The archipelago of Svalbard lies halfway between Norway and the North Pole, in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. Here, you can explore pristine arctic wilderness and distinctive wildlife in a landscape that is both rugged and fragile.

Exceptional conditions

Located 900 kilometres north of the Norwegian mainland and 1,300 kilometres from the North Pole, Longyearbyen offers excellent conditions for northern lights. From early spring until autumn, the midnight sun makes never-ending days. While the polar night from November until the end of January means that there is no daylight in Svalbard in winter. This attracts people from all over the world who come to experience the northern lights dance across the sky (with some luck!), as well as the beauty of the limitless, starry sky... In October and February you can enjoy the amazing and unique blue arctic light during the day and the northern lights at night.

Top things to do in Svalbard

  • Go aurora hunting in the arctic wilderness
  • Choose from a wide selection of northern lights excursions
  • Go dog sledding and snowmobiling
  • Try glacial ice caving and snowshoeing
  • Warm up in a sauna

Note that you should never venture out of town on your own without a local guide. This is polar bear country! 

Arctic metropolis

A quirky and somewhat unlikely cosmopolitan Norwegian city with 2,400 residents from almost 53 different countries, Longyearbyen is well worth the trip in itself. Here, you will find a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars, breweries, and concert venues. There are separate lanes in the town centre for snowmobiles, and you have to watch out for reindeer in the streets!

With the world’s northernmost airport for scheduled flights and offering excellent accommodation, Svalbard is a perfect gateway to the High Arctic and a premier destination for northern lights trips. The most common way to travel to Svalbard is by plane.