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Chasing the Midnight Sun: 9 Best Things to Do in Svalbard, Norway

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Published
04/10/2025

Tenacious ice thwarts even the most potent ice breakers, mesmerizing auroras or the Northern Lights, and a place that species the polar bear, walrus, and beluga—nothing compares to the unique beauty of Svalbard, Norway.

This Norwegian archipelago may not have the romanticism of Paris or the life of Shanghai, but there are countless reasons why tourists keep coming back here. A taste for out-of-this-world adventure, maybe? There are so many things to do here, as well as various ways to get to this destination, such as taking the best private yacht charters to Svalbard. Are you ready to explore and make memories?

 

Take a Dog Sledding Tour

Just when you thought dog sledding is only seen in the movies, you can go ahead and try this activity for yourself when you reach Svalbard. This is the star attraction here. Dog sledding, or mushing, has been the favorite pastime of the indigenous cultures in the North American Arctic for practical and leisurely reasons. Pulled by energetic and adorable pups, you will explore Spitsbergen, Svalbard’s only inhabited island.

 

Go Birdwatching

Once the dogs have brought you to Spitsbergen, you’ll get to be in one of the top bird-watching destinations in the Polar Regions. Birdwatching is also a favorite hobby of the locals. Here at Spitsbergen, you’ll get to visit Alkefjellet, or “Bird Mountain,” which features the most incredible bird cliffs in the whole of Svalbard. Fantastic.

 

Get to Know the Arctic Wildlife

The Arctic is heaven for animal lovers. In a world where places are swiftly becoming bustling cities, it is a treasure for destinations like Svalbard to be hailed as one of the last great wildernesses on the planet.

The polar bears are the main characters here, outnumbering the population on the archipelago. But then again, there are also Arctic foxes, and out there in the waters, you have beluga whales, ringed seals, walruses, and even narwhals. A phone camera is not enough. Use your DSLR.

 

Fall in Love With the Aurora Borealis

Svalbard is part of the list of places where you can chase and catch the Northern Lights, or the auroras. Nowadays, even the most publicized places for the Borealis may not already be perfect for the Lights because of extremely low light pollution and overpopulation. That’s making untouched areas like Svalbard the next ideal place to hunt for the Aurora Borealis. See you there!

 

Try Whale-Watching

The way whales behave when watching them in summer waters is different from the way they move in winter-y regions. Here at Svalbard, you can find numerous whale species, including the legendary blue whale.

 

Embark On an Arctic Boat Tour

Boat tours are popular in destinations like Amsterdam and Venice, but embarking on a boat trip in the Arctic? It couldn’t get any better. Picture this: sailing along the rugged coastline, admiring glaciers drifting, and witnessing the region’s wildlife, including the seabirds, puffins, and Arctic terns. If you’re imagining how they’d sound, it’s time you get your Svalbard itinerary done!

 

Snowmobile to a Glacier

If the dog sledding did not give you a proper adrenaline rush, then you should try to snowmobile to glaciers. You're probably going to drive a snowmobile yourself, but don’t worry, since they are very easy to learn. The frozen fjords, jagged peaks, and dazzling glaciers are some of the scenery to admire!

 

Unearth the History of Svalbard

Most of what’s showcased above are natural history, but not human or world history. Should you find yourself lost in Svalbard and want to learn the place’s history, head to the vibrant town called Longyearbyen.

Longyearbyen is also record-breaking as it is the world’s northernmost settlement with a population of just over 1,000 people. From a mining town in the 1900s, it is now a hub for tourism. So, yes, Svalbard is pretty young.

 

Spend Your Night on the Edge of the World

It’s time to turn those seemingly impossible-to-make-happen moments on Instagram into a reality. You are missing a lot if you don’t sleep at a wilderness hotel at Svalbard, where you will be at the edge of the world. Open the curtains and windows, and be amazed by the magic.

Norway is more than just cities like Oslo and Bergen or stunning natural wonders like the Geirangerfjord. There’s a destination in this Scandinavian nation that will change your perspective on how you see the outdoors. If you’ve ever dreamed of a week or two with glaciers, polar dogs and bears, and whales, then Svalbard is the place to be.

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