The Complete Svalbard Summer Guide (2024) – Norway

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INTRODUCTION

For over 20 years, my husband and I have kept a pin tacked into a corkboard map, centered on the remote northern archipelago of Svalbard. We were captivated by countless nature documentaries showcasing stark Arctic landscapes, majestic glaciers, wild ocean waters, and formidable polar bears.

The phenomenon of the midnight sun, shining non-stop for four months, and conversely, the dark polar night, made Svalbard even more intriguing to us.

Despite our keen interest, several obstacles held us back from embarking on such an epic adventure.

The first was logistics. Svalbard is located well into the Arctic Circle, at 78°N, midway between the top of Norway and the North Pole. To get there, you can only fly in from one of two Norwegian cities: Oslo or Tromsø.

The second was cost. Norway, which has sovereignty over Svalbard, is already a notoriously pricey country to visit. Traveling to its most remote regions can get prohibitively expensive.

But at long last, we finally made it happen. Our trip was in July, allowing us to fully experience a Svalbard summer. (I use the term summer lightly. With temperatures hovering just above the freezing point, it still felt like winter to us.)

In this comprehensive guide, I will share everything you need to know about visiting Svalbard in summer, including travel tips, must-do activities, where to stay, and restaurants you don’t want to miss.

Please use the following menu to find what you need quickly, or just read on!

SVALBARD – GENERAL INFORMATION

Affiliate Disclosure: This post on how to visit Svalbard may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no cost to you. All opinions are entirely my own.

WHERE IS SVALBARD?

Svalbard (formerly Spitsbergen) is an archipelago located at roughly 78°N, between mainland Norway and the North Pole. Its three main islands are Spitsbergen (the largest island), Nordaustlandet, and Edgeøya. Spitsbergen is the only island of the group with a full-time population.

HOW DO YOU GET TO SVALBARD?

When visiting Svalbard, you fly into the capital of Longyearbyen on Spitsbergen, a city with a population of a little more than 2500 residents. I will show you where that is on the map below. (Click on it to zoom in/out.)

While there are a couple of other remote lodges and settlements (e.g., Ny-Ålesund, pop. 35), Longyearbyen is where you will be based unless you are exploring the area on a boat cruise.

Svalbard flights to the capital of Longyearbyen run daily from Oslo (southern Norway) and Tromsø (northern Norway). Both SAS (Scandinavian Airlines) and the discount carrier Norwegian Airlines service these routes.

Tip: Book early. With a limited number of flights and seats, prices can rise steeply as availability drops. Additionally, there have been cases of cruise ships pre-booking large blocks of tickets, leaving very few for locals and other visitors.

IS SVALBARD A COUNTRY?

No, Svalbard falls under the sovereignty of Norway due to the Svalbard Treaty of 1920. However, don’t expect to meet many Norwegians in Svalbard. This remote archipelago attracts adventure-seekers from around the world who live and work there. We met very few Norwegians during our visit.

WHAT LANGUAGE DO THEY SPEAK IN SVALBARD?

Although the official language of Svalbard is Norwegian, English is widely spoken.

IS SVALBARD EXPENSIVE?

So expensive, yes! Norway is notoriously expensive, but Svalbard stretches the budget even further. However, with some careful choices, you can avoid letting your costs spiral out of control.

For example, we were able to get a decently priced flight from Oslo to Longyearbyen on Norwegian Air (Norway’s discount carrier). We also saved some money on our hotel booking by reserving flexible/refundable rooms on Booking.com and then rebooking them later when prices dropped. As a general rule, we look for hotels that include a complimentary breakfast in the rate.

There are a limited number of vacation rentals in Longyearbyen. While you may be able to save some money by self-catering or benefit from extra space, the ones I looked at were priced very similarly to the hotels.

Note: An added bonus of booking a hotel in Longyearbyen is that if your flight arrives early or departs late, the hotel will normally store your luggage and let you linger in the lobby. However, I did note that the Tourist Information Office in Longyearbyen let a couple from a vacation rental store their luggage with them for the day.

DO YOU NEED A PASSPORT AND VISA TO VISIT?

