Base camp in Spitsbergen during Winter

Svalbard Travel Guide

78° 13′ 06″ N, 15° 37′ 53″ E

Svalbard in a few words...

The Svalbard Archipelago is located halfway between North Cape, at the northern tip of mainland Norway, and the North Pole.

The archipelago is made up of 7 islands and we run our polar expeditions from the main island, Spitsbergen. The settlements of Spitsbergen are the most northerly, permanently inhabited settlements on the planet. The total population is less than 2,700, so people are significantly out-numbered by polar bears!

Despite its rugged, isolated terrain, carved out by glaciers over millions of years, Svalbard has a history of exploration - from the whalers and trappers of the 17th and 18th centuries to the mining corporations and researchers of the 20th century and the more recent tourists and adventure seekers. With such a rich history, stunning scenery and a diverse range of wildlife, there is plenty to be discovered here, high in the Arctic Circle on your Svalbard expedition.




14:51 GMT +1

local time

Longyearbyen

capital city

61,022

area in km²

Norwegian

main language(s)

Our local team

We look forward to welcoming you in Longyearbyen! The most northernly settlement in the world where reindeer and bears roam and vast glaciers cascade down to the ocean between icy peaks. This is truly one of the most beautiful and wild places you will ever see

Highlights in Svalbard

Basecamp in Spitsbergen, Arctic

Svéa

Svéa is our base camp. It is located opposite one of the most active glaciers in Spitsbergen: Sveabreen. No matter which trip you choose, you will definitely pass by this beautiful place.

Kayaking in Texas Bar, Svalbard

Woodfjorden

Woodfjorden lies between Albert I Land and Andree Land and is the fourth longest fjord in the Svalbard archipelago. Along it's western shore sits an old hunting cabin aptly named the Texas Bar; it's policy is to leave a drink for the next explorers!

Kayaking in Kings Bay

Kings Bay

This wild and remote region is normally only visited by scientists. The area has some of the largest concentrations of wildlife in Svalbard and is a truly magical place to explore.

Longyearbyen, city of Svalbard, High Arctic

Longyearbyen

This town of 2,700 inhabitants is the nerve center of the archipelago. To get out, you will need to be accompanied by an armed guide due to the risk of encountering a polar bear.

Von Post raid on skis with pulka

Von Post Glacier

The Von Post glacier lies in Sabine Land and is named after Swedish geologist Hampus Adolf von Post. Only lying 109m above sea level, the glacier is polythermal, which means there is ice at melting point within the deeper areas of the glacier.

Polar bears during Winter in Svalbard

Ulvebreen Glacier

Named after Arctic explorer Erik Andreas Ulve, this glacier is a tributary of Nordmannsfonna, and end at the bay of Dunérbukta. A remote wilderness, it is the place where polar bears roam the East Coast.

Your destination in pictures

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