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 like you're all 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 locally sourced delicacies like Svalbard grouse, Svalbard reindeer, Atlantic cod and Arctic char, accompanied with herbs and mushrooms from the tundra.

Bon appétit!

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

Outdoor adventures await!

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

You can also walk on the glacier with a guide, or explore magical ice caves that take 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 to be accompanied by a professional guide in order to stay safe. This is because …

Hiking at Svalbard with guide .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

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

Arctic nature is unforgiving, yet fragile. That’s why more than half of Svalbard consists of protected areas.

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

Longyearbyen has been certified as a Sustainable Destination, a seal of approval given to destinations that work to reduce the negative impact of tourism.

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, pristine landscape of Svalbard on foot, skis, or snowmobile …

Ski touring at Svalbard .
Photo: Terje Bjørnsen

… or behind a pack of perky huskies!

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

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

Sled dogs at Svalbard .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

Explore the Arctic Ocean by kayak or boat.

Many operators offer daytrips. One green option is to try Hurtigruten's silent, hybrid-driven catamaran.

MS Bard at Svalbard .
Photo: Albert Terland Bjørnerem

Journey by boat or a snowmobile to the city of Pyramiden – a living museum that takes you back to the days of the Soviet Union.

In its heyday, 1,000 people lived here. Most of the inhabitants moved away when the coal mine closed. Today, you can stay at the Pyramiden hotel.

Pyramiden at Svalbard .
Photo: Marcela Cardenas

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

Barentsburg is known for its Russian culture and colourful houses.

Barentsburg at Svalbard .
Photo: LP Lorentzen

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

Get a firsthand experience of what it's like to be a coal miner in Gruve 3, or mine 3, where you can try crawling through narrow shafts (pictured), if you like. Or let a coal miner show you 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 west coast of Svalbard. The hotel features a sauna with panoramic views, where you can enjoy the stunning landscape while staying nice and warm!

Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel in Svalbard .
Photo: Malin Hanning

What’s that futuristic structure?

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

The vault contains one thousand square meters of seeds from every country in the world. The seeds are securely stored in the permafrost climate to secure the world’s food production in case of a crisis.

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

There is nothing quite like the light on Svalbard …

Svalbard .
Photo: Sophie Cordon

… during winter the stars seem vey close.

The dark season lasts from October to February, and the northern lights make your experience extra intense.

There are lots of activities during the dark season, like hiking up Platåfjellet mountain, dog sledding, and catching a glimpse of the northern lights!

Stars at Svalbard .
Photo: Preben Irgens