Overview
Set in Norway, Alta is a town.
It is home to around 15,000 people.
It lies in the northern hemisphere, in Europe.
The nearest airport is Alta Airport (ALF), about 4 km away.
Key facts
| Country | Norway |
|---|---|
| Population | 15,094 |
| Timezone | Europe/Oslo |
| Nearest airport | Alta Airport (ALF), 4 km |
| Currency | NOK |
Where Alta is
Alta sits in Norway, in the northern part of Europe.
Hammerfest lies about 79 km to the north, Skjervøy lies about 88 km to the west and Lakselv lies about 65 km to the east.
Getting there
Most visitors arrive by air. Alta Airport (ALF) is the closest airport, about 4 km from Alta.
Alternative gateways include Lakselv Airport, Banak (LKL, 66 km); Hasvik Airport (HAA, 72 km).
Use the Find flights link to search live fares for your dates.
Find flights to Alta →arrives ALF (3.9 km away)
Getting around
It is small enough to walk end to end; a car or taxi helps for anything beyond the centre.
Best time to visit
The climate here is broadly subpolar (northern hemisphere): short, cool summers and long, dark winters, so summer is really the only practical window.
Reasons to visit
A few reasons Alta is worth your time: a handy base for the surrounding area, with several places within day-trip reach; straightforward access by air through ALF.
Day trips & nearby
Alta works well as a base. Within about 106 km you can reach Hammerfest (79 km to the north); Skjervøy (88 km to the west); Lakselv (65 km to the east); Kautokeino (107 km to the south); Kárášjohka (102 km to the south-east).
Good to know
The currency is the NOK (Krone).
The main language spoken is Norwegian.
Clocks run on Europe/Oslo time.
Traffic drives on the right.
How long to stay
Plan on 3–5 days here; that suits most visitors on a first trip.
Where to stay in Alta
Hotels are booked on Booking.com (a third party, off this page). You book and pay them directly — Head Your Way is not the seller.
Getting around Alta
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Common questions
- What is the nearest airport to Alta?
- Alta Airport (ALF) is the closest airport, about 4 km away.
- When is the best time to visit Alta?
- Summer is the practical window for most trips.
- What is near Alta?
- Hammerfest is one of the closest places, about 79 km away, with others within day-trip range.
- Which country is Alta in?
- Alta is in Norway.
On the map
Keep exploring
More places in Norway
Similar destinations
Plan the wider trip
Sources & method
- GeoNames — population · retrieved 2026-09-18
- OurAirports (derived) — nearestAirports · retrieved 2026-09-18
- Imagery — Wikimedia Commons
Data compiled 2026-09-18 · editorial checks: passed. See our methodology for how Head Your Way sources and reviews travel data.