It is pitch dark at Svalbard in 4 months through what is called ”the polar night”, while summer is marked by months of the midnight sun, where the sun is high in the sky 24 hours a day. This leaves its mark on Longyearbyen, where activities and daily life are happily governed by the season.
In the bright period, people are much outdoors, while the city in the dark season gets its own pulse, where locals and guests get extra social. They often meet on festivals, concerts, sporting events, etc. – or over a good meal in one of the many great restaurants!
Life at 78 degrees north is something else, but it is also filled with completely ordinary weekdays for those who live here. For all who visit us they experience our everyday life as something extraordinary. Polar bears are never far away, thus weapons is a necessity. The climate is harsh and unpredictable, while the alternating between light and darkness is perceived differently from person to person.
Welcome to Longyearbyen – we hope you find yourself comfortable as a guest here with us!