Things to do in Svalbard and Jan Mayen

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

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

Marvel at the entrance of this secure doomsday vault carved into a mountain, safeguarding millions of crop seeds for future generations.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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