15 Must-See Places When Visiting Svalbard in 2025 (Local Guide)

Svalbard stands as one of Earth’s most remarkable places, where polar bears roam in greater numbers than humans. This Norwegian archipelago sits deep in the Arctic Circle and is a true adventurer’s paradise. Permanent ice from more than 1,500 glaciers blankets nearly 60% of its terrain.

The arctic playground comes alive through seasonal changes. Summer brings temperatures between 3-7°C, while winter skies light up with spectacular northern lights. The midnight sun bathes the landscape during summer months. My frequent visits to this region have taught me that the best time to experience Svalbard is from May through September. Temperatures can reach 10°C, and wildlife sightings are abundant.

Longyearbyen, the world’s northernmost city, is home to over 1,000 residents and serves as a gateway to arctic adventures. Visitors can spot beluga whales, walruses, and Arctic foxes in their natural habitat. This arctic paradise comes with a price tag that matches its remote location – daily accommodation costs range from 1,000 to 3,100 NOK.

Longyearbyen Town Center

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Longyearbyen, the administrative center of Svalbard, sits beautifully between steep mountains and glaciers. This remarkable town is home to 2,400 residents from 53 different countries. American John Munro Longyear founded this 117-year old mining settlement in 1906, and it has grown into a bustling center for tourism and research.

Longyearbyen History & Culture

The town’s story begins with its coal mining heritage. Store Norske Spitsbergen Kulkompani took control of operations in 1916. The community evolved from a company town to a diverse settlement in 1989. Tourism now drives the local economy, along with research and education at the University Center in Svalbard.

Longyearbyen Best Photo Spots

Photography lovers will find amazing shots at these spots:

• Operafjellet Viewpoint: The town’s panoramic beauty unfolds here
• Sarkofagen: Mountain landscapes create dramatic backdrops
• Colorful Houses: The town’s iconic row of vibrant buildings stands out
• Adventfjorden Shore: The fjord’s peaceful scenes captivate visitors

Longyearbyen Local Tips

My experience suggests you should remove your shoes before entering shops and restaurants – a custom from the old mining days. The town center has most hotels, restaurants, and shops conveniently located. Kroa, a local favorite, serves excellent traditional meals. Their burger with lingonberry sour cream is a must-try. The best Northern Lights views await at Sukkertoppen, away from the town’s bright lights.

Svalbard Museum

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The award-winning Svalbard Museum sits in the Svalbard Science Center and tells the archipelago’s rich 400-year story through its artifacts and photographs.

Svalbard Museum Exhibits

The museum holds over 28,000 digital images that capture nature, wildlife, and daily life from the late 19th century to today. The sort of thing I love about the permanent exhibition is its range – from stuffed Arctic animals to coal mining equipment. Kids can get hands-on with interactive displays to uncover a plesiosaur fossil replica and crawl through a mining tunnel. The collection also has unique historical items like claim annexation signs from 1900 and a vast archive of diaries and letters.

Svalbard Museum Opening Hours

You can visit the museum daily from 10:00 to 17:00 throughout the year. The facility stays closed on January 1-2, May 17, December 24-26, and December 31. During holidays (December 27-30), the museum runs shorter hours from 10:00 to 16:00.

Svalbard Museum Ticket Prices

As of 2025, admission prices are:

• Adults: NOK 160
• Students: NOK 110
• Local residents: NOK 60
• Children: Free admission

You’ll need about 60-90 minutes to see the simple exhibition. The museum’s gift shop has a carefully picked selection of maps, books in multiple languages, and local items like knitwear and jewelry.

Pyramiden Ghost Town

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Pyramiden, a Soviet ghost town named after its pyramid-shaped mountain, sits deep in Svalbard’s rugged terrain. Sweden founded it in 1910 and sold it to the Soviet Union in 1927. This abandoned settlement tells a compelling story of Arctic ambition.

Pyramiden Ghost Town History

The town thrived during the 1980s with over 1,000 residents. It had everything from a cultural center to a sports complex and a 24-hour cantina. The Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991 started the town’s decline. A devastating plane crash in 1996 sealed its fate. The last permanent residents left on October 10, 1998, and left behind a perfectly preserved slice of Soviet life.

