Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen, (pronounced lungyer-byin) is the largest populated area, and capital of the Norway|Norwegian region of Svalbard.

Longyearbyen Halal Explorer

LongyearbyenDowntown - View of Longyearbyen Longyearbyen View - A slice of Longyearbyen and the surrounding mountains Haugen, neighborhood from the 1940's Kulbuk - Part of a huge system for transporting coal on cables

Longyearbyen is the largest populated settlement on the Svalbard archipelago, located in the high Norway|Norwegian Arctic. The settlement is generally regarded as the northernmost town in the world as well as the most easily accessed frontier in the Arctic, and is an ideal base for the greater exploration of Svalbard and the high Arctic.

The settlement is named after American entrepreneur John Munro Longyear (1860-1922), who as head of the Arctic Coal Company founded the town and the neighboring coal mine and the first large mine on Svalbard. Mining remains an important component of the economy, and historical remnants of the mining past can be seen on the nearby mountain slopes and throughout the town. Today, however, most mining is done at the Svea mine to the south. The economy of Longyearbyen is now driven primarily by scientific research and tourism.

With roughly 2,500 inhabitants and the town is the de facto "capital" of the islands, and is today a vibrant, modern, and international settlement with much of the character of mainland Norwegian towns. It features an airport, a school, a shopping center, hospital, hotels, restaurants, and a university. People from roughly 40 different countries call Longyearbyen home, and this is reflected in the events offered in the town.

Orientation

NybyenSvlabard - Nybyen

Longyearbyen lies on the southern side of Adventfjorden, stretched out along the Longyearelve (Longyear River). The center of town lies near the coast on the east side of the river, with the neighborhood of Skjæringa across the river and the neighborhood of Nybyen 2 km (1.2 mile) to the south and the airport 3 km (1.9 mile) to the west. Adventdalen and the valley housing Longyearbyen's only operational mine (#7), stretches out to the east.

Be sure to pick up the free Longyearbyen 78° North pamphlet (available at the airport and most lodges), which has a detailed map of the city and listings of all its facilities.

How is the Climate in Longyearbyen

Svalbard's climate is a combination of a cold Arctic climate tempered by the North Atlantic Current, an arm of the Gulf Stream. Nordenskiöld Land is the warmest and wettest part of the archipelago, caused by the convergence of mild and humid air from the south and cold air from the north. Average summer temperatures are typically 4 to 6 °C (39 to 43 °F) while average winter temperatures are −12 to −16 °C (10 to 3 °F). Longyearbyen experiences midnight sun from 19 April to 23 August, and polar night from 14 November to 29 January. The sun is under the horizon from 26 October to 16 February however and the sun is not visible in Longyearbyen until 8 March due its location. Snow covers the town from late September to May.

Travel to Longyearbyen

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Longyearbyen

LongyearbyenAirport - Airport

• Svalbard Airport Longyear IATA Flight Code: LYR 78.246111, 15.465556 - Svalbard Airport, Longyear Longyearbyen Hotellneset IMG 3003-rot is the only major airport on Svalbard. It services Scandinavian Airlines (SAS Norge)] Flights to Tromsø most days all year around, and 6 services per week direct to Oslo in the summer high season. The budget airline Norwegian (Norwegian Air Shuttle)] offers 3 flights per week from Oslo to Longyearbyen for about 700 kr.

There is the possibility of chartered services to other bases on Svalbard, but these are generally reserved for scientists and those travelling on expeditions to the North Pole itself. Sightseeing by plane or helicopter is not allowed under the environmental laws.

The airport is fully equipped with a restaurant and a souvenir shop. Despite its small size, it is operated in the same way as other Norway|Norwegian state-run airports with full security checks and passport control. Svalbard is officially outside the Schengen Area. The Norwegian government has imposed identity checks on individuals wishing to enter and leave Svalbard, with the border between Svalbard and the rest of Norway being treated as an external Schengen border. A Schengen visa must be multiple entry to for the return through Norway, or other Schengen country, for cruise passengers continuing for example to Iceland.

Airport shuttle buses (75 kr) connect with all flights arriving and departing at the airport. Taxis are also available.

