The largest and most northerly of the islands in the Svalbard archipelago, Spitsbergen is an otherworldly place of glaciers, towering peaks and dark Arctic winters. The main town, Longyearbyen, is a surprisingly cosmopolitan place, with excellent restaurants, bars and shops, and a lively community of international scientists and adventurers. From Longyearbyen it’s easy to explore the island’s wild interior, either on organised hikes or by renting a car or bike. There are plenty of opportunities for wildlife spotting, with polar bears, reindeer, walrus and seals among the creatures you might see. In summer the sun never sets, providing 24 hours of daylight to explore the glaciers and fjords.
Average temperatures during the day in Spitsbergen.
