To put it simply, Svalbard is a paradise for outdoors activities all year round. With dramatic landscape and exotic wildlife there’s no wonder why many will nod their heads in agreement to that description of our archipelago in between the mainland of Norway and the North Pole.
Some of the most beautiful things about nature experiences are that they’re both so readily available and can include so many different activities. Experiences in the outdoors offer us the chance to get to know new people, strengthen our bonds with friends, or perhaps venture out on a quick adventure with the family. In addition to the landscape and wildlife, it’s the availability, variation and connection that makes Svalbard’s nature experiences so special, and perhaps the reasons why you’d like to take part in them yourself?
Closeness is the keyword that may seem like a slight contradiction when you consider both how expansive Svalbard is and how sparsely populated it is. But then consider, how many other places in the world are you met on a clear-weathered day with the sight of six glacial fronts in the distance as soon as you’ve walked out of the airport building?
Nature rules everything in Svalbard, and it’s an integral part of the community in our small metropolitan-feeling town Longyearbyen. The town was established in the early 1900s as a mining town due to its closeness to the coal in the nearby mountainsides where several remnants from Svalbard’s old mining industry still stand as cultural heritage sites. Longyearbyen still lives on, but it does so based on the nature’s own terms. Houses are built on pillars and piping is all laid on top of the ground because of the permafrost in the ground which would otherwise strain houses built on solid foundations in the ground or push pipes out of the ground as the ground thaws and freezes with the seasons.
You’ll also find wild Svalbard reindeer casually walking and grazing in between houses and alongside streets. It’s not uncommon to even encounter sleeping reindeer right in the middle of town. As good neighbours we don’t want to disturb nature’s way of life unnecessarily or damage it, and this is especially important in Svalbard which has a particularly vulnerable ecosystem.
In short, you start experiencing nature as soon as you step outside of the hotel door in Svalbard!
Throughout the entire year you’ll find both full-day trips and multi-day overnight trips that allow you to experience the Arctic nature experiences Svalbard has to offer, close to both nature and the ones you’re travelling with.
For the young and old, few and many, dear and near, relaxed and active, and so on, there are activities that will allow you to enjoy Svalbard’s nature. Through the dark season and the polar night you can hunt the northern lights on foot or visit magical ice caves close to Longyearbyen. (maybe you’re lucky enough to spot the elusive mid-day northern lights in the polar night?)
With the Sunny Winter season’s return after the dark season, the sight of landscapes bathed in sunlight comes along as well, marking the beginning of the full-day trips with dog sleds and snowmobiles! Once the Midnight Sun returns in April, ski touring in the low evening sunlight is also recommended as the skiing season in Svalbard keeps going while Spring is returning on Norway’s mainland.
Continuing onwards into the Polar Summer Season, the fresh smell of the mountains, tundra and the fjord returns with the opportunities for hiking trips on bare ground and boat trips on the expansive fjord Isfjorden. In the light and heat of summer, the wildlife returns in full force to Svalbard both on land and in the sea, which it’s both best and safest to enjoy on a guided photo safari, or perhaps a walrus safari.
The opportunities are plentiful in Svalbard’s nature, and it may as such be difficult to find the exact experiences that you’d like to include in your visit. But below you’ll find a full overview of activities and experiences we think may suit your nature-oriented visit in Svalbard!
If you’ve already settled on a date for your visit, we can recommend checking our booking calendar to see which activities are available for you and the ones you’re traveling with to visit us in Svalbard.
Number of results: 108
, currently showing 1 to 20.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
745 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on an exciting trip to see the Arctic's own parrot: the Atlantic Puffin. From May to the beginning of August, Svalbard is a bustling bird paradise, as birds from all corners of the world migrate here.
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745 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
465 reviewsLongyearbyen
This hike takes you to a place far away from the town to the real silence of the arctic. Expect a completely different place than on our other hikes!