Pyramiden Ghost Town Tours

The town saw new life in 2007. Hotel Tulpan opened its doors again in 2013 with 38 twin rooms and 5 suites. Visitors can reach the town by boat from mid-June to late September. Snowmobile access runs from mid-March to early May. Guided tours take you through abandoned buildings, including the cultural palace and the world’s northernmost Lenin statue.

Pyramiden Ghost Town Photography Tips

Photographers should keep these techniques in mind:

• Shoot during golden hours when Arctic light creates soft hues on Soviet architecture
• Pick wide-angle lenses to highlight the contrast between buildings and landscape
• Capture interior details that reveal daily life stories
• Add wildlife shots to show nature taking over the settlement

The Arctic climate preserves the town perfectly. This makes Pyramiden a must-visit spot for anyone exploring Svalbard. Here, Soviet-era life stands frozen in time.

Barentsburg Russian Settlement

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Barentsburg remains Russia’s last settlement in Svalbard, blending Soviet heritage with modern Arctic life. The settlement had about 455 residents in 2020.

Barentsburg Settlement Highlights

Soviet-era architecture creates a striking contrast with the Arctic landscape. Visitors can check out the Pomor Museum to see Arctic flora, fauna, and archeological discoveries preserved in permafrost. The settlement boasts the world’s northernmost cosmic rays station and keeps a year-round meteorological observatory running. The Red Bear Pub & Brewery makes its home in a converted laundry house, serving locally crafted beers and authentic Russian cuisine.

Barentsburg Settlement Tours

The settlement welcomes visitors with several exciting activities. People can take a rare tour of the world’s only operating coal mine that’s open to visitors. Tourists can also enjoy:

• Town walks featuring Soviet-era architecture
• Dog sledding adventures with eight dog breeds
• Kayak trips in Grønfjorden
• Arctic wildlife watching

Barentsburg Settlement Cultural Experience

Russian music and dance come alive at regular performances in the cultural center. The Pomor Museum tells the story of Pomor culture and Arctic exploration history. Russian character shines through the town’s Cyrillic signs, Orthodox chapel, and authentic cuisine in local restaurants. Norwegian currency works well here, and prices match Norwegian standards.

Adventfjorden

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Majestic mountains that rise up to 1,000 meters surround Adventfjorden, one of Svalbard’s most historic fjords.

Adventfjorden Activities

Kayaking is the most popular activity on the fjord. Double kayaks glide through pristine waters and give you a great point of view of Longyearbyen and the towering Hiortfjellet mountain. You need simple swimming skills to join these tours, and participants must be 12 years or older. The surrounding area also comes alive with winter activities, making it perfect for year-round adventures.

Adventfjorden Wildlife Spotting

Wildlife thrives in and around the fjord throughout the year. Humpback whales swim into these waters to feed. You can spot:

• Arctic foxes and reindeer near Longyearbyen
• Little auks nesting on higher slopes
• Arctic terns and Kittiwakes near the airport
• King Eiders around small ponds in June

Adventfjorden Photography Tips

Arctic wildlife photography needs specific techniques. You should shoot with a fast shutter speed of 1/500th second and keep an f-stop around f/8 or f/9 for the best results. The challenging white landscape can trick light meters on overcast days. Expert photographers suggest keeping spare batteries in inner pockets because cold temperatures reduce battery life by a lot. The fjord’s 24-hour summer sunlight is a chance to capture the raw beauty of Arctic nature.

Svalbard Global Seed Vault

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The Svalbard Global Seed Vault stands as one of humanity’s most significant safeguards, located 1,300 kilometers beyond the Arctic Circle deep within the Arctic permafrost.

Seed Vault Architecture

“Perpetual Repercussion”, a fiber-optic art installation, lights up the vault’s entrance and serves as a beacon from afar. The facility burrows 120 meters into the mountain with three rock vaults carved into pristine solid rock. Natural permafrost in the mountain keeps temperatures between -3°C and -4°C. Additional cooling systems lower the seed storage temperature to -18°C.

