Arctic adventure in

SVALBARD

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Welcome to Svalbard .
Photo: Visit Svalbard / Visitnorway.com

What? Am I on a different planet?

Svalbard satellite station, Northern Norway .
Photo: Luca Bracali / Visit Norway

No way! You’re in Norway.

Walrus on Svalbard .
Photo: Roy Mangersnes / wildphoto.no / www.nordnorge.com/Longyearbyen

In one moment, you feel alone in the universe.

Silent and vast underneath the northern lights – so close to the North Pole …

Svalbard .
Photo: Discover the world

… in the next moment you’re at a loud and packed concert among cheering fans!

Concert at Svalbard, Northern Norway .
Photo: Jarle Røssland / Visitnorway.com

Longyearbyen is a cosmopolitan city with modern hotels, a brewery and more than 15 different restaurants.

You’ll also find one of Scandinavia’s largest wine cellars!

Longyearbyen, Svalbard .
Photo: Luca Bracali / Visitnorway.com

Dine on local delicacies like seal meat, Svalbard grouse, Svalbard reindeer, Atlantic cod and Arctic char accompanied with herbs and fungus from the tundra.

Bon appétit!

Restaurant at Svalbard, Northern Norway .
Photo: Jarle Røssland / Visitnorway.com

The adventure awaits outside!

There are many glaciers nearby Longyearbyen. Experience a day cruise to take in the majestic ice wall of the glacier from the seaside. Remember to keep your distance – the ice is calving, so big chunks of ice occasionally fall into the water, creating giant waves!

You may also walk on the glacier with a guide, or explore magical ice caves taking you back to the ice age!

Glaciers at Svalbard .
Photo: Visit Svalbard / Visitnorway.com

But remember once you move outside the borders of the Longyearbyen city, it’s crucial you are accompanied by a professional guide in order to be safe. This is because …

Hiking at Svalbard with guide .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

… Svalbard is the the polar bear’s kingdom. We must respect they reign this territory.

The arctic nature is unforgiving, but yet fragile. That’s why more than half of Svalbard is considered protected land.

Be responsible and do not leave anything behind in the wild.

Polar bear with cubs at Svalbard .
Photo: Asgeir Helgestad/Artic Light AS/visitnorway.com

With a local guide, you can also play at the top of the world!

And the view gets even better at higher altitudes.

Explore the varied and untouched landscape of Svalbard on foot, by snowmobile, on skis …

Ski touring at Svalbard .
Photo: Terje Bjørnsen

… or behind a pack of perky huskies!

The polar dogs thrive in this arctic environment, and they simply love running!

Chances are you’ll find a four-legged best friend.

Sled dogs at Svalbard .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

Explore the Arctic Ocean by kayak or boat.

There are many providers for daily cruises. A greener option is to try the silent hybrid-driven catamaran by Hurtigruten.

MS Bard at Svalbard .
Photo: Albert Terland Bjørnerem

Journey by boat or a snow mobile to the city of Pyramiden – a living museum bringing you back to the ancient Sovjet union.

1,000 people lived here in its heyday, but most left when the coal mine closed. However, you can still stay at the Pyramiden hotel.

Pyramiden at Svalbard .
Photo: Marcela Cardenas

The mining town Barentsburg is located West of Longyearbyen. The roughly 450 residents make this the second largest settlement on Svalbard.

The Russian culture and the colourful houses make their mark on the city.

Barentsburg at Svalbard .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

In Svalbard it’s common to take your shoes off before entering a restaurant or a hotel, this custom goes back to the mining era, when coal dust was an issue.

Get firsthand experience on how it is to be a coal miner in Gruve 3, or mine 3 – it’s voluntary to crawl in the narrow halls (pictured). Or join a coal miner to the Russian Barentsburg mine, that’s still operational today.

Coal mine at Svalbard .
Photo: John Hobberstad

One of Norway’s most exclusive hotels, Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel is situated at the tip of the rural west coast of Svalbard. It has a sauna with a panoramic view, where you can enjoy the nature without freezing!

Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel in Svalbard .
Photo: Malin Hanning

What’s that?

It’s the entrance to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

Inside there are one thousand square meters of secure storage containing seeds from every country of the world. They are protected in the permafrost climate to ensure the world’s food production in case of a crisis.

The global seed vault, Svalbard .
Photo: Nordic Genetic Resource Scenter