Svalbard

Svalbard Travel Guide: Experience Arctic Norway

Svalbard is cold, desolate and beautiful in a way that is difficult to describe in words. The archipelago is located between 74 and 81 degrees north, midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and is one of the few places on earth where the wilderness is still winning the battle against humans. There are around 3,000 inhabitants and over 6,000 polar bears. That says a lot about what kind of place this is!

Svalbard is not for everyone. But for those of you who are curious about something that goes beyond the limits of an ordinary destination, there is hardly anywhere in Europe that can measure up.

What makes Svalbard so unique?

Svalbard has long fascinated people. People have been coming here since the 1600s, people first for whaling and mining, later for research and tourism. Today, almost two-thirds of the island is protected, and its nature is in many ways intact. Mighty fjords, massive glaciers and mountains that rise straight up from the sea set a standard that few places can live up to.

Longyearbyen, the "mini metropolis" in Svalbard with its just over 2,000 inhabitants, is the base for the vast majority of visitors. It is a quirky village where tools hang in the hallway, the skis are ready at the front door, and your neighbour is just as likely to be a polar explorer as a guide.

What can you do in Svalbard?

The range of activities in Svalbard is surprisingly broad, regardless of the season. In winter, snowmobiles are the main means of transport for exploring nature, and tours provide access to landscapes that are completely inaccessible on foot. Dog sledding with enthusiastic huskies is another classic, and the combination of speed, fresh air and the pure Arctic light is something you won't forget.

The northern lights season lasts from autumn to spring, specifically from late August to mid-April, with October to February being the very best months. The conditions in Svalbard are ideal: little light pollution, stable cold and a wide horizon. A northern lights safari by snowmobile into the dark is an experience many describe as a highlight.

In the summer, the island opens up in a completely different way. During the period of the midnight sun, from April to August, the landscape changes character. It's then time for boat trips on the fjords, hikes in the mountains and kayaking along the coast where icebergs drift slowly by. Hurtigruten Svalbard offers guided expeditions to fjords and areas that are difficult to reach on your own, and is a natural choice for those who want to experience as much as possible in a short space of time.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault

Few places on earth illustrate Svalbard's importance better than the seed vault carved into the mountain outside Longyearbyen. Here, seeds from almost all the world's crops are stored as a form of insurance for humanity. The plant is built to withstand climate change, earthquakes and even a nuclear attack. It is not open to the public, but the sight of the entrance on the mountainside is in itself worth a short detour.

Experience wildlife up close

Although the polar bear is Svalbard's symbol, it is more than just a symbol. They are real, and they are everywhere outside Longyearbyen. That is why it is highly recommended to have a local guide with you on all trips outside the city limits. The rules are clear: leaving Longyearbyen without protection is prohibited.

Apart from polar bears, Svalbard offers plenty of other rich wildlife. Svalbard reindeer are a pleasant form of company you can see on many excursions; polar foxes can be found all over the island, and there are walruses, seals and plenty of seabirds in the sea. For those interested in nature, Svalbard is simply unique.

Food and restaurants in Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen has a restaurant scene that far exceeds what you expect from a city of its size. Perhaps the most surprising thing about Svalbard is precisely the food.

Gruvelageret serves a fixed four-course menu based on local ingredients, with an interior inspired by the island's mining history. Reservations are required and the waiting list speaks for itself.

Funktionærmessen at Funken Lodge maintains a high international level, with king crab and dry-ripened Côte de Bœuf as its signature dishes. The kitchen is inspired by international cuisine with Arctic ingredients, and the wine cellar matches its culinary ambitions. Funken Bar, Svalbard's only dedicated cocktail bar, is the natural place for an aperitif before or a drink after dinner.

Local ingredients such as Svalbard reindeer, Arctic char and Svalbard ptarmigan appear on many menus. It is said that Arctic meat and seafood has a purer flavour than similar ingredients from the south. Whether that's true or not, there's little doubt that a meal of Svalbard reindeer in Longyearbyen, with the storm howling outside and a glass of wine in hand, is something special.

The best times to visit Svalbard

Svalbard is a year-round destination, but the different seasons provide very different experiences. The winter months from November to January are the time of the polar night when the sun remains below the horizon around the clock. Many people fear the dark, but most people who try it discover that it has a peace and beauty of its own. Moonlight over the snow, northern lights and quiet fjords are images you carry with you.

New Year's Eve in Svalbard is something very special. While the rest of the world is setting off fireworks, the skies over Svalbard give you nature's own light show in the form of the northern lights dancing above the mountains.

Spring and autumn are transition times with lots of light and good conditions for snowmobiles and skis. Summer is the time of the midnight sun, when Svalbard feels almost like a different planet. It's then time for boat trips on the fjords, hikes in the mountains and kayaking along the coast where icebergs drift slowly by.

Practical information

Svalbard is easily reached from Oslo or Tromsø by plane to Longyearbyen Airport, which is the fastest and most common way to get there.

For those who want the journey itself to be part of the experience, Hurtigruten sails the Svalbard Line between May and September from Bergen via the Norwegian coast to Longyearbyen. It is a multi-day all-inclusive trip and a natural choice for those who want to take it easy.

Be prepared for prices that are somewhat higher than on the mainland, especially for food, accommodation and activities. On the other hand, alcohol is cheaper in Svalbard than in the rest of Norway.

Dress warmly. Even if you're not planning long trips into nature, the weather can change quickly. Wool underwear, waterproof outerwear and warm shoes are the basis for a good trip.

Svalbard is a place that changes something in you. The vast majority of people who have been there say the same thing: it sets a standard for silence, nature and authenticity that is hard to find elsewhere. Have a wonderful trip!