Seed Vault Visiting Information

The vault doesn’t allow public entry. All the same, visitors can experience the facility’s interior through a virtual tour without facing the -18°C temperature. Located 130 meters above sea level, the vault is a 40-minute walk from Longyearbyen’s port. Visitors can take regular tour busses to the viewing area near the entrance.

Seed Vault Significance

The vault protects 1,301,397 seed samples from almost every country worldwide. Each sample has about 500 seeds stored in airtight aluminum bags. With a total capacity of 4.5 million seed varieties, the facility serves as backup storage for gene banks worldwide. The vault showed its vital role in 2015 when Syria’s civil war led to the first-ever seed withdrawal to establish new regional seed banks in Morocco and Lebanon.

Nordenskiöld Glacier

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The magnificent Nordenskiöld Glacier stands tall between Dickson land and Bünslow land. This natural wonder shows nature’s raw power in all its glory.

Nordenskiöld Glacier Tours

Closed RIB boats take visitors on glacier tours with space for 12 passengers. These boats have heating systems and onboard toilets to keep everyone comfortable. Ice conditions in Billefjorden might limit glacier access during early season visits. The boats also feature a partially enclosed cabin that shields passengers from cold weather and choppy waters.

Nordenskiöld Glacier Activities

The glacier’s surroundings are perfect for spotting wildlife. Small icebergs and ice flakes drift in the waters and create a magical scene. You can hear air bubbles pop inside the ice, which adds to the experience. Wildlife loves this area, so bring binoculars to get the best views.

Nordenskiöld Glacier Photography

Here’s what you need to capture the glacier’s beauty:

• Professional cameras with zoom lenses (24-105mm works great for regular shots)
• Wide-angle lenses (16-35mm) to capture the whole landscape
• Telephoto zoom (100-400mm) to photograph wildlife

The environment stays pristine when photographers stick to marked trails. Wildlife needs space – stay 100 yards from bears and wolves, and 25 yards from other animals. Your camera settings should be double-checked before sharing photos on social media.

Gruve 3 Mine

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Gruve 3, located minutes from Longyearbyen’s center, showcases Svalbard’s rich coal mining heritage and gives visitors a fascinating look into the archipelago’s industrial past.

Gruve 3 Mine History

Store Norske Spitsbergen Coal Company ran the mine from 1971 to 1996. The tunnel height measured between 60-90 centimeters. The mine used traditional extraction methods because of these space limitations, even during its modern operation period.

Gruve 3 Mine Tours

The site now welcomes visitors with guided tours. A hotel pickup service takes guests on a 10-minute drive to the location. Tour requirements include:

• Minimum age: 12 years
• Normal physical fitness
• Knowing how to walk 1.5 kilometers in rugged terrain
• Minimum group size of 2 guests

Gruve 3 Mine Experience

Each visitor gets essential safety gear including a helmet, headlamp, and optional coveralls. The tour starts with a look at the facility’s original untouched machinery. The highlight comes when visitors walk through a main tunnel that miners dug in the 1970s.

Visitors learn about miners’ daily challenges firsthand by crawling through low-height passages similar to their work environment. The tour reveals Svalbard’s complex geology through visible coal veins and rock formations. Guests can take home a piece of coal as a locally produced souvenir to end their visit.

Svalbard Church

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The red wooden Svalbard Church stands on a hill overlooking Longyearbyen. It serves as both a spiritual sanctuary and community hub in the Arctic wilderness. Architect Hans Magnus designed this rectangular structure in 1958, which can accommodate 140 people.

Svalbard Church Architecture

The church’s design captures the essence of its Arctic setting. Its original silver altar candlesticks and baptismal bowl remain preserved from the previous church. The building has two main spaces: a 126-square-meter congregational hall and a 112-square-meter community lounge. This church holds the distinction of being the world’s second-northernmost church, with only a Russian Orthodox Church on Franz Josef Land being further north.

