Travel Guide Alta

Alta has become the largest town in Finnmark with just under 21,000 inhabitants, with daily air links to Oslo (several flights available every day). With average temperatures of -8.5°C in winter and 13.5°C in summer, Alta, which covers 3,840 km², receives an average rainfall of 394 mm - less than in the Sahara! From time to time, a friendly flea market spontaneously springs up in the supermarket parking lot square, perfect for shopping and gift-giving. You can sometimes see Saami in their shimmering costumes (the Husfliden store in the supermarket sells authentic northern crafts and Lappish objects, so don't hesitate to drop in!) The Alta River is renowned among wealthy foreigners as one of the best salmon rivers in the world. The best way to do this is to sail up the Alta River to the famous Sautso Canyon (Europe's largest), aboard long riverboats specially designed for northern rivers. Above all, Alta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the rock engravings can be seen at the Alta Museum. They date back to 4200 BC and depict nature, hunting, fishing... The best time to visit is when the snow has disappeared, so you can enjoy the surrounding walks! Whether you prefer culture or nature, there's something for everyone!