What to do in Svalbard depends above all on when you come. Summer is about boats, hikes and wildlife under the midnight sun; winter about snowmobiles, ice caves and the aurora. But some of the best experiences in Longyearbyen work all year — and several are free.
Popular things to do in Longyearbyen
Year-round essentials
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Go inside Coal Mine 3 (Gruve 3)
The best-reviewed tour in town (4.8/5, 500+ reviews): miner’s gear, headlamps and the story of the industry that created Longyearbyen. About €139, 3 hours.
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See the Svalbard Global Seed Vault
The « doomsday vault » storing more than a million seed samples is closed to visitors, but its illuminated entrance above the airport is iconic. A short guided drive (≈ €113, 2 h) adds context and viewpoints.
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Visit the Svalbard Museum
Trappers, whalers, miners and Arctic nature explained in a modern building next to the university. Perfect for your first afternoon.
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Walk through Longyearbyen
Colourful houses, the northernmost church in the world with regular services, old mining cable-car towers and the polar bear sign at the edge of town. A guided walking tour (≈ €116) explains it all.
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Go on a wildlife safari
Reindeer, Arctic foxes and birds, 4 hours by van. See our Svalbard wildlife guide.
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Taste the world’s northernmost brewery
Svalbard Bryggeri offers tastings and brewery tours. Details in our food and restaurant guide.
Things to do in summer (June–September)
- Boat trip to Pyramiden and the Nordenskiöld Glacier — the classic day trip: Pyramiden guide.
- Private glacier & wildlife boat — Oscar II Land, lunch on board: boat tours compared.
- Hike Platåfjellet for the view over town and Isfjorden (≈ €126, 2.5 h) — book the guided hike.
- Glacier hike on Longyearbreen or further afield — glacier hiking adventure.
- Kayaking in Isfjorden and e-bike rides to the Seed Vault (e-bike tour).
- Midnight sun walks: from late April to late August the sun never sets.
- Expedition cruise for polar bears and walruses — see our cruise guide.
Things to do in winter and spring (November–May)
- Snowmobile to an ice cave or to the east coast — snowmobile tours compared.
- Dog sledding with huskies in Adventdalen.
- Northern lights during the polar night — aurora guide.
- Snowshoeing to a glacier (≈ €265) — book the snowshoe hike.
- Ice climbing on a glacier with a guide (≈ €345) — glacier ice climbing.
- Festivals: Polarjazz (early February), the Sun Festival week around 8 March, and Dark Season Blues (late October).
Read also:Best Time to Visit Svalbard: Month-by-Month Guide (Midnight Sun, Polar Night, Aurora)
What to do in Spitsbergen on a rainy or stormy day
Svalbard weather changes fast. Keep these for bad days: the Coal Mine 3 tour, the Svalbard Museum, the North Pole Expedition Museum, the Galleri Svalbard art gallery, a brewery tasting and a long lunch at one of the town’s restaurants.
| Activity | Season | Duration | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Mine 3 tour | All year | 3 h | €139 |
| Seed Vault & viewpoint | All year | 2 h | €113 |
| Guided walking tour | All year | 2.5 h | €116 |
| Wildlife safari by van | All year | 4 h | €152 |
| Pyramiden boat tour | Summer | 9 h | €445 |
| Snowmobile & ice cave | Winter–spring | 3.5 h | €300 |
| Northern lights tour | Sep–Mar | 3–4 h | €150–180 |
Quiz: Longyearbyen trivia
Tap an answer — you will see the explanation instantly.
Can you go inside the Global Seed Vault?
The vault is closed to visitors; tours show you the entrance and explain how it works.
What do locals expect you to do when entering many buildings?
Removing shoes is a tradition dating from the coal mining era.
When is the Sun Festival celebrated in Longyearbyen?
The town celebrates when the sun reaches the old hospital steps again, around 8 March.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Svalbard?
Boat trips, glacier hikes and wildlife in summer; snowmobile, ice caves, dog sledding and the aurora in winter; the coal mine tour, the Seed Vault, museums and restaurants all year.
What is the best thing to do in Longyearbyen?
In summer, the Pyramiden and glacier boat tour; in winter, a snowmobile trip to an ice cave. The Coal Mine 3 tour is the top-rated activity all year.
Is there anything free to do in Longyearbyen?
Walking around town, seeing the church, the Seed Vault from the road and watching reindeer at the edge of town are free. Stay inside the settlement limits without polar bear protection.
Can you visit the Global Seed Vault?
Not inside. You can see the entrance on a short guided tour or from the road.
How many days do you need in Svalbard?
Three to five days lets you combine two or three tours with a buffer day for weather.
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