Longyearbyen

The largest settlement on the Svalbard archipelago.

The largest settlement on the Svalbard archipelago (Norway) is the gateway for expedition cruises in the High Arctic. It is reached only by flight from mainland Norway or by ship. Due to its remote location and hard living conditions Svalbard has been declared a tax free zone, which of course is a blessing in Norway. Good French wine and Belgium beer are actually cheap.

Longyearbyen (long year city) is located on the western coast of Spitsbergen, which again is the largest island of the Svalbard archipelago. Its population of approx. 2000 all predominantly engaged in tourism, Polar research and mining. Winters are long and dark in Longyearbyen as the sun completely disappears for over 4 months, with a day off for the inhabitants to celebrate the return of the sun in late winter. The temperatures in Longyearbyen are on average 20 degrees higher than similar areas of the world at the same latitude, which is due to the warm Gulf Stream. In summer, however, when most tourists visit, you can enjoy 24 hour sunlight and really recharge the batteries.

See our Svalbard tours that visit Longyearbyen below:

Style
Season
Duration
Tour Standard

Basecamp Nordenskiöld Svalbard

5 days - Independent adventure tour | True Arctic Wilderness.

  • Premium
  • Svalbard
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Eveline Lunde

Svalbard Northern Lights Adventure

4 days - Silent Esledding, Gourmet Food & Ice Cave Adventure in Spitsbergen

  • Svalbard
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Magic of the Arctic

5 days - Boutique stay in Svalbard | Rib boats | Glacier exploring

  • Premium
  • Svalbard
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Træna, Terje Rakke Nordic Life - www.nordnorge

Oslo, Bergen and Svalbard Express

14 days - Visit Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen then voyage to Svalbard

  • Norway
  • Svalbard
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Elida Langstein

Spitsbergen Arctic Darkness

4 days - Out of this world 24-hour darkness, Arctic adventures and dogsledding

  • Svalbard
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Brim Explorer

Spitsbergen Arctic Summer

4 days - Arctic adventures, pristine nature and glaciers

  • Pre or Post Cruise
  • Svalbard
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Svalbard Northern Lights for Thanksgiving

4 days - Make this Thanksgiving unforgettable in Svalbard, Arctic Norway.

  • Svalbard
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Accommodation
Director's Choice
Design choice
Historic choice
Basecamp Hotel
Mads Pihl, Visit Greenland
MS Fram
Restaurants
Image from Karlsberger Pub, Longyearbyen
Karlsberger Pub, Longyearbyen
Optional Add Ons
Svalbard Glacier Walks
Glacier Walk in Spitsbergen