Apart from passport control when returning to mainland-Norway passengers also need to go through customs control at usually Tromsø or Oslo; this is due to the Duty-free status of Svalbard (see below for shopping for alcohol). If your flight gets routed Longyearbyen - Tromsø - Oslo, all formalities are handled at Tromsø with Oslo-bound passengers having to pickup their checked luggage even if it is checked through to Oslo.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen's port is accessible only in the summer when the pack ice recedes. For dates, see the port website]. There are weekly freight boats to and from Tromsø. Organised sightseeing tourist boats offer day trips to Barentsburg and the active Russian town, and Pyramiden, a Russian settlement that was abandoned in 1998, throughout the summer months.

How to get around in Longyearbyen

There is no public transportation aside from the airport shuttle bus. Walking is a viable option, although rather tedious if you need to move around outside the centre, especially when the weather is bad. Taxi services are available, at a price. Alternatively, most of the hotels and hostels, and some of the tour operators, offer bike rentals. Car rentals are available at the airport (Arctic Autorent) and in the town center (Svalbard Auto), but vehicle inventory is very limited, so reservations are recommended. Visitors who leave the town center without a guide should be aware that polar bears can be seen anywhere on the islands at any time of year. Leaving the central area of Longyearbyen without a hunting rifle is not recommended. Rifles can be rented from several places in the town, or alternatively, a guide can be hired for expeditions.

What to see in Longyearbyen

SvalbardMine3b - Mine 2b SvalbardMuseum - Inside the museum SvalbardChurch - Longyearbyen Church SvalbardReindeer - Reindeer in the city SvalbardSundial - 24-hour sundial

There are many possibilities for walking and sight-seeing in the immediate Longyearbyen area. Walking out of the settlement into the fjord, you will see the old cemetery and several abandoned mine buildings.

• North Pole Expedition Museum - Spitsbergen Airship Museum - 78.2233, 15.6535 ☎ +47 91383467 - Spitsbergen Airship Museum SpitsbergenAirshipMuseum A Displays materials and ephemera from the perioid of polar exploration using dirigibles and other aircraft, mainly by Norwegians, Italians and American explorers.

• Galleri Svalbard 78.203119, 15.594050 In Nybyen ☎ +47 79 022340 - Entry NOK70 Permanent exhibitions of Kåre Tveter, lithographies from the Recherche expeditions and a 'Svalbard collection' with maps, books and local currency. The adjoining café, shop and artists' workshops are free to visit.

• Svalbard Museum - 78.217407, 15.616819 Svalbard Science Centre (at the end of the main street) - Entry NOK75 Reopened 2006 in large new premises, this award winning museum features many displays about the human history of the archipelago, especially whaling and mining, as well as various exhibits about arctic flora and fauna.

• Svalbard Church - Svalbard Kirke - 78.219830, 15.618279 above town ☎ +47 79 025560 - The world's northernmost church. Always open, and has coffee and cookies for the visitors. Also sells postcards, books, etc.—just leave the money in a bowl.

• Animals NA, NA - Reindeers roam free in the city. You can also see polar foxes and birds.

• 24-Hour Sundial - Not big, but it does 24 hours a day in the summer.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Longyearbyen

Mine1 Equipment - Mining equipment outside Mine 1

A wide variety of activities including hiking, dog-sledding, kayaking and snowmobile safaris and ice-caving and more are offered by Svalbard's many tour companies. The largest operators are Spitsbergen Travel and Svalbard Wildlife Service (SWS). Prices are high — expect to pay from NOK 390-1000 for a half-day activity, NOK 1000 - 3000 for a full day — but the standard is high and the experiences are well worth the price.

Esmarksbreen - Esmarkbreen Glacier

• Dog Sledding with Green Dog - from NOK 990 Green Dog offer a variety of dogsledding trips all year round. These range from 3 hour trips to 5 day expeditions. During the summer guests can experience dogsledding on wheels, with specially-made sleds which seat 2-3 persons.

