World Heritage Rock Art Centre – Alta Museum
Verdensarvsenter for bergkunst – Alta Museum
The site of the World Heritage Alta rock carvings, where a wooden boardwalk along the coast links thousands of prehistoric engravings dating back 2,000 to 7,000 years.
Inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1985, the Alta rock carvings are concentrated in Hjemmeluft Bay. A loop of about 3 km of boardwalk passes thousands of carvings depicting reindeer, bears, fishing boats and hunting scenes, some of which have been painted red to make them easier to see. The indoor exhibition hall covers prehistoric Finnmark, Sámi culture, and the history of aurora observation in 1882. In winter the carvings are covered by snow, so only the exhibition hall is open. Admission is about NOK 160–200. The site is about 5 km from the city center, roughly 10 minutes by taxi or car.
Opening hours
Summer approx. 08:00–20:00; other seasons approx. 09:00–15:00
Nearby sights
- Alta Church
- Northern Lights Cathedral
- Trasti & Trine
- Komsa
- Altafjord
- Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel
- Kåfjord Church
- Alta River