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Greenland
Discover Greenland, an icy frontier of colossal glaciers and endless midnight suns. Sail past towering icebergs, marvel at the dancing northern lights, and embrace the ultimate Arctic adventure.
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Summary
Did you know?
Viking Marketing – The name "Greenland" was an intentional trick by Viking Erik the Red to attract settlers to an ice-covered island.
Overview
Months
January, February, March, May, December, June
Vacation type
Hiking, Nature, Skiing, Mountains
Expenses
0-50€, <100€, <150€, <200€, Over 200€
Temperature
Under 0°C, 0-10°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm
Safety
Very safe, Safe
Continent
Europe, North America
Currency
Danish krone
Languages
Greenlandic
Currency Converter
When to visit
The optimal periods for travel to Greenland are the short summer months (June to August). Weather during this timeframe is characterized by the Midnight Sun, relatively mild Arctic temperatures, and the retreat of sea ice. These conditions support coastal navigation, optimize marine wildlife observation in the fjords, and facilitate terrestrial trekking across the exposed tundra. This period corresponds with the highest accessibility to northern settlements, stable operational windows for domestic flights, and the opening of boat charters. Accommodation, domestic flights, and private transport costs are exceptionally high due to the short earning window, immense logistical constraints, and high dependence on imported goods.
The extreme winter season (November to April) brings freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and the Polar Night. This period severely compromises maritime transit due to pack ice and completely alters logistical operations, forcing reliance on dog sleds, snowmobiles, and helicopters. Access to specific remote fjords becomes logistically prohibitive, though this harsh environment provides the optimal conditions for observing the Northern Lights and experiencing traditional Arctic survival practices.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season (June to August)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 18 to 24 hours (Midnight Sun north of the Arctic Circle).
Rain Frequency: Precipitation is low but variable, often taking the form of light coastal drizzle.
Rainy Hours per Day: 1 to 2 hours.
Intensity: Rain is typically light; severe storms are infrequent during mid-summer.
Duration: Fog and low clouds can linger in the fjords, occasionally delaying aviation.
Off-Peak Season (November to April)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 0 to 4 hours (Polar Night dominates the northern regions).
Rain Frequency: Precipitation falls almost exclusively as snow.
Rainy Hours per Day: Variable based on blizzard conditions.
Intensity: Powerful Arctic storms can generate intense whiteouts and extreme wind chill.
Duration: Blizzard conditions can persist for several days, shutting down all aviation and maritime transit.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: CRU Time Series v4.07
https://catalogue.ceda.ac.uk/uuid/5fda109ab71947b6b7724077bf7eb753
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: June-August
1. Budget Travel ($120-200/day)
Accommodation: $60-100/night (hostel dormitories or designated wilderness campsites).
Food: $25-40/day (supermarket provisions, local bakeries).
Activities: $15-30/day (self-guided hiking, municipal museum entry fees).
Transportation: $20-30/day (urban buses in Nuuk, short local ferry hops).
Other Costs: $10-15/day (incidentals, high-cost bottled beverages).
2. Mid-Range Travel ($300-500/day)
Accommodation: $180-280/night (standard comfortable hotels or private guesthouses).
Food: $60-100/day (mid-range tourist restaurants and local cafes).
Activities: $80-150/day (group boat tours to glaciers, guided settlement walks).
Transportation: $50-100/day (domestic ferry transit tickets).
Other Costs: $20-30/day (local goods).
3. Luxury / Expedition Travel ($800+/day)
Accommodation: $400+/night (premium Arctic lodges, specialized glass igloos).
Food: $120+/day (upscale dining featuring specialized local game and seafood).
Activities: $300+/day (private boat charters, specialized heli-hiking, guided ice sheet traverses).
Transportation: $400+/day (private helicopter transfers, specialized expedition vessels).
Other Costs: $50+/day (premium specialized cold-weather gear rentals).
Off-Peak Season: November-April
1. Budget Travel ($100-180/day)
Accommodation: $50-90/night (hostels or discounted basic lodgings).
Food: $20-40/day (supermarket supplies).
Activities: $10-20/day (Northern Lights observation on foot).
Transportation: $15-25/day (local urban transit).
Other Costs: $10-15/day (incidentals).
2. Mid-Range Travel ($250-450/day)
Accommodation: $150-250/night (standard hotels).
Food: $50-90/day (standard restaurants).
Activities: $100-180/day (group dog sledding excursions, snowshoe tours).
Transportation: $40-80/day (taxis, winter ferries where ice permits).
Other Costs: $20-30/day (goods).
3. Luxury / Expedition Travel ($700+/day)
Accommodation: $350+/night (premium hotels).
Food: $100+/day (premium dining).
Activities: $250+/day (multi-day private dog sled expeditions, heli-skiing).
