"Longyearbyen" Longyearbyen by wilda08

Longyearbyen Travel Guide: 128 reviews and 177 photos

The Longyearglacier, Svalbard, August 2002

Longyearbyen is the seat of local government and Norway’s main administrative centre on Svalbard. The small colourful community of approx. 1 500 inhabitants has developed from being a typical mining community into a community with a number of businesses and industries and a wide range of cultural activities and opportunities. In general, the population of Longyearbyen is rather young, with many small children.

Leisure and cultural activities abound. Since there are no roads between the settlement areas on Svalbard, snowmobiles and boats are a common means of transportation. Locals are very fond of outdoor activities, as well as taking weekend trips to cabins and huts.
Mostly it's norwiegans who lives here, but there is also other nationalities.
There are lots of people from Thailand who lives here.

Next to Longyearbyen lays the Longyearglacier, next to it lays the Larsglacier.

Main street in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, August 2002

This is Longyearbyen "down town".
It's this one street, that's about it!
Along this street we have our shops where we can buy our food or clothes. The local cinema lays a little bit outside the central area.
The quality of the cinema is not in top shape, so lots of people have their own homecinemas.
There's not much to do here during the wintertime when it's completly dark outside, you can either sit at a local pub or sit at home watching TV.
But it's still a very fun place to live.

Longyearbyen, Svalbard, May 2002

When you are walking inside the village you're pretty safe from polarbears, but as soon as you leave you have to bring somekind of weapon with you, it's the law.
There is always this danger of polarbears here on Svalbard.

Here is a funny link to a swedish newspaper (Aftonbladet) that writes about when a polarbear walked in to central Longyearbyen in 1999.
It's in swedish.
<a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/telegram/0,1082,21210938_UTR_p_19991221,00.html">Atonbladet 21/12 1999</a>

Here is another link to Aftonbladet.
It's about when a couple of polarbears broke in to different cabins to get food. There is also a little information about polarbears.
It's in swedish.
<a href="http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,182091,00.html">Atonbladet 5/7 2002</a>

Here is a link to Dagbladet. It's about a family living on Svalbard, who came home and met a polarbear beside their house. They shot and killed it. It's in norwegian:
<a href="http://www.dagbladet.no/nyheter/2003/02/05/360696.html">Dagbladet 5/3 2003</a>

Pros and Cons

Pros:It's a really beautyfull place.
Cons:It can get extremly cold during the wintertime.

Intro Updated Feb 22, 2003
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Reviews (8)

My girlfriend once more Favorites (5)

more travel advice

My girlfriend Favorites (5)

This is Zandra. more travel advice

Zandra Favorites (5)

This is what Zandra looked like after being out walking for an hour in the cold. more travel advice

Me and Zandra Favorites (5)

This is me and Zandra during the wintertime on Svalbard. more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (1)
Watch out for polarbears!
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Travelogues (5)

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Comments (18)

topmarmot Dec 15, 2005 at 7:47 PM Report Abuse

Happy Birthday! I had the pleasure of visiting Longyearbyen about 10 years ago, using Braathens airmiles. Great restaurant just outside town, can't remember the name.
tini58de May 18, 2005 at 1:41 PM Report Abuse

Hi Daniel! Will you be around on June 11/12??? We (3 girlfriends) will be in Longyearbyen then - would you like to meet then? That would be fantastic!!!
Saagar Mar 2, 2005 at 8:28 AM Report Abuse

Heisan! Coming to Longyearbyen after easter, and preparing myself - great tips you have. VT meeting at Huset????
Polly74 Dec 16, 2004 at 1:39 AM Report Abuse

Amazing pics and tips....it seems a tale place!!!! I would like to go there!!!! I wich you happy B-day...and keep warm ;-))
globetrott Jun 23, 2004 at 4:25 PM Report Abuse

What a wonderful page and brilliant pics, especially in the travelogues ! And one day I hope I will be able to do the cruise with Nordsternen !
XenoHumph Mar 11, 2004 at 9:59 AM Report Abuse

Wow! You live all the way up there!! It looks like it is fanstastically beautiful! Great page!
Psife Sep 8, 2003 at 2:06 AM Report Abuse

Really fascinating place, a place I really hope I will visit some day soon. And as everyone else says - Great Pictures!! =)
thelittlevoice Aug 31, 2003 at 5:49 AM Report Abuse

the pictures are so beautiful. wish i could visit there one day.
shiran_d May 15, 2003 at 5:23 PM Report Abuse

I wait to see your citiy soon can't wait
bebop88 Apr 9, 2003 at 12:16 PM Report Abuse

The scenary is fantastic!! Of course, its probably a bit difficult to grow a garden there, I presume.