If you want a completely different experience to anything you’ve had before — and you don’t mind the cold — consider making Svalbard your next travel destination. This archipelago belongs to Norway, but it has some of its own laws. Outside the largest town of Longyearbyen, it is mostly pristine tundra. If you’re looking for an adventure in your retirement, hop on a plane from mainland Norway to experience the arctic for yourself.
Top Things to Do in Svalbard
To understand why you need to add Svalbard to your travel list, consider some of top activities and places to visit in the archipelago.
Polar Bear Sightings
There are a few hundred polar bears in Svalbard, mostly around the islands east of Spitsbergen — but you may spot them anywhere. Although there are never any guarantees, taking an organized tour (you must always be accompanied by a local guide when you leave the settlements) close to places where there are known to be polar bears will increase your chances of spotting one.
Hikes
There are hikes on Svalbard for every fitness level. Choose one with a theme you find particularly interesting, whether that’s wildlife or opportunities for photography. In the winter, there are also snowshoeing hikes, including ones where you can walk across a glacier and visit an ice cave.
Dog Sledding and Snowmobiles
If you’d prefer to explore the landscape without walking, jump on a dog sled. You’ll be in control of your own sled, but the dogs are experienced and will keep you safe. Alternatively, you could take a snowmobile to cover plenty of ground — there are short trips as well as whole-day (and even multi-day) excursions.
Boat Trips
Another option is to venture off the land on a boat trip. Once again, there are numerous options to choose from to suit your interests, including walrus safaris, trips to glacier fronts and bird cliffs, evening cruises with a meal, and even fishing trips.
Museums
When you want a break from the cold, a good option is to visit one of the museums. Svalbard Museum focuses on the history of the islands and features exhibits of plants and animals. The North Pole Exhibition Museum has information about the various missions to the North Pole over the years.
Svalbard Brewery
Another indoor activity is a visit to Svalbard Brewery — the most northern brewery in the world. Tours around the brewery keep things fun at the same time as being informative. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to taste all sorts of beers.
When Should You Visit?
Most parts of the world have four seasons (spring, summer, fall, and winter) or two seasons (dry and rainy). Svalbard, though, has three, each with something completely different to offer.
Sunny Winter
Rather than spring, Svalbard has a sunny winter, which runs from March 1 to May 16. This time of year is when light returns to the archipelago, although early in the season it is more like twilight throughout the day. The Midnight Sun starts on April 20, meaning it never becomes dark. By the end of the season, migratory birds are just arriving.
This may be a good time to visit if you want to spend a lot of time outdoors and are able to appreciate the scenery of the mountains and glaciers.
Polar Summer
Winter abruptly becomes summer on May 17 — and it stays that way until September 30. The Midnight Sun continues until late August, allowing you to appreciate the sights of Svalbard under full brightness. The sun melts some of the snow and ice, leading colorful flowers to appear on the tundra. You’ll also see most of the wildlife during this time of the year, including a huge number of birds as well as whales, walruses, and seals in the fjords.
The end of the polar summer is a sub-season called golden autumn. This is when the birds begin to leave, the plants die back, and the Midnight Sun finishes.
Northern Lights Winter
Between October 1 and February 28 (or 29) is northern lights winter. As the name suggests, this is when you’ll have the chance to see the aurora borealis. By late October, you won’t even need to wait until night because it becomes dark all day. Each occurrence lasts around 30 minutes, but there are often stretches of time when the northern lights don’t appear at all — the longer you stay on Svalbard, the greater your chances of witnessing them.
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