Routes · Europe

Miami to Svalbard: Longyearbyen in the High Arctic summer

Miami → Longyearbyen (Svalbard)

High Arctic polar bears Best season (general guide): Jun–Aug

Svalbard is an archipelago halfway between mainland Norway and the North Pole, and Longyearbyen is its main town. This route spends five nights there in midsummer. From Miami you'll connect through Europe and Oslo or Tromsø.

In summer the sun does not set, and the light makes it easy to fit a lot into each day. The Svalbard Museum tells the story of whaling, mining and Arctic research. A guided boat trip to a glacier front lets you watch ice calve into the sea, and seabirds, seals and sometimes walruses are seen along the way.

Leaving town on foot requires a guide, because polar bears roam the islands. Guided tundra hikes explore the valleys around Longyearbyen. In summer, boats also go to Pyramiden, an abandoned Soviet mining town. A free day lets you visit the polar museum or sit by the fjord.

June to August is polar summer, with 24-hour daylight, according to Visit Svalbard. Weather can change quickly, so bring warm, waterproof clothes even in July.

Pacing: the number of hotels and guesthouses in Longyearbyen is small, so book early for the summer season. Most activities are organised through local operators, who provide warm suits for boat trips and guides with firearms for hikes.

Svalbard has strict environmental rules. Keep your distance from wildlife and don't disturb birds' nests. Leave everything as you find it, including old mining remains, which are protected as cultural heritage.

Bring layers, waterproof outerwear, a hat and gloves, sunglasses for the bright light and an eye mask for the endless daylight.

Longyearbyen's small town centre has cafés, a few restaurants and shops selling outdoor gear, and the long, bright evenings are perfect for a walk along the shore within the settlement.

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