Are you one of those who associate the concept of city breaks with skyscrapers, traffic noise and chaos? If so, we challenge you to try something completely different – a polar city break. In the small Arctic metropolis of Longyearbyen, you will find the best of both worlds: a wide selection of good restaurants, hotels and shopping – and magnificent nature-based experiences just a stone’s throw from the main street.
Longyearbyen, the main settlement in the Svalbard archipelago, has a population of around 2,400 who come from more than 50 different countries. These nature-loving people have tight bonds in harsh climatic conditions, with the Arctic wilderness right on their doorstep. The wilderness begins in the town centre – and it’s virtually endless!
However, the Polar Night is not the time to hike the length or breadth of Svalbard. The Polar Night, the time of the year when the sun is well below the horizon and it’s dark around the clock, is the time to enjoy, taste and see. You will be surprised by the excellent opportunities Longyearbyen offers for exploring and challenging your senses. Seal carpaccio at Huset? A vintage champagne from Funken’s wine cellar from the year you were born? Reindeer pizza at Barentz Gastropub? With some of Norway’s best restaurants, its own brewery and chocolaterie, you have many wonderful culinary experiences to look forward to in the far north.
Under the Polar City Break tab, you will find a range of experiences and activities that are perfect for those wanting to experience and get to know Longyearbyen during their visit to Svalbard. You will have plenty of time for socializing, excellent dinners and pleasant experiences in a place that is extremely different from other destinations. Although Svalbard is part of Norway, there is a lot about life in Longyearbyen that is different from the towns and cities in mainland Norway and other parts of Europe.
We encourage you to explore the distinctive features of Svalbard. Talk to the bartender, waiter or waitress about life in Longyearbyen, spend time in our wonderful library and read up on polar literature and everyday life in the Arctic or cheer on the local children on the ski slope (but please don’t photograph people without asking!). We encourage you to explore the distinctive features of Svalbard. Talk to the bartender, waiter or waitress about life in Longyearbyen, spend time in our wonderful library and read up on polar literature and everyday life in the Arctic or cheer on the local children on the ski slope (but please don’t photograph people without asking!).
Although the Polar Night has arrived and it’s dark in Longyearbyen, a wide range of activities awaits visitors, albeit just a bit more urban than during the spring and summer. We recommend visiting the Svalbard Museum! This is the place to immerse yourself in the history, wildlife and industry of Longyearbyen and the exciting exhibitions make it a fun place for children too! The gallery Nordover is also well worth a visit. After a visit at the gallery, why not head up up to Nybyen for a scenic walk with a delicious lunch waiting at Coal Miners’ Cabins.
You can experience the beautiful Northern Lights here until around mid-March. However, they are perhaps most spectacular from November to January when it’s dark around the clock and it’s possible to experience the Northern Lights during the daytime as well. Join a Northern Lights excursion involving dog sledding, a wilderness evening, a snowmobile safari or snowcat. You don’t need to venture far before the artificial light disappears and you can experience the magnificent natural light in the sky.
Regardless of whether the aim of your holiday is delicious food, wonderful nature-based experiences or simply recharging your batteries, you will find the answer in Longyearbyen – the small town with the big city feel, just a stone’s throw from the North Pole.
“Kosen is Norway’s most important and representative contribution to world culture." – Author Knut Faldbakken.
Number of results: 68
, currently showing 1 to 20.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
468 reviewsLongyearbyen
Do you want to try an exiting and traditionell way of travelling in the Arctic? Join us for a kayak trip over the Advent Bay.
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468 reviewsLongyearbyen
Do you dream of natural ice sculptures, mountains falling into the sea, wildlife, industrial features?
We take you to the best spots fitting your interests, observing wildlife and will also be able to help you with some photography basics.
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776 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on a trip to Ny-Ålesund, a former mining town and gateway to the Arctic. This was the starting point for famous explorers’ race to the North pole. Roald Amundsen, known as the first person, to reach both to the South- and North pole, used…
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776 reviewsLongyearbyen
This three-hour sightseeing tour takes us comfortably leads us almost over the entire road network of Longyearbyen and the surrounding area with many photo-stops along the way
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117 reviewsLongyearbyen
Step into the history of Gruve 3 and Longyearbyen’s coal mining industry.
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117 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
107 reviewsLongyearbyen
Svalbard Brewery was established in 2011 and served it's first beers to locals and visitors in August 2015.
Svalbard Brewery, established in 2011, brewed its first beer in August 2015. Six years of efforts to change the law from 1928, which…
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107 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
749 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on an exciting rib boat tour, that combines birds and wildlife with Svalbard’s rich cultural history.
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749 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
395 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us for a cozy sleigh ride towed by a snowmobile. This is the tour for you who does not want to drive a snowmobile and rather would like to enjoy the surroundings. You take place on our comfortable sleigh with bus seats and just enjoy the ride.
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395 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
14 reviewsLongyearbyen
This is a tailor-made trip, if you would like to have it all in one package.
After picking you up from your accommodation, we will start with a sightseeing tour by car all around Longyearbyen, to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, and to a dog yard!
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14 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
395 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us for a tour outside the box. Amazing light conditions, great motives and time. Time you can use to take your perfect picture. The target for this tour is to take you on a scenic discovery journey were photography is our main purpose. We won't…
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395 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
17 reviewsLongyearbyen
Start your stay in Svalbard with a pleasant and comfortable trip by minibus around Longyearbyen and in the surrounding areas with a local guide. This way you will quickly get to know all the wonderful places and attractions in the area and get the…
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17 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
79 reviewsLongyearbyen
Explore Longyearbyen's surroundings together with your Arctic nature guide. Experience Svalbard’s fascinating history and meet our beautiful, four-legged colleagues. An exciting trip in the polar night, and a visit to the charming Trapper’s Station.
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79 reviewsLongyearbyen
We drive and walk the few extra meters to reach the best view / interesting object / wildlife.
Then we meet and greet with polar dogs and talk about life out in the valley.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1367 reviewsLongyearbyen
Svalbard Museum is a museum of natural and cultural history. We aim to provide broad and comprehensive knowledge about Svalbard's 400 year long history, as well as present the natural resources that is the basis for all life in the archipelago.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1367 reviewsLongyearbyen
From fundation to nowadays : how to live in a remote and inhospitable place : a 2h30 entertaining stroll around Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen
Take a time-out and find inner peace at SvalBad, our floating, wood burning sauna. Here you can enjoy the view of Hiorthfjellet or, if you’re lucky, see the northern lights during the polar nights. If it gets too warm in the sauna, you can take a…
Longyearbyen
Join us on a captivating 2-hour German sightseeing journey through Longyearbyen and its surroundings, where the Arctic beauty, a lot of history and modern life intertwine.
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749 reviewsLongyearbyen
Experience the magic of the Aurora Borealis at 78 degrees north! A northern lights evening at Camp Barentz is a must-do experience whilst visiting Longyearbyen.
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749 reviewsLongyearbyen
Looking for some fun while learning about the place? These games add some challenges to your stay and can be done at any time.
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17 reviewsLongyearbyen
Guided minibus tour in the morning combined with a culinary, local food experience.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
17 reviews