[2025 Longyearbyen Stay] Travel Guide for Gjestehuset 102 (Updated Mar)

Upon arriving in Longyearbyen, Norway, the biting wind carried the unique scent of the Arctic as I stepped off the plane. In this remote corner of the world, blessed by ice, snow, and the aurora borealis, Gjestehuset 102 became my warm haven. The guesthouse's simple exterior blended seamlessly with the surrounding stark glaciers and snow-capped mountains, as if it had grown organically from the permafrost. Stepping inside, the warm air instantly dispelled the chill, and the receptionist, with a characteristically Arctic warm smile, quickly checked me in, carefully explaining various precautions. My double room, though small, was exceptionally cozy. The wooden bed with its thick blankets was inviting, and a warm yellow lamp on the bedside table added a homey touch. Photos of local scenery on the walls reminded me of my dreamlike location. The room lacked extravagant decorations, but its cleanliness and comfort shone through every corner. The only drawback was the small window, but the view of a corner of the snow-capped mountains outside made up for it. The guesthouse's common areas were full of life. In the dining room, travelers from all over the world gathered, sharing their travel stories. While the breakfast wasn't lavish, the freshly baked bread and aromatic coffee, paired with the Arctic scenery outside the window, were exceptionally delicious. The communal kitchen was fully equipped, allowing guests to cook their own meals. I once made a pot of hot soup there, warming both my body and my heart. The service was impeccable. The staff, with their extensive local knowledge, helped me book whale watching and aurora viewing trips and shared hidden gems off the beaten track. Once, when I returned from an outdoor adventure with soaked shoes, they thoughtfully dried them for me, a gesture that warmed me deeply. The area around the guesthouse was an adventurer's paradise. A few steps outside the door led to glacier hiking trails and encounters with adorable Arctic foxes. At night, far from light pollution, simply waiting outside the guesthouse offered the chance to witness the magical dance of the aurora. My days at Gjestehuset 102 were a profound dialogue with the Arctic. It lacked luxurious amenities, but its warm service and unique atmosphere created unforgettable memories in this far northern land. On my next visit, I will choose this place again, to continue my Arctic story.

| Svalbard Museum - a look into the past and present of the Arctic. 👍 Recommended reason: Not only a museum, but also the key to Arctic exploration! The Svalbard Museum is located in Longyearbyen, one of the northernmost cities in the world. It is an excellent place to learn about the history, ecology and spirit of adventure in the Arctic region! ❄️ 📖 Online rumors VS real experience Some tourists think that the Svalbard Islands are just a world of ice and snow, without any special culture or history, but in fact, there are not only thrilling polar adventure stories here, but also a complete display of Arctic ecology, mining development, and polar animals! Moreover, the exhibition hall is very modern and informative but not boring, which is especially suitable for tourists who are experiencing Arctic culture for the first time! 📌 Why recommend this place? ✅ Learn about the historical changes of Svalbard: from early explorers and whalers to the life of modern residents, all in one go ❄️! ✅ Arctic wildlife specimens: polar bears, Arctic foxes, reindeer, close-up observation! 🐻‍❄️🦊🦌 ✅ Mining and polar survival culture: Longyearbyen’s mining history and survival challenges in extreme climates! ⛏️ ✅ Exquisite collection and strong interactivity: Not only exhibitions, but also many interactive areas, suitable for in-depth exploration! ⸻ 📅 Travel tips: best time & recommended itinerary ⏳ Best time to visit 📌 You can travel all year round, but if you want to combine it with polar adventure, we recommend: ✔ Winter (November-February): During the polar night period, you can combine it with an aurora tour🌌! ✔ Spring and summer (May-September): The period of midnight day is suitable for exploring more outdoor activities☀️! 