Experiences
Things to do in Svalbard: snowmobiles, glaciers and midnight sun
Polar bear signs at the edge of town, glaciers calving into the sea and a sky that stays dark for months or bright all night. The best experiences in Svalbard, and where to stay in Longyearbyen.
At the edge of Longyearbyen stands a road sign with a polar bear on it. It is not a joke. This is where civilisation ends, and beyond it lie mountains, glaciers and ice all the way to the North Pole. Svalbard is the closest you will get to true wilderness without joining an expedition.
The archipelago is easy to reach by plane from Oslo and Tromsø, and Longyearbyen has hotels, restaurants and guides to take you into the wild. Here are the best things to do, when to go and where to stay.
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What to know before you go to Svalbard
Polar bears: you cannot leave the settlement without a firearm and the skills to use it. Join guided tours.
Polar night: from late October to mid February the sun does not rise. Perfect for the northern lights.
Midnight sun: from late April to late August it is light around the clock.
Clothing: winters are cold and windy. Tour operators often lend out suits and boots.
The best things to do in Svalbard
Book the experience: See tours and activities in Longyearbyen
Snowmobile tours
Snowmobiles are how people get around Svalbard in winter. Day trips cross the mountains to glaciers and old trapper huts, and the longest tours reach the east coast, where polar bears roam. The season runs from February to May.
Husky sledding
The kennels are just outside Longyearbyen, and tours head into the valleys around town. In winter you drive a sled, in summer a wheeled cart.
Boat trips to the glaciers and Pyramiden
In summer, boats sail to glaciers calving into the sea and to Pyramiden, the abandoned Russian mining town. Seals, walruses and seabirds are often seen along the way.
Ice caves and the northern lights
During the polar night you can walk into ice caves beneath the glaciers, lantern in hand and the ice glowing blue around you. And when the sky is clear, the aurora over the mountains is something else entirely.
Where to stay in Svalbard
All the hotels are in Longyearbyen, the starting point for almost every tour. The town is small, and you can walk everywhere.
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Fjord views from the lounge.
Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitsbergen
The largest hotel in town sits near the water, a short walk from the Svalbard Museum. The rooms are modern, the restaurant is good, and the staff are praised for helping with tours.
Book your stay: See rooms at Radisson Blu Polar Hotel
Funken Lodge
The fireside lounge at Funken Lodge.
Funken Lodge
Funken Lodge sits on the hillside above town, with views over the valley and the glacier. The fireside lounge is perfect after a day in the cold, and breakfast is included.
Book your stay: See rooms at Funken Lodge
The Vault
Svalbard Hotell The Vault in the centre.
Svalbard Hotell The Vault
The Vault is named after the seed vault outside town and sits centrally near the university centre. Modern rooms and breakfast included, a good choice if you want to walk everywhere.
Book your stay: See rooms at The Vault
Basecamp Spitsbergen
Trapper atmosphere at Basecamp Spitsbergen.
Basecamp Spitsbergen
Basecamp is styled like a trapper hut, with driftwood, furs and old maps. It is the hotel for atmosphere, and breakfast is included.
Book your stay: See rooms at Basecamp Spitsbergen
When is the best time to visit Svalbard?
November to January: polar night, the northern lights, ice caves and Christmas atmosphere. Cold and dark around the clock.
February to May: the light returns and snowmobile season peaks. Many consider March and April the best time.
June to August: midnight sun, glacier boat trips and guided hikes.
Svalbard FAQ
Do you need a passport to travel to Svalbard?
Svalbard is outside the Schengen Area, so you must show a passport or national ID card when leaving mainland Norway. Check the latest rules before you travel.
Can you see polar bears in Svalbard?
It is possible, but rare near Longyearbyen. The best chances are on long snowmobile tours towards the east coast or boat trips along the ice edge in summer, always with a guide.
When is the polar night in Svalbard?
The sun does not rise from late October to mid February. The darkest period is around Christmas and New Year.
How many days do you need in Svalbard?
Three to four days leave time for a couple of tours and some time in Longyearbyen. For long snowmobile trips, allow a week.
Where should I stay in Svalbard?
All the hotels are in Longyearbyen. Radisson Blu Polar Hotel is the largest, Funken Lodge has views, The Vault is central, and Basecamp Spitsbergen has the most atmosphere.