• Year round activities with Spitsbergen Travel - ☎ +47 7902 6100 from NOK 730 Snowmobile safaris, ice caving, hiking, boat trips etc. Safaris vary from 4 hours to 10 hours. Snowmobile / tours and ice-caving are offered during the winter season. Generally between December and mid-May, dependent on the snow conditions. Experienced and safety-conscious guides. Destinations include: Elveneset, Tempelfjorden, Pyramiden, Barentsburg and the East Coast. During the summer months the waterways open up and the midnight sun shines on Svalbard. Thousands of migratory birds come to the area, and nest in the cliffs. You can enjoy the landscape and wildlife with an open boat trip to the bird cliffs, a calving glacier or to a popular fossil hunting location, with experienced guides. One possibility is a demanding yet rewarding trip to Trollsteinen (849m over sea level) or a hike from sea to summit.

• Esmarkbreen Glacier - Across the Isfjorden (2-3 hours by boat). Scenic glacier across the bay, colored a striking blue. Drop a cube in your glass for an arctic martini. Often combined with cruises to Barentsburg.

Langoysund - Langøysund tour boat

• Barentsburg - The Russian settlement of Barentsburg is accessible from Longyearbyen by boat. Organized / tours are available. Accommodation and meals can be found at the Hotel Barentsburg, for prices somewhat lower than you would find in Longyearbyen.

• Pyramiden - Across the Isfjorden from Longyearbyen (2-3 hours by boat) lies Pyramiden, a Russian mining settlement that was abandoned in 1998. A small Russian contingent is now based on-site to prevent vandalism and take care of basic infrastructure needs. As of 2023, basic accommodation in Pyramiden is available at the Tulip Hotel, including cooked meals. A small number of converted shipping containers, located on the old docks, are also available to rent. Bringing your own food and water may be recommended. Contact the Russian company Trust Arcticugol, which maintains the town of Pyramiden, for booking. Because Pyramiden is no longer inhabited, a hunting rifle is required for protection if you are not part of a tour group. Polar bears are frequently seen in the area. Wireless services (phone and internet) are not available here so please use caution.

If you have multiple days to spare then your options really open up: how about a week-long snow scooter trip (21,500 kr) or 11 days by boat around all of Spitsbergen (from around €3000) For the ultimate Arctic experience, you can even arrange to join a trip to the North Pole.

Local events in Longyearbyen

• In late October, Longyearbyen hosts the annual GPS 78.220774, 15.647875* Dark Season Blues Festival that draws large crowds. The 10th annual blues festival took place in 2012. This marks the beginning of the dark season when daylight and the sun is about to leave Svalbard.
• In early February, Longyearbyen plays host to the annual Polarjazz Festival, generally featuring a wide variety of different music styles.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Longyearbyen

Svalbard's shopping is concentrated in and around the two-story Lompensenteret shopping mall and the supermarket. Beware the limited opening hours: most shops are only open 11:00-18:00 weekdays, 11:00-14:00 Saturday and closed Sunday.

• Svalbardbutikken - 78.21804, 15.64024 - Opposite Lompensenteret. Svalbard's sole supermarket and department store rolled into one. Has a surprisingly wide selection, but prices are high, especially for anything perishable: half a cucumber costs NOK10 and a kilo of bananas costs NOK20. A hot deli offers a few staples and occasionally some ethnic themes. Open weekdays from 11:00 to 20:00, reduced hours Sat/Sun.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Eating out in Longyearbyen (as with all of Norway) is expensive, with the simplest sit-down meals costing over NOK70. There are several small cafés in the town centre, and also a restaurant at the Radisson SAS Hotel. Many places serve traditional Norwegian food. Some serve Svalbard specialties such as seal and whale. Delivery is usually available, arranged through local taxis for about NOK50.

• Mix kiosk Lompensenteret - Hot dogs, Sausages,Burgers and sandwiches, sometimes offered on sale at what are bargain prices for Svalbard. Also has a limited supply of groceries, along with snack foods and sweets. Prices are high compared to Svalbardbutikken, but the kiosk is open longer hours.