📍 Recommended playing time: 1-2 hours Although the Svalbard Museum is not large, it is rich in content. It is recommended to arrange at least 1 hour to browse it carefully. If you are particularly interested in polar culture, you can spend 2 hours to explore it slowly. 🚶 Classic itinerary recommendations 📍 One-day Arctic Cultural Tour 🏛 Morning: Svalbard Museum → Learn about Arctic history & wildlife ecology 🍽 Noon: Find a warm cafe in the center of Longyearbyen to taste the Arctic flavor 🐻‍❄️ Afternoon: Visit the North Pole Expedition Museum 🌌 Evening: If it’s winter, you can join an aurora observation tour, and if it’s summer, you can experience the midnight sun hike! 📍 Museum + Adventure Tour (Suitable for Winter) 🏛 Morning: Svalbard Museum → Learn about the spirit of Arctic explorers 🐾 Afternoon: Try snowmobiling or dog sledding to experience the real Arctic survival challenge! ⸻ 🍽 Food Guide: Recommended local restaurants in Longyearbyen! 📍 Huset Restaurant 🍽 (Arctic high-end restaurant) ✔ Longyearbyen's most famous high-end restaurant, Michelin-style cuisine! ✔ Recommended: Arctic fish dishes 🐟 + Svalbard special desserts 🍰 📍 Kroa 🍕 (Arctic town style restaurant) ✔ Perfect for experiencing the daily dining of local residents, the environment is super atmospheric! 📍 Fruene ☕ (the northernmost cafe in the Arctic) ✔ Here you can find the world's northernmost handmade chocolate 🍫 and coffee ☕! ✔ Recommended: Arctic hot chocolate + homemade cake ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation tips: Where is the most atmospheric place to stay? 🏨 Recommended Arctic hotels 📍 Funken Lodge 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 —— The most luxurious hotel in Longyearbyen, super suitable for vacation, the rooms have polar views! 📍 Radisson Blu Polar Hotel 🌟🌟🌟🌟——The world's northernmost hotel chain, with complete facilities and strong polar style! 🏡 Featured B&Bs & Youth Hostels 📍 Gjestehuset 102 🌟🌟🌟 — Affordable, suitable for backpackers, great atmosphere! 📍 Coal Miners’ Cabins 🌟🌟🌟——Renovated from the original miners’ dormitories, it has a retro industrial style and is suitable for tourists who like special experiences! ⸻ 💡 Other Tips ✔ How to get there? ✈ Flights: You can fly directly to Longyearbyen (Svalbard Airport) from Oslo or Tromsø, Norway. 🚕 Urban transportation: Longyearbyen is very small, and it takes about 10 minutes to drive from the airport to the city. Taxis and airport buses are very convenient! ✔ Special reminder for Arctic travel ⚠ Extreme cold protection: The temperature in winter can drop to -20°C, be sure to wear cold-proof clothing + non-slip boots! 🧥❄️ ⚠ Watch out for polar bears! The Svalbard Islands are one of the places with the highest density of polar bears in the world. It is forbidden to travel alone outside the city. Be sure to join a guided polar expedition! 🐻‍❄️ ⚠ Credit card payment: Almost everywhere in Longyearbyen accepts credit cards, so there is no need to carry too much cash💳! ⸻ ⏳ Summary: Is the Svalbard Museum worth visiting? ✅ The best place to learn about Arctic history, polar exploration & Svalbard ecology! ✅ The collection is exquisite and interactive, suitable for tourists who are exploring Arctic culture for the first time! ✅ Combine with other polar activities in Longyearbyen to experience real Arctic life! 🏔️ If you plan to travel to the Arctic, the Svalbard Museum is the best first stop to learn about this mysterious land! 🌍

