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 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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  1. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 392 reviews392 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 - 392 reviews392 reviews
  2. Arctic sauna - SvalBad

    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…

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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Wellness
  3. 4-day Northern lights adventure in Svalbard - Basecamp Spitsbergen

    Longyearbyen

    Longyearbyen is a perfect getaway for the Aurora season. A quiet small town surrounded by Arctic silence and northern lights.
    Package includes both accommodation and activities to give you the best chance to see the unique polar lights.

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    • 3 - Demands average physical fitness, not suitable if you have limited mobility (uneven and partly steep terrain)

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    • Bed accomodation
    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Hiking
    • Ice cave
    • Toilet
  4. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 603 reviews603 reviews

    Fjord Safari to Nordenskiöld Glacier - Svalbard Adventures

    Longyearbyen

    We drive out with RIB to Billefjorden and the Nordenskiöld glacier in scenic and historic surroundings on Svalbard.

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 603 reviews603 reviews
  5. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1475 reviews1475 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 - 1475 reviews1475 reviews
  6. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews

    Northern lights evening - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    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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    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews
  7. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1012 reviews1012 reviews

    Vicinity of Longyearbyen - Poli Arctici

    Longyearbyen

    Get a taste of Svalbard and explore Longyearbyen’s backyard on this half-day excursion with plenty of opportunities to take photos of some of the best scenery in the area.

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    Grading

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

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    • Snowmobile

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1012 reviews1012 reviews
  8. Longyearbyen Sightseeing - Svalbard Photography

    Longyearbyen

    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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    • 1 - Suitable for all

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

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1395 reviews1395 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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    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1395 reviews1395 reviews
  10. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews

    Bird Cliffs Fjord Safari - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Join us on an exciting rib boat tour, that combines birds and wildlife with Svalbard’s rich cultural history.

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    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Open boat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews
  11. 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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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Sightseeing and lectures
  12. Customised Hikes: The guide's choice - Chose your own pace and goal -Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    Do you have a specific project? Do you need a complete different schedule than the usual offer? Do you want your own little challenge without needing to keep up with with a group?

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    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Hiking
  13. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 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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    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Food
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews
  14. Bird Laguna under the Midnight Sun - Snowfox Travel

    Longyearbyen

    Join us on an evening bird and wildlife observation tour at the bird laguna close to the Isfjord.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    • Hiking
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures
  15. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews

    Northern Lights Safari by Snowcat - Hurtigruten Svalbard

    Longyearbyen

    Your guide will take you out of town, away from the light pollution of Longyearbyen, and into the magical polar night. You will drive out over the frozen Adventdalen, with several stops along the way to look for the northern lights.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Handicap-friendly
    • Snowcat

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 983 reviews983 reviews
  16. 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
  17. Drive & Stroll to the dogyard: Exclusive sightseeing with professional sled dogs greeting - Rana Itinerans

    Longyearbyen

    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.

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    Grading

    • 2 - Suitable for most

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    Symbols

    • Sightseeing and lectures
  18. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 34 reviews34 reviews

    Chasing the dancing Aurora (Northern lights) - Longyearbyen Guiding

    Longyearbyen

    Come and join our chase for the dancing Aurora! Our warm and comfortable minibus will take you outside the city and the light pollution, to the best viewpoints for the ultimate kodak moments of the spectacular Northern Lights.

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    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Photo safari
    • Sightseeing and lectures

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 34 reviews34 reviews
  19. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 80 reviews80 reviews

    Dog sledding on wheels - Basecamp Explorer Spitsbergen

    Longyearbyen

    Basecamp Explorer have a 90 huskies that are eager to take you out on a trip while in Svalbard. On this adventure you will learn how to handle your own team of six dogs. They all have their own names and a friendly personality.

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 3 - Average physical fitness

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    Symbols

    • Dog sledding
    • Environmentally-friendly company
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 80 reviews80 reviews
  20. TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 129 reviews129 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…

    Facilities

    Grading

    • 1 - Suitable for all

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    Symbols

    • Brewery visit
    • Toilet

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating

    TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 129 reviews129 reviews
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