• Huset Nybyen Opening Hours: Weekdays (open ca 15:00-22:00 in the summer) Daily dinner menu NOK99 Huset is the town nightclub on Friday and Saturdays with a DJ.

• Barentz Pub & Spiseri - ☎ +47 7902 3466 Opening Hours: 12noon - 02:00 Daily specials from NOK99 Cosy atmosphere, Pizzas, burgers, steak. The world's northernmost bar, skilled bartenders, often live music, busy on weekends.

• Fruene Lompensenteret - Espresso, sandwiches, salads and daily specials such as soups and (Thai) dishes. One of the few locations in town with free wireless internet access.

• Kroa Basecamp Spitsbergen - Popular among local residents and visitors for fare ranging from ribs to reindeer wraps. Portions are huge, making the prices more palatable.

• Restaurant Nansen - ☎ +47 907 16 198 Opening Hours: 18:00–23:00 Restaurant Nansen offers a modern menu with an Arctic twist. Reindeer, seal and whale are often available.

• Funktionærmessen Restaurant - ☎ +47 79 02 62 87 - Funtionærmessen offers fantastic views and a French inspired menu.

• Mary Anne's Polarrigg - Arctic and (Thai) food, sometimes combined, such as whale stir-fry. Takeaway available.

• Gruvelagret (Spendrupbyen)

Svalbard's tax-free status makes alcohol a lot cheaper than on the mainland.

• Kroa Cafe 78.2169682, 15.6348889 - Offers a range of decent drinks and meals in a pleasant environment.

• Nordpolet 78.2181618, 15.6401297 in Svalbardbutikken Opening Hours: 11:00 to 18:0. weekdays, 10:00 to 15:00 Saturdays, closed Sundays Sells a full range of soft drinks and but quotas apply and you must show your plane ticket to purchase. Special opening hours around public holidays and religious festivals.

• Svalbard Bryggeri - 78.227056, 15.608889 ☎ +47 902 86 205 Svalbard Bryggeri is the world's northernmost brewery. The organic juice is partly based on thawed ice water from the Bogerbreen glacier. Beer tasting for groups by appointment.

• Svalbar - 78.21741, 15.63690 ☎ +47 79025003 Opening Hours: Weekdays 16:00-02:00, opens earlier on weekends NOK 38 for a organic juice Good bar with reasonably priced cafe food.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Longyearbyen

Longyearbyen - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Longyearbyen, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Longyearbyen. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Longyearbyen and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Longyearbyen. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Longyearbyen. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLongyearbyen: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Longyearbyen.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Longyearbyen: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Longyearbyen, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Longyearbyen.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Longyearbyen, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Longyearbyen, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Longyearbyen and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Longyearbyen, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Longyearbyen, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Longyearbyen without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Longyearbyen is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Longyearbyen.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Longyearbyen is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Longyearbyen, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Longyearbyen Media: info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

The full service hotels are fairly expensive, especially during the high season. Discounts of 20-50% may be available in the October–May low season.

• Longyearbyen Camping - 78.249181, 15.499180 Near the airport, 4 kilometers outside Longyearbyen) ☎ +47 79021444 Promises an "intensive experience of nature" at the northernmost full-service campsite in the world. Stays per day start at 120 kr, not including tent rental (NOK150/day) or even warm showers (NOK10/6 min). The site is open all year round, but the service building (showers and toilets) is open only during the summer. Visitors traveling to Svalbard outside of the high season (end of June until September) will be permitted to use the campsite free of charge, but must bring their own provisions and equipment. If your plans include trekking in Svalbard and the camping site is an excellent place to meet fellow trekkers, seek advice or maybe even join a larger group. You get a certificate if you go skinny dipping in the "Advent Fjord", which, of course, is very cold.

A number of guesthouses and homestays offer basic accommodation. Read the small print carefully, as you're often charged extra for breakfast, linens, towels and perhaps even use of the bath.

• Gjestehuset 102 - @.no 78.200835, 15.590152 In Nybyen ☎ +47 79025716 Singles/doubles NOK475/850, unisex dorms NOK300, including linen, breakfast. - Miner's lodge converted into a basic but comfortable guesthouse, with shared bathrooms and lounge/kitchen; the main downside is the location, a 20-min walk from the centre. It is however well serviced by the airport shuttle bus.

