You’ll find the island chain of Svalbard located around halfway between Northern Norway and the North Pole. This Norwegian archipelago lies well within the Arctic Circle.

The region’s 9 main islands are scattered between latitudes of 74° and 81° N. Spitsbergen is the largest of these islands. And its capital, Longyearbyen, sits at a latitude of 78° N, making it one of the world’s northernmost settlements.

Svalbard isn’t a country, but it’s been part of the Kingdom of Norway since the Spitsbergen Treaty came into effect in 1925. This connection is why all flights to Svalbard are via Norway.

If you love off-the-beaten-path adventures, Svalbard’s rugged landscapes should definitely make it onto your travel wishlist. Skip one of those expedition cruises, and instead choose to have an authentic travel experience organised by local experts. On our carefully curated trips, you’ll really get to know the region.

With around just 2,600 people making their home in Svalbard, much of the island chain is pristine wilderness. Think vast glaciers, Arctic tundra and wild fjords.

The archipelago’s fauna doesn’t disappoint either. Not only is this a land where polar bears roam, but you might also glimpse Arctic foxes, seals and reindeer. Come summer, migratory birds arrive and get ready to start nesting. Plus, take to the water and you could spy some of the whale species that swim in the seas around Svalbard.

Why not combine your Arctic escape with other regions of Norway? Get inspired by these top Norwegian vacation spots.

Yes, polar bears live in Svalbard year-round. In fact, the islands, and surrounding Barents Sea, are home to about 3,000 of these majestic creatures. This is higher than the number of people that live in the area!

It’s worth remembering that these are wild animals, so you aren’t guaranteed to spot a polar bear. Of course, their presence here also means that outdoor excursions must be with a guide who knows what to do if you come across one. Read more about the measures to protect both polar bears and visitors in this Svalbard travel guide.

Choose a Svalbard tour with Nordic Visitor, and rest easy knowing that we only use handpicked local suppliers with experienced professional guides.

Absolutely! Svalbard is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Norway. Why, you ask? Well, to see the aurora borealis you need darkness, clear skies, high solar activity, and low light pollution. With its remote position in the Arctic Circle, where there’s lots of solar activity, Svalbard ticks all of these boxes.

If you want to chase the aurora, then the winter months of February and March are an ideal time to visit. This is because the long polar nights mean you’ll have a greater chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out more about hunting for the aurora in this guide to the northern lights in Norway.

Svalbard’s Global Seed Vault is not open to visitors. But it is possible to join a sightseeing tour from Longyearbyen, which stops outside the entrance. From here, you can see how the structure is built into the permafrost. You’ll also be able to admire the art installation above the door into the vault.

No matter when you visit, there’s plenty to see and do in Svalbard. But it’s worth bearing in mind that travelling in summer or winter will change the type of activities you can do during your trip.

For instance, from mid-Novermber to late-January the sun doesn’t rise, this is known as the polar night. And while this is great for spotting the northern lights, you’ll miss out on the epic views. Visit from February into spring though, and you can combine hunting for the aurora with other activities.

Come to Svalbard in winter and you could:

• • Go on a snowmobiling expedition to a remote Arctic hotel
• • Try husky sledding through snow-blanketed valleys
• • Chase breathtaking displays of the northern lights

On the other hand, travel to Svalbard between mid-April and mid-August and you’ll experience the midnight sun. This natural phenomenon is when the sun doesn’t set near the poles.

The longer days and less snowy conditions of summer are best for:

• • Taking boat trips along the rugged coastline
• • Exploring the untouched wilderness on guided hikes
• • Learning how to drive a dog sled with wheels

There are also a few things you can do year-round near Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s capital. Delve into the local culture when you visit Svalbard Museum or the North Pole Expedition Museum. Or take a guided day tour into the surrounding countryside to see key sights, such as the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

You could also grab a pint at Svalbard Bryggeri AS, the most northerly brewery in the world. And there’s Camp Barentz, a restaurant designed to look like the cabin of William Barentz, one of the first people to discover Svalbard.

Check out these other top things to do in Svalbard. And find out more about the best time to visit Norway, with tips on what to do and where to go.

The easiest way to get to Svalbard is by getting to Oslo or Tromsø on mainland Norway and taking a connecting flight to Svalbard.

