According to mathgeneral, Spitsbergen (Norwegian: Svalbard) is an archipelago in the Arctic Ocean (Europe) that is part of Norway. Spitsbergen consists of 3 large and 80 smaller islands. The three largest islands are: Spitsbergen, Nordaustlandet and Edgeøya. The capital of Spitsbergen is Longyearbyen. A number of major cities in Spitsbergen are: Sveagruva, Ny-Ålesund and Barentszburg (under Russian control).

Spitsbergen is known for its chilling landscapes with glaciers, fjords, pack ice and snow. Due to the location of the islands, many arctic animals live here, such as polar bears, arctic foxes, seals, walruses and reindeer. In the past, the islands were often known for whaling. The country has no infrastructure outside the capital and you can only cross the landscape under supervision because of the many polar bears. Transportation is largely done by snowmobiles. Spitsbergen is also known for its rocket launch base (SvalRak), World Seed Bank and the discovery of many dinosaur fossils. Traveling to Spitsbergen is usually done by means of an expedition ship. See sunglassestracker for eating in Norway.

Where is Spitsbergen located?

Travel information of Spitsbergen

Official name: Svalbard
Continent: Europe
Area: 62,049 km²
Capital city: Longyearbyen
Country code: SJ, SJM
Population: 2,932 inhabitants (2011)
Form of government: Under Norwegian control
Highest point: 1,713 m (Newtontoppen)
Distance (Amsterdam – Longyearbyen): 2,916 km
Flight time: approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes

Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Spitsbergen. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.

Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Spitsbergen?

Weather and climate
Spitsbergen has a polar climate. On average, temperatures are around -5 degrees on the coast and -15 degrees in the mountains. During the summer months the temperature usually does not exceed 5 degrees, during the winter months the temperature can drop to -20 to -30 degrees.
The midnight sun occurs in Spitsbergen from April to August. This means that there is sunlight 24 hours a day.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Spitsbergen can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of Spitsbergen can be found at Climate info.

Best time
June, July and August are the best months to travel to Spitsbergen. These are pretty much the only months where the mercury rises above freezing. In addition, no expedition ships sail in the other months.

Language
Norwegian is the official language in Spitsbergen. Russian is also spoken.
Would you like to translate from or into Norwegian for free? Use the Google translator for this.

Travel documents
You do not need to show proof of identity upon arrival in Spitsbergen.
A visa is not necessary.

Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Norway: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Norwegian Embassy in the Netherlands: Rijksoverheid.nl.
Norwegian consulates in the Netherlands: Rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.

Vaccination (inoculation)
You do not need any vaccinations for a visit to Spitsbergen.

Money and Currency matters
In Spitsbergen you pay with the Norwegian krone (NOK).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs in Spitsbergen can be found on our ATMs page.

Time difference
There is no time difference with the Netherlands.
Summer time in Spitsbergen is the same as in the Netherlands.
The local time, date and time zone for Spitsbergen can be found on our time difference page.

Traffic
In Spitsbergen you must drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Spitsbergen.

Electricity
Spitsbergen uses the same plugs and sockets as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity in Spitsbergen can be found on our electricity page.

Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 112
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: 112

Tap water
Tap water is safe to drink.

News and newspapers
The latest news regarding Spitsbergen can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Spitsbergen can be found on Abyznewslinks.

Internet
Websites from Spitsbergen end with.no.
Spitsbergen official websites: visitsvalbard.com and sysselmannen.no.

Telephony
The country code (international access number) to call someone in Spitsbergen is 0047 or +47.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Spitsbergen? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)

Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Spitsbergen.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Spitsbergen.

Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Spitsbergen can be found on Beleven.org.

Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotel), restaurants and destinations in Spitsbergen, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.

Travel reports
Are you looking for a travel report (travel story) about Spitsbergen?
At Waarbenjij.nu you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Spitsbergen. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.

Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on Spitsbergen can be found on Protected Planet.
Spitsbergen is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Spitsbergen.
– Alcohol: Spirits from the age of 20, beer and wine from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.2.
– Tobacco: Buy from the age of 18, smoking at all ages.
– Smoking ban: In public places.
– Homosexuality: Allowed

Did you know that…
…60% of Spitsbergen is covered by glaciers?
…The name Spitsbergen was given by the Dutchman Willem Barentsz in 1596?
…The lowest temperature ever in Spitsbergen is -46.3 degrees?
…The world seed bank can be found in Spitsbergen, with more than 1.5 million seeds?
… Spitsbergen was discovered during a trip to Nova Zembla?
…Longyearbyen is the northernmost capital in the world?