Polar City Adventure

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 adventure. 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 Adventure 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 adventure

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 where you can spot the remains from the old mining times in the mountain sides. 

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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Number of results: 86

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  1. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 45 reviews45 reviews

    Guided morning tour around Longyearbyen and surroundings - concludes over lunch - Longyearbyen Guiding

    Longyearbyen

    Guided minibus tour in the morning combined with a culinary, local food experience.

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 45 reviews45 reviews
  2. Guided phototour - Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    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 and will also be able to help you with some photography basics.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  3. The High-View Heritage Tour: Walk Endalen & Drive the Mines - My Arctic

    Longyearbyen

    This exclusive combo tour pairs a gentle tundra walk with a spectacular drive to some of the finest viewpoints overlooking Adventdalen.

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    • 2

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    • Hiking
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  4. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1687 reviews1687 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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    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1687 reviews1687 reviews
  5. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 90 reviews90 reviews

    Longyearbyen Wildlife and Photo tour - Backyard Svalbard''

    Longyearbyen

    Grab your camera and get ready to meet the Arctic wildlife out in the wilderness.
    On this guided tour from Longyearbyen, we take you into the local valleys to spot (and photograph) the unique animals.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Hiking
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 90 reviews90 reviews
  6. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 402 reviews402 reviews

    Coal Mine 3 Visit - Gruve 3 AS

    Longyearbyen

    Step into the history of Gruve 3 and Longyearbyen’s coal mining industry.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Mine visit

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 402 reviews402 reviews
  7. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 904 reviews904 reviews

    Full-day Kayak: from Shore to Shore - 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.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 4 - Demands good physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Kayak

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 904 reviews904 reviews
  8. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 18 reviews18 reviews

    All in One: Scenic Drive & History Walk with Huskies – Svalbard Villmarkssenter

    Longyearbyen

    Join us for a relaxed winter walk together with our friendly huskies in and around Longyearbyen.
    Afterwards we will continue with a scenic drive by car.

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    Grading

    • 1 - Available for all

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    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 18 reviews18 reviews
  9. Cruise welcome - Nature & Wildlife experience - Snowfox Travel

    Longyearbyen

    We welcome you in Longyearbyen! This activity gives you both nature and wildlife experience when you arrive in Longyearbyen.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Hiking
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  10. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 117 reviews117 reviews

    Dogsledding on wheels - Svalbard Villmarkssenter

    Longyearbyen

    Some drive guided tours by taxi or bus, why not try dog sledding on wheels?

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Dog sledding

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 117 reviews117 reviews
  11. Northern Lights Adventure by Car - Arctic Footsteps

    Longyearbyen

    Small‑group Northern Lights hunt by car from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen and past Mine 3, with a stop near the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, warm drinks, cookies, local stories, and a high chance to see the aurora above the Arctic landscape.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  12. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 91 reviews91 reviews

    Explore the polar night and visit the Basecamp huskies - Basecamp Spitsbergen

    Longyearbyen

    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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    Grading

    • 1 - Level of difficulty 1 - suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 91 reviews91 reviews
  13. 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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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Sightseeing and lectures
  14. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews

    A historic walk in Adventdalen – Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    On this relatively easy hike, you'll get an introduction to the history of the brave huntsmen on Svalbard and the scientific endeavors that have shaped our understanding of the Arctic climate and environment

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews
  15. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews

    Wilderness Safari by Electric Snowmobile - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    This is the snowmobile trip for the ones who want to experience Longyearbyen's local vicinity at its best. On electric snowmobiles, we take you out into the beautiful valley “Adventdalen”. 

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most without any snowmobile experience. Very easy and flat terrain.

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews
  16. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 45 reviews45 reviews

    Guided afternoon tour around Longyearbyen and surroundings - concludes over dinner - Longyearbyen Guiding

    Longyearbyen

    Join an exciting guided afternoon tour around Longyearbyen and finish with dinner at Mary Ann’s Polarrigg!

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    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 45 reviews45 reviews
  17. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews

    eBike sightseeing tour | Summer - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Combine comfort and efficiency on our electric bike tour, which enables you to see a range of Longyearbyen’s sights while getting close to nature. The birdlife is at its best during the summer months, and silently moving through the wilderness with…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    Symbols

    • Biking
    • Environmentally-friendly company

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1194 reviews1194 reviews
  18. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 490 reviews490 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…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Handicap-friendly
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 490 reviews490 reviews
  19. Huset: Historic Mining House | Guided Tour - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Visit the ‘Heart of the town’ – Huset – and explore this historical building while enjoying tastes from modern Arctic fine dining.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  20. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1428 reviews1428 reviews

    Svalbard Museum

    Longyearbyen

    This is the place to discover Svalbard’s fascinating history and the unique nature and wildlife of the archipelago. The museum’s permanent exhibition “A Changing World” is both informative, atmospheric, and beautifully presented.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

    Facilities

    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1428 reviews1428 reviews
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