Polaria is the world's northernmost aquarium, opened in 1998. The building is designed to look like ice floes pushed ashore by the ocean, and it sits on the waterfront near the city centre.
The main attraction is the seals: three bearded seals, three harbour seals, and one ringed seal. This is one of only two places in Europe where you can see bearded seals up close. Feeding and training sessions happen daily at 10:30, 12:30, and 15:30. The aquarium also has cod, halibut, wolffish, king crab, and jellyfish in tanks showing Arctic marine life.
A panoramic cinema alternates between films on Svalbard, the northern lights, and behind-the-scenes footage. The seal pool was recently tripled in size, with new panoramic windows looking out at the surrounding mountains and sea.
Good for families and rainy days. Allow about 90 minutes.
The main attraction is the seals: three bearded seals, three harbour seals, and one ringed seal. This is one of only two places in Europe where you can see bearded seals up close. Feeding and training sessions happen daily at 10:30, 12:30, and 15:30. The aquarium also has cod, halibut, wolffish, king crab, and jellyfish in tanks showing Arctic marine life.
A panoramic cinema alternates between films on Svalbard, the northern lights, and behind-the-scenes footage. The seal pool was recently tripled in size, with new panoramic windows looking out at the surrounding mountains and sea.
Good for families and rainy days. Allow about 90 minutes.
