Longyearbyen: Global Seed Vault Tour and iconic places｜Svalbard and Jan Mayen

We'll start our adventure with a pick up from your hotel and a quick, scenic drive from Longyearbyen into Adventdalen and up the mountain to get up close to the Global Seed Vault. This is one of the most important buildings on the planet holding more than 1,3 million seeds.

Although access to the vault is restricted, and it's only possible to visit the exterior, we'll get a rare chance to see the famous entrance with the architectural design. You will learn the fascinating story of how Svalbard became home to the world’s backup for global crop diversity. Your guide reveals the global mission behind this remote Arctic landmark.

Reindeer often look for food here, so keep your eyes open for them and Arctic foxes as you pass frozen rivers, coal mining sites, and dramatic mountain scenery. The view from The Global Seed Vault over the mountains, the ocean and valley can be amazing and will be a good opportunity to get a beautiful photo. You will enjoy a warm or cold drink en route and learn about global food security and Svalbard’s role in it.

It's not possible to visit the Global Seed Vault without polar bear protection, so we will also be visiting some of the iconic places in Longyearbyen, like the polar bear sign that marks the border between civilization and the wild, and it reminds visitors of the dangers of the area in a very concrete way.

This tour provides a vivid introduction to Longyearbyen, where the raw beauty of nature is combined with culture, history and local identity, making it the obvious choice for first-time visitors.