Greenland is the world’s largest island: about 2.17 million km² (836,000 square miles) of ice sheet, mountains and fjords between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean, home to only about 56,700 people, most of them in small, brightly painted towns along the coast. There are no roads between towns, so you travel by plane, boat, helicopter or, in winter, dog sled, and the reward is a landscape few places on Earth can match: icebergs the size of city blocks drifting out of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the vast fjord system around Nuuk, the small, lively capital; whales in summer, the midnight sun north of the Arctic Circle, and northern lights from autumn to spring. Travel is getting easier: Nuuk’s new international airport opened in November 2024, and Ilulissat’s opens on 29 October 2026 with direct flights from Copenhagen. Come from June to September for hiking, boat trips and long days, or from February to April for snow, dog sledding and the aurora, and allow at least a week to see both Nuuk and Ilulissat.
Right now in Greenland
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Greenland at a glance: overview and geography
Greenland stretches from Cape Farewell in the south to some of the northernmost land on Earth, and most of it lies north of the Arctic Circle. The ice sheet covers the interior, so towns and settlements cling to the ice-free coast, above all on the milder west coast facing Davis Strait and Baffin Bay. According to Statistics Greenland, 56,740 people lived in Greenland on 1 January 2026, including 20,298 in Nuuk and 5,150 in Ilulissat, the country’s third-largest town.
The west coast is where most visitors go. Nuuk sits on a peninsula at the mouth of Nuuk Fjord, one of the largest fjord systems in the world, south of the Arctic Circle. Further north, on Disko Bay, Ilulissat stands beside the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, fed by Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world. Between them are Kangerlussuaq, with its long-established airport at the head of a long fjord, and Sisimiut, at the other end of the 165 km Arctic Circle Trail. South Greenland has green valleys, sheep farms and Norse ruins; East Greenland, around Tasiilaq and Ittoqqortoormiit, is wilder and more remote.
People have lived on these coasts for thousands of years. The ancestors of today’s Greenlanders, the Inuit of the Thule culture, crossed from the Canadian Arctic around 800 years ago, and earlier Arctic cultures left traces at sites such as Sermermiut beside the Ilulissat Icefjord. Nuuk was founded in 1728 by the missionary Hans Egede, and the old wooden houses of its Colonial Harbour date from that era. The official language is Greenlandic (Kalaallisut); Danish is widely spoken, and many young people, guides and hotel staff speak English.
Time zone: Nuuk, Ilulissat and the rest of the west coast use UTC−2 in winter and UTC−1 from late March to late October, three hours behind Copenhagen; a few remote areas in the northwest and east keep different time.
Greenland’s regions
- Nuuk and the capital region (Sermersooq): the capital, its museums, cafés and cultural life, and Nuuk Fjord with its mountains, whales and abandoned settlements.
- Disko Bay and the north (Avannaata, Qeqertalik): Ilulissat and the Icefjord, the settlements of Oqaatsut and Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island, and the Eqi glacier; midnight sun in summer and dog sledding in winter.
- The Arctic Circle region (Qeqqata): Kangerlussuaq, with the ice sheet within reach, and Sisimiut, linked by the Arctic Circle Trail.
- South Greenland (Kujalleq): Qaqortoq, Narsarsuaq and Narsaq, green fjords, farms, hot springs and Norse history.
- East Greenland: Tasiilaq and Kulusuk, reached from Iceland, and remote Ittoqqortoormiit far to the north.
Where to go in Greenland: the capital and the Icefjord
Most first-time visitors combine Nuuk and Ilulissat. They are linked by Air Greenland’s domestic flights, and in summer by the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ship, which sails between Qaqortoq in the south and Ilulissat from April to December.
Nuuk
The capital is Greenland’s biggest town and its gateway, with the new international airport, the widest choice of hotels and restaurants, and a surprising amount of culture for a city of 20,000: the Greenland National Museum and Archives in the old Colonial Harbour, the Nuuk Art Museum, the Katuaq Cultural Centre, whose wavy facade was inspired by the northern lights, and the National Theatre. The mountains Sermitsiaq, Ukkusissaq and Quassussuaq rise around the town, and boat trips head out into Nuuk Fjord to see whales from June to October. See our Nuuk travel guide.
