On first impressions, the rugged, remote, and snow-covered Longyearbyen—the administrative centre of Spitsbergen in the Svalbard Archipelago—seems highly inhospitable. It’s quite the contrary. The town of just over 2500 inhabitants is thriving, and thanks to its isolated location, mountainous Arctic geography, and fascinating history, it is full of unique quirks.

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1. It’s quite normal for people to carry guns

And you’ll be reminded of it almost everywhere you go. At the entrance to almost every cafe, restaurant, store, and hotel, there are ‘anti-firearm’ signs. It’s nothing to be worried about, though, as firearm ownership is heavily monitored on Svalbard, and carrying them within the settlement of Longyearbyen is strictly prohibited. They’re actually considered essential protection against polar bears if you live outside of or regularly travel between settlements. 

2. The culinary scene punches well above its weight

When headed to a small town with a population of just over 2,500 people, you hardly expect to find gourmet food, let alone a decent variety of dining options. It’s a little different in the world’s northernmost settlement. You can dine on anything from pizza and burgers to Thai, Japanese, traditional delicacies (think seal or reindeer), and even 12-course progressive dinners. The best part? Much of it is cheaper than dining on mainland Norway, as there aren’t the same taxes applied.

3. You can’t give birth there

You’d be forgiven for mistaking Longyearbyen’s hospital—a three-minute walk from the cafes of the town centre—for a quaint primary school or town hall. It’s tiny. Given its size limitations, the hospital is only equipped to manage a select number of things. Births aren’t one of them. As such, pregnant women on Svalbard are advised to head to the mainland as their due date approaches and return post-birth.

4. You also can’t be buried there when you pass on

Though there’s a small cemetery with just over 30 memorial crosses south of the church, there are no physical bodies buried in Longyearbyen. It’s not illegal to pass away on the island, but being buried there is a whole other story. Thanks to the permafrost—a layer of rock and soil that remains frozen year-round—the natural cycle of decomposition is heavily compromised, which could spell disaster if, at any point, there’s an accidental exhumation. If it’s a local’s lifelong wish to be buried in the town, they must apply for a permit, and they must be cremated before burial.

5. It’s home to the coolest time capsule in the world

300m into one of the tunnels of Gruve 3 (a decommissioned coal mine) is the sealed Arctic World Archive. It contains rolls and rolls of a special kind of film, each containing information about some of the world’s most important political, art, religious, and other happenings—think photos of the Mona Lisa, or classical manuscripts—deposited by the likes of Yale, Unicef, and The Fryderyk Chopin Institute. What makes this vault so special? The film innovators promise at least 2,000 years of longevity, provided the rolls remain in the cold, dry, and dark permafrost-controlled environment. 

6. You can’t leave the town limits alone

Wild polar bears are a real threat on the island of Spitsbergen. In the settlement of Longyearbyen, it’s doubtful you’d ever come across one. But, outside the town limits, the probability increases exponentially. As such, the authorities in Svalbard are very vocal about not leaving Longyearbyen without an armed guide (or local) who’s well-versed in how to protect against agitated and/or charging animals.

7. Shoes come off in many cafes, restaurants, and hotels

It’s a hangover from the coal mining days, when coal miners would finish up their shifts covered in carbon dust and slip their dirty shoes off whenever they entered a building. Though it might feel weird to be wandering around a public space in just socks, it’s entirely normal for the people of Longyearbyen; embrace the tradition! Just remember to wear zip-up or slip-on shoes because the constant on-and-off can be cumbersome when laces are involved.