All foreign (non-Norwegian) visitors to Svalbard must have a valid passport. While Svalbard is technically considered a visa-free zone, Norway, for some countries, does require a visitor’s visa. As you will likely be flying into Svalbard from mainland Norway, this needs to be taken into account.

The good news is, citizens of all EU and, EEA countries, as well as citizens from the U.K., Canada, the U.S. and Australia do not need a vistor’s visa to enter Norway (and thus Svalbard).

WHAT CURRENCY DOES SVALBARD USE?

The official Svalbard currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Svalbard, however, is largely cashless. This is partly due to the fact that there is no longer a bank in the capital city of Longyearbyen, making handling cash a hassle for local businesses.

Note: We spent three weeks in Norway on this trip and did not need cash once. We ended up using what we had brought with us to buy some last-minute souvenirs at the Oslo airport.

WHY VISIT SVALBARD IN THE SUMMER?

Or, in the words of my sister when I called her mid-trip: “Explain to me again why you are there?”

In the summer, tourists visit Svalbard for wildlife excursions that can include seeing reindeer, Arctic foxes, seals, walruses, whales, and yes, sometimes even polar bears! There are also guided hikes, glacier tours (both on foot and by boat), fjord cruises, and husky tours.

From mid-April to mid-August, you can experience the midnight sun. At this high latitude, the sun does not set at all during this period, providing 24 hours of daylight.

WHAT IS SVALBARD SUMMER WEATHER LIKE?

Whether you are visiting Svalbard in June or August, the weather is fairly consistent, with little rain. The Svalbard summer temperature range runs roughly from 2°C to 7°C (35°F to 45°F). That said, the weather can change rapidly, so you need to be prepared for varying conditions.

We visited Svalbard in July, and more than the cool temperatures, it was the constant wind that we noticed, often making it feel much colder. Even just walking around town, it was nice to have a warm, windproof jacket, a hat, and a neck warmer (buff).

HOW TO GET AROUND LONGYEARBYEN

BUS – If you are visiting Svalbard in the summer, you will either spend most of your time based in Longyearbyen or possibly a night on either end of a boat cruise or a multi-day excursion.

When Svalbard flights arrive, there are buses waiting at the airport for visitors that include stops at all the major hotels and guesthouses. (I had a moment at the luggage carousel of “Shoot, I forgot to plan this piece,” but it was all very easy.) You just load your bags, hop on the bus, and the driver will take payment from you by credit card before driving off.

The adult rate is 110 NOK one way (discounted rates for students/children). See the Flybuss schedule here.

Note: The town is not that big, so if you are at a vacation rental, there will likely be a stop nearby.

TAXIS – There are also taxis available, but it is best to arrange those in advance because there are not that many, and they get busy around plane arrival and departure times. (There were none waiting when our plane arrived.) You can pre-arrange one by filling out the form on the Longyearbyen Taxi site or by calling +47 09175.

Note: We took the bus to our hotel upon airport arrival and returned by cab to give us a little extra time to linger around town before our departure. The return cab fare of 230 NOK was cheaper for our family of four than taking the bus.

BIKES – As I mentioned, the town area is very walkable, but there is also the option to rent bikes from the centrally located tourist information center for 40 NOK per day.

CAR RENTALS – There are car rentals available in Longyearbyen, but to be fair, I can’t imagine why you would need one in a town of this size. When I asked a local why there were so many cars, he said, “Because we are super lazy.”

What I loved more, though, was seeing the snowmobile trailers that are used to ferry people around in the winter. Seeing these definitely made me want to return for the snow season (along with many locals telling us how much more fun Svalbard is in the winter).

Note: When you book any kind of Svalbard tour, it typically includes pickup and drop-off from your accommodations in Longyearbyen. Furthermore, any tours and excursions that involve leaving town require you to be with a guide.

Why? Well… let’s talk about polar bears.

WHAT ABOUT POLAR BEARS?

The opportunity to see polar bears in the wild is one of the main reasons people choose to visit Svalbard. That said (and thankfully so), most of the town of Longyearbyen is located within what is referred to as the polar bear safe zone. On the rare occasion that a polar bear gets close to town, there is a detailed safety plan in place to scare it off.

