If you’re looking for fun things to do in Longyearbyen during your downtime, you’ve come to the right place. From a cozy cafe with huskies to a sauna by the Arctic Sea, Svalbard's capital is full of unique spots to explore.
Our list of what to do in Longyearbyen covers activities for both summer and winter, and almost everything is within walking distance.
Planning a trip to Svalbard? Don't miss our 5 Day Svalbard Itinerary.
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17 Unique Things to Do in Longyearbyen, Svalbard
1. Hang out with huskies at a Husky Cafe
Cafe Huskies is a dog-friendly twist on the classic cat cafe, where you can sip coffee and hang out with some adorable huskies.
When we were there, two white huskies cozied up by us while we enjoyed lattes, freshly baked treats and toasties. A lot of the huskies you’ll spot around town are actually retired sled dogs adopted by locals.
2. Bundle up and drink outside at Barentz Gastropub
Located inside the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel, Barentz Gastropub is a fun spot to enjoy an aperitif since you can sit outside. On our first day, we celebrated our arrival with a glass of wine and a pint of beer under the sun. The atmosphere feels festive, with people unwinding after a day of outdoor adventures.
3. Sauna on the Arctic Sea
We were thrilled to discover that Longyearbyen has a floating sauna on the sea. It’s an easy way to warm up in the chilly climate. After a good sweat, stepping out into the icy landscape is incredibly refreshing.
We opted for a shared drop-in time, which was much more affordable than booking a private session. Sval Bad's online booking was straightforward, and as luck would have it, we ended up having the place all to ourselves.
🌭 Top Tip: Just as the Finns do after a sauna, treat yourself to a salty snack. The nearby Circle K sells hot dogs and they might just be the best in the North Pole.
4. Visit the local brewery
If you're a beer enthusiast, you won't want to miss visiting the world's most northern brewery. Svalbard Brewery offers a good selection of beers, from blonde and pilsner to dark ale and even some brews barrel-aged in a coal mine.
🕕 Hours: The Brewery Bar & Tap Room is open on Fridays from 4 PM to 10 PM, and brewery visits and beer tastings are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 6 PM.
🍺 Top Tip: Svalbard Brewery is only a 3 minute walk from the sauna, making it easy to enjoy both experiences back-to-back. After warming up in the sauna, stroll over for some refreshing local brews.
5. Have a night out at the local pub
When we asked our tour guide where the locals hang out, he pointed us to Karlsberger Pub. We were surprised - it wasn’t the run-down dive we expected at all. Instead, it was an industrial-chic lounge inspired by Svalbard’s mining history.
Its dim lighting creates an intimate feel, and with 1,200 bottles lining the bar, the selection is impressive. Plus, the friendly bartenders whip up some good cocktails, making it a great place to kick back and chat with locals.
6. Experience the midnight sun
In Svalbard, the sun doesn’t set from late April to August, so catching the midnight sun is a must!
We recommend grabbing a drink at the cozy, dimly lit Karlsberger Pub, then stepping outside in the early morning to experience the Arctic sun. It’s such a wild feeling.
7. Discover Longyearbyen's fine dining scene
Dining at Gruvelageret
You may be surprised to hear that Longyearbyen has quite the culinary scene. Alongside its gastropubs and relaxed restaurants, the town also has award-winning fine dining restaurants serving modern Nordic cuisine.
Huset, Svalbard's most famous and expensive restaurant, is known as one of Norway's best restaurants. Its wine list also received the Best Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator Magazine. Their set menu focuses on using fresh, local ingredients from the Arctic.
Gruvelageret is a rustic fine-dining restaurant focusing on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Just a short drive from Longyearbyen under a glacier, the restored mining shack has a cozy, yet elevated atmosphere with its wooden interior. Gruvelageret is a great choice for Arctic fine dining at a more affordable price than Huset.
Top Tip: If Huset and Gruvelageret are outside of your budget, but you're eager to try some excellent Nordic cuisine made with local ingredients, check out Restaurant Nansen. Every dish we tried on their à la carte menu was a standout and the scenic views from the large windows were lovely.
8. See an art exhibition at Nordover
Visit Nordover, an art centre that offers a unique perspective of Svalbard through temporary art exhibitions and a permanent collection by Norwegian artist Kåre Tveter. His works are a must see.
The way Kåre Tveter captures the light of Svalbard across different seasons is mesmerizing and makes you see its landscapes in a new way.
Nordover also has a cinema where you can watch a 25-minute film exploring the history of arts and culture in Svalbard. It's shown 2-3 times per day. Check the schedule here.
