Ny-Alesund

Ny-Alesund or ‘New Alesund’ (not to be confused with Alesund in Norway) is one of the four permanent settlements on the island of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard archipelago.
Like the rest of the Svalbard archipelago, Ny-Ålesund on Spitsbergen is administered by the Kingdom of Norway , located 400 miels from the Norwegian mainland, and just 600 miles from the North Pole. Formerly a mining community, today the area is a dedicated environmental research centre.

With its majestic Arctic landscapes, it is no wonder that a 16th century Dutch explorer to the island named the island ‘Spitsbergen’ meaning ‘jagged peaks’ after the impressive mountain scenery here. Visitors come to experience the thrill of the great Arctic outdoors and to experience the wild beauty of this remote part of the world. If you choose to leave your luxury MSC liner for the day, be sure to take your camera and try your hand at wildlife photography; colonies of ducks, geese and auks nest here in large numbers, whilst land mammals include reindeer, fox and the occasional visit by bear.

The local fjord is home to several species of seals, walrus and beluga. Leave your cruise ship and join us on a range of enjoyable excursion packages that will help you make the most of your vacation time here: explore Ny-Alesund, visit the museum and shop for holiday souvenirs. Board a local boat for a mini cruise around the Kongsfjord to visit bird cliffs, the majestic glaciers and to marvel at the snowy terrains of this magical Arctic island.