Svalbard Holidays
A harsh but beautiful wilderness within relatively easy reach, this archipelago above the treeline is an Arctic kingdom ruled by polar bears. Go in search of their paw prints when endless daylight melts the fjords, and as temperatures drop, switch to sleds or snowmobiles for a safari across frozen desert.
Svalbard Spring & Summer Holidays
Below are some of our favourite Svalbard holiday ideas for inspiration.
-
Walrus | By Linda Drake for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Item 1
Sunset at Longyearbyen | By Eveline Lunde for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 1 | Arrive in Svalbard
Snowmobiling | Schibsted Partnerstudio for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 2 | Snowmobile Safari to the East Coast
Walruses | By Melissa Schäfer - Hubba Productions for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 3 | Walrus Safari
Dog Sledding in Longyearbyen | By Renato Granieri for Visitnorway.com
Day 4 | Dog Sledding & Wilderness Evening
Ice bath with sauna | Schibsted Partnerstudio for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 5 | Longyearbyen Sightseeing & Arctic Dining Experience
Ny-Ålesund | By Emilie Gerber for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 6 | Tour to the Historic Town of Ny-Ålesund
Day 7 | Arrive in Oslo
Day 8 | Oslo Sightseeing
Day 9 | Departure Day
8 nights
Snowy Springtime on Svalbard
. -
Eveline Lunde for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 1 | Arrive in Arctic Norway
Day 2 | Arctic Fjord Cruise
Longyearbyen Spisshus | By Schibsted Partnerstudio | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 3 | Arrive in Longyearbyen
Thomas Griesbeck for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 4 | Snowmobile Adventure
Eveline Lunde for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 5 | Dog sledding & Wilderness Dining
Thomas Griesbeck for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 6 | Guided Ice Cave Hike
Photo: Yngve Olsen | Visit Norway
Day 7 | Tromsø & Aurora Dinner Cruise
Yngve Olsen for Visit Norway
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Sunny Winter on Svalbard
Experience the return of the sun at the top of the world where the northern lights can be seen at night and exhilarating winter activities take place under blue sky and sunlight. -
Glacier hiking | Photo by Basecamp Explorer
Deichman Library & Oslo S Central Station | Christine Baglo | Visitnorway.com
Day 1 | Arrive in Oslo
Longyearbyen | Where The Wild Is
Day 2 | Arrive in Longyearbyen
Day 3 | Journey to Nordenskiöld
Day 4 | Walk on Ancient Ice
Journey to Isfjord Radio | Photo by Basecamp Explorer
Day 5 | Scenic Safari through Billefjorden
Hiking with companion from Isfjord Radio | Photo by Basecamp Explorer
Day 6 | Hiking the Isfjord Radio Coast
Huskies in Svalbard | Jarle Roessland | Visit Svalbard
Day 7 | Husky Adventure across Adventdalen
Mural of a polar bear in Longyearbyen | Where The Wild Is
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Into the Wild Arctic: An Exclusive Svalbard Expedition
Exclusive Svalbard expedition featuring glacier hikes, wildlife safaris and remote luxury stays at Nordenskiöld Lodge and Isfjord Radio.
Svalbard Winter Holidays
-
Dog Sledding Under The Northern Lights | By Green Dog | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Oslo Opera House | By Didrick Stenersen | Visit Oslo
Day 1 | Arrive in Norway
Vigeland Sculpures With Frost | By Fredrik Ahlsen | Visit Norway
Day 2 | Oslo Sightseeing
Oslo in winter | By Fredrik Ahlsen | Visit Norway
Day 3 | Oslo Sightseeing
View from the restaurant at Funken Lodge | By Halvor Mykleby | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 4 | Arrive in Longyearbyen
Snowcat northern lights hunt | Maria Laura Babahekian | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 5 | Dog Sledding & Snow Cat Aurora Hunt
Inside an ice cave in Svalbard | Shutterbird Production | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 6 | Ice Cave Hike & Longyearbyen
Snowmobile in Svalbard during the polar night | By Agurtxane Concellon | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 7 | Snowmobile Safari & Wilderness Dining
Billefjorden on winter day | Anja Nordvålen | Visit Norway
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Oslo & Svalbard Polar Night Adventure
Combine the highlights of Oslo with Spitsbergen, the largest island of Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Embark on adventures under the northern lights during this incredible polar night period. -
Snowmobile in Svalbard during the polar night | By Agurtxane Concellon | Hurtigruten Svalbard
View over Tromsø | By Dimitris Kiriakakis | Unsplash
Day 1 | Arrive in Arctic Norway
Brim Explorer
Day 2 | Silent Whale Watching
Northern Lights cruise on the Brim Explorer in Tromsø | Jonas Legernes | Brim Explorer
Day 3 | Northern Lights Dinner Cruise
View from the restaurant at Funken Lodge | By Halvor Mykleby | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 4 | Arrive in Svalbard
Snowcat northern lights hunt | Maria Laura Babahekian | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 5 | Dog Sledding & Snow Cat Aurora Hunt
Inside an ice cave in Svalbard | Shutterbird Production | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 6 | Ice Cave Hike & Longyearbyen
Snowmobile in Svalbard during the polar night | By Agurtxane Concellon | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 7 | Snowmobile Safari & Wilderness Dining
Winter view over Tromsø | By Daniel Vogel | Unsplash
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Tromsø & Svalbard Polar Night Adventure
Combine the highlights of Tromsø with Spitsbergen, the largest island of Norway's Svalbard archipelago. Embark on adventures under the northern lights during this incredible polar night period. -
Eveline Lunde for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 1 | Arrive in Arctic Norway
Day 2 | Arctic Fjord Cruise
Longyearbyen Spisshus | By Schibsted Partnerstudio | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 3 | Arrive in Longyearbyen
Thomas Griesbeck for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 4 | Snowmobile Adventure
Eveline Lunde for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 5 | Dog sledding & Wilderness Dining
Thomas Griesbeck for Hurtigruten Svalbard
Day 6 | Guided Ice Cave Hike
Photo: Yngve Olsen | Visit Norway
Day 7 | Tromsø & Aurora Dinner Cruise
Yngve Olsen for Visit Norway
Day 8 | Departure Day
7 nights
Sunny Winter on Svalbard
Experience the return of the sun at the top of the world where the northern lights can be seen at night and exhilarating winter activities take place under blue sky and sunlight.
Tell me more
Poster boys for climate change, polar bears are in decline, and Svalbard is one of the few places offering a window into their secret world. Join expedition cruises for the best chance of sightings, encountering walrus haul-outs and sprawling cliff-side seabird colonies along the way.
But don’t let these headline acts steal the show. Wrapped with glaciers and outlined by dagger-edge peaks, the Arctic scenery is also supreme. And at a latitude of 78 degrees north, light takes on magical qualities – casting pink and blue hues during polar sunsets. In winter, the archipelago becomes an adventure playground, with snowmobile rides through steep-sided valleys and the chance to climb into a glacial cave.
Increasingly fragile, it’s an environment demanding great care, but there are ways to minimise human impact. Join an organised beach clean-up or opt for a sustainable sailing trip to help craft a positive future for a truly special place.
We'll send you a complimentary copy of Bradt's Travel Guide Book to Svalbard when you book your trip to this far-flung archipelago with us
Wonderful places to stay in Svalbard
Svalbard in Pictures
Polar bear in Svalbard | By Fredrik Granath | Hurtigruten Svalbard
Photo by Melissa Schäfer
We can plan your tailor-made trip of a lifetime to Svalbard. Get in touch today.