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465 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
464 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on Trollsteinen Randonnèe. We start hiking through a fascinating landscape, before crossing the glacier on our way up the mountain ridge. A large and characteristic stone is located at the highest point, 850 meters above sea level.
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464 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1353 reviewsLongyearbyen
In pairs, you will take turns mushing (driving a dog sledge team) a team of 5-6 dogs. You will experience the dynamics of the dog-sledge team and will most likely be surprised to see that dogs as tough as these can be so kind and adoring.
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1353 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsLongyearbyen
Variable weather, northern lights, crystal-clear skies full of stars, moonlight or sunshine both day and night; these are variations only the Arctic can give. Experience Svalbard by dog sledding.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
864 reviewsLongyearbyen
Welcome aboard! Venture out into Northern Isfjord with our experienced Skipper, who will choose the day’s route depending on recent wildlife sightings and weather conditions.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
864 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
72 reviewsLongyearbyen
Mush your own dog sledge with Alaskan Huskies together with our experienced Svalbard guides. Feel and make your own adventure in the Arctic nature, we go in small groups to give you the best experience possible!
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72 reviewsLongyearbyen
Our primary focus, on this tour, is nature photography and wildlife and to find the good views for eyes and / or camera. Our focus depends on the season and which species that are in the area at the moment.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
745 reviewsLongyearbyen
Hike with a view! This trip offers different experiences from what you can get close to Longyearbyen. We use open polarcircel boats to take us across the Adventfjord to Revneset, from where we’ll start our hike.
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745 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
65 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on a snowmobile adventure through the Arctic polar night. As soon as we drive away from Longyearbyen and into the darkness, our chances of observing the northern lights increases.
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65 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
475 reviewsLongyearbyen
We'll drive out through Adventdalen, extending eastwards from Longyearbyen and into a river landscape that takes us to Tellbreen. We take a closer look at the ice cave and the fascinating ice structures formed by water and sediments.
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475 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
865 reviewsLongyearbyen
This challenging day hike is a local favourite. Climb to the top of the highest peak near Longyearbyen (1051m above sea level) for an unforgettable adventure and the best views around!
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865 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
204 reviewsLongyearbyen
The original Fjordcruise adventure! 17 years filled with unique memories and experiences in Isfjorden.
Our Fjordcruise in Billefjorden is an unforgettable opportunity to experience Svalbard’s Arctic wildlife and the majestic Nordenskiöld glacier.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
204 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
69 reviewsLongyearbyen
Explore Svalbard in the same way as the polar heroes Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen. Dog sledding is also a true nature adventure amongst the locals in Longyearbyen. When traveling with dogsled you will reach the peaceful and majestic areas that…
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69 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
745 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join us on a tour in Isfjorden with an open, steady Polarcirkel boat. Visit places with cultural monuments and experience the vivid bird life.
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745 reviews* Isfjord På svalbard
The best adventures for nature lovers can be found in the true wilderness, far off the beaten tracks. Isfjord Radio with its adventures, homemade food, and cosy atmosphere will introduce you to the true Svalbard and the wonders of the High Arctic.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
97 reviewsLongyearbyen
Join our polar heroes Barents, Nansen and Nobile on a full day dogsledding trip in Svalbard beautiful and exciting nature
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97 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
745 reviewsLongyearbyen
There's plenty of fish in the Isfjord in Svalbard. The locals in Svalbard have been able to harvest these resources for a long time, and now it's finally your turn to go fishing in the Arctic!
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745 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
770 reviewsLongyearbyen
Our summer adventure will give you a great combination of hiking and snowmobiling on Svalbard. On this trip, you will enjoy the beautiful views around Longyearbyen and of an island slowly awaking from hibernation.
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770 reviewsTripAdvisor Traveller Rating
864 reviewsLongyearbyen
The hike starts from the dog yard just outside of Longyearbyen. From there, we ascend the hill and follow the ridge for ~1.5 hours to an elevation of 457 meters.
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
864 reviews