Your travel to and from Svalbard isn’t included in these packages, but we’d be happy to assist you with organising your flights from Oslo (3 hours) or Tromsø (1.5 hours). If you’d like to split your journey with nights in either of these cities, just speak to your travel consultant.

Oslo is the nation’s capital, so you’ll find there are direct flights here from several worldwide locations. Based on the flight schedule and time of year, you could fly direct to Oslo’s airport (OSL) from the likes of:

• Amsterdam (AMS)
• Dubai (DXB)
• Dublin (DUB)
• Edinburgh (EDI)
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
• London Heathrow (LHR)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• New York City (JFK)
• Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG)
• Keflavík, near Reykjavík (KEF)
• Zürich (ZRH)

Tromsø is a smaller airport, which serves fewer destinations. But it’s handy for reaching Svalbard if you’re already in Norway, or are coming from elsewhere in Northern Europe. Depending on the time of year, there are nonstop flights to Tromsø from airports such as London Gatwick (LGW), Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Zürich (ZRH).

We recommend checking what flights are available before booking your Svalbard tour. But it’s best to wait until after your travel consultant has finalised the arrangements for your trip to purchase your flights.

Once they’ve been in touch with your tour confirmation, you can go ahead and make plans for getting to Svalbard.

To get the most out of your time in Svalbard, you’ll want to allow at least a few days here. Around 4 to 7 days is a good length of time for exploring the area.

With 4 days, you’ll have 2 full days for venturing out into nature. Plus, you might also have time for sightseeing in Longyearbyen on your travel days.

Meanwhile, a week will allow you to head even further off the beaten path. For instance, you could go on guided multi-day excursions by boat or snowmobile, depending on the season. And when you return to Longyearbyen, you’ll have time to see the local attractions and enjoy even more activities.

Depending on where you’re travelling from, you might need a visa for your trip to Svalbard. This is because, although Svalbard isn’t in the Schengen Area, it’s part of the Kingdom of Norway, which is.

This means if you’re a resident of a country with a visa requirement for the Schengen Area, and you’re travelling to Svalbard via Norway, you will need a visa. Whether or not you require a visa, a valid passport, or other accepted form of ID, are needed to enter the region.

Before you travel make sure to check the rules for entry and residence on the Governor of Svalbard’s website.

Yes, you can pick the start date that works for you on these partially guided Svalbard packages.

You can begin summer tours, from May through September, on any day of the week. The tours from February to April or May aren’t available to start on any day, but there are still plenty of dates to choose from.

Each package has an online calendar where you can see up-to-date availability and take your pick from possible departure dates.

Of course, these Svalbard itineraries have been designed so you can tailor your getaway to suit you. When booking online, you can customise your own trip with optional activities and extra nights.

To find out what additional excursions are available, check out the tour page for the trip you’re interested in. Or ask your travel consultant about the activities that would work best for you.

Your options include snowmobiling and dog sledding. Plus, there’s a sightseeing tour from Longyearbyen where you'll see glaciers and some of Spitsbergen’s more historical sights. And why not extend your stay by adding extra nights to your trip?

If there’s something specific you’d like to arrange in Svalbard, just ask your dedicated travel consultant.

When it comes to dressing for Svalbard, it’s worth knowing that the region's name means “cold coast” in Old Norse. Svalbard’s location within the Arctic Circle means that no matter when you visit, you're likely to experience unpredictable weather. And while it can be surprisingly mild on a calm summer's day, temperatures can also drop well below freezing at any time of year.

This means you’ll want to be prepared for all seasons, whether you’re travelling in summer or winter. Layering is the best way to dress for these varied conditions. And this way you can add and remove items as you need them.

Here’s an example of a packing list for Svalbard to get you started:

• Warm and waterproof hiking boots with good grip
• Waterproof and windproof jacket and trousers
• Warm synthetic or down insulated jacket
• Woollen or fleece jumpers
• Thermal baselayers
• Cosy hat, scarf/neck warmer and gloves
• Thick hiking socks
• Indoor shoes
• Reusable water bottle
• Travel adapter (type C or F)

For extra warmth, disposable hand warmers to put into your gloves are also a good idea. And if you need any special equipment for an excursion included in your tour package, it will be provided as part of the activity.