Spitsbergen travel guide

home to the most northerly statue of Lenin, in the former Soviet mining town of Pyramiden.

the place to go if you like to wander off for a stroll by yourself. Here be polar bears…

Longyearbyen is tucked into a valley of the Longyearelva River, on the shores of Adventfjorden, and it has stunning views of snow covered mountains, glaciers and icy seas depending on the time of year, of course. It is also the land of polar bears, and is zoned off into safe and unsafe areas. The sign with a polar bear shows that you have left the safe zone. If you do, it is the law to carry a firearm (you must possess a licence in your own home country) or be accompanied by someone who is armed. Polar bears can wander into town any time of year, and for this reason, no one locks their car or building doors so that people can quickly find safety if necessary. The town can be busy during giant cruise ship season, May until August, when the seas melt and allow access.

Organised tours to Spitsbergen and Longyearbyen usually opt for the pretty high end option of accommodation, such as Base Camp Spitsbergen which has been designed to have an old fashioned trapper or explorer feel about it.

From Longyearbyen, you head out on land based expeditions usually on husky sleds or snowmobiles, or hiking in the summer season, and stay in a variety of accommodation. From traditional wooden teepee style huts which were once hunting cabins, to a converted radio station with an expert chef preparing the finest of cuisine. The northernmost lodge can be found at Nordenskiöld, which is perfect for visiting the eponymous glacier. These are active expeditions, whether you are being full on husky mushers, cross country skiing to see fjords or snowshoeing over white valleys.