Ilulissat and the Icefjord
Ilulissat, whose name means “icebergs” in Greenlandic, is the country’s most visited destination. Just south of town, the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, is choked with icebergs calved by Sermeq Kujalleq, which according to Visit Greenland moves about 40 m (130 ft) a day and produces about 10% of all of Greenland’s icebergs. You can walk the boardwalk from the Icefjord Centre to the ancient settlement site of Sermermiut, hike colored trails along the fjord, sail among the icebergs at midnight, or fly over the glacier. Ilulissat is also a sled-dog town, with dog sledding in late winter and spring. See our Ilulissat travel guide.
Kangerlussuaq and the Arctic Circle Trail
Kangerlussuaq grew up around its airport, which for decades was Greenland’s main international gateway, and it is the easiest place from which to reach the edge of the ice sheet by road. It is also the start of the Arctic Circle Trail, a 165 km (103 mile) wilderness hike to Sisimiut on the coast. Air Greenland flies from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq seasonally (10 February to 17 November in 2026).
South and East Greenland
South Greenland is the greenest part of the country, with farms, Norse ruins and icebergs drifting down the fjords; Qaqortoq is getting a new airport too. East Greenland, reached by Icelandair from Keflavík to Kulusuk, is the place for remote fjords, mountain hiking and a very traditional way of life.
Combining Greenland with Iceland or Denmark
Many trips to Greenland start or end in Iceland or Denmark. Flights from Keflavík take about 3.5 hours to Nuuk or Ilulissat, so a few days in Reykjavík pair naturally with Greenland, and Air Greenland’s main hub abroad is Copenhagen.
Ilulissat Travel Guide
Plan a visit to Ilulissat and the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord: the Icefjord Centre (2026 hours and prices), the boardwalk to Sermermiut and the Red,…
Nuuk Travel Guide
Plan a visit to Nuuk, Greenland's capital: the Colonial Harbour and the Greenland National Museum (2026 hours and price), Katuaq, the Nuuk Art Museum,…
Best time to visit Greenland
Greenland has an Arctic climate, but the west coast is milder than its latitude suggests, and the air is usually dry and clear. The table below uses the Danish Meteorological Institute’s official 1991–2020 climate normals for Nuuk and Ilulissat. The temperatures are daily means; summer afternoons are a few degrees warmer, with average July highs of 10.5 °C (51 °F) in Nuuk and 11.5 °C (53 °F) in Ilulissat.
| Season (DMI, 1991–2020) | Nuuk, mean daily temperature | Ilulissat, mean daily temperature | Nuuk, precipitation a month | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | −7.8 to 1.1 °C (18–34 °F) | −14.5 to 0.3 °C (6–33 °F) | 53–61 mm | Snow, sun and lengthening days; the best season for dog sledding, skiing and snowmobile trips. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 4.7–7.0 °C (40–45 °F) | 5.8–8.3 °C (42–47 °F) | 62–93 mm | Cool and bright, with midnight sun in Ilulissat; hiking, boat trips and whales; the busiest season. |
| Autumn (Sep–Nov) | 3.9 falling to −3.3 °C (39–26 °F) | 2.6 falling to −7.0 °C (37–19 °F) | 80–106 mm | Autumn colors on the tundra, whales into September and October, and the first northern lights. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | −5.3 to −8.3 °C (22–17 °F) | −9.4 to −14.8 °C (15–5 °F) | 55–75 mm | Cold and dark, with polar night in Ilulissat from late November to mid-January; northern lights and quiet towns. |
Over the year, Nuuk averages −1.0 °C (30 °F) and 874 mm of precipitation, and Ilulissat −3.7 °C (25 °F); DMI publishes no precipitation normal for Ilulissat, which is drier than Nuuk. In Ilulissat, the Icefjord Office reports the midnight sun from 21 May to 24 July and the polar night from 26 November to 13 January. Northern lights can be seen on clear, dark nights from September to March or April.
June to September is the main season for hiking, kayaking and boat trips; Visit Greenland gives June to October for whale watching around Nuuk, and February to April is best for snow activities. Greenland’s National Day on 21 June, the longest day of the year, is celebrated in every town, and Ilulissat hosts the three-day Kangia Race every June.
How long to stay: sample itineraries
Five days: Ilulissat
Fly to Ilulissat directly from Copenhagen (from late October 2026) or from Keflavík, or via Nuuk. Day one: the town, the harbor and Zion’s Church. Day two: the Icefjord Centre, the boardwalk to Sermermiut and the Yellow or Blue Trail. Day three: an iceberg boat trip, ideally a midnight cruise in summer. Day four: a full-day boat trip to the Eqi glacier or the settlement of Oqaatsut. Day five: a scenic flight over Sermeq Kujalleq, or a dog-sled trip in winter.
