How to See the Northern Lights in Alta — The Quiet Capital of the Aurora
Alta: the Northern Lights without the noise.
We took this picture right in front of our rental apartment. The lights you see are the airport.
Alta has this calm magic to it.
No huge cruise ships.
No chaos.
No crowds fighting for a patch of darkness.
Just a dry valley, open sky, and some of the most reliable aurora weather in northern Norway.
We’ve chased the Northern Lights all over the Arctic — Svalbard, Lofoten, Swedish Lapland, Greenland, Finnish Lapland, Iceland, Churchill — but Alta remains where the sky has surprised us the most. Not once. Repeatedly.
This is the full guide to seeing the aurora in Alta: where to go, when to go, how to chase it, and how to give yourself the best possible odds.
If you want the science behind the aurora, photography settings, how colors work, or where else in the world to go, you’ll find everything neatly gathered in our Northern Lights Hub.
Now let’s get you under that green sky.
Plan your Arctic trip:
Find Northern Light Tours, hire a car to chase the aurora (winter driving requires extreme precaution), and find “cool” places to warm up.
🗓️ Best time to see the northern lights in Alta
After a sauna, a swim suit pic under the northern lights — because why not? Ok, it was October so not that cold yet!
The aurora season in Alta runs from late August through mid-April.
The best months? December to March.
longest nights
cold, dry, stable weather
very little coastal cloud spillover
near-daily chances of clear sky
We’ve even seen aurora as early as late August — that far-north advantage is real. And our best one was in October.
Alta outperforms coastal places like Tromsø not because it’s far from the sea, but because it’s protected by mountains. Those ridges block a lot of the moisture and storms that slam directly into Tromsø from the open ocean. The result is drier, more stable weather and more usable nights — even though Alta sits right on the fjord.
If you want a breakdown of aurora seasons across the Arctic, check our guide to the best times to see the northern lights.
📍 The best places to see the northern lights in Alta
The Finnmarksvidda plateau
1. Altafjord pull-outs
Anywhere along the fjord with a safe place to stop. The reflections are unreal on calm nights.
2. Alta River Valley
Darker, more sheltered, perfect when the coast side is cloudy.
3. The plateau near Gargia
Wide, silent, 360° sky. Great for long-exposure photos. And if the lights don’t show up, you’ll get an amazing star show.
4. Right from your hotel
Several hotels sit naturally away from light pollution without feeling remote. We saw an amazing aurora right from our rental apartment! You can check prices and availability here (zoom in):
👉 For specific hotel suggestions, we keep a full updated list in our Best Hotels in Alta guide
🚗 Should you rent a car to see the northern lights?
The honest answer:
Yes — if you’re comfortable with winter driving.
A car lets you:
chase clearer skies
escape town lights
reach the plateau and dark valleys
react quickly when cloud cover shifts
If you’re already planning daytime activities, renting becomes even more useful.
👉 We usually compare car hire prices here.
If you’re not used to ice or snow:
Skip the car. Go with a guide. Which brings us to the next question.
🚐 Should you join a northern lights tour?
Northern lights expert tour guides will drive to clear skies
Tours are still the most reliable option in Alta.
A good guide will:
read the cloud forecasts in real time
know the local microclimates
drive to clearer pockets
bring warm suits
help with photography
keep the fire (or thermo) warm while you wait
We’ve had nights where we would never have found clear sky without a guide’s expertise.
👉 Here’s our full guide to the Best Northern Lights Tours in Alta, with bus tours, husky rides and photo tours.
📱 How to know when the aurora might appear
The Arctic plays by its own rules.
Here’s what actually matters in Alta:
1. KP Index is helpful — but don’t rely on it alone
Alta is so far north that even KP 1–2 can create strong aurora.
Use KP as a signal, not a prediction.
2. Cloud cover matters more than anything
Look for gaps within 30–60 minutes’ drive.
3. Solar wind speed
Around 500 km/s or higher = good sign.
4. Patience is your superpower
Some of the best auroras we’ve seen happened after midnight, long after we debated calling it. When you’re exhausted from a day in the cold, you just want to snuggle in bed. We get it. But have a coffee and go. You’ll thank us later!
We heard too many people saying they didn’t see the northern lights when they were up North, but how hard did they really try?
If you want the deeper science, check our article: What are the Northern Lights.
📷 How to photograph the northern lights in Alta
Even on a cloudy day, you might get a green glimpse! And your photos will look even more dramatic.
Alta is a dream for photographers because you get clean, dark horizons.
Start with:
ISO 1600–3200
f/1.8–2.8
2–10 seconds (depending on movement)
Manual focus at infinity
Tripod + remote or timer
If you need a complete camera guide, check our Northern Lights Photography Tips
❄️ What to wear for northern lights in Alta
Standing still is waaay colder than hiking.
Dress for the waiting, not the walking.
merino base layers
wool or synthetic mid-layer
insulated parka
insulated boots (big difference)
woolen socks (two pairs if needed)
mittens and a pair of thin, touchscreen gloves underneath
balaclava or hood
red-light headlamp
spare phone battery
Take a look at our guide: What to Wear for a Northern Lights Trip for more tips.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Explore the Arctic with Heymondo! Their plans cover snowmobiles, dog sledding, and all the wild ideas that sound great until you have an issue in the middle of nowhere.
