Things to see and do Alta

The museum opened in 1991, on the edge of an area excavated for rock engravings discovered in 1973. This is the largest area of its kind in Northern Europe, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was quickly voted best European museum in 1993, with 3,000 open-air engravings dating from 2,500 to 7,000 years ago. Inside the building, the museum features exhibitions on Finnmark's prehistory, Saami culture and the mysterious Komsa culture, named after the nearby mountain (viewpoint of the midnight sun). Superb.

This museum traces the history of this place which, during the Second World War, was the main maritime base for German soldiers, where the warships Tirpitz and Scharnhorst were stationed. Exhibition dedicated to these ships, many of which are illustrated with photographs. A museum in a beautiful location, rich in exhibits. It is an almost obligatory stop for lovers of local history and for the curious who wish to know more about the significant events that took place in the region during the Second World War.

Since its doors opened in 2013, Northernlight Cathedral has been the pride of Alta. Its steel body spiraling up into the sky does not leave one indifferent. Inside, a bronze Christ brought back from Tuscany by boat, quite different from those usually seen. Created by the artist Brandes Pieter, who does not like traditional representations, this one looks up to the sky and reflects joy. In the basement, the small Borealis museum will tell you more about the legends and the more scientific explanations about the northern lights.