Polar City Break

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.

  1. Learn more about Longyearbyen here
  2. Get a taste of what Longyearbyen has to offer

Want a city break with a difference? Head to Svalbard

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!).

  1. Christmas spirit in the Polar Night
  2. Meet the Svalbardian Guro who brought her family and moved to the Polar Night

Gain inspiration for your polar city break

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.

  1. Check out what's on in our Polar city!
  2. A city break is not complete without some sightseeing!

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  1. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1363 reviews1363 reviews

    Svalbard Museum

    Longyearbyen

    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.

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1363 reviews1363 reviews
  2. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews

    Sightseeing winter with electric bike - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    A round trip with electric bikes enables you to experience a lot of Longyearbyen’s sights in a comfortable and efficient way, while getting close to nature. It is not uncommon to have to stop for reindeer and polar fox when you travel silently and…

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    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Biking
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews
  3. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews

    Sleigh ride by snowmobile - Spitzbergen Adventures

    Longyearbyen

    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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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews
  4. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews

    Follow the Trappers' Footsteps - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Imagine life as a trapper in Svalbard: the loneliness, the challenges of a beautiful but harsh landscape.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews
  5. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews

    Lens & Perspectice - the slightly different sightseeing tour with focus on photos - Spitzbergen Adventures

    Longyearbyen

    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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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews
  6. Northern Lights Photo Safari - Svalbard Photography

    Longyearbyen

    This Northern Light photo-safari takes us leisurely into Adventdalen, where we wait to hopefully with a little luck will be able to watch the colourful lights dancing in the sky.

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  7. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 175 reviews175 reviews

    Longyearbyen in a nutshell - sightseeing with the local expert - Svalbard Buss og Taxi

    Longyearbyen

    2 hour round trip to see the area around Longyearbyen and the driver will tell the story of how this society was built up while watching parts of the wonderful nature of Svalbard.

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    • 1 - 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 175 reviews175 reviews
  8. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews

    Wilderness evening - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Experience the magic of being in the Arctic wilderness! Join a wilderness evening at Camp Barentz, a very special experience which you really should experience during your stay in Longyearbyen.

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 660 reviews660 reviews
  9. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 138 reviews138 reviews

    Coal Mine 3

    Longyearbyen

    Have you ever been in a coalmine before? Join us today and dig deep in the history of Longyearbyen, the miners, all the coal dust and their life in the mountains.

    The Mining history is important for the existence of Longyearbyen, where this…

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 138 reviews138 reviews
  10. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 369 reviews369 reviews

    Dog Sledding in the Polar Night - Arctic Husky Travellers

    Longyearbyen

    Hopefully, we'll see the magical Northern Lights dancing across the sky while dog sledding through the Polar Night. The dogs are eager and looking forward to the winter!

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 369 reviews369 reviews
  11. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 106 reviews106 reviews

    Brewery visit - Svalbard bryggeri

    Longyearbyen

    Brewery Visit & beer tasting
    During the visit, you will hear about how Svalbard Brewery became a reality and how former coal miner and pilot Robert Johansen got the idea about establishing his own brewery on Svalbard. You will get to see the…

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Brewery visit
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 106 reviews106 reviews
  12. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews

    The exclusive Northern Light chase - Spitzbergen Adventures

    Longyearbyen

    Come with us to chase the northern light. We pick you up from your hotel and will get into a comfortable minibus.

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 365 reviews365 reviews
  13. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1255 reviews1255 reviews

    Dog sledding on wheels - Green Dog Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    When the snow starts melting at the beginning of June,we start using dog carts instead of sledges. At this trip you drive a 3 person cart with 8 huskies in front.Our guide will help you harness the dogs and drive in front of you with his own team…

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    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1255 reviews1255 reviews
  14. Longyearbyen City Walk with Arctic Meal - Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    Longyearbyen from fundation to nowadays: How to live in a remote and inhospitable place. A 2h30 entertaining stroll around Longyearbyen with arctic meal.

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    • 1 - suitable for all

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    • Food
    • Sightseeing and lectures
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  15. Treasure and Scavenger hunt in Longyearbyen - Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    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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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Sightseeing and lectures
  16. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 423 reviews423 reviews

    Family sightseeing by dog wagon - Svalbard Husky

    Longyearbyen

    This is a relaxing trip together with our dogs where the guide drives the wagon and you enjoy the view. We will tell you about Svalbard and all the different animals we see on our way. This is an activity that suits everyone, so bring the whole…

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 423 reviews423 reviews
  17. Private Guide - Svalbard Photography

    Longyearbyen

    A private guide is perfect for photographers, families, couples, small groups and people who want a tailor-made programme in and around Longyearbyen

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Handicap-friendly
    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  18. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 391 reviews391 reviews

    Kayak to Hiorthhamn with beach visit & bonfire - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

    Longyearbyen

    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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    • 3 - 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Kayak

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 391 reviews391 reviews
  19. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1255 reviews1255 reviews

    Dogs & the Ocean - Along the Arctic coast by dog wagon - Green Dog Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Enjoy the beautiful coastal landscape whilst the guide drives the large cart, pulled by strong sled dogs along Vestpynten, outside of Longyearbyen.

    This tour start with a transfer out towards the coast, where the dogs eagerly await. Here we will…

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1255 reviews1255 reviews
  20. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 391 reviews391 reviews

    Hiorthhamn: Nature hike to a historical mining settlement - Svalbard Wildlife Expeditions

    Longyearbyen

    Join us for an exciting adventure, out of town to an old historical mining settlement. If we are lucky, and the night is clear, we can see nature's own magical lights: The northern lights.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 391 reviews391 reviews
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