👉 Get 5–15 % off your policy here and travel insured, not worried.
Sometimes, the aurora delivers right in front of your accommodation
🏨 Where to stay for easy aurora viewing
Most travelers stay along the fjord or just outside the main town. These areas give you easy darkness without needing to drive far.
You’ll find our full list of the best hotels in Alta here.
😴 When to call it a night (and when not to)
Honest version:
If the forecast shows thick, persistent cloud for hours → call it
If you see any breaks — small, thin — don’t give up
If the solar wind looks good and skies are clearing → stay up
If you’re exhausted → Arctic weather and the aurora are fickle. If conditions are good, we strongly recommend you to try and stay up, as it might be your only shot during your stay.
Aurora rewards patience.
Alta rewards it even more.
Plan your winter trip to Alta
✈️ Find flights to Alta — connect via Oslo or Tromsø:
Omio Flights
🏨 Find hotels in Alta — from igloo rooms to fjord-view lodges:
Booking.com
🧭 Book Alta tours — Northern Lights, reindeer, snowmobiles, and more:
GetYourGuide Alta Tours
🚗 Compare car rentals in Alta — for scenic drives and short day trips:
Rentalcars.com (exercize caution in winter)
🧤 Get Arctic gear - enjoy outdoor activities without freezing
Shop our Amazon Arctic gear list
🛡️ Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off) — tested in the Arctic:
Get Heymondo
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off) — track a real Arctic animal:
Shop Fahloto stay
What to pack for a northern lights trip to Alta
Temperatures range from –25 °C to -5 °C, so layers are your best friend:
Merino base layers
Fleece or wool mid-layers
A waterproof down parka
Warm boots with grip (Sorel or similar)
Gloves, hat, and thermal socks
👉 Check our Arctic packing list on Amazon, and get more tips in our article: What to wear for a northern lights trip.
❓ FAQ – Northern lights in Alta, Norway
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights in Alta?
The main northern lights season in Alta runs from late August to mid-April, with the most reliable conditions between December and March when nights are longest and skies are often clear.
How many nights should I stay in Alta for the northern lights?
Aim for at least three nights. That gives you a better chance of catching a clear evening, even if one or two nights are cloudy.
Can you see the northern lights from Alta town itself?
Yes. On clear nights, the aurora is often visible from the outskirts of town or along the fjord, away from the brightest streetlights. Heading a short distance out of the center improves visibility.
Do I need a car to see the northern lights in Alta?
A car is helpful but not essential. It allows you to chase clear skies in nearby valleys and along the fjord, but many visitors rely on guided tours that include transport to darker viewing spots.
Are northern lights tours worth it in Alta?
Yes. Local guides understand the microclimate, read cloud forecasts in real time, and know where to find clearer sky. Tours often include warm clothing, hot drinks, and photography help.
Is Alta a good place for beginners to see the northern lights?
Alta is well suited to first-time aurora travelers. The town is small, the surroundings are easy to access, and the weather is often more stable than in many coastal locations.
What should I wear for a northern lights outing in Alta?
Dress in layers: thermal base layers, an insulating mid-layer, a warm parka, insulated boots, thick socks, mittens, a hat, and a scarf or buff. Standing still outside at night can feel much colder than daytime activities.
Can families with children see the northern lights in Alta?
Yes. Alta is calm, compact, and family-friendly. Many tours accept children, although late hours and low temperatures can be challenging for very young kids.
Alta has a way of stripping things back to what matters: quiet roads, dark nights, and skies that feel twice as big as anywhere else.
If you’re looking for reliability, simplicity, and real Arctic calm — Alta is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. Every clear night feels like a gift.
For the science behind aurora, gear, photography, and the other places we love across the Arctic, you’ll find all of it in our Northern Lights Hub.
And if you’re ready to plan your trip, you’ll find helpful links right below.
Planning a trip to Alta and northern Norway? Explore our guides:
🌌 Northern Lights Tours in Alta, Norway — Clear skies, quiet roads, and a front-row seat to the aurora.
🇳🇴 Alta Travel Guide— Ice hotels, rock carvings, and one of the best places on Earth to spot the aurora.
❄️ Alta in Winter — Snowy days, epic Northern Lights, and all the quiet Arctic magic without the crowds.
🏨 Alta Hotels — Where to stay under the northern lights in Norway’s quiet Arctic capital.
🏨 Best Hotels in Tromsø — Cozy stays, fjord views, and a front-row seat to the Northern Lights.
⛰️ Lofoten Hiking Guide — Dramatic ridges, secret beaches, and cod-drying racks in Arctic Norway.
🧖♀️ Bodø, Norway — Things to Do — Floating saunas, sea eagles, and the Arctic city everyone skips (and shouldn’t).
🧊 Svalbard & Jan Mayen — Polar bears, ghost towns, and next-level Arctic mystery in Norway’s far north.
💚 Northern Lights for Dummies — How to actually see the aurora (without freezing your butt off or waiting 12 nights in vain).
🥶 Our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide — How to explore, survive, and avoid becoming a polar bear’s lunch.
