Why Svalbard?

Svalbard spans the 74th and 81st parallels north – closer to the North Pole than it is to Norway. This remote Arctic archipelago sits in the High Arctic Ocean, and its nine main islands, of which Spitsbergen is the largest, would be locked in ice all year round were it not for the warming waters of the Gulf Stream.

Longyearbyen, the main settlement, is the world's northernmost town of any significant size. This extraordinary location means Svalbard experiences four months of uninterrupted Midnight Sun in summer and a prolonged Polar Night in winter – making it one of the most extreme and spectacular destinations on Earth.

Svalbard is one of the best places in the world to see polar bears in their natural habitat – spotting one from a ship is an unforgettable experience. Plus, the length and depth of the Polar Night here makes Svalbard one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights.

Dog sledding on snow or on wheels beneath the Midnight Sun is another highlight, as is whale watching, with blue, beluga and humpback whales frequenting these Arctic waters in summer.

Longyearbyen, despite having around only 2,500 residents, is a surprisingly cosmopolitan place, home to one of the best restaurants in Norway and the world's northernmost brewery. History lovers can discover Svalbard's whaling past and coal-mining heritage, while hikers can reach mountain viewpoints within two hours of the town centre.

And the best way to get there is on one of our Signature Svalbard Line voyages, which combines the majesty of the Svalbard landscape with our world-class all-inclusive hospitality.

Svalbard is one of the planet's most extraordinary natural habitats, home to an amazing array of wildlife adapted to thrive in the frozen landscapes and extreme climate of the far north. Around 3,000 polar bears live in the Barents Sea region. Svalbard reindeer roam freely, and the elusive Arctic fox changes its coat with the seasons. Walruses haul out on beaches and ice floes in large, sociable groups.

In the waters, you may encounter blue, fin, humpback, beluga, minke, sperm and narwhal whales, along with ringed, bearded and harp seals. Svalbard is also a critical breeding ground for millions of seabirds, including puffins, guillemots, Arctic terns and barnacle geese.

Svalbard has around 2,500 residents in its capital, Longyearbyen. Remarkably, people from more than 50 different countries live here, thanks to the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which means no visa is needed to live or work in the archipelago. This international mix brings a surprisingly vibrant cultural scene to such a remote outpost.

There are two particularly notable quirks of life here: expectant mothers usually head to mainland Norway for childbirth, and because of the permafrost, burying the deceased in coffins isn't possible either - burials must happen back in mainland Norway.

Between May and September, Hurtigruten's Svalbard Line sails from Bergen to Longyearbyen and the remote research settlement of Ny-Ålesund and back again, calling at several carefully chosen Norwegian ports along the way. You can also choose the northbound voyage and disembark in Longyearbyen or fly into Longyearbyen from Oslo or Tromsø before cruising south back to Bergen.

Once on Svalbard, public transport is virtually non-existent, and it is dangerous to explore beyond the boundaries of Longyearbyen without a professional guide, due to the threat posed by polar bears. Joining a Hurtigruten voyage offers a safe and scenic way to explore this remote frontier destination.

Hurtigruten's Svalbard Line is the only voyage of its kind, sailing all-inclusive from Bergen through Norway's most iconic fjords before reaching the High Arctic archipelago and the remote settlement of Ny-Ålesund. Our small ships can navigate Svalbard's iceberg-studded fjords intimately, giving you the best chance of spotting walruses, whales and maybe even polar bears from on deck.

Exploring beyond the boundaries of Longyearbyen without a professional guide is not recommended, so sailing with Hurtigruten's experienced crew ensures you experience Svalbard's extraordinary wildlife and landscapes safely, responsibly and unforgettably.