Svalbard Church Services

The church welcomes worshippers for services on Tuesday evenings and select Sundays. The facility hosts a variety of community activities that bring people together:

• Postnatal support groups and children’s activities
• Musical productions and cultural events
• Board game nights and social gatherings

Svalbard Church Visitor Information

The church keeps its doors open 24/7. Visitors need to remove their outdoor footwear in the cloakroom, a custom that dates back to the mining era. Tea and coffee are available free of charge, though donations are welcome. The church is accessible by walking along the main road between the North Pole Expedition Museum and Huset. Visitors can choose between two routes that cross the Longyearbyen river from downtown and Funken Lodge.

Magdalenefjorden

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The spectacular Magdalenefjorden stretches 8 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide along Spitsbergen’s western coast. This beautiful fjord draws photographers from everywhere thanks to its alpine-like scenery.

Magdalenefjorden Cruises

Ships of all sizes can navigate the fjord’s wide waters. Even the largest cruise ships can make 180-degree turns here. Most cruise experiences start with a half-day trip from Longyearbyen. The water’s surface creates a perfect mirror, reflecting mountain peaks that blend the sky and sea into one stunning view.

Magdalenefjorden Wildlife

The fjord is home to abundant marine and bird life. You’ll find:

• 16 northern fulmar colonies between Magdalenefjorden and Hamiltonbukta
• Several colonies of little auks, Brünnich’s guillemots, and black guillemots
• Ringed seals during their molting season from May to June
• Regular sightings of minke whales and belugas in the waters

Magdalenefjorden Activities

The fjord offers adventures throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy winter activities under the northern lights, while summer brings endless daylight with the midnight sun. Nature enthusiasts love this protected area’s rich bird population, including Ross polar seagulls, arctic terns, and marine magpies. Gravneset’s whaler’s graveyard and blubber oven remains tell fascinating stories from the 17th to late 18th century.

Ny-Ålesund Research Station

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Ny-Ålesund Research Station stands at 79 degrees north as the world’s northernmost year-round research community.

Ny-Ålesund Station History

We started the station as a coal mining settlement in 1916, and its mining operations claimed 76 lives through the years. A devastating mining accident on November 5, 1962, took 21 lives and led to the closure of mining activities. The settlement became famous as Roald Amundsen’s launching point for North Pole expeditions.

Ny-Ålesund Station Tours

The station maintains strict visitor controls to safeguard sensitive research equipment. Visitors must disable all Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices within a 20-kilometer radius. The station offers access to:

• The Kongsfjordbutikken store
• Local Ny-Ålesund Museum
• World’s northernmost post office

Ny-Ålesund Station Research

The station supports 35 permanent residents year-round, and this number grows to 150 during summer months. Scientists from more than 20 research institutions across 10 countries operate permanent facilities at the station. Svalbard’s largest collection of protected cultural heritage sites exists here, with 29 buildings receiving automatic protection. Scientists study climate change extensively, as Svalbard’s warming rate doubles the global average. The station ended up providing comprehensive research infrastructure that supports studies in glaciology, oceanography, geology, physics, and biology.

Camp Barentz

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Camp Barentz sits 10 kilometers from Longyearbyen, right below Mine 7 at Breinosa mountain’s foot. This place gives visitors an authentic taste of Arctic wilderness.

Camp Barentz Activities

We centered the camp’s activities around local food and culture. Guests can enjoy delicious homemade reindeer stew cooked on an open fire. The evening brings:

• Stories about how we found Svalbard
• Fun talks about polar bears and local wildlife
• Traditional Arctic food with free drinks
• Local university researchers sharing their knowledge

Camp Barentz Northern Lights

The camp’s spot away from Longyearbyen’s lights makes it perfect to see the aurora. The place runs through the polar night, and the northern lights might show up anytime. Guests gather around a warm campfire and learn about the aurora’s magic through engaging talks.

