Starting in Alta, you will travel across the Finnmark plateau to Kautokeino before heading north to the Arctic coast and Hammerfest. Along the way, you will have four evenings to look for the Northern Lights, while the days can be filled with Sámi culture, reindeer experiences, dog sledding, snowmobiling and other winter activities.
The trip starts in Alta for a practical reason. Kautokeino does not have an airport with regular passenger flights, making Alta Airport the natural gateway for most international visitors. Alta is also worth exploring in its own right, so spend your first day here before heading south.
A rental car or pre-arranged transport gives you the most flexibility on this route. Always check weather and road conditions before travelling in winter.
Day 1: Arrive in Alta, Northern Norway
No long transfer today. Alta Airport is just outside the town.
Check in at Thon Hotel Alta and spend your first day getting to know the town. Start with the Northern Lights Cathedral in the centre of Alta, with architecture inspired by the movement of the aurora.
If you want to take it easy after travelling, Nordlysbadet, Alta’s indoor swimming and leisure centre, is right next to the hotel. Round off the day with dinner at the hotel restaurant Brasseri Alta before getting ready for your first Northern Lights evening.
Things to do in Alta:
- Visit the Northern Lights Cathedral
- Go for a swim or relax in the hot tub at Nordlysbadet
- Explore the centre of Alta
- Join a guided Northern Lights tour
You can also look for the aurora on your own. Find somewhere dark with little artificial light and check both the aurora forecast and cloud cover before heading out.
Day 2: Travel south to Kautokeino
Travel time: around 2 hours by car. Allow extra time in difficult winter conditions.
After breakfast, travel south across the Finnmark plateau to Kautokeino, an important centre for Sámi culture and reindeer herding.
Things to do in Kautokeino:
- Learn more about Sámi culture and traditions
- Join a reindeer experience
- Explore the Finnmark plateau in winter
- Look for the Northern Lights in the open landscape
After a day outdoors, check in at Thon Hotel Kautokeino and slow things down. The hotel has a sauna and outdoor hot tub overlooking the Finnmark plateau. Have dinner at Restaurant Duottar at the hotel, then keep the rest of the evening free for the Northern Lights.
Day 3: Return to Alta
Travel time: around 2 hours by car.
Spend the morning in Kautokeino before returning to Alta. It may look like you are backtracking, but there is a good reason. Alta is the main transport hub for this part of Finnmark and puts you back on the route north towards Hammerfest.
This time, use Alta as a base for one of the winter experiences in the surrounding area.
Choose from activities such as:
- Dog sledding
- Snowmobiling
- Visiting the ice hotel at Sorrisniva
- Spending a quieter afternoon in Alta
Check back in at Thon Hotel Alta and keep the evening flexible for your third opportunity to see the Northern Lights.
Already seen them? It is still worth looking up. One night can bring a faint green glow, while another can look completely different.
Day 4: Head north to the Arctic coast
Travel time: around 2.5 to 3 hours from Alta to Hammerfest, depending on transport and winter conditions.
After breakfast, continue north towards Hammerfest. The landscape changes again as the Finnmark plateau gives way to islands, mountains and the Arctic coast.
Check in at Thon Hotel Hammerfest and spend the rest of the day exploring the town.
Things to do in Hammerfest:
- Walk up to the Salen viewpoint for views across Hammerfest
- Visit the Museum of Reconstruction
- Explore the town centre and harbour
- Find a dark spot by the coast for a Northern Lights hunt
When darkness falls, you have your fourth chance to see the aurora. After Kautokeino and Alta, Hammerfest gives you a different setting, with the sea and Arctic coast around you.
Day 5: Spend your final morning in Hammerfest
There is no long road transfer planned today. Plan your morning around your flight or onward connection.
Enjoy breakfast at Thon Hotel Hammerfest and spend your final few hours at your own pace.
If you have time before leaving, you could:
- Walk along the harbour
- Explore more of the town centre
- Stop for a coffee before travelling on
- Visit somewhere you did not have time for the day before
In five days, you have experienced three different sides of Finnmark, from Sámi culture and the open landscapes around Kautokeino to Alta and the Arctic coast in Hammerfest. You have also given yourself four evenings with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
The aurora can never be guaranteed. That is why a good Northern Lights itinerary in Norway should include experiences worth travelling for even when the sky stays quiet.