Spitzbergen, Norway Cruise Port

Spitsbergen is the largest and only island on the Svalbard Peninsula that is populated all year long. The islands themselves are a long and winding group located halfway between Norway and the North Pole. This chain of daunting arctic wilderness is mostly untouched by the human world and consists of near-endless mountain ranges and fields of amazing glaciers. The most popular time to visit is the height of summer where those pristine scenic landscapes can be witnessed in non-freezing weather. The Arctic fox and Svalbard reindeer inhabit the island year round and have bred naturally for many years. Various marine mammals frequent the islands’ shores at various points throughout the year, including dolphins, whales, walruses, seals, and polar bears. Spitsbergen is home to six national parks, parts of which are protected to preserve the flora, fauna, and certain volcanic geodes.

• The Pyramiden Hotel, besides being a popular place for tourists to stay while in the area, offers exceptional tours of the wilderness with guides trained to spot the numerous creatures who roam around the area.
   
• The Svalbard Museum offers interactive and stationary exhibits that showcase the islands’ 400-year history. Learn about life, conservation, and preservation in this unique part of the world.
   
• For a quaint look into everyday life in Spitsbergen, take a trip to Svalbard Kirke. This modest church was built in the 1950s and holds onto that old-world charm to this day.
   
• The North Pole Expedition Museum is the northernmost aviation museum in the world. Here you can learn about all the North Pole expeditions that departed from Svalbard.