It is hard to describe Longyearbyen with just a few words. There is something about the place one would describe as magical, mysterious, something that makes you want to stick around forever. If there is one thing to know about me, it’s the big love I have for northern countries, hence why I want to introduce this new article series to you, where I tell you about places up north in combination with interviews with people who live in these countries. The series starts in Longyearbyen, Svalbard.
I’ve been wanting to visit this place for a while now, long before I stumbled upon Cecilia Blomdahl’s TikTok videos – I’m sure you’ve seen some of them, they certainly gave me the needed push to come up here. The town, which is much bigger than I originally thought, seems to wake the second the clock strikes 10 am, filling the streets with tourists and locals, who find their way into stores like Fruene, where you can get the most northern produced chocolate, or the Svalbardbutikken, the supermarket that has everything your heart desires.
For many the allure of the northern countries lies in the chance to experience the aurora borealis. Even though I experienced them in other countries before, I also wanted to see them here on Svalbard, as part of the northern lights hunting tour with Hurtigruten Svalbard. Despite the veil of clouds and the strong snowfall obscuring our view of the lights, what unfolded was a captivating adventure led by the rather charismatic Erlend Bratlie. His blend of sarcasm and warmth infused the group with curiosity from the outset. Patient and knowledgeable, he perfectly balanced safety precautions about polar bears with engaging anecdotes, providing insights into the scientific underpinnings of the aurora. While we explored a few secluded spots in what felt like the middle of nowhere, we also sat around a fire to warm up while the snow kept on falling. Though the tour stretched over two hours, I find myself yearning to return to those serene landscapes we explored just now.
Speaking of tours, there is someone rather special I want to point out: Magnus from Longyearbyen Guiding. My time with Magnus was the absolute highlight of my Svalbard experience. His warmth and genuine nature, coupled with his adept storytelling that seamlessly weaved personal anecdotes with the town’s history, made the tour truly memorable. Magnus’s passion for the area shone through as he shared his own history and deep affection for the place. He isn’t just one of the kindest individuals I’ve encountered recently; he’s also the epitome of a perfect guide. I wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Magnus for an unforgettable experience.
Last but not least, if you’re into dogs, there is one other thing I need you to do while being here: visiting Café Huskies. What better place to relax than a beautiful coffee shop where you get greeted by rather chatty huskies that will gladly cuddle with you? I had the chance to chat with Nicola, one of the owners of Café Huskies. Nicola, who is one of the sweetest people I’ve encountered, has been living here for a good seven years. She described the same sensation I felt when arriving in Longyearbyen: it feels as if the world outside no longer exists, time has slowed down, and lost its meaning – according to Nicola, she’d describe life in Longyearbyen „as if you’re living in a bubble.“ Nicola and her lovely team managed to build this beautiful café over the past years, with different dogs that belong to them, but also to locals and people who come by every now and then, resulting in them putting together a “human schedule” and “dog schedule.” You can tell how much Nicola loves living here, how much love she has for the café, but also for the tourists and locals that frequent the place. And to her, Longyearbyen is so special because it’s unlike any other reachable tourist attraction; special in the factor of where it is and what to experience.
If you’re looking to visit Longyearbyen from Vienna, I’d advise you to fly to Oslo first and make your way up to Svalbard a day or two later, the tickets are super affordable if you fly with Norwegian Air. Keep your eyes open for part two of this article, which will focus on my chat with Cecilia about her life in Longyearbyen and other people living up north!
