Discover Longyearbyen

FUN FACTS

Longyearbyen was named after the American John Munroe Longyear, who founded the Arctic Coal Company in 1906. The settlement was first named Longyear City but was later changed to Longyearbyen.
If visiting Ny-Ålesund, you can send a postcard from the northernmost post office in the world. But please note that it can take weeks before the card arrives at its recipient.
Common practice is to leave your shoes at the entrance, traditionally this was to keep the coal dust out.
Longyearbyen’s houses are built on stilts, due to the permafrost.
During four months of the year, from around 25th October, the polar night occurs, and the sun does not rise for several months. During four months of the year, from around 19th April, the midnight sun reigns supreme and the sun does not set.

SVALBARD MUSEUM

A very nice museum where you can learn about the history of Svalbard, from the discovery to the Svalbard we see today. The permanent exhibition is texted in English and Norwegian and gives great insight into the life in Svalbard, both the past and presence. The museum is open all year round. https://svalbardmuseum.no/en/

NORTH POLE EXPEDITION MUSEUM

This museum presents the most exciting expedition stories in the Arctics at the turn of the last century. The museum passes on the history and shows how important the North Pole expeditions have been to the Arctic region. The exhibition is located across two floors, and consists of original expedition film footage, pictures, telegrams, newspapers, ship and plane models and other artifacts. The museum is centrally located in Longyearbyen, just behind the UNIS (University building) near the fjord. https://www.northpolemuseum.com/

SVALBARD BRYGGERI (BREWERY)

Located at 78°N, the Svalbard Brewery is the northernmost commercial brewery in the world. Here you can enjoy one of the signature beers containing ice from the local 2 000-year-old Bogerbreen glacier. Starting up in 2011, it took a few years until the brewery could serve their first beer. First, the owners of the establishment had to push and wait for changes in the Norwegian law, to be allowed to brew alcohol in Svalbard. In 2015 the efforts to change the law, going back to 1928, succeeded and the first beers were served to locals and visitors in August 2015. Book a guided tour in advance and experience the northernmost commercial brewery. https://www.svalbardbryggeri.com/

SVALBARD CHURCH

After being built in 1921, the church was bombed in WWII, only to be rebuilt in 1956. The Svalbard Church was the world’s northernmost church until 2017, when St. Nicolas Church was built in Nagurskoye, Russia. Today it is still a meeting place and venue for both religious services and cultural gatherings. The church is normally open 24 hours every day. https://en.visitsvalbard.com/things-to-do/svalbard-church-p3500473

SHOPPING

Along the main street in Longyearbyen, you can find several shops. Svalbard is a duty-free zone, so you can find outdoor clothing and equipment at favourable prices. There are also a lot of unique Svalbard souvenirs. https://en.visitsvalbard.com/things-to-do/shopping

VISIT SVALBARD

Read more about Svalbard and Longyearbyen and get more information about all the activities you can do while visiting Svalbard on en.visitsvalbard.com/. Here you can find information about dog sledding, snowmobile and kayak tours, just to name a few.

LONGYEARBYEN COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

Please read through the community guidelines of Longyearbyen. Go to the document.