Tromsø. It hums, with that northern calm that gets under your skin (or, at least, under ours).
After years chasing the aurora across the Arctic, Alta was the place that made us stop rushing. And we’re planning to go back soon!
We enjoyed every minute, hiking, talking to locals and watching magical green lights stretch over the sky. So, if you’re heading here — to see the northern lights, visit Sorrisniva, or just slow down — here’s where to stay in this underrated corner of Finnmark.
🗓️ When to see the northern lights in Alta
The aurora season in Alta runs from late September to early April, with the best viewing usually between December and February, when nights are longest and skies clearest. That being said, we saw a wonderful one in October!
On a calm night, you can often see the lights right from town and by the water — though it’s always better a little outside the glow of streetlights.
For photo settings, gear advice, and the best Northern Lights destinations across Scandinavia, check out our full 👉 Northern Lights Hub.
Best hotels in Alta
The interior of Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel - Photo credit Sorrisniva
1. Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel & Arctic Wilderness Lodge
This is the Alta experience — a hotel built entirely from snow and ice, rebuilt each winter with water from the Alta River. You sleep surrounded by glowing blue walls and wake up to silence so complete it’s almost sacred.
The new Arctic Wilderness Lodge next door lets you enjoy the same views in warmth and luxury, with wood, glass, and firelight instead of ice.
It’s worth noting that Sorrisniva works closely with local Sámi families, and has been featured in a course I (Eli) took on cultural sensitivy in Arctic tourism. Thumbs up!
Our tip: Book one night in the Igloo for the bucket-list factor, and the rest in the Lodge. That way you get the fairytale and a good night’s sleep.
2. Scandic Alta
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants everything easy — breakfast buffet, airport shuttle, walkable town center — Scandic Alta is your best base. It’s right next to the Northern Lights Cathedral, which looks like a frozen tornado of steel (seriously), and only a few minutes’ drive to the museum and riverfront.
Feels like: Reliable comfort with a northern twist — and zero pretension..
3. Thon Hotel Alta
Alta doesn’t do luxury in the traditional sense — at least not Rovaniemi fancy — but Thon Hotel Alta comes close. It’s bright, colorful, and surprisingly cheerful for a place above the Arctic Circle. The rooms look out over mountains and town lights, and you can literally walk into a shopping center without putting your coat on (a serious winter perk).
Feels like: Scandinavian cozy meets functional comfort.
4. Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge
Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge - Photo credit Bjørnfjell
Just fifteen minutes outside town, Bjørnfjell Mountain Lodge feels like Alta stripped to its essence — snow, forest, quiet. You’ll find timber cabins, wood-fired saunas, and the kind of peace that makes you whisper.
Our tip: Go mid-winter. Step outside at night, look up, and you might see the aurora dancing above the trees.
5. Altafjord Gjestegaard & Spa
For something smaller and more romantic, Altafjord Gjestegaard & Spa is a gem. It’s perched above the fjord with views that change by the hour — sunlight one moment, snowstorm the next. There’s a small spa, a candlelit dining room, and rooms filled with warm wood and soft blankets.
If Sorrisniva is for the Arctic dreamers, this one’s for the slow travelers — couples who want quiet mornings, coffee with a view (oh, the view), and nowhere to be.
6. Gargia Lodge
After a long, freezing hike toward Alta Canyon, we stopped here just for a hot chocolate — and instantly wished we’d booked a night. Gargia Lodge is a rustic mountain lodge tucked deep in the valley south of Alta, surrounded by forests and silence. Inside, everything smells like wood smoke, and the fire crackles nonstop.
It’s one of those places that feels like a secret. Rooms are simple but full of character, and you’re close to some of the region’s best hiking and snowshoe trails.
Our tip: Even if you don’t stay overnight, come for lunch or cocoa after exploring Alta Canyon — it’s the coziest kind of Arctic reward.
Field notes
Even when cloudy, the northern lights showed up! Took this picture 10 min walk from the city center.
Best time to visit: September–April for the northern lights, June–August for the midnight sun.
Getting there: Alta Airport (ALF) has daily direct flights from Oslo — about two hours.
Local vibe: Honest, hardworking, a little shy at first but super friendly. Alta isn’t trying to impress you — and that’s why we love it.
Hidden gem: The Northern Lights Observatory at the top of Mt Haddle — the hike is worth it.
Budget tip: Altafjord often includes breakfast and sauna access — we’d choose that over a chain hotel if you’re staying longer than two nights.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Alta is noticeably more affordable than its better-known neighbours like Tromsø. We stayed in a cozy three-person cabin with a sauna and fjord views — and even caught the northern lights — all for around €60 per night (in October).
Whales in Alta — and a way to follow them
Walked 20 minutes from the city center to get there - feels like a world away!
Between October and February, the fjords around Alta fill with orcas and humpbacks chasing herring. Sometimes, you can spot them right from the pier.
If you fall in love with these Arctic giants, you can actually follow one’s journey through our partner Fahlo — their Whale Bracelet supports marine research and lets you track a real whale’s migrations in the North Atlantic.
💙 🐋 Our readers get 20% off through this link: Track a real whale with Fahlo
FAQ: Staying in Alta
The famous Northern Lights Cathedral
Is Alta worth visiting?
Big yes. It’s smaller and quieter than Tromsø, but that’s the charm. The auroras feel closer, the people friendlier, and the wilderness right outside your window.
Where’s the best place to see the northern lights in Alta?
Outside town — Sorrisniva and Bjørnfjell are perfect. Even from your hotel balcony, the odds are good if the sky’s clear.
How cold does it get?
In winter, anywhere from –5 °C to –25 °C. Bring layers, not bravery — and thank us later for recommending heated bathroom floors.
Do I need travel insurance?
We recommend it. Winter is no joke in the Arctic. We use Heymondo, which covers cancellations and outdoor activities.
Alta is our kind of place because it isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about feeling. The calm mornings by the fjord. The glow of the aurora above your hotel roof. The way locals say “hei” like they’ve known you for years.
Whether you’re sipping hot chocolate at Gargia Lodge, waking up in an ice room at Sorrisniva, or watching snow fall over the Northern Lights Cathedral from your Scandic window — every stay here gives you a piece of that northern quiet.
It’s not a city that shouts for attention. Alta just waits — patiently — for the kind of traveler who listens. We should probably keep it to ourselves — but we think it deserves more attention!
Planning a trip to Northern Norway? Check out our guides:
❄️ Alta, Norway — Ice hotels, rock carvings, and one of the best places on Earth to spot the aurora.
🌌 Northern Lights Tours in Alta, Norway — Clear skies, quiet roads, and a front-row seat to the aurora.
🧖♀️ Bodø, Norway — Things to Do — Floating saunas, sea eagles, and the Arctic city everyone skips (and shouldn’t).
⛰️ Lofoten Hiking Guide — Dramatic ridges, secret beaches, and cod-drying racks in Arctic Norway.
🏨 Best Hotels in Tromsø — Cozy stays, fjord views, and a front-row seat to the Northern Lights.
🦌 Alta vs. Tromsø — How to choose the perfect Norwegian Arctic getaway.
🧊 Svalbard & Jan Mayen — Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
🏠 Best Hotels to see the Northern Lights in Europe — Watch the aurora from your bed.
✨ Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