Camp Barentz Experience

A bus picks guests up from their hotels, and they get a safety briefing once they arrive. The cozy wooden cabin stands as the heart of the experience – it’s a replica of Willem Barentz’s 1596 shelter. Everyone sits on benches lined with reindeer fur in this traditional setting. Since the camp lies in polar bear country, armed guides keep everyone safe. Visitors can come year-round for three-hour Arctic adventures that change with the seasons.

Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel

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The remarkable Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel stands where civilization meets wilderness, right at the edge of Svalbard’s rugged coastline near the Arctic Ocean. This luxury retreat was once a radio station that has found new life as an adventure destination.

Isfjord Radio Location

You’ll find this remote outpost about 90 kilometers from Longyearbyen at Cape Linné, with no roads leading to it. The hotel commands spectacular panoramic views of the Isfjorden and Forlandet islands, showcasing the raw beauty of the Arctic landscape. The surrounding area teems with wildlife – arctic foxes roam freely, Svalbard reindeer graze peacefully, and seabirds soar overhead.

Isfjord Radio Accommodation

The historic facility dates back to 1933 and consists of a main building with two additional houses that contain bedrooms. Halvor Bakke’s interior design captures the Arctic spirit through thoughtful color choices and material selection. The buildings come equipped with separate toilets and washrooms with showers. Kokeriet, the hotel’s prized sauna, sits dramatically on a cliff edge and lets guests soak in breathtaking fjord views.

Isfjord Radio Activities

The hotel acts as a perfect launch pad for year-round Arctic adventures. Winter guests can explore the snowy wilderness by snowmobile. Summer opens up possibilities for:

• Guided hikes that follow historic radio pole routes
• Boat safaris near glaciers
• Wildlife observation trips
• Arctic swimming with relaxing sauna sessions afterward

The kitchen creates memorable meals using local ingredients from regional trappers, including reindeer, seals, and grouse. Armed guides must accompany all outdoor activities because polar bears visit the area frequently. This wilderness hotel ended up creating something special – a perfect blend of luxury and authentic Arctic experiences that makes it a must-visit destination in Svalbard.

Von Post Glacier

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The Von Post Glacier creates a magnificent wall of ice at the southern end of Tempelfjord. This impressive glacier stretches 15 kilometers and draws visitors with its stunning blue hues.

Von Post Glacier Tours

Most visitors experience this natural wonder through boat safaris or snowmobile expeditions. Boats keep a safe distance from the glacier’s face to protect against ice calving waves. The glacier’s blue sections show where recent calving has occurred. Winter brings a chance to see the glacier’s majesty by snowmobile, and visitors can stop at Villa Fredheim and the frozen Esker waterfall.

Von Post Glacier Activities

The area around the glacier offers adventures year-round. Winter activities include:

• Skiing or snowshoeing expeditions with pulk-drawn equipment
• Dog sledding through pristine arctic terrain
• Guided tours along Tempelfjorden’s frozen coastline

Von Post Glacier Views

The glacier’s front shows an amazing range of colors. Deep blue tones dominate its entire span. This young glacier, just 1,500 to 2,000 years old, is one of Spitsbergen’s smaller ice formations. The journey to Von Post reveals dramatic scenes as smooth waters give way to ice-covered surfaces. Boats make their way through with a mesmerizing crunch. The glacier stands majestically against the arctic backdrop, giving photographers endless chances to capture its grand scale and detailed ice patterns.

Svalbard Brewery

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The Svalbard Brewery nestles in the Arctic landscape. They craft unique beers with 2,000-year-old glacier water that creates flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Brewery Tours

Visitors can join guided tours that last about 90 minutes. The tours run at 18:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays with at least 4 people needed. The brewery caters to corporate events and social gatherings, and larger groups can book private events that need 15 participants.

Beer Tasting Experience

Guests can sample five unique beers that showcase the Arctic environment’s influence. The ancient glacier water gives their brews a special character. The experience has:

• Clear explanations of the brewing process
• Insights into Arctic state-of-the-art techniques
• Eco-friendly methods
• Free souvenirs

Brewery History

Norwegian law needed unprecedented changes because Svalbard banned commercial alcohol production. Robert Johansen, a former miner and pilot, started the brewery in 2015. He spent years perfecting his recipes in a cabin. He ended up getting the Norwegian government to change the 1928 law in June 2014 after five and a half years of determined advocacy. The brewery now supplies almost every bar and restaurant in Svalbard and Norwegian Airlines.

