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Alta has a lot to offer. It is best to get a hire car so that you can drive around the local area, and along the stunning coastal road. In winter there is the Sorrisniva Ice Hotel (always worth a visit each year as the theme changes). Also worth a visit is the Alta Cathedral, Alta Museum (which also has a great coffee shop and gift store). We enjoyed driving West to Kåfjord where there is a beautiful little church, and by the Kåfjord bridge, there is a bomb crater from a Tallboy bomb dropped in WWII that missed hitting the Turpitz battleship. A few kilometres further around the coastline you come to a quaint village of Talvik that also has a quaint church (which interestingly, is fastened to the ground by a long cable as a previous church was blown into the harbour many years ago!). Also heading south towards Kautokeino, takes you up through Alta gorge - a truely spectacular drive through a twisty road between icicle clad mountainsides - absolutely breathtaking. Opposite the Alta River Camping, is the Sami cultural centre. There are lots of winter activities available in Alta from dog sledding and reindeer sledding to skidoos and snow shoe walking. Lastly, if you are wanting aurora, Alta is by far my preferred location, as it has clearer skies on average than other locations that are further around the west coast of Northern Norway - if you have cloud, you won't see the aurora. I have been to Iceland, Sweden, Finland and other parts of Norway, and Alta definitely comes out on top for seeing the Northern Lights. There are plenty of locations that you can pull up your car to safely view the Northern Lights, with the beautiful mountains of Alta all around - just perfect!

Can't really find any negatives for this place. The locals are very friendly, the streets are clean, the scenery is stunning and best of all its only about 35 minutes drive to Norkapp. If you are visiting we would 100% recommend booking a trip to Norkapp. Its a fascinating place...the top of Europe!!. We flew in, stayed 3 nights then departed on a fjord cruise. Well worth every penny. We decided to take a walk one morning, its obviously very hilly but not too taxing. Its about 5 miles to completely encircle the town though that did include a few detours for the sake of photos. There is a restaurant close to the Norkapp museum called The Corner. The food, welcome and service were second to none. Totally recommend it to any visitors. Well that's my opinion of Honningsvag, visit yourself and see what you think.

I loved this part of Norway most of all. The landscape is exquisite and I'd like to explore it in greater depth. We stayed only one night and went dog sledding. So much fun, and meeting the dogs was a highlight.

This was our accommodation for a work related trip to the area. While the work aspect was riddled with challenges due to the remoteness of the location, the owners quickly became our friends and shared local and unique experiences that would not have been possible otherwise, always willing to go out of their way to help, friendly and welcoming, all around lovely.

Interesting city not to be missed. It has the Struve geodetic arch (Unesco WHS) but alos some interesting museums, you can walk up the hill and get a magnificent view of the city and the fjord. Very nice people too.

Very interesting town. Excellent exhibition at the fort. Lovely walk to and from the dragon sculpture (up along one coastline and back along the other). The exhibitions at Vardø museum were small and not very informative although the photos of historic Vardø (people and street life) were wonderful.

We chose Alta, the City of Northern Lights, to "Hunt the Aurora Borealis". We were NOT disappointed. It was a magical experience. Lots of beautiful northern lights shows. We did a number of activities: night time horse drawn sleigh ride and dinner; king crab fishing experience; tour of the Ice Hotel at Sorrisniva; dog sled ride at Holmen Husky. We stayed at a canvas dome in GLOD, with the most amazing guide to see the Northern Lights. We stayed in a forest suite at Holmen Husky. The place was incredible and the way they treat the dogs will completely change your thoughts on the sport of dog sledding. They were the sweetest and happiest dogs I've ever seen. We stayed at Flatmoen Natur Lodge, which is a family owned and ran farm. Each lodge has their own private, outdoor jacuzzi so you can sit outside while the snow is falling or hope to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights.

Everyone seems to be profiting from the proximity to Nordkapp, which lowers the overall experience of an otherwise nice town at the edge of Europe. Many cruise ships that dock in the port release heaps of tourists into the town every day, which makes it feel more like a centre of some large city, not a town of 2500 inhabitants.

Small town with great history. It revolves around tourist, so thankful that the museum was open on Sunday. As I did not join tours, I find 3 days was more than enough. The tour agency for Russian border stated having tours at in the afternoons however did not approve my request and insist that I book a private tour or join the morning tour (together with the tourists from the cruises). I did not want as my mother just arrived from the cruise after 7 days, and she wants to rest first. I ended up booking a taxi and the price is the same. The taxi driver brought us to both Russian borders (old and new), let us spend time and help us take pictures. The price was standard (NOK1,600) for an hour. What is lacking is probably a tour guide to explain things. But that is OK. Kirkenes has a great view but lack good viewing points (well, I did not find any...). I found a randomly shared viewing point up a hill which was good but not the best. Must visits - Andersgrotta (Daily, 12.30pm tour, NOK300 per person), Borderland Museum, Russian Border, and see the pictures in town by Ellisif Wessel.

Definitely take the opportunity to go to the end of the island and explore the old WWII bunkers. Whale sightings were plentiful from the shore. Also, rent a car and take the drive to Hamningberg. Short 45 drive to the town, but stunning landscapes and views. You wont be disappointed!