Gruvelageret in Svalbard

Travel from Tromsø to Svalbard

Extend your Arctic adventure by combining Tromsø and Longyearbyen. The Paris of the north is a popular destination, but when you're this far north we recommend exploring a new part of the Arctic and go to Svalbard for a couple of days. It's only a plane ride away! 

Take your time

A visit to the Arctic shouldn’t be rushed. Travelling here, you should take your time to enjoy the spectacular nature and culture life. If you’re a Northern Lights fan, Tromsø is the perfect place to start the hunt, as it is located right under the Northern Lights oval. In Tromsø you will be able to experience the Northern Lights from late August till April, and in Svalbard the season ends a bit earlier, in mid March. 

Although, in Longyearbyen you have Polar Nights from mid November till the end of January. That means that you will be able to see the Northern Lights 24/7, as it is full darkness all day (and night). On your way to breakfast maybe, or on one of the many Northern Lights activities you can join. It is important to remember that this is a natural phenomenon, so it can never be guaranteed, and we recommend a stay around 3-5 days in order to increase the chance of seeing them. 

Wishing for more than 24 hours a day

Visiting the Arctic you would! In Tromsø you can see the Midnight sun from late May till late July, and in Longyearbyen you see it from late April till late August. You never want to go to sleep when travelling in the north during summer, and we can guarantee that you will gather lots of memories!

In Tromsø, kayaking is the perfect way to explore the Arctic wilderness, and a paddle under the Midnight sun is quite special. A beautiful spot for nature experiences is Kvaløya, with a rich wildlife of reindeer, eagles and other birds. Cuddle up on a beach in front of the bonfire and watch the sun all night long.  
Longyearbyen during summer means boatrides! An incredible exciting and adventurous way of moving to small islands and spots that aren’t reachable any other way. Go on a RIB safari to Fuglefjella or Von Postbreen, to the ghost town Pyramiden, or go on a sleepover to Isfjord Radio. 
 

Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen in Svalbard during Polar Night

Tromsø

Mount Storsteinen in Tromsø under the Midnight Sun

For the foodies

Tromsø is known as Paris of the north for many reasons, but also for its culinary experiences. Mathallen in Tromsø is a temple for Arctic and Northern Norwegian ingredients. As a tourist, a butcher or deli might not be the first thing you seek, but this combined with a cozy café space, Helmersen is the perfect spot to rest between sightseeing. Another restaurant focusing on flavour is Restaurant Smak. With room for 24 people, and a menu changing every other week, we recommend booking a table early!
In the worlds northernmost city, and the with North Pole as its closest neighbour, you can choose between explicit food from all over the world. You will not leave hungry when visiting Longyearbyen, and you will actually find two of Norway’s best restaurants in this city: Huset and Funktionærmessen Restaurant. Because of the geographical location many of the cities restaurants use local produce, and Gruvelageret is specially good at this. Reindeer and herbs makes lovely flavours, and in august you can catch cod from Isfjorden, bring it to Restaurant Nansen and have it served as dinner the same evening. A locally brewed Pale Ale from Svalbard Bryggeri is a perfect match, and if you are into deserts or want to bring something home, the handmade chocolate form Fruene is a popular choice. 

Good flight connections

There’s direct flights between Tromsø and Longyearbyen, and that’s why it is so easy to combine these two destinations. See more tips on hotels and activities on Visit Svalbard’s home page, and let the local tour operators in Tromsø guide you further. 

Welcome to a complete Arctic experience!

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