LONGYEARBYEN SAFE ZONE MAP

Following is a map of the polar bear safe zone from the Visit Svalbard site. It is a bit lacking in detail, but it is helpful to know that all the major hotels and businesses are within the safe zone (shown in light pink). The central town area is the inset rectangle in darker pink. You can safely walk around these areas.

See also Safety in Svalbard (Visit Svalbard).

Outside of the town’s polar bear safe zone, it is quite another story. You must either be licensed to carry a rifle or be with someone who is. For example, if you are on a husky tour outside of town, the guide will have a rifle and ammunition.

It is forbidden to have a loaded weapon inside town, but you may see people carrying unloaded ones, though they are prohibited inside businesses.

You will also see these signs on stores in town. For me, it was my first moment of “Whoa… this place is really different!”

It is possible to rent both rifles and flare guns in Longyearbyen from several outdoor stores (Longyear78 and Sportscenteret) to use for polar bear protection. Persons who do not already have a valid Norwegian firearms permit must apply to the Governor of Svalbard for permission to rent firearms.

WILL YOU SEE A POLAR BEAR IN THE SUMMER?

During the summer months, the bears are typically out on the ice, much further north than the town of Longyearbyen.

We spent a week in July between Longyearbyen and the more remote Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel to the southwest but did not see any polar bears. However, the staff at the remote lodge had seen several bears just a few weeks earlier.

The only people we met who had seen polar bears in Svalbard in July were those who had traveled further north on multi-day boat cruises. What we did see were whales, walruses, seals, Arctic foxes, lots of geese and birds, and many reindeer!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN SVALBARD IN SUMMER

Svalbard is a mesmerizing destination, especially during the summer months when the midnight sun illuminates its breathtaking landscapes. From exploring the unique wildlife to embarking on thrilling adventures, Svalbard summer activities offer something for every traveler.

WILDLIFE VIEWING

REINDEER AND FOXES – With any luck, you should be able to see these right around town! Please keep a respectful distance to avoid stressing them.

WALRUSES AND SEALS – There are some excellent walrus and seal boat tours from Longyearbyen. Other common sightings on these tours include whales, puffins, and other sea birds.

Check out these 1/2 day wildlife cruises from Longyearbyen:

• Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour (5 hrs) with Better Moments.
• Walrus Colony Boat Tour (5 hrs) with Better Moments.
• Wildlife Photography Tour (3-4 hrs) with See & Explore.

BIRDS – You don’t really need to book a Svalbard summer tour to see at least some birds around Longyearbyen. Within the safe town vicinity, you can see barnacle geese, brent geese, eider ducks, Arctic terns (when nesting), and various other seabirds.

There are also boat tours centered around bird watching. These tours offer the opportunity to see Atlantic puffins, Arctic guillemots, auks, and gulls.

See this: Bird Watching & Fjord Tour (7hrs) with Svalbard Adventures.

POLAR BEARS – During the summer, there is just a small chance of seeing a polar bear on a boat tour day trip from Longyearbyen, as they are typically further north on the drifting ice. A multi-day boat cruise around the island offers the best chance to see polar bears in Svalbard during this season.

It’s important to know that polar bears are an endangered species and are protected by law in Svalbard. You won’t find marketing for dedicated polar bear safaris, but with several thousand polar bears in and around Svalbard, there is indeed a chance of seeing one, especially on a multi-day cruise.

SUMMER DOG SLEDDING

During the summer months, the local huskies stay trim by pulling guests behind them on wheeled dog carts. Several operators offer this activity, including hotel pickup and drop-off in Longyearbyen.

Depending on the operator, this activity usually lasts 3-4 hours and typically includes a meet and greet with the dogs, the opportunity to ride in or even drive the cart, and a warm-up drink and snack in a cozy cabin at the end.

The dog sledding company will provide you with boots, suits, gloves, and optionally, goggles. We didn’t take the goggles but wished we had, as the dogs can kick up a lot of mud when they are running. 

We went out with Green Dog Svalbard and had a really fun time. There are several other companies offering a variety of tour options including Svalbard Husky and Arctic Husky Travellers.

Note: When you meet the dogs, they are excited and incredibly loud. This may not be a great activity for young children (there is usually an age minimum) or anyone who could experience sensory overload!