| Arctic Lights—A Magical Symphony of Polar Nights and Midnight Sun!. 👍 Recommended reasons: Experience the dreamlike light and shadow at the end of the world! Longyearbyen, located in Svalbard, is one of the northernmost settlements in the world and is known as the "Gateway to the Arctic"! Here, you can witness the mystical alternation of polar day and polar night, and the magical beauty of the aurora borealis intertwined with the midnight sun✨. 📖 Online rumors VS Real experience Many people think that the aurora borealis and the midnight sun only belong to Iceland, Finland, or mainland Norway, but in fact, the viewing experience in Longyearbyen is purer and more stunning! Located at 78 degrees north latitude, far from urban light pollution, it is one of the most ideal aurora viewing spots in the world. The three-month-long polar night in winter allows you to fully immerse yourself in the aurora dream🌠. And in summer, the 24-hour non-setting sun brings a strange world of perpetual daylight, allowing you to hike snow-capped mountains or kayak in the icy sea at 2:00 am! 📌 Why recommend this place? ✅ One of the best aurora viewing spots in the world—during the polar night, there's no need to wait for nightfall, you might encounter the aurora at any time!💚💜💙 ✅ Experience the midnight sun—during the polar day, the sun never sets, and the world seems to be stuck in eternal daylight!🌞🌍 ✅ Polar landscapes without light pollution—a small city with low pollution, a perfect place to photograph auroras and star trails📷✨ ✅ Combined with polar expeditions—aurora dog sledding, midnight sun kayaking, snowmobiling, and other activities make the journey even more unforgettable🚀 ⸻ 📅 Travel Guide: Best time & Itinerary recommendations ⏳ Best time to visit 📌 Watch the Aurora Borealis 👉 October-March (Polar night period: November-January)🌌 📌 Experience the Midnight Sun 👉 April-August (Polar day period: May-July)🌞 📍 Recommended length of stay: 3-5 days The polar scenery of Longyearbyen is beautiful all year round. It is recommended to arrange at least 3 days and combine different outdoor adventures for a more complete experience! 🚶 Classic itinerary recommendations 📍 Winter (Aurora + Polar Expedition) ❄ Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen → Svalbard Museum → Aurora snow hike 🌌🏔️ ❄ Day 2: Snowmobile polar expedition → Glacier cave exploration → Evening aurora tour 🏂❄️✨ ❄ Day 3: Dog sledding experience → Visit the Arctic Exploration Museum → Aurora hot spring bath 🐕‍🛷🔥 📍 Summer (Midnight Sun + Polar Hike) 🌞 Day 1: Arrive in Longyearbyen → Longyear Glacier Hike → Midnight Sun Viewing Platform 🚶‍♂️🏔️ 🌞 Day 2: Boat trip to the glacier → Watch Arctic wildlife (polar bears, walruses, whales)🐋🐻‍❄️ 🌞 Day 3: Midnight sun kayaking → Visit the northernmost bar in the world 🍺🌊 ⸻ 🍽 Food Guide: Local recommendations! 📍 Huset Restaurant 🍽 (Svalbard's most famous Arctic cuisine) ✔ Must-try: Polar fish dishes 🐟 📍 Kroa 🍕 (Arctic town style restaurant) ✔ Must-try: Svalbard cod fish and chips 🍟 📍 Fruene ☕ (The northernmost cafe in the world) ✔ Must-try: Polar hot chocolate 🍫 & Homemade desserts 🍰 ⸻ 🏨 Accommodation Guide: Locally recommended polar hotels 🏨 Best hotels for aurora & midnight sun viewing 📍 Funken Lodge 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 —— High-end hotel with rooms featuring polar landscapes! 📍 Radisson Blu Polar Hotel 🌟🌟🌟🌟 —— The northernmost chain hotel in the world, well-equipped, perfect for polar explorers! 🏡 Special guesthouses & budget accommodation 📍 Gjestehuset 102 🌟🌟🌟 —— Suitable for backpackers, retro miner style! 📍 Coal Miners’ Cabins 🌟🌟🌟 —— Converted from original miners' dormitories, great value for money! ⸻ 💡 Other Tips ✔ How to get there? ✈ Flights: Direct flights to Longyearbyen (Svalbard Airport) from Oslo or Tromsø, Norway. 🚕 City transportation: The airport is about 10 minutes' drive from the city center. Taxis & airport buses are very convenient! ✔ Special reminders for polar travel ⚠ Extreme cold protection: Winter temperatures can drop to -20°C, so be sure to wear warm clothing🧥🧤! ⚠ Polar bears appear! It is forbidden to hike alone outside Longyearbyen. Be sure to carry a hunting rifle or follow a guide!🐻‍❄️ ⚠ Credit cards are widely accepted: Almost everywhere in Longyearbyen accepts credit cards💳! ⸻ ⏳ Summary: Is the Arctic scenery worth experiencing? ✅ One of the most dreamy aurora & midnight sun viewing spots in the world! ✅ Far from light pollution, pure polar scenery, suitable for in-depth travelers! ✅ Can be combined with polar expedition activities to experience real Arctic life! 🏔️ Whether you want to chase the aurora or experience the midnight sun, this place is worth your trip! 🌍