Jos Dewing

Natalya Getman

Mark Stratton

Jos Dewing

Longyearbyen

A GUIDE BY JOS DEWING

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By Jos Dewing, FRGS

JULY 24, 2025

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I recently travelled to Longyearbyen and my immediate reaction was one of surprise.

As an Arctic town, renowned for being the world’s northernmost settlement, Longyearbyen is more than just a starting point for your Arctic expedition cruise. It's a rare and fascinating destination in its own right, which is why many choose it as their sole travel destination.

I would highly recommend spending a few extra days here, either before or after your cruise, and allow yourself to fully immerse in the stark beauty, rich culture, and raw wilderness of Svalbard, thereby enriching your overall journey to the High Arctic. Whether you're arriving early to acclimatise before your cruise or unwinding afterwards, Longyearbyen offers Arctic charm and modern comfort. Still, it also has the rugged feel of a frontier town, which is unsurprising, given its location just 500 nautical miles from the North Pole.

The first thing that surprised me was the ease of transportation. The airport is located about 10-15 minutes from the town centre, with buses and taxis easily available. Although most cruise operators will provide transfers.

The town, given its location, feels like a typical small town. It has a main high street, pedestrian only, between Vei 500 and Hilmar Rekstens Vei, which has everything you need, an adequately sized COOP supermarket with an excellent selection of fresh food and general items, a post office (to send your polar bear stamped postcards home), bars, restaurants and cafes. Not to mention, there are also some market stalls and a mix of retail shops.

There are two primary hotels, the Radisson Polar Hotel, which is very conveniently located at the lower end of the town's main thoroughfare, and the Funken Lodge, which is about a 20-minute walk from the town centre and up a light to medium gradient. I stayed at the Lodge, a charming boutique hotel with an excellent restaurant and stunning views of the mountains and town on one side, and the glaciers and rocky terrain on the other. The bar area doubles up as an excellent place to view the local wildlife. I saw Arctic Foxes, Snow Buntings and Svalbard Reindeer while enjoying a Svalbard Pale Ale one day.

If, like me, you can’t wait to board your expedition ship, or you have disembarked and already miss the ocean, there is a sauna and jetty in the port where you can do the polar plunge and jump in the sauna afterwards. This was great fun. There are also well-organised and guided boat tours that last around 4 hours. I joined one and saw a Beluga Whale Pod, a Minke Whale and a plethora of beautiful seabirds, including those kooky and colourful puffins.

Just outside Longyearbyen, tucked into the mountainside, lies one of the most secure and important facilities on Earth, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Often referred to as the "Doomsday Vault," it houses more than a million seed samples from nearly every country, preserving the genetic diversity of the world’s crops in the event of global crises such as war, climate change, or disease. While the Seed Vault itself is not open to the public, you can hike or drive to the entrance for a photo of the iconic, icy-lit doorway. It’s a powerful symbol of international cooperation and human resilience, which seems to quietly stand guard over the future of food on a remote Arctic island.

Where is Longyearbyen, Svalbard?

Wildlife I saw in Longyearbyen

What's the weather like in Longyearbyen today?

Expert Tips

By Jos Dewing, FRGS

FOUNDER AND CEO OF EXPLOREARTH

Let's get the bear chat covered first. You will not see polar bears in Longyearbyen. It is not impossible, but it is unlikely. To see the bears, you'll need to get onto an expedition ship. Longyearbyen is also not a place to work out when you get there; planning is everything because you'll want to fit in as much as you can in your short stay in this remarkable town. There is excellent local wildlife, so remember to pack binoculars, especially for the birds like the snow buntings, and you don't need walking or hiking boots to wander around the town and its immediate borders between the mines and the port, trainers are fine.

Weather: Even in summer, conditions are cool (5–10°C). Dress in layers and bring wind- and waterproof clothing.

Accommodations: Book early, especially in peak months (June–August). Longyearbyen offers a range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to guesthouses.