TAKE A MINE TOUR

The Gruve 3 mine tour takes you into the depths of one of the Arctic’s best-preserved coal mines. Our local guide did a superb job of bringing the mine’s history to life, sharing intriguing tales of the miners’ daily lives, their ingenious techniques, and the pivotal role Gruve 3 played in Svalbard’s economic development.

The Svalbard mine tour includes hotel pick up and drop off. Guests can also arrange an airport drop off after the tour as it is quite close to the mine.

See tickets on GetYourGuide.com.

GLOBAL SEED VAULT

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often referred to as the “Doomsday Vault,” is a secure seed bank located in a mountain close to Longyearbyen’s airport. Established in 2008, its primary purpose is to store a vast collection of seeds from around the world to safeguard global food security.

While the seed vault is strictly off-limits to visitors, a couple of guided Svalbard tours make brief stops at the vault for those interested in seeing the exterior. It is also quite near the airport, so if you are taking a taxi from town, you could potentially drive by for a photo. Alternatively, if you plan to do the Gruve 3 mine tour, you’ll pass right by it (though, in our case, it was at high speed, hence the blurry photo above).

Learn more about the Svalbard Global Seed Vault on the Visit Svalbard site.

Note: While the renowned Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta features plans for an amazing new Global Seed Vault Visitor Center on their website, the project seems to have stalled. The proposed completion date shows as 2022, but it is not there yet. It looks pretty amazing though. Check it out here.

CAFE HUSKIES

Normally, I am a little hesitant when it comes to animal-themed cafes, but Cafe Huskies in Svalbard is absolutely delightful. What makes it unique is that it is a lovely community cafe first, which just happens to have some huskies hanging out in it. Not only are the beverages superb, but they also serve great food and have a nicely curated selection of locally-made items in their shop.

We went to this cafe five times because we enjoyed it so much! Did the dogs fall in love with us? No. In fact, they seemed largely indifferent to us, but we did have them curled up beside us a few times, which was enough.

Learn more on the Cafe Huskies website or on Instagram. Want more time with the dogs? Through their site you can also book a walking tour with a husky.

MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES

Longyearbyen has several museums and galleries that offer a rich and captivating insight into the region’s history, exploration, and artistic expression. Here are the ones I enjoyed most.

SVALBARD MUSEUM – This museum is one of the top Svalbard attractions. It offers an in-depth look at the natural and cultural history of the archipelago, featuring exhibits on early exploration, wildlife, and climate change. This museum also has a really nice collection of books in their gift store.

NORTH POLE MUSEUM – Highlights the heroic and perilous expeditions to the North Pole, with artifacts, photographs, and personal accounts from explorers.

NORDOVER GALLERY – Showcases a diverse collection of contemporary and traditional Arctic art, featuring works by local and international artists that capture the region’s unique beauty and culture. This gallery also has a lovely gift shop and is home to the town movie theatre (featuring both documentaries and first-fun movies).

TAKE A HIKE

Longyearbyen is surrounded by mountains and offers some excellent summer hiking terrain. Several companies provide guided hikes (essential for venturing outside the polar bear safe zone), with options suitable for all hiking levels and interests. These include hikes tailored to families, bird-watching hikes, photography hikes, and even hikes on a nearby glacier.

See Longyearbyen hiking tour options on the Visit Svalbard website.

GLACIER TOURS

There are several ways to experience the glaciers near Longyearbyen, Svalbard. You can participate in a guided hike, take a boat tour, or even kayak near them. Many boat tours out of Longyearbyen spend at least some time near a glacier, even if their primary focus is on something else, such as a walrus colony.

• Kayak Among Glaciers (7 hrs.) with Better Moments
• Nature and Wildlife Boat Tour (5 hrs) with Better Moments.
• Walrus Colony Boat Tour (5 hrs) with Better Moments.

DAY TRIPS TO OTHER SETTLEMENTS

NY-ÅLESUND DAY TOUR – Visit the world’s northernmost settlement with a boat trip to Ny-Ålesund (79°N). Originally established as a coal mining town in the early 20th century, it has since transformed into a hub for international scientific collaboration, with researchers from around the globe studying climate change, glaciology, and polar biology.

Many polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen, started their expeditions from Ny-Ålesund!

