10 Surprising Things About Visiting Svalbard
10 Things Nobody Tells You About Visiting Svalbard
Frozen, remote and full of surprises, Svalbard is unlike anywhere else on Earth. From polar bears outnumbering people to laws that mean you can’t be buried there, this Arctic outpost is packed with bizarre, fascinating facts. Here are 10 things that might just change the way you see travel to the far north
If you think you know the Arctic, think again.
Here are 10 fascinating facts about visiting Svalbard that sound made up - but are entirely true.
1. Polar Bears Outnumber People
Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager on Unsplash
There are more polar bears than residents in Svalbard — around 3,000 bears compared to roughly 2,500 people.
That’s why venturing outside settlements like Longyearbyen without protection isn’t just risky - it can be life-threatening.
2. You’re Required to Carry a Rifle Outside Town
In Svalbard, carrying a firearm outside populated areas isn’t optional - it’s a safety precaution.
Anyone leaving Longyearbyen must either carry protection or travel with someone who does because of the risk of polar bear encounters. Many visitors choose guided excursions for exactly this reason.
3. You Can’t Be Buried There
One of Svalbard’s strangest facts is that people are no longer buried there.
Because of the permafrost, bodies do not properly decompose. Concerns were raised after traces of the Spanish Flu virus were discovered preserved in remains decades later.
Today, people nearing the end of life are typically transferred back to mainland Norway.
4. It’s Dark for More Than 100 Days
Photo by Dylan Shaw on Unsplash
From late October until mid-February, Svalbard experiences the polar night - a period when the sun never rises above the horizon.
But it’s not complete darkness. Instead, the landscape is often bathed in an eerie blue twilight, with excellent opportunities to see the Northern Lights dancing above the snow-covered mountains.
5. Then the Sun Never Sets
In complete contrast, Svalbard experiences 24-hour daylight between April and August thanks to the midnight sun.
It creates a strange sense of timelessness, where hiking, wildlife spotting and even dinner can happen under bright sunshine late into the evening.
6. There Are No Roads Between Settlements
Despite its size, Svalbard has no road network connecting its settlements.
Instead, people travel by snowmobile, boat or small aircraft, adding to the feeling that you’ve reached the edge of the inhabited world.
7. It’s Illegal to Give Birth There
Longyearbyen has a small hospital, but pregnant women are required to travel to mainland Norway several weeks before giving birth.
The combination of limited medical facilities and the archipelago’s remote location makes childbirth too risky.
8. Everyone Takes Their Shoes Off Indoors
Almost every visitor gets caught out by this one.
In Svalbard, it’s customary to remove your shoes before entering hotels, restaurants and even some offices - a tradition dating back to the coal mining era, when workers wanted to avoid bringing coal dust indoors.
Today, it also helps protect floors from snow, ice and heavy winter footwear and snow cleats.
9. The ‘Doomsday Vault’ Is Hidden Inside a Mountain
The “DoomsdayVault”, Longyearbyen, Svalbard. Photo: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Just outside Longyearbyen lies the Svalbard Global Seed Vault - often nicknamed the “Doomsday Vault”.
Built deep inside a mountain, it stores backup seeds from around the world to help safeguard global food supplies in the event of future disasters or environmental crises.
10. It Feels Remote - But It’s Surprisingly Easy to Reach
Despite its extreme location deep inside the Arctic Circle, Svalbard is surprisingly accessible.
Most travellers arrive via Oslo, with flights taking just a few hours from mainland Norway - making this remote wilderness feel far closer than many people imagine.
Why Svalbard Leaves Such a Lasting Impression
Svalbard is more than a destination - it’s a place that completely reshapes your understanding of travel.
It’s dangerous yet breathtaking.
Isolated yet welcoming.
Harsh yet strangely comforting.
From carrying rifles for safety to experiencing months of darkness, everyday life here feels unlike anywhere else on Earth.
The Lowdown
If you’re searching for a destination that genuinely surprises you, Svalbard delivers at every turn.
Scenic Svalbard from the sea. Photo: Kathy Taylor, Cruise Lowdown
Whilst it makes for a ùber-cool short-break destination, for me, the best way to experience it is by expedition ship, allowing you to explore remote settlements, witness wildlife and sail alongside glaciers in complete silence.
I visited Svalbard with HX Expeditions in Spring 2025 and even took part in a polar plunge in the Arctic Ocean - an experience I’m not likely to forget anytime soon.
I travelled to Svalbard with HX Expeditions in Spring 2025. A similar itinerary is Svalbard in Spring - The Return of the Sun.
You might also like: My Arctic Expedition Diary - 8 Days In Svalbard With HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
For packing tips for a visit to Svalbard check out my Arctic Packing Guide with a link to a FREE packing check list.