Visual guide for winter
Winter is quieter than summer, and there is usually plenty of free parking. If you want to visit the museum when it is quieter, we recommend coming in winter, May, or September. Sometimes, groups from cruise ships visit the museum. If you would like to avoid these visits, please contact the museum to check cruise arrival times. In winter, the path around the rock carvings is closed, but the main exhibition inside has a lot to see – including seven boulders with rock carvings.
How to get to the museum by car:
If you are driving, follow the signs to Alta Museum – World Heritage Rock Art Centre from the E6 road. If you are driving from Alta, the entrance will be on the right. If you are driving from the west (Kåfjord/Kvenvik), the entrance will be on the left. The first entrance on the right in the photo leads to the car park and the museum. The entrance further ahead is the bus stop.
Parking at the museum is free, and there is usually plenty of space in winter.
The museum is a large white building. The museum has two reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility. One space is located at the lower end of the main car park.
The other space for people with reduced mobility is closer to the entrance, in a small car park that is also used by the museum staff.
There is a sign that says, “No entry”, but this does not apply to people with reduced mobility. If you have special needs, you may drive up to the main entrance. There is a speed bump on the road to the museum.
How to get to the museum by bus or on foot:
If you are travelling by bus, the bus stop is called Alta Museum. It is located 150 metres from the museum entrance. In winter, the walking distance is 250 metres because of snow.
If you are walking, there is a pedestrian crossing right across from the bus stop.
Below the bus stop, there is a cobblestone staircase. It leads through a small park with a beautiful sculpture in the middle, and directly to the museum entrance. In winter, the stairs may be slippery and are sometimes closed.
If the path through the park is closed, please use the road along the car park, and turn right towards the museum building.
You can see the museum building behind the cars.
Main entrance:
The main entrance has a roof over and in front of the sliding doors. The area leading to the entrance is paved with slate slabs. In front of the sliding doors is a metal grate. In winter, this area can be snowy and slippery.
The entrance has sliding doors that open automatically when you get close.
Inside the doors is the lobby. If you walk straight ahead, you will reach the reception.
At the reception, you will meet our friendly staff. Here, you can buy tickets, get a museum guide, or ask for information. You can also get an audio guide or borrow a wheelchair, walking stick, umbrella, rain poncho, magnifying glass, or torch from the reception.
If you want to buy something from the museum shop, pay at the reception.
To the right of the entrance, along the window, you will find free brochures. The stairs lead down to the restrooms, cloakroom, lockers, and the downstairs exhibition. To the left of the stairs, is a lift that takes your downstairs.
Downstairs, the lift is next to the stairs.
Inside the lift, the buttons are clearly described. There are only two floors.
U = downstairs, where you can find the restrooms, cloakroom, and exhibition. 1 = the main floor upstairs, where you can find the café, reception, and main exhibition.
At the bottom of the stairs, you will see two large doors. Go straight through them to reach the restrooms and the cloakroom. The doors are heavy because the room is built as an emergency shelter.
If you turn left, you will reach the downstairs exhibition.
On the main floor, there are two exhibition areas. In the room next to the shop, we show temporary exhibitions.
Next to the café, you will find the entrance to the main exhibition. The entrance is lit with blue light. This exhibition tells the story of Alta from the Stone Age to today, and the world heritage.
You can interact with many parts of the exhibition. There are items you can touch, films you can watch, and stations with smells and sounds. Some of the sounds are louder than others. If a museum item is not behind glass, you may touch it. Please be gentle with the items so many guests can enjoy our exhibition.
Everyone is welcome in our museum café, which has a beautiful view of the Alta Fjord. The café has tables, sofas, and chairs. You may sit at any available table. You can use the café even if you do not visit the exhibitions. Cruise ships sometimes arrive in Alta, and the café can get a bit crowded.
Outside:
To reach the veranda, go through the revolving doors and down three steps. In winter, the ground may be snowy and slippery. Ask the reception if it is safe to go outside.
If you cannot use the revolving doors, there is another exit next to the café counter. A ramp is available outside this exit. It may be slippery in winter, so please ask the reception if it is safe to use.