• Book a Boat Trip to Ny-Ålesund (11 hrs) with Better Moments.

PYRAMIDEN AND BARENTSBURG TOURS – In the past, several companies offered day tours to these two remote Russian mining towns on Svalbard. However, due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the related violations of international law and human rights, most of these tours have been suspended.

Note: I say most, because we did meet a couple that had visited Pyramiden and you can find tour listed on sites like GetYourGuide.com. The majority of companies, however, are following the Visit Svalbard guidelines.

SHOPPING IN LONGYEARBYEN

Normally, I wouldn’t recommend shopping as an activity, but Longyearbyen, despite its small size, offers a great selection of shops. Even better, the goods are tax-free, unlike mainland Norway, which has a 25% value-added tax.

The town has an especially good array of outdoor stores. We ended up replacing some of our outdoor clothing with better items in Longyearbyen because the selection was so good. Even the grocery store was fascinating, as we pondered the logistics of getting avocados from Peru to this remote locale!

There are also numerous local artisans around town. As an example, we stumbled upon the shop of resident jeweler Marina van Dijk while out walking. Not only am I now wearing one of her lovely rings, but as a long-time Longyearbyen resident (over 27 years), she added so much depth to our understanding of this small community.

MEET THE LOCALS

This should really be higher up in this section. I cannot overemphasize how much our interactions with the locals enhanced our time on Svalbard and made us want to return.

From Lars and Tobias at Hotell Polfareren (who patiently answered my many questions), to Lasse at the Karlsberger Pub (who spontaneously joined our table while we were having cocktails), to the jeweler Marina (who shared some of Svalbard’s quirky rules) —all of these people generously shared their knowledge and tips, making our time in Longyearbyen exceptional.

By the end of the week, as we found ourselves joining the locals at the Kulturhus to watch the Euro final, we felt like part of the community. This was notable because in our past experiences traveling in Norway, we’ve found people to be warm but reserved. Svalbard was completely different.

Note: It was explained to us that to successfully live in such a remote and sometimes inhospitable environment, you need the help of your neighbors, and thus people go out of their way to assist you.

EXPERIENCE THE MIDNIGHT SUN

The truth: I feel like I barely slept a wink during our week on Svalbard. And yes, we had both blackout blinds and sleep masks. Something about that 24 hours of daylight (the sun does not slip below the horizon for four months) really messes you up.

That said, it’s really amazing too. I will never forget walking back to our hotel after watching the Euros final, close to midnight, and having it look like this. I mean, how could one possibly sleep?

THE BEST SVALBARD HOTELS

BEST AREA IN LONGYEARBYEN TO STAY IN

Before we get started, I’d like to refer you back to the Longyearbyen map I shared earlier. For the most hassle-free experience, I highly recommend staying in or near the dark pink rectangle on the map. (The light pink area is also part of the polar bear safe zone though.)

Why? Because nearly everything you’ll need is right outside your door—stores, restaurants, pubs, the grocery store, museums, and the all-important Cafe Huskies.

Even during the peak of summer, Longyearbyen’s weather can be quite harsh, so a long walk or cab ride to your hotel is not ideal.

BEST HOTELS IN LONGYEARBYEN

After much research, we chose to stay at the Svalbard Hotell Polfareren (4 ★) and were so happy we did. The location was perfect, the restaurant was top-notch, but what really set this property apart was the service. The hotel staff simply went above and beyond in terms of helping make our stay seamless. See rates for the Hotell Polfareren.

Note: This company also owns the apart-hotel Svalbard Hotell Lodge (3 ★) and The Vault Hotel (3 ★), both of which also get very good reviews. The Vault is home to the best sushi restaurant in town, Nuga.

On the luxury end, The Funken Lodge (5 ★) is very lovely (although it is 800m from the center of town.) Even if you do not stay there, its location on a hill with views over Longyearbyen and beyond, make it a great spot for dinner, a cocktail, or both.

On the more budget-friendy end (if you can call anything budget-friendly in pricey Svalbard), the eclectic Mary-Ann’s Polarrigg (3 ★) offers good value. As with the Funken Lodge, if you do no stay there, then still try to grab a meal at their in-house restaurant, Vinterhagen.

