Curator’s statement
The Svalbard archipelago, located above the Arctic Circle, is famous for its polar bears—there are more bears here, in fact, than people. The town of Longyearbyen, on the largest island, Spitsbergen, is the northernmost town in the world and serves as the launching point for many Arctic cruises. This is truly a magical place, a remote winter wonderland most people will never visit.
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Things to do in Longyearbyen
Snowmobiling near Longyearbyen
Dog sledding: What a blast! If you are adventurous and/or a dog lover, this excursion is for you. You’ll receive some instruction, then have the thrill of driving your own eager team of huskies. This is still a common form of transportation in Svalbard.
Snowmobiling: There are many varieties of snowmobile excursions here, with durations ranging from an hour to multiple days. Go zipping through the mountains and over frozen lakes. If you’re lucky, you might come across a polar bear!
Cruising: Many cruise lines offer round-trip cruises that leave from Longyearbyen. We spent 12 days on the Quark Ultramarine traveling around Svalbard in search of polar bears and other wildlife—and finding seven bears!
Skiing: Longyearbyen is a popular ski destination in the winter, with easily accessible hills.
Hiking: During the warmer months, there are some lovely hikes—although you’ll need a guide in case of any polar bear encounters.
Kayaking: In the summer, go kayaking in the Arctic waters around Svalbard.
Places to eat & drink in Longyearbyen
A small, isolated town, Longyearbyen has limited restaurants but offers some excellent dining options.
The famous Huset Restaurant focuses on Nordic techniques and local produce, and it also has an acclaimed wine cellar.
We enjoyed Vinterhagen Restaurant, which specializes in Arctic food from the North of Norway.
Restaurant Nansen is expensive, but the quality of the food is excellent.
Visit the northernmost chocolatier in the world, Fruene Chocolate—my friends loved their chocolate polar bear souvenirs!
Need to know
From late April to early August, Svalbard enjoys the phenomenon of the Midnight Sun–during this period, the sun does not set. If you’re planning a cruise around Svalbard, try to build in some extra days on the front or back end to experience Longyearbyen.
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Norway page.