Pyramiden is one of the strangest places in the Arctic: a Soviet coal-mining town frozen in time since its last miners left in 1998. The northernmost statue of Lenin still watches over a central square, a grand piano waits in the culture house, and Arctic terns nest on window ledges. Getting there from Longyearbyen is an adventure in itself.
Pyramiden tours: live prices and availability
Longyearbyen: Pyramiden & Glacier Arctic Boat Tour
Top pick
- Duration: 9 h
- Price: from ≈ €445
- Boat: open RIB
- Includes: lunch, drysuit & safety gear, guided town tour, transfers
- Rating: 4.6/5 (50+ reviews)
Hotel pickup, safety briefing at the harbour and off you go across Isfjorden. The boat stops at Skansbukta, famous for its layered cliffs, reaches Pyramiden around lunchtime, then passes the massive Nordenskiöld Glacier on the way back.
What you see on the Pyramiden tour
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Isfjorden and Skansbukta
The ride across Svalbard’s largest fjord system offers mountain panoramas and often seabirds, seals or even whales. Skansbukta’s gypsum cliffs and old mining hut make a scenic first stop.
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The ghost town of Pyramiden
A local guide (armed — bears are regular visitors) walks you through the town: Lenin’s bust, the Soviet-era apartment blocks, the sports hall, the canteen with its mosaic and the culture house. The town is named after the pyramid-shaped mountain above it.
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Lunch at Hotel Tulpan
Lunch is served in the restaurant of the reopened Soviet hotel. Look out for the bar — one of the northernmost in the world.
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Nordenskiöld Glacier
On the way back the boat stops in front of Nordenskiöldbreen, a wide glacier front where calving is possible. It is the highlight for many visitors.
Pyramiden by boat vs by snowmobile
| Boat trip | Snowmobile expedition | |
|---|---|---|
| Season | June–September | March–May (conditions permitting) |
| Duration | 9 h | Full day or 2 days |
| Price | from ≈ €445 | varies (full-day and multi-day expeditions) |
| Experience | Fjords, glacier, lunch in town | Frozen valleys, sea ice, true expedition |
| Level | Easy (sitting, cold) | Demanding, driving licence required |
If you visit in spring, look at the multi-day snowmobile expeditions in our snowmobile guide. Motor traffic on the sea ice of some fjords is restricted after 1 March, so routes vary.
Pyramiden or Barentsburg?
Pyramiden is abandoned, eerie and photogenic, with a glacier stop on the way. Barentsburg is still a living Russian mining town of a few hundred people, with a small museum, a brewery and Soviet murals. If you can only do one, most visitors choose Pyramiden. Both are covered in our Longyearbyen boat tour comparison.
See the Barentsburg boat tour →
Read also:Best Things to Do in Svalbard & Longyearbyen, Season by Season (2026)
Tips for your Pyramiden trip
- Dress warmly: the drysuit protects from water and wind, but wear thermal layers, a hat and gloves underneath.
- Camera: bring a waterproof bag; spray is common on the RIB.
- Health: the RIB ride can be bumpy. Tell the operator about back problems or pregnancy before booking.
- Money: bring a card for drinks and souvenirs in Pyramiden.
- Plan a buffer: strong wind can postpone the trip — book it early in your stay.
- ✔ Pros
- Unique Soviet ghost town
- Glacier front and bird cliffs on the same day
- Lunch and all gear included
- Well-reviewed operator
- ✘ Cons
- Long day on an open boat
- Can be cancelled by wind
- Summer only by boat
- Not ideal for back problems
Quiz: Pyramiden
Tap an answer — you will see the explanation instantly.
When did the last miners leave Pyramiden?
Coal mining stopped and the town was abandoned in 1998.
Which glacier do you see on the way back?
Nordenskiöldbreen flows into Billefjorden, opposite Pyramiden.
Why is the town called Pyramiden?
The name comes from the mountain Pyramiden, whose shape looks like a pyramid.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Pyramiden from Longyearbyen?
By boat in summer (about 9 hours round trip including the visit) or by snowmobile in late winter and spring. There is no road.
How much does a Pyramiden tour cost?
The boat tour costs from about €445 per person, including lunch, gear, guided tour and hotel transfers.
Can you stay overnight in Pyramiden?
Yes, Hotel Tulpan offers rooms, but you must organise transport and polar bear protection. Most visitors do a day trip.
Is the Pyramiden tour worth it?
For most visitors, yes: it combines a unique ghost town, fjord scenery and a glacier front in one day.
When does the Pyramiden boat tour run?
Mainly from June to September, depending on ice and weather.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links to GetYourGuide. If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.