See also, my complete guide to finding the best hotels in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.

SVALBARD HOTEL MAP

If you like a visual, I have plotted my favorite Svalbard accommodation options (in yellow) on the following map:

THE BEST SVALBARD RESTAURANTS

For such a small community, Longyearbyen punches way above its weight in terms of the restaurants. We didn’t have a single sub-par meal there.

Some standouts include:

CAFES AND LIGHT BITES: Both Cafe Huskies and Fruene Cafe and Wine Bar are very good. Fuene also makes some wonderful chocolate!

LIBATIONS: Karlsberger Pub (KB to the locals) is a must-see, cozy bar with a top selection of whiskey on cognac. (It frequently shows up on lists for The Best Bars in the World.) For something a little fancier, pop by the lounge at the Funken Lodge on the hill above town.

DINNER: Huset, Restaurant Polfareren and Gruvelageret all do a great job with Arctic fine dining (reindeer, cod, seal etc.) For something a little more casual, Nuga Sushi and Vinterhagen (in a really cool greenhouse) are both solid options.

VEGAN AND VEGETARIAN – Several times on this trip I thought about how it might be challenging to be in Svalbard as a vegan or vegetarian (especially if it is for ethical reasons as there are animal pelts draped everywhere). Nothing grows in Svalbard, and if it does, you are forbidden from harvesting it. All fruits and vegetables are imported and can be quite challenging to source at times.

The menus at most restaurants are quite small, so I would not expect to see more than one vegetarian or vegan option. You may have better luck at Nuga Sushi and Saenphet Thai. There is also the option of self catering as there is a decent sized grocery store in town.

Note: In a real pinch, the grocery store is full of these Real Turmat camping meals. This brand offers some vegan and vegetarian options. And you know what? They’re pretty good! We had them on one of our more remote excursions.

LONGYEARBYEN MAP

I love a good Google Map so I decided to plot everything I love in Longyearbyen in one place (best hotels, restaurants and activities). I hope it is helpful to you. Please click on this link, or directly on the map to get the interactive version.

SVALBARD DOS & DON’TS

Svalbard is a really different place and there are a few things that will make your visit go more smoothly.

DO – WEAR NICE SOCKS

It has long been a tradition in this region to remove your shoes upon entering a home or business (going back to coal dust from the coal mines). Many places offer slippers for loan, but if not, just make sure you don’t have any holes in your socks!

Note: We fell so in love with the comfortable slippers offered at our hotel (that never in a million years would I have picked up off a store shelf a week earlier), that everyone in our family now owns a pair!

DO – CHAT UP THE LOCALS

Norwegians and internationals alike living in Svalbard are uniquely outgoing. During our week-long stay, we met numerous residents in town who went above and beyond to ensure we had an exceptional experience. (This included making sure our young-adult son knew where the best scene was on weekend evenings!)

DO – BOOK THINGS IN ADVANCE

If you want to do something, ex. a mine tour, a husky tour, secure a table at a top restaurant, do so at least a few days in advance. There were numerous times on our trip when I found that large tour groups had booked out a whole restaurant or had taken up a whole tour time slot.

DO – SEE THE MIDNIGHT SUN

Likely much more than you, I love to go to bed early. (Mornings are my thing.) That said, walking around the streets of Longyearbyen at midnight in the bright sunshine is something that must be experienced!

DO – GET TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE

Longyearbyen has a small hospital but major issues require evacuation to mainland Norway. Make sure your travel medical insurance includes coverage in Svalbard and evacuation if necessary. (This is a good time to review your policy details!)

Despite already having travel medical insurance, we decided to add a separate medical evacuation policy for this trip. After reviewing our existing travel medical insurance policy, we just weren’t confident that it would guarantee evacuation to a hospital of our choice in the event of an accident, and in this case, the nearest hospital in Longyearbyen would not be ideal. (We used the company Global Rescue.)

Note: Although Global Rescue offers evacuation services (rather than general travel medical coverage), they do provide 24/7 consultation with doctors. I tested their services a month later when my daughter developed mild altitude sickness in Cusco, Peru. Their support was exceptional. They assisted me over the phone and by email to find appropriate medical care in an unfamiliar city. They then followed up throughout her recovery in the following days.

