The Wonders of Svalbard, Norway

by Emily Pennington
Northern Lightsin Svalbard (Photo by Ginger Polina Bublik)

It was like nearly every other yield sign I’ve seen in my life only this sign bore a large image of a polar bear and a timeless warning scrawled in Norwegian: Gjelder hele Svalbard. “Applies all over Svalbard.”

Northern Lights in Svalbard, Norway (Photo by Ginger Polina Bublik)
Svalbard Resources

HOTELS
Funken Lodge, Vei 212-4, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-6200. An elegant, recently remodeled hotel with a great restaurant on a hill within walking distance of all of Longyearbyen. Rooms from $330. funkenlodge.com

Radisson Blu Polar Hotel Spitzbergen, Vei 229-3, 9171 Svalbard & Jan Meyen. Tel: +47-7902-3450. A clean, classic, and welcoming chain hotel in the center of town with a stunning view of the fjord and a huge stuffed polar bear in the lobby. Rooms from $225. radissonhotels.com

DINING AND BARS
Funktionærmessen Restaurant, Vei 212-4, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-6200. The hip on-site restaurant of Funken Lodge with prices to match. Serves elevated Scandinavian fare like smoked reindeer and steamed king crab with a fantastic view of Longyearbyen. funkenlodge.com

Huset, Vei 300, 9170 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-4804-4545. A splurge-worthy fine dining establishment on the far side of Longyearbyen with a phenomenal tasting menu designed to showcase the flavors of the far north. huset.com

Camp Barentz, 9170 Svalbard & Jan Meyen. A historic learning experience centered around a wilderness cabin outside of Longyearbyen that serves reindeer and vegetable stew and locally-fermented aquavit. hurtigrutensvalbard.com/en/activities

Kroa, P.O. Box 150, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-1300. A festive gastropub with eclectic fare, awesome beers, and surprisingly excellent pizza. kroa-svalbard.no

Café Huskies, Vei 509.2 Elvesletta Nord, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-9007-2217. Sip rich coffee drinks and chow down on homemade pastries while snuggling up to retired sled dogs at this adorable café. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077975601173

Stationen, Lompensenteret, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-2020. This no-frills eatery right in downtown boasts a solid craft beer list and the best burgers in Svalbard, but also serves up fish and chips, steaks, and whale. stationen.no

Karlsberger Pub, Lompensenteret, 9170 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-2000. Known as simply “KB” by the locals, this popular dive bar in central Longyearbyen has an impressive selection of spirits, especially considering its remote location. karlsbergerpub.no

A Pod of Walruses in Svalbard (Photo by Don Landwehrle)

A Pod of Walruses in Svalbard (Photo by Don Landwehrle)

SHOPPING
Longyear78 Outdoor & Expeditions, P.O. Box 548, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7900-2100. Popular with Norwegians and traveling Europeans, this large outdoor gear shop is excellent for VAT-free shopping.

Lompen Senteret, Lompensenteret, 9171 Longyearbyen. The only shopping mall in Longyearbyen, this boutique haven is a hub for tourists and locals alike, with souvenir shops, spas, clothing, and pubs. lompensenteret.no

Gullgruva Arctic Design, Lompensenteret, 9171 Longyearbyen. Tel: +47-7902-1816. A small but tasteful jewelry shop full of Nordic-centered designs, perfect for gifting that special someone back home. facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050309363742

THINGS TO DO
Hurtigruten Svalbard, P.O. Box 548 N-9171 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-7902-6100. The oldest running tour company on the Svalbard archipelago, Hurtigruten is a mainstay for adventurous travelers looking to whale watch, glacier gaze, cycle, or hunt for the elusive northern lights. hurtigrutensvalbard.com/en/activities

Green Dog Svalbard, Bolterdalshaugen 1, 9170 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-9400-7478. This “happy tails on happy trails” dog sledding operation offers varying lengths of Fido-friendly expeditions all year long. greendog.no

Svalbard Museum, P.O. Box 521, 9171 Longyearbyen, Tel: +47-7902-6490. This small but mighty museum features well-designed exhibits and animal tableaus that showcase the hearty human history and fauna of Svalbard. svalbardmuseum.no

Brim Explorer, Kaigata 6, Tromsø. Tel: +44-7765-1100. A friendly and knowledgeable boat tour company with hybrid-electric catamarans and excellent glacier and fjord day trips. brimexplorer.com/destination/svalbard


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