Longyearbyen Community Guidelines

Welcome to Longyearbyen, the northernmost town in the world.

Although we locals live ordinary lives up here, you will soon see that this place is quite extraordinary. It takes years of experience to really understand it. You are visiting for a short period, let our knowledge guide you. We encourage you to do as the locals do: respect wildlife, nature and each other!  

These are our community guidelines:
 

Follow Local Safety Precautions and Regulations

• For your own safety: never leave the settlement without a local guide who has the knowledge and training to keep you safe and provide polar bear protection.

• Drone use is prohibited within a 5 km radius of Longyearbyen Airport, covering the entire Longyearbyen area. 

• You are welcome to stroll around Longyearbyen. Please walk on the left-hand side of the road if there is no sidewalk.

• During the Polar Night (October–January), it is dark 24/7, and the low visibility makes it hard for drivers and others to spot pedestrians. Stay safe by always wearing a reflector or high-visibility clothing when venturing outside.

Respect People, Property and Culture

• Feel free to chat with locals, but always ask before taking photos. Respect privacy and never photograph children.

• Svalbard’s cultural heritage is protected by law. Help us to protect our history and leave all cultural relics alone.

• You may photograph parked snowmobiles, but please do not touch them.

• We encourage you to buy locally made products, but remember, bargaining is not part of our culture.

Admire Wildlife, Dogs and Flowers – from a distance

• Enjoy Svalbard’s unique wildlife from a safe distance. Do not disturb animals or birds.

• Dogs are a common sight in Longyearbyen. Please do not feed, touch, or disturb them, and do not approach them for taking photos. Whether they are in a dog yard or in town. In commercial dog yards, close contact is part of the experience.

• Svalbard’s vulnerable flora is protected by law. We have many beautiful flowers in and around town. Enjoy them, but do not pick them up.

Admire Wildlife, Dogs and Flowers – from a distance

• Help us keep Svalbard clean. Please use rubbish bins and leave nothing behind, not even small items like cigarette butts.

• In toilets: only flush natural waste and toilet paper - this helps protect our fjords from untreated sewage.

• Leave no trace from your visit - do not build cairns, move stones, or carve names on rocks or buildings.

You can find the guidelines in English as a PDF here.  
You can also find the guidelines in Chinese, French and German