DO – FOLLOW THE PACKING LIST

I get into many discussions with my husband when it comes to packing for trips. He likes to underpack – I like to overpack. While I plan to write my own post on what to pack for Svalbard in the summer, this packing video from Visit Svalbard is spot on.

Further to that, here are a few things I would like to emphasize specifically for a Svalbard summer trip:

• While Svalbard doesn’t get a ton of precipitation from June to September, the ground remains quite soggy, so waterproof hiking shoes/boots for excursions are best.

• Svalbard summer temperatures typically range from 2°C to 7°C (35°F to 45°F), so dressing in layers is key. There is also a rather persistent wind that makes you feel a bit colder. A windproof outer shell, a neck buff, a hat, and mittens or gloves are pretty much essential. (Windproof outer shell pants to go over hiking pants are also quite desirable.)

• Don’t forget to bring a sleep mask for a summer Svalbard trip. Although most accommodations have blackout blinds, I have yet to come across a room in northern Norway where a tiny sliver of bright light doesn’t manage to creep in during the Midnight Sun. Some locals even cover their bedroom windows with tinfoil. A local pointed them out to us, saying, “No, we do not have hundreds of meth labs here – it’s just because of the light!”

DON’T – OVERDRESS

After a day of adventure, sure you can spruce up a bit for a dinner, but you certainly don’t need very fancy dress clothes in Svalbard. Even at the fanciest restaurant, a group in their hiking clothes did not look out of place. Two ladies in high heels, however, looked ridiculous.

DO – DRINK BOTTLED WATER

At the time we visited Longyearbyen, the water was safe to drink but it definitely did not taste as good as water in most other places we’ve visited in Norway. It was actually quite heavily treated while we were there and there had been some issues in the past. We ended up having mostly bottled water because we much preferred the taste.

DON’T – CROWD THE WILDLIFE

While wandering around Longyearbyen you will likely see geese, eiderducks, reindeer and even Arctic foxes. Please try to observe them from a respective distance and do not impede their path as this can put unnecessary stress on them.

DO – PRE-PRINT PASSES

Upon your departure, you can pre-print you boarding passes and baggage tags via a kiosk at either the Svalbard Visitors’ Center or the grocery store.

SVALBARD FUN FACTS

• No Cats – Huskies are adored, cats are banned. (Cats are detrimental to the protected bird species.)

• Shoes Off – Shoes are almost never worn indoors including at restaurants and museums. The few exceptions were the pubs and the grocery store.

• No Permanent Residents – It is said that nobody is born or dies on Svalbard—at least not intentionally. Expectant mothers are relocated to mainland Norway as their due date approaches, and the elderly requiring advanced care are also moved. This is because the local hospital is only equipped for basic emergency care.

• Polar Bear Law: Outside the town limits of Longyearbyen, Svalbard it is mandatory to carry a rifle for protection against polar bears.

• Arctic Marathon: Svalbard hosts the world’s northernmost marathon, the Svalbard Marathon, which takes place under the Midnight Sun in June.

• No Street Names: Longyearbyen does not use street names. Instead, addresses are based on house numbers, which can be a bit confusing for newcomers.

• It’s Tax Free – There is no sales tax on Svalbard. (It’s a great place to shop for gifts!) Residents, too, are taxed at a very low rate (but along with that comes rather basic services).

• University in the Arctic: Longyearbyen is home to the University Centre in Svalbard UNIS, which offers a unique opportunity to study in the Arctic.

• Alcohol Rationing – Resident alcohol purchases (beer and hard alcohol) are monitored at by a card system. Hilariously, wine and cider purchases are not monitored. I was told this system goes back to the coal mines where upper management was concerned about how much the miners were drinking but didn’t want their own wine consumption curbed.

LEARN MORE

This BBC video does a great job of capturing the spirit of Svalbard, as does the YouTube channel of Cecilia Blomdahl, who shares videos of her daily life in Svalbard.

The Visit Svalbard website can also help answer a lot of questions about the logistics of planning a trip to this remote destination.

Should you have further questions about a Svalbard summer trip, please feel free to reach out to me via direct message on Instagram, by email, or by leaving a comment below. I love hearing from readers.

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