What do people in Longyearbyen do?

Longyearbyen is a very cool town to visit, but the best part about a visit here is leaving town and venturing out into the wilderness. Cruise the fjords, go on a snowmobile or dog sledding expedition, go kayaking or hiking… there are tons of adventures to choose from.

Is Longyearbyen worth visiting?

But despite the significant costs involved and the time it takes to get there, Svalbard is 100% worth a visit. The scenery is spellbinding, and the islands offer you the chance to enjoy experiences that few other destinations can offer.

Does Svalbard have summer?

Summer: June – August High summer in Svalbard is prime time for a Svalbard cruise. As summer progresses, new areas become accessible again as the ice melts, and walking the snow-free tundra is a real highlight. July is the warmest month, with average temperatures of 3 – 7 °C (37.4 – 44.6 °F).

Can you see polar bears in Svalbard in summer?

Polar bears can be encountered anywhere in Svalbard in the summer, along the beaches, in the valleys and up on the glaciers. In winter, of course, the sea ice is a favourite of the bears, especially areas with fast ice with good habitats for ringed seals.

Can I move to Longyearbyen?

Everybody may live and work in Svalbard indefinitely regardless of country of citizenship. The Svalbard Treaty grants treaty nationals equal right of abode as Norwegian nationals. Non-treaty nationals may live and work indefinitely visa-free as well.

What is minimum wage in Svalbard?

6,610 NOK per month
Minimum wage Salaries in Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands range from 6,610 NOK per month to 117,000 NOK per month.

Can you see Northern Lights in Svalbard?

One of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights in Svalbard is a truly unique experience. Naturally, you can experience this in the evening or at night, but in Svalbard the darkness of the Polar Night enables you to experience this during daytime too.

Do I need a car in Svalbard?

No. There are only about 50 km of roads suitable for cars in and around Longyearbyen. There are no roads connecting Longyearbyen with Barentsburg, Pyramiden, Ny-Ålesund or Isfjord Radio. However, you can get to these destinations by other means of transport such as by boat or snowmobile.

Can you swim in Svalbard?

Swimming in ice-cold water is both exciting and dangerous experience. The most important thing is safety. All the swimmers go through a necessary medical check, and if the responsible doctor notices something wrong with someone in the water, that swimmer will be immediately taken back into the boat.

How hot does it get in Longyearbyen?

In Longyearbyen, the summers are short, very cold, and dry; the winters are long, frigid, snowy, and windy; and it is overcast year round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 3°F to 47°F and is rarely below -19°F or above 53°F.

Do you need a gun in Svalbard?

Due to the polar bear threat on Svalbard, anyone travelling outside the settlements must be equipped with suitable means of scaring off polar bears. The office of the Governor of Svalbard also recommends carrying firearms with you.

When should I go to Longyearbyen?

Summer is the perfect time to plan a wildlife holiday in Svalbard. Not only is the midnight sun shining from 19 April to 23 August, providing unlimited time for observing fauna and flora, but the break-up of sea-ice allows small-ship polar voyages to navigate around Spitsbergen and other islands in the archipelago.