25 Unforgettable Places to Go in 2026: Svalbard

Photo: Suzie Dundas

However, the point of going to Svalbard in 2026 isn’t to mourn what could be lost, but to celebrate and appreciate what is. If you make it to Svalbard, you’re both fortunate – trips to the remote island are expensive – and in a position to make your trip about more than taking photos of polar bears (though that will certainly be part of it). Visitors should prioritize low-impact travel, support companies that prioritize protection above profits, and ask questions of their guides and outfitters to learn about the ways Svalbard is changing.

For its part, Svalbard is already making changes to insulate itself against the potential future impacts of tourism and climate change. New rules designed to create more distance for polar bears and cubs went into effect in 2025, and the island limited the number of places tour groups can go ashore. Cruise ships are limited to 200 people, which is less than half the amount cruises to Antarctica are allowed to carry. The few cruise companies that use icebreaker ships are able to reach deep into polar ice, where you’re unlikely to see another ship for days. Standing on the ice in Svalbard under the midnight sun is a reminder that quiet places still exist, that parts of the planet are still too vast to comprehend, and that being a traveler isn’t just a privilege, but a responsibility.

Photo: Suzie Dundas

The Arctic remains relatively quiet compared to its polar opposite, where record numbers of visitors are raising serious alarm. While Antarctica packs all visitors into the summer season when cruises run, Svalbard is a year-round destination. In the summer, the midnight sun beckons with 24 hours of daylight for wildlife watching, while winter invites guests to watch the aurora borealis or go dog sledding and ice trekking. While expedition cruises are the most popular way to see the islands, the capital of Longyearbyen is easy to reach for independent travelers, with daily flights from Oslo and Tromsø.