Northern Lights and Quiet Wonders in Alta, Norway

Sailing into Alta cruise port, I was greeted by a landscape unlike anywhere else I’d visited in Norway. Alta (Alta – Pronounced AHL-tah) sits above the Arctic Circle and offers a unique mix of modern design, deep history, and Arctic quiet. Whether visiting under the northern lights or in the midnight sun, it’s a destination shaped by nature.

Alta has long been a hub for aurora research, home to the world’s first permanent northern lights observatory. The town was nearly destroyed during WWII, with only a few buildings surviving the German retreat in 1944. Today, it’s a peaceful port town that rewards slow exploration and offers more than just its headline attractions.

On my first visit in October 2023, I booked the Highlights of Alta excursion through the cruise line. We visited the stunning Northern Lights Cathedral, a spiraling modern structure with glowing light columns and a striking bronze crucifix at the altar. A short but powerful film inside the cathedral helped explain the science and beauty behind the aurora borealis. Afterward, we stopped at Alta Church, one of the few historic buildings to survive the wartime fires. The hillside cemetery around it was peaceful and poignant. Our last stop was the Alta Museum and Rock Art Centre, which showcases ancient carvings and a beautiful view over the fjord.

When I returned in June 2025, I opted for a more relaxed self-guided day. My friend and I revisited the cathedral and church, walking through the cemetery at our own pace. Instead of hiking to the museum, we followed a random spot on the map and found ourselves at Båthavna Skaialuft, a small viewpoint along a gravel road. There, we spotted a pod of Dall’s porpoises zipping through the fjord, occasionally joined by excited seagulls overhead. From a distance, they almost looked like orcas, until you notice their smaller size and quick, erratic splashes. Orcas can appear in this region, just not typically in summer.

Back in town, I tried a Norwegian treat at Uno Café: a waffle topped with strawberry jam, whipped cream, and slices of brown cheese. The sweet and salty combo was oddly perfect. I also made a quick stop at the world’s northernmost Subway restaurant, though it happened to be closed. Alta has a way of making even the missed stops feel like part of the adventure.