Transportation: $300+/day (private logistics).
Other Costs: $40+/day (premium goods).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Nuuk
- The capital and largest city, situated on the southwest coast. It serves as the primary administrative, cultural, and modern commercial hub, featuring a newly expanded international airport and a vibrant mix of colorful historical houses and modern architecture.
2. Ilulissat
- The primary tourism hub of the nation, located on the west coast next to Disko Bay. It is globally recognized for its massive icefjord and serves as the primary staging ground for glacier and whale-watching expeditions.
3. Sisimiut
- The second-largest city, situated just north of the Arctic Circle. It functions as a critical winter sports center and marks the southern boundary of the traditional dog sledding territory.
4. Qaqortoq
- The largest town in South Greenland, characterized by its milder climate, sub-Arctic agriculture, colonial-era architecture, and proximity to ancient Norse ruins.
Nuuk
Did you know?
No Road Trips – There are absolutely no roads connecting any of the towns or settlements across the entire massive island.
Islands
1. Disko Island (Qeqertarsuaq)
- A massive island located in Disko Bay, characterized by volcanic geology, black sand beaches, and basalt columns, contrasting sharply with the granite mainland.
2. Uummannaq Island
- A small, dramatic island located deep in a northern fjord system, entirely dominated by a massive, heart-shaped mountain peak that rises steeply from the sea.
3. Kulusuk Island
- A crucial logistical gateway to the isolated East Coast. It houses an international dirt-strip airport and a small traditional hunting settlement heavily reliant on sea ice conditions.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Ilulissat Icefjord
- A highly active, UNESCO World Heritage-listed glacial fjord. The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves thousands of massive icebergs into the bay, creating a shifting, spectacular landscape of ice.
2. The Greenland Ice Sheet
- The second-largest body of ice in the world, covering roughly 80% of the island's surface. Accessible primarily from Kangerlussuaq, it offers opportunities to walk directly onto the ancient continental glacier.
3. Northeast Greenland National Park
- The largest and most northerly national park on Earth. It is an extremely remote, virtually uninhabited wilderness harboring populations of polar bears, walruses, and musk oxen, requiring highly specialized permits to access.
4. Uunartoq Hot Springs
- A small, uninhabited island in South Greenland featuring naturally heated geothermal springs, allowing visitors to bathe in 38°C water while surrounded by drifting icebergs.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Kujataa UNESCO Site
- A sub-Arctic farming landscape in South Greenland that preserves the archaeological ruins of 10th-century Norse (Viking) settlements alongside historical Inuit agricultural sites.
2. Nuuk Colonial Harbour
- The historical core of the capital city, featuring the 18th-century Hans Egede House, the Greenland National Museum, and the iconic red Nuuk Cathedral overlooking the fjord.
3. Qilakitsoq Mummy Cave
- An archaeological site near Uummannaq where the exceptionally well-preserved, naturally freeze-dried mummies of 15th-century Inuit women and children were discovered.
Unique Experiences
1. Navigating the Ilulissat Icefjord
- Chartering specialized vessels to slowly navigate among towering, skyscraper-sized icebergs at midnight, illuminated by the low angle of the Arctic summer sun.
2. Dog Sledding the Sea Ice
- Executing multi-day winter expeditions north of the Arctic Circle, driven by local Inuit hunters utilizing traditional Greenlandic sled dogs to traverse frozen fjords.
3. Observing the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)
- Utilizing the total absence of light pollution during the dark winter months to observe the intense, highly active atmospheric light displays.
4. Whale Watching in Disko Bay
- Tracking migratory humpback, fin, and minke whales during the summer months as they feed in the nutrient-rich, iceberg-laden waters of the western coast.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Ilulissat Icefjord
Tours to do
1. Disko Bay Ice and Whale Safari
- A specialized maritime itinerary operating out of Ilulissat, utilizing local boat charters to focus intensively on glacier calving events and marine megafauna.
Best Time: July to August
Average Cost: $1,500 – $3,000+ per person (excluding flights)
2. Arctic Winter Dog Sled Traverse
- A highly demanding logistical operation utilizing local mushers to travel between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq over the frozen winter backcountry.
Best Time: February to April
Average Cost: $2,000 – $4,000+ per person
3. South Greenland Norse Route
- A localized summer transit operation utilizing small passenger boats to navigate the southern fjords, linking operational sheep farms with the ancient Viking ruins of Brattahlíð and Garðar.
Best Time: July to September
Average Cost: $800 – $1,500 per person
Winter Dog Sled
How to get around
1. Domestic Aviation
- Operating domestic flights via Air Greenland's network of Dash-8 fixed-wing aircraft and specialized helicopters is the primary, mandatory method for transiting between most towns due to the total absence of an intercity road network.