Cafes: If you love dogs, like I do, you'll see plenty of huskies being walked by their owners around the town. But if you need a greater canine fix, the Husky Cafe, with its resident family of these beautiful dogs, is the place to grab a coffee.

Dining: Try local fare, such as Arctic char, and visit Huset or Funken Lodge for fine dining or Svalbard Brewery for a locally brewed beer.

Booking Tours: Many excursions can be arranged through local operators or your hotel. Pre-booking is recommended for popular tours.

Interesting facts I learned

Location for the new 'Superman' movie

I discovered this by chance when I walked past a production company based in Longyearbyen, known for its polar activities. I learned that the 2025 'Superman' movie was filmed at a mine just outside Longyearbyen, a short hike from the town. The scenes of the Fortress os Solitude in the film were shot here in the winter.

Midnight Sun

During the summer months (May–August), the sun never sets in Longyearbyen, which can take some getting used to and certainly plays with your body clock.

Friendly reindeer

You may be surprised how friendly the local Svalbard Reindeer are. The first day I checked into my hotel and went for a walk, one came up to me to check me out. They graze around town and are perfectly happy around visitors.

Jos Dewing

ExplorEarth Glance Guide

Longyearbyen Expedition Season — April to September

Overview of weather, wildlife and activities in the High Arctic gateway to Svalbard.

April

Late winter · Returning light

Weather

Typically very cold, often below freezing · Snow cover still deep · Crisp, dry air.

Wildlife

Svalbard reindeer visible on snowy slopes
Arctic fox in winter coat
Some early seabirds returning to cliffs

Things to Do

Snowmobile expeditions to glaciers & ice caves
Dog sledding on winter trails
Guided photography tours in low-angle Arctic light

May

Spring snow · Midnight sun begins

Weather

Still wintry with freezing temperatures · Bright, dry conditions · Midnight sun in the sky.

Wildlife

Seabird colonies growing on sea cliffs
Reindeer and Arctic fox more active
Chances to see ringed & bearded seals on sea ice

Things to Do

Long snowmobile & ski tours under the midnight sun
Dog sledding to glacier viewpoints
Ice cave visits and historic site excursions

June

Early summer · Sea ice retreat

Weather

Temperatures edging towards freezing or slightly above · Snow melting in town · 24-hour daylight.

Wildlife

Seabird cliffs at their noisiest
Reindeer grazing in snow-free patches
Better chances for walrus & seals from boat tours

Things to Do

First boat trips to fjords & glaciers
Snow-shoeing and early-season hiking
Midnight sun cruises out of Isfjorden

July

High summer · Midnight sun peak

Weather

Cool but relatively mild for the Arctic · Often a few degrees above freezing · Little to no snow in town.

Wildlife

Walrus hauled out on coastal haul-outs
Whales increasingly common in surrounding waters
Teeming seabird colonies & nesting eiders

Things to Do

Day and multi-day boat expeditions to glaciers & pack ice
Hiking on tundra & coastal ridges (with armed guide)
Kayaking among icebergs and glacier fronts

August

Late summer · Rich wildlife

Weather

Cool days, often a few °C above freezing · Sea ice largely away from main fjords · Nights still light or twilight.

Wildlife

Excellent time for walrus & whales on cruises
Reindeer in rich summer coats on the tundra
Bird cliffs still active, chicks fledging

Things to Do

Full range of boat trips around Spitsbergen
Hiking & glacier walks on firmer ground
Wildlife-focused photography expeditions

September

Early autumn · Softer light

Weather

Cooling down, around or below freezing · First fresh snow on peaks · Longer evenings and darker nights returning.

Longyearbyen

By Jos Dewing, FRGS

Where is Longyearbyen, Svalbard?

Wildlife I saw in Longyearbyen

What's the weather like in Longyearbyen today?

Expert Tips

By Jos Dewing, FRGS

Interesting facts I learned

Location for the new 'Superman' movie

Midnight Sun

Friendly reindeer

ExplorEarth Glance Guide

Longyearbyen Expedition Season — April to September

April

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

May

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

June

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

July

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

August

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

September

Weather

Wildlife

Things to Do

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