• Coal Miners' Cabins - 78.201878, 15.590910 In Nybyen ☎ +47 7902 6300 from NOK 300 Comfortable, roughly 2 kilometers from the main shopping area. Price includes breakfast, linen and towels.

• Mary-Ann's Polarrigg - 78.222212, 15.633523 ☎ +47 79023702 NOK595/850 for a single/double, breakfast NOK95 extra - Former miner's barracks converted into a bed and breakfast. A bit pricier than the competition, but the selling point is the central location.

• Basecamp Spitsbergen - 78.21718, 15.63617 ☎ +47 79024600 - The most atmospheric of Longyearbyen's luxury hotels, this attempts to simulate a trapper's lodge with seal skins and driftwood aplenty. Don't let the humble name fool you though: 'camping' here will cost you from NOK1590/night in peak season (but only half that in winter).

• Radisson BLU Polar Hotel Spitsbergen - 78.220923, 15.647147 ☎ +47 79023450 Low season from NOK500, peak season rates start from NOK1450 Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11:00 The world's northernmost full-service hotel, with restaurant, pub, private secluded sauna, free Internet access and a guest computer. Book activities in the reception.

• Funken Lodge - formerly Spetsbergen Hotel| Haugen 78.210992, 15.624769 ☎ +47 79026200 Check-in: 15:00 / Check-out: 11am Restaurant, bar, Champagne cellar, private secluded sauna, training room and free wireless Internet access. Historical building, now atmospheric hotel. Closed for winter (Dec-Jan). Excellent views down the valley from the restaurant.

Cope in Longyearbyen

• Sparebank1 - In the post office building, has an ATM.

Most shops and services take major credit cards.

Telecommunications in Longyearbyen

• Library - Bibliotek - Lompensenteret 2F Opening Hours: Beware the eccentric and limited opening hours: 11:00-17:0. Mon/Wed/Thu, 11:00-14:00 Tue/Sat, closed Fri, Sun. This surprisingly comprehensive library has an excellent selection of books on Svalbard (some in English), a rather more limited selection of English fiction and, most useful of all, three free Internet-connected PCs.

• Svalbard Reiseliv - ☎ +47-7902-5551 Opening Hours: Open 08:00 to 16:00 weekdays, 10:00 to 12 noon Saturdays. Svalbard Museum. The official tourist information office, a mine of information for Longyearbyen and the rest of Svalbard.

Stay Safe

Perhaps more so than anywhere in the world, Longyearbyen is free from crime. The risk of being involved with any type of altercation or incident is practically nil, with the sole threat being from fellow visitors. It is not uncommon to see intoxicated tourists wandering around during the midnight sun in August, but despite the complete lack of visible law enforcement, problems are almost non-existent. Note that driving under the influence of drinks is regarded as a very serious offence, and police stops for both cars and snowmobiles are not uncommon. The blood alcohol content limit is currently 0.02%, and the fines are steep.

It is not advised that you leave the settlement limits (clearly marked with signs bearing the picture of a polar bear). If you choose to do so, it is compulsory to carry a firearm which can be rented from the town. Travelling further afield requires explicit permission from the Governor of Svalbard, whose office is near the church.

As everywhere in Svalbard, it is critical to understand that all year round there is a significant threat from polar bears. However, polar bears are legally protected, and shooting a polar bear will be regarded very seriously by the police and investigated thoroughly.

Travel Next

• Barentsburg - Svalbard's solitary remaining Russian settlement, easily visited on a (albeit expensive) day trip.
• Pyramiden - Alternatively on Tuesdays you could take the same ship to visit the mysterious abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden - perfectly preserved but utterly empty.

Both trips operate summer season only, and will not operate unless minimum numbers (about 12) are achieved. Be prepared for disappointment in shoulder season.

Copyright 2015 - 2024. All Rights reserved by eHalal Group Co., Ltd.
To Advertise or sponsor this Travel Guide, please visit our Media Kit and Advertising Rates.