Accomodation Spitsbergen - Hotels, Pensions, Campsite, Cabins, Wilderness Camps
- Almost all touristic accomodations of Spitsbergen are in Longyearbyen.
- The map shows the settlements (red dots), touristic cabins outside the settlements (red squares), Longyearbyen Camping (green square) and seasonal wilderness camps (green dots). Clicking on the map leads to an enlarged version (if permitted by your computer settings).
- Also in the Russian settlement Barentsburg ...
- ... and in the research settlement Ny Ålesund, overnight stays are in principle possible, if bookings and transfers can be organised for the intended period of stay.
Spitsbergen is the largest untamed wilderness of Europe. Among other things, this means that accomodation (hotels, pensions, cabins, campsites) are available only very limited. Especially outside the settlement, Norwegian conservation policy aims at preventing spread damages from mass tourism - among other things by simply not allowing a comfortable net of accomodatoin infrastructure.
Solid accomodation for visitors is found therefore almost only in the very few settlements: first of all Longyearbyen, but also Barentsburg, Ny Ålesund and recently also again in Pyramiden. In the mining settlement of Sveagruva, tourists are usually clearly not welcome, and also the small weather, research and trapper stations are not allowed to offer overnight stays to tourists. Use of the few state, private or club cabins is forbidden for non-locals without special permission by the governor (Sysselmannen).
Therefore, own tents or the seasonal camps of a few tour operators for their regular groups and special arrangements are normally the only overnigth possibilities on land outside the settlements.
There are a few exceptions, however, of accomodation out in the wilderness: the former radio station on Kapp Linné, and (since 2008) 3 specially licensed commercial touristic wilderness cabins, of which two are basically limited to winter use by organised snowmobile tours. The third commercial wilderness cabin, situated dramatically near the ice front of Nordenskiöld Glacier, started operation in spring 2010, available for group bookings.
On the map to the right (click on it for enlarged version), the locations with bookable accomodation including the cabins and seasonal wilderness camps, are marked:
Red dot: settlement
Red square: Touristic cabin off the settlements
Green dot: Wilderness tent camp (not in operation every year)
Green square: Longyearbyen Camping.
The planned option of clicking onto the marks to get the descriptions is not implemented, yet.
And here, further informations (only grey links are implemented, so far):
> General information on accomodation in Longyearbyen Longyearbyen Camping (with service building, spring and summer)> Nybyen Gjestehus (Pension, ca. March - September)> "102" (Pension, ca. February - November)> Spitsbergen Hotel "Funken" (ca. February - November)> Radisson Blu Polar Hotel (all year, possibly not Christmas)
Ny Ålesund (Northpole Hotel and other accomodation buildings)
Pyramiden (container base and hotel)
> Solid accomodation outside the settlements - general informations Glacier Cabin Nordenskiöld glacier Kapp Linné / Cape Linné (former Isfjord Radio)
Wilderness tent camps in Spitsbergen - general information Glacier Camp (Nordenskiöld Glacier, inner Billefjord - northeastern Isfjord branch) Birdcliff Camp (Diabasodden, southeastern Isfjord) PointedPeaks Camp (Trygghamna, northern side Isfjord entrance)> Petunia Camp (Petunia Bay, northernmost Billefjord - northeastern Isfjord branch. Installed upon request for special arrangements, only)
Links in black fatt types: Detail informatons not finished, yet, in English.
