Shopping

Within Alta's town center, the best inventories of local handcrafts are located within the Håndverkshuset, Løkkeveien 55 (tel. 78-44-22-33), where stacks and stacks of knitted sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, as well as Sami (or Sami-inspired) carvings in wood or bone, jewelry, and gift items are presented in abundance. It's open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 4pm. During midsummer it remains open later, depending on the weather, business, and the mood of the shopkeepers.

A bit farther outside of town, an equivalent and perhaps even more esoteric collection of merchandise is for sale at Manndalen Husflidslag (tel. 77-71-62-73), lying at Løkvoll in Manndalen and reached along the E6 15km (9 1/4 miles) west of Alta. The Sami often make marvelous weavings on their vertical looms, some of which are suitable as wall hangings. You can also purchase such clothing as knitwear. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.