in DESTINATIONS, SIGHTS, TOP LISTS, TOP LISTS & TIPS

Travel Svalbard for the Arctic Wonders of Norway

by Jeanette Fraser 12/01/2021, 03:54 3.9k Views 1 Comment

When you travel to Longyearbyen, Svalbard, you will be mesmerized by jaw-dropping landscapes. Svalbard offers views that are unlike anything you have seen before. Get your camera ready because everywhere you look resembles a painting in Svalbard, Norway. It is a photographer’s paradise. If you travel to Svalbard to see nature, you will not be disappointed by this striking arctic town.

Travel to Svalbard for Nature and Wildlife

From the moment you land in Longyearbyen to the moment you leave this frozen archipelago; closeness to nature is what you will feel. Expect to be greeted by wild, yet somewhat curious reindeer with the cutest faces you will ever see. They are one of the reasons to travel to Svalbard, and chances are you will see them.

Townlife in Svalbard

There are many places to stay in town. Sleeping rooms with shared bathrooms are more affordable options. If you are in for some luxury, five-star accommodations are also available. Svalbard hosts Europe´s largest wine cellar and the northernmost brewery in the world. Head over to the Svalbard Bryggeri, the northernmost brewery in the world for an icy cold beer. The Karlsberger Pub has over 1000 kinds of whisky for you to try. The nightlife in Svalbard is enjoyable and the food is delicious. Restaurant Kroa is a fantastic restaurant filled with seal skins and wooden stools covered in reindeer hides. You experience a true arctic feel when you walk into this place and the food is delicious. If you like pizza, this is the place for you.

Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi: Explore in Winter

Activities to Do in Svalbard Travel

There are many nature activities to do when you visit Svalbard. Hiking in this arctic wonderland is a must-do. The mountain views are worth the hike. It is also rewarding to see Longyearbyen from above or watch the northern lights from a mountain top with friends. Be sure to have a guide with polar bear protection if you leave the vicinity of the city. It is not wise to hike alone in Svalbard.

If you are looking for adventurous activities, I highly recommend booking a trip with Arctic Wildlife Tours. They offer 10-day expeditions on ships. Your chances of seeing polar bears, walruses, bearded seals, ringed seals, whales, and birdlife are extremely high. Spectacular glaciers, mountains, fjords, wildlife, and landscapes will also be awaiting. Traveling with Arctic Wildlife Tours and their highly experienced guides will be the trip of a lifetime.

Photography Trips

If you want to take photography trips when you visit Svalbard, there are guides that will take you to wonderful locations. You can take a trip for a few hours or all day depending on your skill level. Many activities are available to fill your days in Longyearbyen. These include skiing, hiking, dog sledding, and many day tours by boat to name a few. You can always enjoy a meal in town or the comforts of your hotel at the end of the day. There are also interesting sites to see such as the Svalbard Church. It was originally built in 1921, then rebuilt in 1956 after being bombed in world war II. It was the northernmost church until Russia built the St. Nicolas church in Nagurskoye.

Svalbard is a totally unique and surreal place. It will leave you breathless with its vast landscapes and wildlife. It is home to the polar bear, arctic fox, ringed seal, Svalbard reindeer, walrus, and birds galore. Put this place on your bucket list, and visit Svalbard. It is the trip of a lifetime.

For another arctic beauty, check out our Rovaniemi travel guide!

Written by Jeanette Fraser

I was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada, and the outdoors was always a big part of my life. Living on Salt Spring Island for twenty years, I discovered how much I was drawn to nature and photography. Bears and ice are two of my favourite subjects.

I started photographing the bears of the Inside Passage along the coast of BC in 2009. My passion for bears grew to be quite addictive, and the times I spend with them are the happiest in my life. I traveled solo, and generally have amazing adventures, sharing rare moments in nature with like-minded new friends.

Ice is one of the most captivating and beautiful things on Earth; I not only see it but feel it in my entire being. It is not unusual for me to be on the ice for hours, absorbed in its patterns, losing all track of time, completely unaware of how cold the weather actually is. This passion along with bears brought me to Svalbard to enrich my life further.