Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

Visiting the World’s Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund

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My final stop on my Hurtigruten expedition around the Arctic Circle last summer was the world’s northernmost settlement: Ny-Alesund, at 79 degrees north.

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

It was nowhere near as ominous as the vacant Russian mining town of Barentsburg, but still had a similar feel of depression. Its inhabitants probably wouldn’t agree, but I’m not so sure I could live under such a gray sky year-round.

As one can imagine, there’s not a whole lot to do in Ny-Alesund. Much of its people’s lives revolve around wildlife and climatology research. I think I lasted an hour in the bitter wind, during which time I circled the town a minimum of three times, before I retreated to the boat.

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

Besides, it’s not like you can venture beyond the colony of homes anyway; (computer print-out) “POLAR BEAR DANGER” signs (mounted on plywood) prohibit you from doing so. (And these are not just for the fear factor; you’ll see villagers all over Svalbard carrying around rifles for protection.)

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

There were some interesting bits nonetheless, like the family of Arctic foxes inhabiting the underside of one of the houses…

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

…the somewhat random sculpture of Alan Rickman as Professor Snape some famous explorer in the town’s epicenter…

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

…and the world’s most northern post office, where you better believe I sent postcards to my momma and SVV.

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

After so many glaciers and fjords, fragrant walruses and reindeer, it was nice to see some glimpses of civilized life, no matter how meager.

Visiting the World's Northernmost Settlement of Ny-Alesund, Svalbard

For more Svalbard travels, start here:

COMMENTS
  • January 22, 2010
    Amy --- Just A Titch

    I would be so afraid of polar bears! But those arctic foxes are adorable!

  • January 22, 2010
    marisa

    A few years back, my boyfriend and I were looking at a map and decided one day we would visit Svalbard. But I’m not sure if we could take the cold – or the polar bears!

  • January 22, 2010

    I’m curious to know what constitutes as a weapon. Like, can I walk past the sign if I’m carrying a stick? What about a chain saw? My razor sharp wits?
    They really should be more clear about that.

  • January 22, 2010
    Rebecca Yale

    I was in longyearbyen, svalbard in august, such an amazing experience! I just found your blog on the nominated bloggies award, excited to start following you and see whats to come!

  • January 22, 2010
    SVV

    Nice pics. What do people do there again? Measure melting permafrost and try to stay alive whilst wandering the countryside? WOW

  • January 22, 2010

    It looks like a stark and lonely place. So does everyone carry weapons?

  • January 23, 2010
    Terrah

    *gasp* How beau-ti-ful. Loving your blog… and your fun humor! Off to look around… much luv from Texas. 🙂

  • January 23, 2010
    Bethany

    Wow, what a cool place to be able to visit! I’m not sure I’d enjoy running into a polar bear… how many people live there? It looks a bit lonely to live there, but to visit would be neat. 🙂

  • January 23, 2010
    Laxmi

    Sharp images, sounds like a cool place to visit! Thanks for sharing.

  • January 24, 2010
    Dominique

    I’d love to visit this place! The trains almost look like little toys against the vast expanse of mountains & sky.

  • January 24, 2010
    T

    Hello from Woody’s site and a fellow TN (we are from the same home town!).

    What incredible images – I can’t wait to see your whole blog!

  • January 25, 2010
    Vicki

    Oh those little Artic foxes are adorable! I hope they steer clear of the polar bears!
    On a related note I can’t imagine living anywhere that I need to carry a weapon to defend myself from a polar bear attack, madness!

  • January 25, 2010
    Kymri

    Wow, I found this post fascinating! Thanks!

  • January 27, 2010
    Erica

    What a fascinating job you have. What I would give to be paid to travel the world… Very interesting that the townspeople carry weapons with them; I would almost hope to run into a polar bear just to say that I did! Well, maybe not “run into” one, but see one from the distance.

  • February 22, 2010
    Mark

    Now THAT’S a cool boat! 🙂

  • February 6, 2011
    Stacey (Travels of Stacey)

    I’ve been to Svalbard a couple times – it’s so cold but such a good place for photos! I never captured the polar bear sign but I’d heard about it from my friends. I love your pics!

    • February 7, 2011
      Kristin

      Thanks, Stacey! Next time I’d like to see an actual polar bear, too, ha.

  • May 8, 2011
    Hotels

    Great pictures from such a remote place, I would love to visit!

  • February 6, 2012
    Jay Kane

    As a vacation homeowner that posts properties for rent on sites like HereStay and HomeAway, I would love for the chance to stay in a vacation home in svalbard…your pictures are amazing!

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