Nevertheless the Svalbard archipelago has more to offer. While in the west, the aforementioned mountains dominate the picture, it falls off towards the east. Wide tundra alternates with deep fjords and scree deserts that give an impression of what it looked like here during the ice age. And again and again glaciers: after all, two thirds of the country are covered by ice. Ausfonna, with its 180 kilometres long and up to 40 metres high ice edge does not have to hide behind Greenland. A new image awaits you behind every headland, every island, every bay. A landscape for constant discovery.

From explorers and polar journeys

Humans have left their traces in this wilderness for centuries. So anyone who wants to travel to Svalbard is part of a long tradition. Everywhere on the archipelago you will find evidence of our history. Old whaling stations tell of the bloody industry in the 17th century, mining relics of more modern attempts to get rich with nature. Remains of weather stations from the Second World War and of camps of fur hunters give an impression of life here in the far north.

The small village of Ny Alesund builds a bridge from the past to the present and future: From here Roald Amundsen flew to the North Pole and today researchers from many countries discover the secrets of nature up there. Ny Alesund is a must for every polar history enthusiast who goes on an Arctic cruise.

Travel to Svalbard - experience nature

In the past, people exploited Spitsbergen's natural treasures. Today, people travel here to admire them. Of course many people want to see a polar bear on a Svalbard cruise. That is understandable. There's something magical about the King of the North walking across the sea ice. And once you see such a hunter stalking a seal, you will never forget it.

But you don't forget the sight - and the smell - of a colony of walrus on the beach either. Or the quietly grazing reindeer in the middle of the capital of Spitsbergen. Or the playing arctic fox pups. Or the choir of little auks. Or the blow of a humpback whale. Or, or, or, or...