A week: Nuuk and Ilulissat
Spend three days in Nuuk, with the Colonial Harbour, the National Museum and Katuaq, a hike up Quassussuaq and a boat trip into Nuuk Fjord, then fly north to Ilulissat for four days of icebergs, hiking and boat trips.
Two weeks or more
Add Kangerlussuaq and a day trip to the ice sheet, walk the Arctic Circle Trail to Sisimiut, take the coastal ship along the west coast, or fly south to Qaqortoq and Narsarsuaq for fjords and farms.
Entry rules, money and costs
Entry rules
Greenland is not part of the European Union or the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa does not let you enter. According to Visit Greenland and the Danish immigration service (New to Denmark):
- Nordic citizens (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) can enter freely; a Nordic ID card is enough.
- Citizens of visa-exempt countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and the EU countries, can visit without a visa for up to 90 days, but need a passport: an EU or Schengen ID card that is valid for Denmark is not valid for Greenland.
- Visa nationals need a visa whose sticker states that it is valid for the Faroe Islands and/or Greenland; apply through a Danish mission and mention Greenland in the application.
If you travel via Copenhagen or Keflavík, you also pass through the Schengen area on the way, so the usual Schengen rules apply there.
Money
Greenland uses the Danish krone (DKK). Credit cards are accepted in most places, and ATMs taking Visa, Mastercard and other major cards are found in the larger towns, including Nuuk, Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut; you need your PIN. Visit Greenland advises bringing a little cash in kroner, as ATMs can be out of service at weekends, and US dollars and other foreign currencies are generally not accepted. There is no VAT in Greenland, and prices include service, so tipping is optional.
Healthcare
Every town has a hospital, and settlements have nursing clinics. According to Visit Greenland, treatment for acute illness is free, but bring enough of your regular medicines, as specialized products are not always available, and take out travel insurance that covers evacuation and the cost of getting home.
How expensive is Greenland?
Greenland is expensive: Visit Greenland puts prices about 10% higher than in Scandinavia, with alcohol, tobacco and fresh produce much more. Flights and excursions are the biggest costs, because boats, helicopters and planes are the only way to get around. The figures below are our estimates for one person per day, sharing a double room, excluding international flights, as of October 2026.
| Style | Estimated cost per day | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | about DKK 900–1,400 | A hostel, guesthouse or camping, supermarket meals, free hikes, one paid sight |
| Mid-range | about DKK 2,000–3,500 | A hotel, restaurant dinners and one guided boat trip or tour a day |
| High-end | about DKK 5,000+ | A top hotel, helicopter or scenic flights, private tours and fine dining |
Getting there and getting around
New airports in Nuuk and Ilulissat
Greenland’s airport map is changing. Nuuk’s new international airport, with a 2,200 m runway that can take large jets, opened on 28 November 2024, and Air Greenland flies directly between Copenhagen and Nuuk. Greenland Airports has confirmed that the new international airport in Ilulissat opens on 29 October 2026, with a new terminal with separate domestic and international areas. Kangerlussuaq remains a seasonal gateway.
Flights to Greenland
- From Denmark: Air Greenland flies year-round from Copenhagen to Nuuk, seasonally from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, and in summer from Aalborg to Nuuk, according to Visit Greenland. From 29 October 2026, Air Greenland also flies directly from Copenhagen to Ilulissat, once a week on Wednesdays, with a second weekly flight on Mondays over Christmas and New Year and from 1 to 27 March 2027; the flight takes about 5 hours.
- From Iceland: Icelandair flies from Keflavík to Nuuk, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq and Kulusuk, and Air Greenland flies seasonally from Keflavík to Ilulissat; flights to Nuuk and Ilulissat take about 3.5 hours.
- From the USA: United Airlines flies twice a week from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk from June to September.
Air Greenland enforces baggage limits strictly, especially on its small domestic planes, and excess baggage is expensive, so pack light. Many visitors also arrive on expedition cruises from Iceland, Canada, the USA and Europe; there is no ferry service to Greenland.
Getting around
- Plane: there are no roads between towns. Air Greenland’s domestic network, mostly Dash 8 turboprops with up to 37 seats, links Nuuk with Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Maniitsoq, Qaqortoq and other towns; book early in summer, and leave spare days in case weather delays a flight.
