Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen is the largest settlement of Svalbard, Norway. It is located in the valley of Longyeardalen and on the shore of Adventfjorden, a bay of Isfjorden located on the west coast of Spitsbergen.

Gallery Svalbard showcases works by artists who have been inspired by the light and landscapes of Svalbard.

Svalbard Museum located in the Svalbard Forskningspark (The Svalbard Scientific Park), features a highly comprehensive collection of artefacts covering the 400 years of human activity since the archipelago’s discovery, and a modern display of the area’s flora and fauna.

Svalbard Kirke (church), around 1km from the port, is always open and used for a range of local activities.

There are also many excursions available including sightseeing by car or bus in Longyearbyen, dog sledding on wheels, Arctic Boat Trips, kayaking and numerous hiking trips for fit and keen hikers.

Longyearbyen has shops selling everything from fresh food and sports equipment to gifts and souvenirs like gold and handcrafts. Svalbard is not subject to customs and VAT regulation.

Menus feature local dishes such as reindeer, rakfish (Norwegian cured and fermented fish) and pickled herrings, along a range of international options.

Cruise ships dock at the Longyearbyen port, if busy ships may anchor and tender passengers ashore.

There are usually shuttle buses at the pier. The centre of town is around 1.8km away.