9. Go tax-free shopping
One of the best perks of shopping in Svalbard is that it’s tax-free. We took advantage of this and picked up some Christmas decorations, outdoor clothing, and gifts for family.
The boutique stores we shopped at were packed with unique, well-crafted items. Take a stroll along the main strip and don't miss these spots:
- The Svalbard Store - we couldn't believe how big this supermarket was in Longyearbyen. Their apparel and gift section is awesome and a great place to pick up gifts.
- Spitsbergen Sport - this outdoor clothing store is one of the best we’ve ever visited. We discovered top-tier Scandinavian brands, like Aclima and Hestra.
- Skinnboden - offers premium skins, knitwear and footwear.
10. Sip a hot drink outside and people-watch at Fruene
Fruene Cafe is the best spot for lunch in Longyearbyen and serves as a popular meeting spot for locals and travellers. Grab a hot drink, one of their made-to-order sandwiches, or baked goods like cinnamon buns, and snag a table outside for people-watching on the main strip.
11. Buy the cutest white polar bear chocolates
Fruene is not just a cafe, it's also a chocolatier. Be sure to check out their chocolate section and pick up some white polar bear chocolates - they make great gifts!
12. Try Scandinavian gins at Svalbar
Svalbar is a laid-back gastropub known for its tasty comfort foods like smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and loaded fries. But it’s the impressive gin selection that really stands out, including eight different gins from Norway.
We loved the relaxed atmosphere, with its warm amber lighting and a view of the main strip. It's easy to see why it's a local favourite.
🍸 Must try: Elsker Dry Velvet Gin with blueberries and lemon zest
13. Eat the world's most northern sushi
Longyearbyen continues the "world's northernmost" trend with NUGA, the northernmost sushi restaurant on the planet. But it’s more than just a fun claim -NUGA delivers seriously good Japanese dishes.
The menu features everything from sushi rolls, sashimi and nigiri to tempura, gyoza, and ramen. Everything we tasted was fresh and flavourful, with well seasoned sushi rice.
Make your reservation for NUGA.
14. Send a postcard from the post office
Longyearbyen’s post office is a fun place to send postcards - there’s nothing quite like getting mail from the Arctic! You'll find unique postcards in different gift shops along the main strip.
I had a blast sending polar bear postcards to my friends' kids and telling them I was close to Santa's workshop in the North Pole.
15. Try Scandinavian candies from a candy wall
Head to the candy wall of Longyearbyen's surprisingly well-stocked supermarket, The Svalbard Store, to try different Scandinavian candies. If you want to kick back in your room and watch a movie it's a great place to get treats from.
🍬 The weirdest candy to try: salty licorice scum bananas
16. Unwind at the glamorous Funken Bar
Head up the hill to Funken Bar at Funken Lodge, arguably the most glamorous hotel in the Arctic. While its interior is impressive with its elegant lighting, plush seating and luxurious accents, it's really the expertly-made cocktails and gourmet bites that stand out.
Each one of their signature cocktails is named after one of Svalbard's mines.
😋 Must try: Crab lollipops and the Gruve-6 cocktail with rum, milk-washed Earl Grey tea, vermouth, peach and lime.
17. Escape the cold at the Svalbard Museum
Discover Svalbard's natural and cultural history at the Svalbard Museum, a great spot to escape the cold. We loved how the exhibits brought the past to life, even capturing the scents of the era.
One highlight is the restored cabin that lets you imagine what life was like back then. The museum features a wide range of artifacts and geological information, and there’s even an area where you can pretend to be a miner and crawl through a dark tunnel.
We hope you enjoyed these fun things to do in Longyearbyen!
Don't miss our Svalbard packing guide and list of unique things to do in Svalbard in summer.
Bonus: Our top hotel picks in Longyearbyen
Get started on booking your trip to Svalbard
- 🛌 Book your accommodation: Booking.com is our go-to for finding places to stay. Sort by top reviewed.
- 🚤 Book your tours: Visit Svalbard is a great resource that lists tours.
- ✈️ Compare flights: with Skyscanner
Don't forget about travel insurance
👩⚕️ For affordable travel insurance: go with SafetyWing - it's budget-friendly and you can even buy it while abroad, but note the max medical coverage is $250,000 USD. 🏥 For comprehensive travel insurance: go with World Nomads - it's more expensive, but the max emergency medical coverage is $5-10 million, depending on the plan.Save and pin these fun things to do in Longyearbyen for later:
