Svalbard

Polar bears, glaciers and endless summer light, halfway to the North Pole.
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svalbard

the high arctic

Svalbard is an archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole. It’s home to more polar bears than people, and its glaciers, fjords and mountains are wild and beautiful.

In summer, expedition ships explore the coast in 24-hour daylight; in winter it’s a land of snow and northern lights.

where to go

where to go

  1. 01

    Longyearbyen

    The small main town and gateway.

  2. 02

    Isfjorden

    A large fjord with glaciers and wildlife.

  3. 03

    Pyramiden

    An abandoned Soviet mining town.

  4. 04

    The north-west coast

    Glaciers, walruses and polar bears.

  5. 05

    Nordaustlandet

    Remote ice caps in the north-east.

  6. 06

    The pack ice

    The edge of the sea ice, home to polar bears.

when to go

the seasons in svalbard

Svalbard is best from March to September.

March to May

winter

Snow, sunshine and snowmobile trips.

June to August

summer

The midnight sun and expedition cruises.

November to January

polar night

Dark, with northern lights.

where to stay

places we love

Looking for something different? We know many more hotels and villas in Svalbard, and we'll happily suggest the right one for you.

experiences

what we love to arrange

Polar bear expedition

Search for polar bears on a small ship.

Snowmobile safari

Ride across the snow to the east coast.

Dog sledding

Travel by sled in winter or on wheels in summer.

Glacier hike

Walk on a glacier with a guide.

Kayaking

Paddle among the icebergs in summer.

Northern lights

See the aurora in the polar night.

good to know

questions we’re often asked

Anything else you’d like to know? Simply ask us.

When can we see polar bears?

Most often from ships in summer, from June to August.

How do we get there?

Via Oslo or Tromsø.

Is Svalbard good for families?

Yes, for older children who enjoy adventure.

What should we pack?

Warm layers. We send a full packing list before travel.

get in touch

ready to plan svalbard?

Tell us your dates and we'll plan your Arctic adventure.

Start a conversation

Discreet. Personal. No obligation.

IATA accreditedTakumiansTraveller Made member agencyATOL protected

Travel advice: The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has up-to-date advice on health and safety across the globe, as well as local laws, and passport and visa information. Please check travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel regularly for updates ahead of travel, as the advice can change.