Things to Do in Svalbard
Svalbard, Norway - Complete Travel Guide
Svalbard sits roughly 800 miles from the North Pole, making it one of the world's northernmost inhabited places. This Norwegian archipelago feels like stepping into another world entirely - one where polar bears outnumber humans, the midnight sun never sets for months on end, and you're legally required to carry a rifle outside the settlements for protection. The main town of Longyearbyen has this fascinating mix of frontier practicality and surprising sophistication, with excellent restaurants and museums nestled between utilitarian buildings designed to withstand Arctic conditions.
What makes Svalbard genuinely unique is how it operates almost like a scientific outpost. There's no traditional tourism infrastructure here - instead, you'll find yourself joining expeditions led by guides who double as researchers, staying in former mining barracks turned guesthouses, and experiencing a landscape that's both starkly beautiful and utterly unforgiving. The combination of accessibility (regular flights from Oslo) and genuine wilderness creates an experience that's surprisingly manageable yet authentically remote.
Top Things to Do in Svalbard
Snowmobile Expeditions Across the Tundra
Racing across frozen valleys and glacial terrain on snowmobiles gives you access to parts of Svalbard that would otherwise take days to reach on foot. These guided trips range from half-day jaunts to multi-day camping expeditions, often including stops at abandoned Soviet mining settlements and glacier fronts.
Booking Tip: Book through established local operators like Spitsbergen Travel for around 1,500-3,000 NOK per day. March through May offers the best conditions with stable snow and increasing daylight. Look for operators that include Arctic survival gear and have backup sleds.
Polar Bear Spotting Expeditions
Zodiac boat trips along the pack ice edge offer your best chance of spotting polar bears in their natural hunting grounds. These expeditions typically last 6-8 hours and include encounters with walruses, Arctic foxes, and massive bird colonies on dramatic cliff faces.
Booking Tip: Summer expeditions (July-September) cost around 2,000-4,000 NOK and book up months in advance. Choose operators with small group sizes (under 12 people) and experienced naturalist guides. Weather can cancel trips, so build flexibility into your schedule.
Ice Cave and Glacier Hiking
Guided hikes into natural ice caves and across glacier surfaces reveal the raw power of Arctic geology. You'll walk through blue-tinted ice tunnels, cross crevasse fields on ropes, and learn about glacial movement from guides who often conduct actual research.
Booking Tip: Available year-round but conditions vary dramatically by season. Summer trips (1,200-2,500 NOK) focus on glacier hiking, while winter expeditions include ice cave access. All gear is provided, but book with operators certified in glacier rescue techniques.
Northern Lights Photography Tours
From October through February, Svalbard's position and lack of light pollution create ideal conditions for aurora viewing. Photography-focused tours provide tripods, camera settings guidance, and transport to locations away from Longyearbyen's minimal light sources.
Booking Tip: Tours run 800-1,500 NOK and operate on short notice based on aurora forecasts. November through January offers the darkest conditions, but December can be cloudy. Look for guides who understand camera settings and can teach basic night photography.
Svalbard Museum and Seed Vault Area
The museum provides crucial context about Arctic ecology, mining history, and polar exploration that makes everything else you see more meaningful. While you can't enter the Global Seed Vault itself, the area offers excellent hiking and views over Longyearbyen.
Booking Tip: Museum entry is around 100 NOK and worth visiting early in your trip for context. The seed vault area is accessible year-round on foot, but winter requires proper gear. Guided cultural tours combining both sites run about 500-800 NOK.
Getting There
SAS operates the only commercial flights to Svalbard, flying year-round from Oslo (OSL) to Longyearbyen Airport (LYR). The flight takes about 1.5 hours and costs typically range from 3,000-8,000 NOK depending on season and booking time. You'll need to transit through mainland Norway regardless of your origin, and interestingly, you're not allowed to die in Svalbard (bodies don't decompose in the permafrost), so seriously ill individuals may be denied boarding. Book well in advance, especially for summer travel, as seats are limited and the route serves both tourists and essential supply runs.
Getting Around
Longyearbyen is small enough to walk everywhere within town, but venturing beyond requires snowmobiles in winter or boats/ATVs in summer. Most accommodations provide shuttle service to/from the airport, and many tour operators include transport to trailheads or departure points. Rental cars don't exist here - the road system extends only a few miles from town. For longer distances, everything operates through guided tours or expeditions, which actually makes sense given the polar bear situation and extreme conditions. Local buses connect the airport, town center, and university area, but they're primarily for residents.
Where to Stay
Longyearbyen town center
Near the university area
Nybyen district
Airport vicinity
Adventdalen valley
Barentsburg (Russian settlement)
Food & Dining
The dining scene punches well above its weight for such a remote location, largely because ingredients are flown in regularly and chefs tend to be quite skilled. Huset offers fine dining with an impressive wine cellar (apparently the world's northernmost), while Kroa provides hearty pub food and local beers. Many restaurants focus on Arctic ingredients like reindeer, Arctic char, and cloudberries when available. Grocery shopping at Svalbardbutikken is expensive but well-stocked - expect to pay premium prices for everything since it's all imported. Most guesthouses include breakfast, and many expedition packages include meals, which actually makes budgeting easier.
Top-Rated Restaurants in Norway
Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)
Mamma Pizza Vika Osteria di Mare
4.5
/5
(838 reviews)
2
bar
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When to Visit
Svalbard operates on two distinct seasons that offer completely different experiences. Summer (June-August) brings midnight sun, accessible hiking, boat expeditions, and the best wildlife viewing, but also crowds and higher prices. Winter (November-February) offers northern lights, snowmobile access to the interior, and a more authentic frontier experience, but with extreme cold and limited daylight. The shoulder seasons can be excellent - May offers spring conditions with good snowmobile terrain and increasing light, while September provides autumn colors and the first aurora possibilities. March and April give you the best of winter activities with more reasonable daylight hours.
Insider Tips
Remove your shoes when entering any building - it's strictly enforced and helps prevent tracking in snow and preserving heating efficiency
Pack layers rather than just heavy coats, as indoor spaces are very warm and you'll be constantly adjusting to temperature changes
Alcohol is heavily regulated and expensive - you can buy limited quantities at the airport duty-free shop, but there's a quota system based on your length of stay