2. Coastal Ferries
- The Arctic Umiaq Line operates a passenger ferry service navigating the western coastline between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat. It serves as a vital, slower-paced logistical artery for both locals and tourists during ice-free months.
3. Specialized Boat Charters
- During the summer, chartering enclosed, reinforced private boats is the standard protocol for localized travel to nearby settlements, isolated fjords, and glacier fronts.
Note: There are absolutely no roads connecting any towns or settlements in Greenland. All transit must be conducted via air, sea, or over ice.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Mega Park – It is home to the world's largest national park, which is actually bigger than most entire countries on Earth.
What to eat
1. Suaasat
- Considered the national dish. A thick, robust traditional soup boiled from seal, whale, reindeer, or seabirds, thickened with rice or barley, and heavily seasoned with onions and bay leaves.
2. Mattak
- A traditional Inuit delicacy consisting of raw whale skin and the attached layer of blubber (typically from narwhal or beluga). It is extremely rich in Vitamin C and possesses a chewy, dense texture.
3. Musk Ox
- A massive Arctic mammal whose incredibly lean, highly flavorful meat is sourced through regulated hunting and is frequently served as premium steaks or burgers in modern restaurants.
4. Ptarmigan
- A small, indigenous Arctic game bird highly sought after during the autumn and winter hunting seasons, known for its dark, rich meat and gamey flavor.
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Nuuk International Airport (GOH)
Flight Prices and Seasons:
From Europe
- Average Round-Trip Cost: €700 to €1,400 (Direct flights via Copenhagen or Reykjavik).
- Cheapest Months: October and November.
- Peak Prices: July and August.
From North America
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $900 to $1,800 (Direct summer flights via New York, or routed via Iqaluit/Reykjavik).
- Cheapest Months: March and April.
- Peak Prices: June, July, and August.
From Asia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,500 to $2,500 (Routed via Copenhagen).
- Cheapest Months: February and March.
- Peak Prices: July and August.
From Australia
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $2,200 to $3,500 (Routed via major European hubs).
- Cheapest Months: October and November.
- Peak Prices: July and August.
From Africa
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,400 to $2,600 (Typically routed via London, Paris, or Copenhagen).
- Cheapest Months: November and February.
- Peak Prices: July and August.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- A valid passport is required. Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, but it is not part of the Schengen Area. A standard European Schengen visa is legally invalid for entry.
2. Consular Processing
- Travelers who require a visa for Denmark must apply for a specific visa with the explicit, stamped endorsement "Valid for Greenland" through a Danish embassy or consulate prior to travel.
3. Required Documentation
- Entry requires a passport valid for at least three months beyond the date of departure, a confirmed return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds.
4. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are mandatory. Strict cold-weather preparation is mandatory to prevent hypothermia or frostbite during winter travel.
5. Travel Insurance
- Procuring high-tier comprehensive medical insurance with extreme-environment evacuation coverage (specifically helicopter rescue) is an absolute operational necessity due to the extreme remoteness and limited hospital infrastructure.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The official currency is the Danish Krone (DKK). The economy is highly digital; credit and debit cards (Visa/Mastercard) are almost universally accepted, even in small settlements. Cash is only strictly necessary for extremely remote villages or informal artisan purchases.
2. Tap Water
- Municipal tap water is exceptionally pure, biologically safe, and sourced directly from glacial meltwater. It is fully safe for human consumption nationwide without purification.
3. Electricity
- The standard voltage is 230V. Plug types K (Danish standard), C, and F are utilized. The power grid is highly stable in towns, powered increasingly by robust domestic hydroelectric facilities.
4. Tipping
- Tipping is not a formal social requirement or expectation, as service charges are legally included in all bills. Small rounded-up amounts or tips for exceptional expedition guides are appreciated but never demanded.
5. SIM Cards
- The state telecom monopoly, Tusass, controls all networks. Tourists can purchase Tusass visitor SIM cards or eSIMs. 4G connectivity is generally reliable within major towns but ceases entirely once traversing the open ocean or deep wilderness.
6. Driving Side
- Vehicles operate on the right side of the road. (Note again: Driving is strictly localized within individual municipal limits).
Souveniers
1. Tupilak Carvings
- Small, highly intricate, and often grotesque figurines traditionally carved from reindeer antler, walrus ivory, or bone, originally designed by shamans to harbor vengeful spirits.
2. National Dress (Kalaallisuut)
- Highly complex, vibrant ceremonial clothing still worn on national holidays and celebrations, characterized by intensely colorful beadwork and dyed sealskin boots (kamiks).
3. Qiviut Wool
- The incredibly soft, highly insulating inner wool combed from the undercoat of the Arctic musk ox, utilized by local artisans to knit premium, lightweight scarves and hats.
Qiviut Wool
Location
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