Barentsburg

Understand

Barentsburg is named after Dutch explorer Willem Barentsz, who discovered Svalbard in 1596. The Svalbard Treaty of 1920 gave the previously unclaimed islands to Norway but allowed any country to perform mining and other economic activity. The Russian state-owned Trust Arktikugol has been mining coal here since 1932, and during the Cold War Barentsburg was a hotbed of activity as the Russians attempted to expand their zone of control over the islands. After Pyramiden was closed in 1998, Barentsburg has been the only Russian settlement still operating, with some 300 inhabitants as of 2025, and some 100,000 tons of coal exported yearly. The mine closed in 2006 after concerns about the risk of an underground fire, but resumed production in late 2010.

The settlement used to be home to over 1,000 people, so many buildings are no longer inhabited, and some are left to decay. It has a truly stunning setting. When the weather is clear enough to see across the Isfjord, and the black smoke rises from by the old coal power plant, the visit will leave a strong impression on the few who visit.

Get in

thumb|The docks at Barentsburg

Get around

Barentsburg is easily covered on foot and orienting yourself in the town is easy. It's some 220 steps up the stairs from to the settlement, where more or less everything is along the main street, ulitsa Ivana Starostina.

See

thumb|Lenin, housing blocks and Miru Mir (Peace to the World) thumb|Orthodox chapel in winter thumb|Exhibits in the Pomor museum

Day-tripping tourists get about 2 hours to see the sights, and for most this is plenty.

Do

Activities are operated by the Grumant company, see the Understand section for contact information.

Buy

The Norwegian currency kroner is used in Barentsburg, and prices for tourist activities are adjusted to Norwegian levels.

Sleep

thumb|250px|The only hotel in town, the Barentsburg Hotel

There are two public accommodation options. Both are booked through the Grumant travel company or booking websites.