Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Barentsburg Hotel HOTEL
( 79 02 10 80, 79 02 18 14; d Nkr800)
The Barentsburg Hotel (the settlement's only accommodation for visitors) has reasonable
rooms that are, like Barentsburg itself, a fine evocation of former Societ times. That said,
the rooms were renovated in 2012 and make for a comfortable and atmospheric stay. Your
best bet is to contact one of the boat-tour companies to ask about prices and making a re-
servation.
The restaurant serves traditional Russian meals, featuring such specialities as boiled
pork with potatoes and Arctic sorrel, parsley and sour cream. Bookings in advance for
both rooms and meals are essential. In the bar, you can enjoy a deliciously affordable and
generous slug of vodka or a Russian beer. It also sells large tins of the Real McCoy caviar
at prices you'll never find elsewhere in the West, let alone Norway.
Shopping
A small souvenir shop you'll be taken to sells babushka dolls, Lenin lapel badges and some
Soviet army surplus.
Getting There & Away
Two companies offer summertime nine- to 10-hour boat excursions to Barentsburg from
Longyearbyen - Henningsen Transport & Guiding and Polar Charter . The boats head
across the fjord to the vast Esmark glacier on the homeward journey. The price includes
1½ hours in Barentsburg, mostly occupied by a guided tour.
In winter, it's possible to travel between Longyearbyen and Barentsburg as part of a
snow-mobile safari. Spitsbergen Travel is one of many operators offering this excursion.
Pyramiden
Pop 8
Formerly Russia's second settlement in Svalbard, Pyramiden, named for the pyramid-
shaped mountain that rises nearby, is a rewarding day trip from Longyearbyen.
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