Welcome to Svalbard, Norway’s Arctic archipelago that feels like stepping into another world entirely. It’s a place so remote and extreme that your neighbor might be a polar bear and even death has to follow special protocols.
And yet. There’s something about the place that just calls out to us. By the time you scroll to the end of this list, you’re probably ready to book a ticket on Wego; we know we did!
You’re sort of not allowed to die here
Svalbard legitimately has a rule stating that if someone becomes critically ill, they’re immediately airlifted to mainland Norway. It’s not really illegal to die, it’s just that traditional burial is not feasible here due to the permafrost preventing bodies from naturally decomposing.Â
If you’re not convinced: When old graves were opened back then, locals got the shock of their lives. Bodies looked exactly as they did when buried, complete with active viruses and bacteria. The permafrost is so intense that bodies don’t decompose; they’re perfectly preserved like nature’s own freezer.
The Arctic terrain makes everything looks like alien territory
The icy landscape is so surreal that dog sledding here feels like exploring another planet. The combination of vast white expanses, dramatic ice formations, and complete silence creates landscapes that look straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Keep in mind that winter temperatures can plummet to -30°C. Generally you can expect the temperatures to be around -14°C and -8°C, while in summer it spikes to a balmy 5-9°C in July.
Polar bears outnumber humans
These magnificent predators roam freely across the islands, and locals are required to carry flare guns outside settlements. Your biggest traffic concern? A 1,000-pound polar bear crossing the street. It makes for pretty cool sighting (from a safe distance)!
The sun gets moody
Due to its extreme northern location, Svalbard experiences a unique “moody” sun. For about four months (late October to mid-February), the sun never rises – this is the Polar Night, offering constant darkness and prime viewing for the Northern Lights.
Conversely, from late April to late August, the sun never sets, providing Midnight Sun and endless daylight for exploring glaciers and spotting wildlife, even at midnight!
Meanwhile, the periods roughly before and after (March-April and late August-October) bring back the mesmerising Northern Lights.
Everything here is “World’s Northernmost”
From the northernmost university campus to the northernmost brewery, ATM, and even post office, Svalbard holds more “northernmost” records than anywhere else on Earth.
Longyearbyen, Svalbard’s main settlement, holds the unique title of being the world’s northernmost town. With fewer than 3,000 hardy souls calling this frozen frontier home, it’s a place where human grit gets tested everyday.
You can visit the world’s “Doomsday Vault”
Svalbard houses the Global Seed Vault, designed to preserve crop seeds from around the world in case of global catastrophe. While you can’t go inside (it’s a working facility), standing outside this fortress built into a mountainside is an otherworldly experience.
Travel tips for the ultimate Arctic experience
What to pack: Layers, layers, layers! The weather can change dramatically, and you’ll want to be prepared for everything from indoor warmth to Arctic winds.
Getting there: Fly into Longyearbyen Airport, but remember, you can’t fly direct from most countries. You’ll typically connect through Oslo or Tromsø.
Where to stay: For such a remote location, it has plenty of options, from cozy guesthouses to luxury lodges
