Svalbard in Winter: What to Know + 17 Fun Things to Do [2026 Update]

Svalbard in Winter: What to Know + 17 Fun Things to Do [2026 Update]

Endless nights livened up by candles and string lights underneath a galaxy of stars and streaking auroras. Pastel blue light washing over snow-capped mountains with not a tree in sight. Brilliant sun shining day and night above snow-covered tundras, pristine nature marred only by a few snowmobile tracks showing the path to adventure. Believe it…

Visiting the Svalbard Ice Caves: The Tour I Took & 3 Unique Others!

Visiting the Svalbard Ice Caves: The Tour I Took & 3 Unique Others!

Of all my memories of the frozen world of my February visit to Longyearbyen, snowmobiling out to a remote ice cave in Svalbard was definitely the highlight of my trip. … even though it was an activity I almost didn’t do because I had the worst anxiety I’d experienced in the last decade. Luckily, my…

Svalbard Packing List: What to Wear in Svalbard in Winter and Summer

Svalbard Packing List: What to Wear in Svalbard in Winter and Summer

The furthest north you can fly on a commercial flight, Svalbard is so far above the Arctic Circle that it’s equidistant to the North Pole and the northernmost point of Northern Norway! Since it’s known for its polar bears, the Svalbard archipelago conjures up icy images, but in reality, Svalbard is generally a bit warmer…

Best Time to Visit Svalbard: Monthly Weather, Daylight & Activity Breakdown

Best Time to Visit Svalbard: Monthly Weather, Daylight & Activity Breakdown

While Svalbard is a beautiful place to visit, it’s also an extremely expensive one… which means it becomes even more imperative to pick the right time to visit Svalbard for the experiences you’re hoping for. Here’s the rub: for many, Svalbard is a “once-in-a-lifetime” type of place. Between expensive flights and the necessity of taking…

Northern Lights in Svalbard: Honest Guide on What to Expect

Northern Lights in Svalbard: Honest Guide on What to Expect

Svalbard is home to the world’s northernmost settlements, endless nights that stretch on for months, and enough polar bears that residents can’t leave the main town without a firearm. So it’s logical to assume that the Svalbard archipelago, located far north of the Arctic Circle at 78° N, would have some of the best chances…

Two Perfect Svalbard Itinerary Ideas (One for Winter, One for Summer!)​

Two Perfect Svalbard Itinerary Ideas (One for Winter, One for Summer!)​

Usually, when I create an itinerary for a place, I take my cumulative experience there (often collected after multiple trips — I love going to the same place and seeing it in different lights and seasons) and streamline it into one timeline with only the best options. However, that approach creates a problem when creating…