Mine 3 Gruve 3
Step back in time in a preserved Arctic coal mine, exploring history and the future of preservation.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Immersive history awaits
Mine 3 Gruve 3
Best Time
Immersive history awaits
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Step back in time in a preserved Arctic coal mine, exploring history and the future of preservation.
"Best way to get a full Longyearbyen history lesson!"
🧥 Layer Up for the Cold
It's -4°C inside! Wear warm layers and waterproof boots. They provide suits, but personal warmth is crucial.
👟 Sturdy Footwear is a Must
You'll be walking and crawling. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes for safety and comfort.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Step Back in Time
Inside Gruve 3
Experience a preserved coal mine, frozen in time, offering an authentic glimpse into miners' lives.
Interactive Miner Experience
Mine tunnels
Crawl through tight spaces to truly understand the challenging conditions faced by historical coal miners.
Svalbard's Living History
Mine entrance and exhibition area
Learn about Longyearbyen's history, the seed vault, and modern Arctic life from knowledgeable guides.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Dress for the Arctic Underground
Book in Advance for History Immersion
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Any tips for getting past Frontier Mine 3?
🧥 Layer Up for the Cold
It's -4°C inside! Wear warm layers and waterproof boots. They provide suits, but personal warmth is crucial.
👟 Sturdy Footwear is a Must
You'll be walking and crawling. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes for safety and comfort.
What are your best tips for the mines?
Mine guide
👃 Smells Like a Miner!
Be prepared to smell like coal dust after your tour – it's part of the authentic experience! ;)
💡 Get Context for Svalbard
Start your trip here! The mine tour provides excellent historical context for everything else you'll see.
Deep Mines - What do you take with you?
Tips
from all over the internet
🧥 Layer Up for the Cold
It's -4°C inside! Wear warm layers and waterproof boots. They provide suits, but personal warmth is crucial.
👟 Sturdy Footwear is a Must
You'll be walking and crawling. Bring closed-toe, sturdy shoes for safety and comfort.
👃 Smells Like a Miner!
Be prepared to smell like coal dust after your tour – it's part of the authentic experience! ;)
💡 Get Context for Svalbard
Start your trip here! The mine tour provides excellent historical context for everything else you'll see.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Mine 3 as a highly informative and engaging historical tour, offering an unparalleled glimpse into Svalbard's mining past. Guides are frequently commended for their knowledge and storytelling, making the experience both educational and fun. The interactive crawling sections are a highlight, providing a visceral understanding of miners' lives.
"Best way to get a full Longyearbyen history lesson!!
After 5 days in Longyearbyen, I can say this is one of the most informative and interesting activities I did. It was the first thing I did when I got off the plane, and every boat ride, hike and tour I did after said a lot of the same information I already learned in the mine!
Camila was a very knowledgeable guide and explains things super well. We got a rundown not only of mining history but also the history of Longyearbyen and the seed vault and geopolitics and more, plus contemporary information about modern day Svalbard living.
Then it was time to go into the mine, and it’s like going back in time! Everything is preserved just as it used to be.
We even get to put on suits and go crawling where the coal miners used to. I’ve visited coal mines in other countries and this was by far the most interactive and involved that I’ve seen.
Overall I think it’s a really great activity and I’m glad I started with it because everything else I did in Svalbard had great context from Camila."
Jon W
"Gruve 3. Mine 3 is a long wall manually mined coking quality coal seam. At -4 degrees permafrost. Working height is 50cm.
It would be good to be able to go deeper into the 6km mine than just 800m.
Now it contains the prototype Norsk Seed Vault, and the Arctic World Archive used by GitHub among other users."
Phillip Stevens
"Our guide Anders was amazing. He was funny and very knowledgable. The whole experiance was great, he talked about the history, showed us a movie and then we went into the mine. Its cold and very beautiful, but you smell like a miner when you come out ;)"
Roman Oblak
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Mine 3 is typically accessed via a guided tour that often includes convenient pickup from your accommodation in Longyearbyen. Confirm pickup details when booking your tour.
The tour involves walking and crawling through narrow spaces. While guides are accommodating, it's best to check accessibility details with the tour operator if you have mobility concerns.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The price is considered fair for the experience, around 90€, offering a comprehensive historical lesson and interactive tour.
Yes, booking in advance is highly recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons, to ensure you secure a spot on this popular historical tour.
Tour times vary based on the operator and season. It's best to check the specific schedule when booking your tour, as they often run multiple times a day.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Expect an engaging introduction to mining history, a short film, and then an immersive journey into the mine itself, including crawling through tight spaces. You'll learn about Longyearbyen's past and present.
The tour typically lasts a few hours, providing a thorough exploration of the mine and its historical significance. Confirm the exact duration with your tour provider.
The temperature inside the mine is consistently around -4 degrees Celsius due to the permafrost, so warm clothing is essential.
Photography is generally allowed, but always follow your guide's instructions. The unique environment offers great photo opportunities.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Food is not typically available within the mine itself. It's advisable to eat before or after your tour, or bring a small snack if permitted by your tour operator.
📸 📸 Photography
The preserved mine interior, the crawling sections, and the historical artifacts offer unique and atmospheric photo opportunities. The contrast between the dark mine and your headlamp beam is striking.
Yes, it is very dark, and you'll be using headlamps. This creates dramatic lighting for photos, but be prepared for low-light photography conditions.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Ensure children are dressed warmly, as the mine is cold. The interactive nature of the tour, combined with the fascinating stories from knowledgeable guides, can capture their attention and spark curiosity about Arctic life and history. It's a hands-on learning experience that goes beyond textbooks.
💰 Budget Travelers
Consider it an essential part of your Svalbard itinerary that provides significant value. The knowledge gained can enhance your appreciation for the entire region, making it a smart choice for those looking to maximize their travel experience.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Immersive Mining Experience
Guides like Anders and Camila are praised for their engaging storytelling, weaving together the history of mining with broader narratives of Longyearbyen, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, and even geopolitics. This comprehensive approach ensures that visitors leave with a deep understanding of the region's past, present, and future, making it an ideal first activity upon arrival.
The mine itself is a marvel of preservation, kept at a constant -4 degrees Celsius due to the permafrost. This natural refrigeration has kept everything remarkably intact, offering an authentic glimpse into a bygone era. While you can't explore the entire 6km length, the accessible 800m provides ample opportunity to appreciate the scale and challenges of this historic operation.
Beyond Coal: The Arctic World Archive
This dual purpose highlights Svalbard's strategic importance in both preserving the past and protecting the future. Learning about these initiatives within the context of a historical mine adds another layer of fascination to the visit. It underscores how this seemingly remote location is at the forefront of global preservation efforts.
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