Longyearbyen,
Svalbard, Norway

Discover the World’s Northernmost Town

We’re taking you to the edge of the world. This mining town on the archipelago of Svalbard lies between Norway and the North Pole. It’s a place where reindeer roam free around town, where you can check the time on a 24-hour sundial (it’s easy to lose track of it in the “Land of the Midnight Sun”), and where the crack of calving glaciers breaks through the calm of the Arctic Tundra. In summer, birds flock to Longyearbyen in droves, and wildflowers blanket terrain that appears unforgiving, but is definitely worth exploring.

The compact downtown, with rows of brightly-painted houses, is home to a shopping mall, as well as restaurants that serve up a fusion of local and international cuisine that’s completely unique. Never had a whale stir fry? This is your chance to try it thanks to Thai residents that moved here during mining’s heyday. Outdoor adventure abounds in Longyearbyen. Kayak the placid waters of the harbor, walk in the footsteps of miners on a hike full of flora and fauna at Endalen, or embark on a glacier excursion to Esmarkbreen. For a once-in-a-lifetime cocktail experience, drop a cube of glacier ice into an Arctic martini. Amazing things happen when you explore off-the-beaten-path with Azamara^®, and the last town at the top of the world is no exception.