Last year when there was a heatwave in the UK and I was on top of the world in Longyearbyen in Norway aka the North Pole. I did not have my bikini on! I was freezing!
Why was I in the North Pole in Summer? Of course, I was on a cruise! Cruising the Norwegian Fjords.
Longyearbyen is 78 degrees north of the top of the world. It has the most northern population of 2642 people and 3500 polar bears.
So there are more polar bears than people! Also, there are more snow bikes than cars as the snow is there 67% of the time.
The hottest it gets is 10*C in the summer and they see the sun 30% of the year and it only rains 3% of the year. There are no trees, the ground is grass and black sand, it is a strange place!
You cannot be born there or die there. Due to their customs. You wouldn’t want to be buried there as the frost brings the bodies back up! So there are no graveyards there anymore.
I went to the North Pole, but I didn’t see Santa Claus. But I did see the giant post box for all the Christmas lists though. It was huge!
The day we were there it was 6*C and dry. But I had to go and buy a woolly hat and gloves as it was bitterly cold!
So there are your fun facts about Longyearbyen and if you like the cold this is the place for you!
Essential Info
- Weather in Summer: 0*C – 10*C
- Bring warm clothes
- Language: Norwegian
- Currency: Norwegian krone
Happy Travels
Love Lucy x
Very interesting. Thanks for the information. It seems cold though! I’m not a fan of the cold but i guess it’s worth it for these spectacular views.
Author
It was freezing! But fun to go! ❄️😀❄️
Loving the giant Santa mailbox! 30 for 30 podcasts just did a great piece on the first all female expedition to the North Pole. It was more ice, less Santa though.
Author
It was fun seeing the mailbox 🎅🏻 Really, I will have to have a listen.
Your pictures are so beautiful!
Author
Thank you so much 😊
I’ve always wanted to visit the north pole. More polar bears than people is crazy! Looks like a pretty place and fun experience!
Author
I know, so funny! It was great to see.
Ok you just had the trip of my life… WOW! The North Pole is one of those off the track destinations that have always enticed me, but my husband is always a bit scared by the cold. I’ll have to show him your article to convince him, after all 10°C isn’t really “that” bad, we’ve been to Krakow at -13°C he should’ve gotten used to it by now 😀
Author
The cold wasn’t to bad, it was just a shock to the system! Good luck convincing your husband 😏
I’ve been dreaming of Svalbard since my first time in Norway. Haven’t been yet, but it’s on my list. I lovelove arctic destinations!
Author
It’s an interesting place to visit!
This looks it might be too cold for me. ” The hottest it gets is 10c” Damn! But you portray it well 🙂
Author
I was cold!
Oh wow, I’d love to go there! It’s beautiful! My ancestors were Sami, so it definitely would be cool to visit- pardon the pun, but I’d have to bring my own heater lol! Thanks for sharing your neat adventure in the north!
Author
Wow! You should go! It was fascinating to visit.
I would love to go sometime! Haha I always choose cold places for my summer holiday. Iceland, Norway, Scotland… 🙂
Author
This was cold for summer! Lol
Wow this is such a bucket list place to visit!!! It looks so isolated, that’s an amazing experience to have. Looks cold too though. How much did it cost for this trip?
Author
It was interesting! I went on a cruise, that was doing the Norwegian fjords & I travel with my husband (he works onboard) so I don’t pay the going rate! But I can find out for you if you like?
Ohh that’s so amazing! You’re so lucky! No don’t worry, I was just curious if it was affordable
Sounds like an interesting place! I bet all those colorful houses look really cool in winter, all covered in white snow!
Author
I’m sure it looks beautiful in winter ❄️ but even colder! Lol