See Longyearbyen the way locals know it, not just as a stop on the map. This relaxed city walk introduces you to the world’s northernmost town through its streets, viewpoints, and everyday rhythm of life at 78° North.

We start in the town center and move through key areas that tell the story of Longyearbyen’s transformation from a remote coal company settlement to a modern Arctic community. Along the way you’ll hear how miners, trappers, scientists, and adventurers have all shaped this place, and how climate change, tourism, and geopolitics continue to influence it today.

You’ll visit historic buildings and mining structures, pause at panoramic viewpoints over Adventfjorden, pass colorful residential areas, see public art and memorials, and get a feel for where locals actually shop, meet, and live. The walk blends big-picture history with small, human details: how people handle polar night and midnight sun, what it means to live with polar bears nearby, and how a town with no trees still feels like home to its residents.

This tour is on flat ground, at an easy pace, and suitable for most fitness levels. It is the perfect introduction to Svalbard for your first day in town, giving you context for everything you’ll see during the rest of your Arctic stay.