The world’s northernmost settlement with a permanent population of more than 1,000 is a fascinating town on the island of Svalbard and tourists aren’t allowed to venture out of its safe areas without being armed or being accompanied by someone who is armed.
From the outside, Longyearbyen’s everyday life may seem somewhat extraordinary to visitors. Located approximately 1,316 km from the North Pole, the polar bears are never far away in this town and due to their fatal risk, it’s necessary to carry weapons or be accompanied by someone who’s armed if one ventures outside the settlement’s clearly marked safe areas. The strange yet exciting town of Longyearbyen has an estimated population of 2,748 with residents from almost 53 different countries. This tiny Norwegian metropolis is the administrative centre of Svalbard and is largely inhabited by nature enthusiasts who, despite harsh climatic conditions, thrive in close-knit communities, with the untamed High Arctic wilderness right at their doorstep.
With a harsh and unpredictable climate, Longyearbyen experiences the Midnight Sun from April to August, lasting around 127 days, and plummets into darkness, also known as the Polar Night, between October and February, roughly spanning 113 days.
The town is typically blanketed with snow from November through March with the coldest temperature ever recorded at −46.3°C in March 1986 and the highest temperature recorded at 21.7°C in July 2020. The effects of global warming are drastically felt in this isolated haven.
Unique and eclectic facets make up the very fabric of this town, making it a thrill to visit, as was corroborated by popular travel TikToker Phil Carr.
Longyearbyen has only one grocery store and the streets have numbers instead of names. There’s a university centre which has around 300 enrolled students, and it is a mandate for them all to learn how to use firearms.
The townspeople are used to living next-door to reindeers and spotting whales swimming blissfully in the fjord from the window is not an uncommon sight.
Historically a typical mining town (right up till 1990), coal production was the main industry of Svalbard. At present, all coal mines are inactive, with the exception of Mine 7, the sole remaining operational mine, which is slated to cease operations by the summer.
All the mining infrastructure of the town is protected and exists as surreal reminders around the settlement.
A tradition has arisen with residents used to taking their shoes off while entering restaurants and hotels as the problem of coal dust plagued townspeople in the old days.
After the 1990s, tourism emerged as one of the main pillars of industry for this isolated town.
This magnificent settlement is a mere 90-minute flight from Tromsø or a three-hour flight from Oslo.
Although governed by Norway, uniquely, Longyearbyen is an entirely visa-free zone, meaning you don’t need a separate visa or residence permit to visit or live in this gorgeous naturescape.
Travelers who have a visa requirement to enter mainland Norway or the Schengen Area would have to obtain a Schengen visa if they intend to transit through those areas to reach Longyearbyen.
A passport or national ID card is required for entry and identity checks.
Education and research is another industry that’s extremely important for this little-known town. The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) sees students come in from all over the world to focus on Arctic study and research in the fields of geology, biology, geophysics and technology.
With Svalbard being one of the world’s largest untouched wilderness areas, there’s plenty to do in Longyearbyen.
From dog sledding, northern lights adventures, snowmobile activities, ice cave visits, skiing, and incredible food and drink experiences, this remote settlement can surely go on your bucket list.
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