Svalbard
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Northern lights at lunch? That's possible in Svalbard, one of the most unique places to hunt aurora and some truly unique northern lights experiences. Expect ice-covered fjords, glaciers, ice caves, happy huskies and rare wildlife. And one of the best wine cellars in Northern Europe (at Husets Restaurant)!
The archipelago of Svalbard lies halfway between Norway and the North Pole, in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. Here, you can explore pristine arctic wilderness and distinctive wildlife in a landscape that is both rugged and fragile.
Exceptional conditions
Located 900 kilometres north of the Norwegian mainland and 1,300 kilometres from the North Pole, Longyearbyen offers excellent conditions for northern lights. From early spring until autumn, the midnight sun makes never-ending days. While the polar night from November until the end of January means that there is no daylight in Svalbard in winter. This attracts people from all over the world who come to experience the northern lights dance across the sky (with some luck!), as well as the beauty of the limitless, starry sky... In October and February you can enjoy the amazing and unique blue arctic light during the day and the northern lights at night.
Top things to do in Svalbard
- Go aurora hunting in the arctic wilderness
- Choose from a wide selection of northern lights excursions
- Go dog sledding and snowmobiling
- Try glacial ice caving and snowshoeing
- Warm up in a sauna
Note that you should never venture out of town on your own without a local guide. This is polar bear country!
Arctic metropolis
A quirky and somewhat unlikely cosmopolitan Norwegian city with 2,400 residents from almost 53 different countries, Longyearbyen is well worth the trip in itself. Here, you will find a wide range of shops, restaurants and bars, breweries, and concert venues. There are separate lanes in the town centre for snowmobiles, and you have to watch out for reindeer in the streets!
With the world’s northernmost airport for scheduled flights and offering excellent accommodation, Svalbard is a perfect gateway to the High Arctic and a premier destination for northern lights trips. The most common way to travel to Svalbard is by plane.
The best places to see the lights
- Høydebassenget
- Nybyen6713
- Guided tours in Adventdalen
By plane
There are daily flights to and from Svalbard throughout the year, and frequency increases in the summer.
Flight time is around 3 hours from Oslo and 1,5–2 hours from Tromsø.
An airport shuttle service is available for all scheduled flights and takes you to most hotels and guest houses for a fee.
By snowmobile
There are only about 46 kilometres of road on the Svalbard Islands. Driving off-road is strictly prohibited.
There are no roads between the various settlements. Instead, locals use boats in summer and snowmobiles in winter. Snowmobiles can be rented in Longyearbyen.
By boat
There is no regular boat transportation between the Norwegian mainland and Svalbard.
Several companies offer Svalbard safaris and round trips, but these do not offer passage to and from the mainland. You have to make your way to Svalbard through other means.
Check out ferry and cruise companies in Svalbard.
Northern Lights Safari
Dog sledding and Aurora safari
Join us on a 6-day northern lights round trip to Tromsø
from Oslo. Fly to Tromsø where you will experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights. | Fjord Travel
Tromsø Winter Break
Tromsø, Northern Lights and Dog Sledding4-day winter break to Tromsø in Northern Norway, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia
5-Day Northern Lights and Winter Adventure in Lyngen
Exciting winter activities and northern lightsWant to gaze up at the northern lights dancing in the pitch black sky? Or swing crampons and an ice axe deep into a frozen waterfall? How about a cross-country skiing course followed by a trip in remote mountains? Or dog sledding? This trip lets you experience all of these activities and more! | Hvitserk
Northern Lights Cruise
Visit Tromsø, the North Cape and Kirkenes6-day tour, including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling. | Authentic Scandinavia
Northern Lights Stay at Lyngen Lodge
Mountain Lodge and winter adventures under the Northern Lights5-day stay in boutique lodge with transfers, dog sledding, all meals, snowmobiling, and sea safari. | 50 Degrees North
Lofoten & Northern Lights by 50 Degrees North
Authentic experience in the Lofoten Archipelago4-day tour with Aurora Chase Guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin. | 50 Degrees North
Norwegian Fjords & Northern Lights
Oslo, Bergen, Flåm and Tromsø6-day winter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city Tromsø. Amazing winter activities like dog sledding, northern lights safari, and much more can be added. | Authentic Scandinavia
Ice Hotel, Northern Lights and Tromsø
Dog sledding, King crabs, Reindeer sleighExperience Norway’s best northern lights destinations, Kirkenes & Tromsø, on this amazing 7-day round trip from Oslo. | Fjord Travel
Aurora Dinner Cruise
Arctic tapas under the Northern LightsJoin our Northern Lights Cruise and enjoy a delicious arctic tapas menu from our local partner in Tromsø while we look for the Northern Lights! | Brim Explorer.
Magical Northern Lights
Go dogsledding and whalewatchingThis journey encourages you to create your own magical connection in Alta, going on adventures such as dogsledding, snowmobiling and ice-fishing, and seeking the illuminations of the polar night. | Up Norway.
Arctic Winter Adventure
Snowhotel Kirkenes, Hurtigruten & Tromsø.6-day winter adventure tour including an overnight stay at Kirkenes Snow Hotel, a cruise with Hurtigruten to Tromsø, and a wide selection of optional winter activities. | Authentic Scandinavia
Tromsø Wildlife & Northern Lights
Tromsø City Break with a Wildlife Cruise4-day break to Tromsø including a wildlife cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one day free, you will have the opportunity to add additional winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. | Authentic Scandinavia
Short Winter Cruise
Experience Tromsø and a Hurtigruten Cruise4-day tour including a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities, including dog sledding and northern lights excursions. | Authentic Scandinavia
Aurora Canvas Dome
Save 10% by joining our Adventure ClubSpend a night in a glass dome under the northern lights. Wake up inside the remote pine forest of Alta overlooking majestic snow-covered mountains. Private bathroom and sauna facilities available. | Book Nordics
Crystal Lavvu Stay with Whale Watching and Northern Lights
Spend your night in a Crystal Lavvu under the Northern LightsSpend your night in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. We pick you up in Tromsø and take you out on an adventure of a lifetime! Dinner, breakfast, transportation and whale watching included. | Book Nordics
Northern Lights Dinner Cruise outside Tromsø
Dinner, boat tour, northern lights huntOn board an hybrid-electric boat outfitted with panoramic windows, you will glide silently into the darkness of the Tromsø fjords while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights. | Go Fjords