Comparison Table

Location Name	Type	Main Activities	Operating Hours/Season	Key Features	Access Method
Longyearbyen Town Center	Administrative Hub	Shopping, dining, photography, Northern Lights viewing	Year-round	2,400 residents from 53 countries call it home	Direct access
Svalbard Museum	Cultural Institution	Interactive exhibits, fossil exploration	10:00-17:00 daily (closed select holidays)	Collection of 28,000+ digital images, rich artifacts	Located in Svalbard Science Center
Pyramiden Ghost Town	Abandoned Settlement	Guided tours, photography, cultural exploration	Mid-June to September (boat), March-May (snowmobile)	Soviet-era architecture, Hotel Tulpan features 43 rooms	Boat or snowmobile
Barentsburg Russian Settlement	Active Russian Community	Mine tours, dog sledding, kayaking	Year-round	455 residents, cosmic rays station, Red Bear Pub	Boat or snowmobile
Adventfjorden	Fjord	Kayaking, wildlife watching, photography	Year-round	Mountains reaching 1,000m, abundant wildlife	From Longyearbyen
Svalbard Global Seed Vault	Research Facility	External viewing only	Not open to public	Houses 1.3M+ seed samples, -18°C storage temperature	40-min walk from port
Nordenskiöld Glacier	Natural Formation	Boat tours, wildlife watching	Seasonal (ice conditions dependent)	RIB boat tours with max 12 passengers	Boat tours
Gruve 3 Mine	Historic Mine	Guided tours, mining exploration	Tour-dependent	Active 1971-1996, tunnel height 60-90cm	10-min drive from town
Svalbard Church	Religious Building	Services, community events	24/7 open door policy	Room for 140 people, built 1958	Walking distance from town
Magdalenefjorden	Fjord	Cruises, wildlife watching	Year-round	Spans 8km long, 5km wide, historic whaling site	Cruise ships
Ny-Ålesund Research Station	Research Community	Limited guided tours	Restricted access	Northernmost research station worldwide, 35 permanent residents	Controlled access
Camp Barentz	Wilderness Camp	Northern Lights viewing, dining	Evening operations	Local cuisine, prime aurora viewing	Bus transfer
Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel	Remote Hotel	Arctic safaris, hiking, sauna	Year-round	Transformed radio station, luxury wilderness stay	Guided transport only
Von Post Glacier	Natural Formation	Boat safaris, snowmobile tours	Seasonal	Massive 15km ice wall, blue ice formations	Boat or snowmobile
Svalbard Brewery	Craft Brewery	Guided tours, beer tasting	Mon/Wed/Sat at 18:00	Crafted with glacier water, 90-min tours	Located in town

Conclusion

Svalbard is one of Earth’s most unique places. You can explore ghost towns and experience the midnight sun in this Arctic paradise. My many trips here have taught me that each spot has its own story to tell – from Longyearbyen’s historic mines to Ny-Ålesund’s scientific discoveries and the untouched wilderness of Magdalenefjorden.

The summer months from May to September are best for most activities. Winter has its own charm when the northern lights dance across the dark sky. Good planning is key because weather can affect your access to places like Von Post Glacier or Pyramiden Ghost Town.

Wildlife lovers should bring good cameras and binoculars. The archipelago’s polar bears, Arctic foxes, and seabirds offer amazing photo opportunities. You can stay at the luxurious Isfjord Radio Adventure Hotel or pick a cozy lodge near Longyearbyen’s center. Each place gives you a different view of Arctic life.

This far-off wonderland needs everyone to follow its natural protection rules and local guidelines. Armed guides must go with you on outdoor activities, and some areas need special permits or advance booking. These safety measures are part of Svalbard’s authentic Arctic experience that makes every visit special.