Polar Summer - 7 days in Svalbard

Welcome to long, bright days and adventures under the midnight sun

Planning a trip to Svalbard? We recommend setting aside a week - that gives you time to experience the very best Spitsbergen has to offer, both out in nature and in Longyearbyen. We’ve created a suggested 7-day itinerary filled with experiences, which you can easily adapt to suit your own preferences and pace.

From mid-May through September, it’s polar summer here in the north. The snow melts and the landscape opens up – raw, beautiful, and alive. The midnight sun shines around the clock, and the tundra comes to life with migratory birds, colorful plants, and striking contrasts between green valleys, blue-white glaciers, and jagged mountains. As the sea ice releases its grip, fjords and coastlines become accessible by boat or kayak. On foot, you can explore the open tundra and experience the calm and silence of a landscape unlike any other.

This is a short, yet intense Arctic summer - unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

Day 1: Arrival and town tour

Get to know Longyearbyen
A guided sightseeing tour is a great introduction to Longyearbyen and the surrounding area. A knowledgeable local guide will take you to the town’s highlights and give you insight into its history, nature, and life in the Arctic. You’ll visit viewpoints, old mines, and Adventdalen – with plenty of opportunities to stop for photos along the way.

Accommodation and dinner
Check in to your accommodation – here in town you can choose everything from guesthouses to 4-star hotels. Afterwards, enjoy a good meal at one of the many restaurants. Food in Svalbard is an important part of the experience – offering both local specialties and international flavors.

Day 2: Local history and cultural experiences

Visit Huset – an icon of Longyearbyen
Huset is much more than just a building. It has served as a post office, school, church, and cinema – and today it remains a social hub with a restaurant, café, and concert venue. Join a guided tour and sample local ingredients with an Arctic twist.

Museum and gallery
Continue your day at the Svalbard Museum, where you can learn more about the archipelago’s nature, geology, and wildlife. For more polar history, we recommend the North Pole Expedition Museum. You can also visit Mine 3 or the cableway center to learn more about the mining history.

Local art and a bit of shopping
Stop by the Nordover gallery – here you’ll find works from several local artists. You might even want to bring something special home. The shops in Longyearbyen offer everything from outdoor gear and technical equipment to locally produced goods and souvenirs.

A relaxed evening
After a day filled with impressions, it’s nice to slow down. Many hotels and guesthouses have cozy lounges where you can relax with a good book or a drink.

Day 3–6: Isfjord Radio - an off-the-beaten-path adventure

Welcome to the wilderness
Where the road ends and nature takes over, you’ll find Isfjord Radio – a former radio and weather station, now transformed into a boutique hotel. There are no roads here, so the journey itself is part of the adventure – by boat in summer and by snowmobile in winter.

About the place
Isfjord Radio is located at the edge of the Arctic Ocean, surrounded by dramatic mountains and open tundra. The hotel offers comfortable rooms, a cozy lounge, and excellent food based on local ingredients. The seaside sauna is the perfect finishing touch after a day outdoors.

What to experience
Join guided hikes in the area or go on a RIB safari in Isfjorden. In Trygghamna, you can see the towering bird cliffs of Alkhornet, and in Ymerbukta you’ll encounter the glacier front of Esmarkbreen – where small icebergs drift in green glacial water, and you can hear the ice crackling. If you prefer hiking, your guide can take you on wilderness treks ranging from 10 to 16 kilometers, depending on weather and route.

Evenings
After a day of exploration, everyone gathers around the table for dinner – perhaps followed by a drink in the lounge. Outside, the midnight sun shines, and the silence is almost tangible.

Day 7: Departure – and perhaps see you again?

A last morning in town
Do you have some time before your flight? Take a final stroll through Longyearbyen. Maybe there’s something you forgot to buy, or one last photo you want of the colorful houses. Make the most of it – and bring the memories with you home.

Time to head home
The adventure comes to an end. When you fly out of Longyearbyen, we recommend choosing a window seat – the view of mountains, glaciers, and fjords is unforgettable. And who knows – maybe you’ll feel inspired to return in winter, during the dark season?