Polar Nights: From The North Cape To Spitsbergen

Tromsoe, the home of the famous Northern Lights, is situated a mere 2000 km from the North Pole, on the same latitude as Northern Siberia and Alaska. Most visitors are surprised by the prominence and sophistication of this fascinating port. On offer are high-quality theatre, arts and music, which contrast with the boundless and vast wilderness surrounding the city. Read more about Tromsoe, Norway

Longyearbyen lies on the river Longyearelva on the Norwegian Island of Spitsbergen high in the Arctic. It is the world’s northern-most town, as all settlements further north are research or meteorological outposts. The modern town, fringed by abandoned mining detritus, enjoys a superb backdrop including two glacier tongues, Longyearbreen and Lars Hjertabreen. Read more about Longyearbyen, Norway

Ny-Ålesund is one of four permanent settlements on the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago in the Kingdom of Norway. It is administered by Kings Bay company, a Norwegian government enterprise. Lying within the Arctic Circle just 1255 km from the North Pole, it is the northernmost functional civilian settlement in the world, with a population varying from 35 to 180 (winter to summer). Read more about Ny-Alesund, Norway

Bear Island is an island in the Svalbard archipelago in the Barents Sea of Norway. It lies isolated midway between North Cape on the European mainland, and Longyearbyen. It was on this island that a polar bear was sighted – hence the island’s name – by Constantine Phipps, who first described polar bears in his voyage to Svalbard Archipelago. Read more about Bear Island, Norway

Honningsvåg, Norway, lies deep within the Arctic Circle at 71 deg.N. latitude, on the island Magerøya. Twenty-two km north of Honningsvåg is North Cape, the northernmost part of mainland Europe. Read more about Honningsvag, Norway

Tromsoe, the home of the famous Northern Lights, is situated a mere 2000 km from the North Pole, on the same latitude as Northern Siberia and Alaska. Most visitors are surprised by the prominence and sophistication of this fascinating port. On offer are high-quality theatre, arts and music, which contrast with the boundless and vast wilderness surrounding the city. Read more about Tromsoe, Norway