Things to do in Svalbard and Jan Mayen

25 things to do in Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Explore the Svalbard Museum in Longyearbyen

  Discover the natural and human history of Svalbard through captivating exhibits on Arctic wildlife, coal mining, and polar exploration in this modern museum.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Hike to the summit of Håbergnipa for panoramic views

  A challenging half-day hike from Longyearbyen ascending a shale mountain, rewarding with a breathtaking 360-degree view over Adventfjorden and the surrounding peaks.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Visit the iconic Global Seed Vault

  Marvel at the entrance of this secure doomsday vault carved into a mountain, safeguarding millions of crop seeds for future generations. Interior is not open to the public.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Kayak among icebergs in Tempelfjorden

  Paddle through icy blue waters surrounded by the massive Tunabreen glacier front, with seracs calving into the sea and seals floating nearby.

  Tempelfjorden, Svalbard

• Join a dog sledding expedition on the tundra

  Mush a team of eager huskies across the vast snow-covered valleys under the low Arctic sun, a quintessential Svalbard experience for winter visitors.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Tour the abandoned Russian mining town of Pyramiden

  Step into a Soviet ghost town frozen in time since 1998, with empty buildings, a bust of Lenin, and the world's northernmost grand piano.

  Pyramiden, Svalbard

• Spot polar bears on a summer boat safari

  Cruise the fjords and pack ice of the northwestern coast to observe the King of the Arctic in its natural habitat, often seen hunting seals.

  Woodfjorden/Liefdefjorden, Svalbard

• See the aurora borealis from the Advent Valley

  Witness the ethereal dance of the northern lights against the dark polar sky, often visible from late September through March with minimal light pollution.

  Adventdalen, Svalbard

• Explore Ny-Ålesund, the world's northernmost settlement

  Visit this international research station and former mining town, home to scientists from over ten countries and a historic mast for polar expeditions.

  Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard

• Walk inside an ice cave at Larsbreen glacier

  Descend into a frozen labyrinth of deep blue ice tunnels sculpted by meltwater, a surreal experience just a short snowmobile ride from Longyearbyen.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Have a craft beer at Svalbard Bryggeri

  Sip on locally brewed beer made with 2000-year-old glacier water at the world's northernmost craft brewery, housed in a former coal miner's barracks.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Visit the Svalbard Kirke – the northernmost church

  Enter this welcoming red-and-white church, a community hub that stays open 24/7 for reflection, with a gallery showcasing local art and Arctic history.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Go on a snowmobile safari to the East Coast

  Traverse glaciers and frozen fjords on a multi-day snowmobile journey to the remote east coast, passing majestic ice caps and walrus haul-outs.

  East Svalbard, Svalbard

• Dine at Huset, Svalbard's gourmet restaurant

  Enjoy a fine-dining experience with a menu blending Arctic ingredients like reindeer, seal, and Arctic char, accompanied by one of northern Europe's largest wine cellars.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Discover the abandoned buildings of Colesbukta

  Walk along a beach littered with rusting machinery and wooden cabins from a failed Soviet mining venture, facing a moody, fog-shrouded bay.

  Colesbukta, Svalbard

• Watch the midnight sun from the top of Plateau Mountain

  Take a cable car or climb to the top of Platåfjellet for a view of Longyearbyen bathed in warm 24-hour daylight between April and August.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Join a fossil hunting expedition on Longyearbreen

  Search for well-preserved 40-60 million year old plant fossils amidst the moraine debris of a retreating glacier with a knowledgeable guide.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Take the eerie tour of Mine Number 3

  Crawl through the dark tunnels of a former coal mine to experience the harsh working conditions of miners who built Svalbard, complete with original equipment.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Observe walrus colonies at Kapp Lee

  Visit the sandy shores of Edgeøya where dozens of walruses haul out to rest, a noisy and smelly but unforgettable wildlife spectacle.

  Kapp Lee, Edgeøya, Svalbard

• Explore the Magdalenefjord and its whaling history

  Cruise into a dramatic fjord surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers, with remnants of 17th-century Dutch whaling stations and graves near Gravneset.

  Magdalenefjorden, Svalbard

• Shop and have a coffee at the polar bookstore

  Browse a surprisingly rich collection of Arctic literature and maps at Longyearbyen's northernmost bookstore, then warm up with a hot drink.

  Longyearbyen, Svalbard

• Ascend Beerenberg, the world's northernmost active volcano

  For extreme mountaineers, climb the ice-capped 2,277m summit of this stratovolcano on remote Jan Mayen, an expedition taking several days.

  Jan Mayen

• Visit the Norwegian weather station at Olonkinbyen on Jan Mayen

  Glimpse the tiny isolated community of 18 people who run the meteorological station and support infrastructure on this stark volcanic island.

  Olonkinbyen, Jan Mayen

• Marvel at the bird cliffs of Alkefjellet

  Witness tens of thousands of Brünnich's guillemots, kittiwakes, and glaucous gulls nesting on sheer basalt cliffs plunging straight into the sea.

  Alkefjellet, Spitsbergen, Svalbard

• Sail through the Hinlopen Strait and see polar bears

  Navigate the narrow waterway between Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet, a hotspot for spotting polar bears stalking along the sea ice edge.

  Hinlopenstretet, Svalbard