Longyearbyen is Svalbard's largest settlement and administrative center, with the archipelago's best services and infrastructure. Set deep in Adventfjord off Isfjorden, it has a year-round airport, though the harbor freezes in winter. Most shops, hotels, restaurants, and the hospital are within walking distance of the port. Notable sites include UNIS, the northernmost higher-education center, and the nearby Svalbard Museum. Traces of former mining remain throughout town.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Svalbard's north is less affected by the Norwegian Current than the south, so it has more ice. Northern Spitsbergen offers striking fjords, bays, and glaciers. Nordaust Svalbard Nature Reserve includes Spitsbergen's east coast, Hinlopen Strait, Nordaustlandet, and islands such as Kvitøya and Storøya. Expect walrus haul-outs, bird cliffs, glaciers, Arctic flora, polar bears, and historic sites; ice conditions determine access.

Humpback and minke whales feed in the waters around Jan Mayen, a striking volcanic island with towering black peaks and lava beaches. North of the island rises 7,500-foot (2,300 m) Mt Beerenberg, an active volcano capped by glacial ice and last erupting in 1985. With Norwegian permission, visitors may land at this rarely visited outpost, walk to the research and weather station, and view the eastern black-sand shore. Birds may include Atlantic Puffins, Northern Fulmars, and Snow Buntings.

Kirkjufellsfoss Waterfall and Kirkjufell Mountain form one of Iceland's most photographed and striking scenes: the mountain's perfect, arrowhead-like peak rises above the roaring waterfall, and sometimes the northern lights add a third spectacle. Reach the views by a short walk from Grundarfjordur or on horseback. Known as Church Mountain, Kirkjufell was also featured in Game of Thrones. In Grundarfjordur, fishing boats, whales, eagles, and snow-flecked peaks complete the cinematic setting.

Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, is a walkable, welcoming city of color, creativity, cafés, bars and a growing food scene. Two-thirds of Icelanders live here, and it's the best base for outdoor adventure. See Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the harbor, geothermal pools, geysers, waterfalls, and the northern lights.