In Soviet times, the population was mostly Ukrainian, consisting of miners from the Donbas and staff from Volyn.

Among its amenities were a cultural centre with a theater, a library, art and music studios; a sports complex; and a cantina open 24 hours a day.

Romanovsky, a musician and tour guide in the settlement, has called himself the "world's most northern head-banger".

[15][16][17] On 27 August 2019, the world's northernmost film festival was held in Pyramiden, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Soviet cinema.

[9]: 182 [19] Pyramiden is maintained as a tourist destination by Arctic Travel Company Grumant, a division of Arktikugol.

[20] Since 2007, Arktikugol has been renovating the hotel and upgrading the infrastructure, including building a new power station with diesel generators, in order to accommodate tourists in the old settlement.

Up to 30 workers have been living in the settlement year round to maintain the facilities and guide tourists visiting from Longyearbyen.