- Helicopter: helicopters serve small settlements without runways in the south, north and east.
- Ship: Arctic Umiaq Line’s Sarfaq Ittuk sails along the west coast between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat from April to December, with bunks, cabins and suites; Disko Line runs local boats around Disko Bay and along the coast.
- In town: Nuuk has buses (Nuup Bussii), taxis and rental cars; Ilulissat is walkable, with taxis and a local bus. Hotels often arrange airport transfers.
Outdoors: ice, fjords, hiking and the northern lights
Greenland is a destination for the outdoors, and most experiences are on the water. In summer, boat trips sail among the icebergs at the mouth of the Ilulissat Icefjord, out to calving glaciers such as Eqi, and into Nuuk Fjord, where humpback whales feed. Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are offered in Nuuk and Ilulissat. See our boat trips guide.
Hiking is free and spectacular: marked trails run along the Ilulissat Icefjord, Nuuk’s town mountains offer short, steep climbs with huge views, and the Arctic Circle Trail is one of the great long-distance hikes. Visit Greenland notes that you can drink from flowing rivers without a filter, but avoid small, still lakes; camping is allowed almost anywhere except next to houses and in protected areas such as Sermermiut in Ilulissat. See our hiking guide.
In winter and spring, try dog sledding north of the Arctic Circle and in the east, skiing and snowshoeing around Nuuk, and northern lights tours away from town lights. Anglers need a fishing license, which costs DKK 75 for 24 hours, DKK 200 for a week or DKK 500 for a month, according to Visit Greenland.
Safety, health and staying connected
Greenland’s towns are small and relaxed, and the main things to plan for are nature and weather. Dress in layers with a windproof and waterproof jacket, tell someone your plans before you hike, and remember that mobile coverage is rare outside towns and settlements. Keep a respectful distance from adult sled dogs: they are working animals, so never pet them without the musher’s permission. Polar bears are unlikely near the west-coast towns but possible in remote northern and eastern areas, so ask locals before you hike there. The emergency number is 112, and Greenland Police can be reached at any time on +299 70 14 48.
Sockets take Danish-style and two-pin European plugs (types C, E, F and K) at 230 V, so North American visitors need an adapter. Greenland’s country code is +299. Mobile service covers most towns and settlements, with 4G and 5G, and Visit Greenland mentions a Greenland Travel eSIM; roaming on foreign plans can be costly, so check before you go. Wi-Fi is available in larger hotels and libraries.
Food and culture
Greenlandic food comes from the sea and the land: Greenland halibut, cod, Arctic char, snow crab and shrimp, musk ox and reindeer, and, on traditional menus, whale and seal. Try a “Greenlandic buffet” at a hotel restaurant to taste a bit of everything, look for local fish and meat at Nuuk’s local market, and finish with a coffee and cake at a café. Alcohol is expensive and sold in supermarkets only from Monday to Saturday, 10:00–20:00.
Greenlandic culture is very much alive in its language, drum dancing, kayak traditions, the national costume worn on festive days such as 21 June, and in art and music. Ask before photographing people, buy crafts directly from local artists, and remember that many settlements are small communities where visitors are guests.
Things to do in Greenland
- Walk the boardwalk to Sermermiut and watch icebergs in the Ilulissat Icefjord.
- Take a midnight-sun boat trip among the icebergs of Disko Bay.
- Visit the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre.
- Fly over Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the world’s fastest glaciers.
- Explore Nuuk’s Colonial Harbour and the Greenland National Museum.
- See a show or film at Katuaq, Nuuk’s cultural center.
- Go whale watching in Nuuk Fjord between June and October.
- Hike up Quassussuaq for views over Nuuk and Sermitsiaq.
- Ride a dog sled in Ilulissat in late winter or spring.
- Watch the northern lights on a clear night from September to March.
- Stand at the edge of the ice sheet near Kangerlussuaq.
- Hike the Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut.
- Celebrate National Day on 21 June.
Greenland travel FAQ
Do I need a visa for Greenland?
Not if you are from a visa-exempt country such as the USA, Canada, the UK or an EU country: you can stay up to 90 days with a passport. Visa nationals need a visa marked as valid for Greenland; a normal Schengen visa is not enough.
Can I fly directly to Greenland from the USA?
Yes, in summer. United Airlines flies twice a week from Newark to Nuuk from June to September. At other times, connect through Keflavík or Copenhagen.
When does the new Ilulissat airport open?
On 29 October 2026, according to Greenland Airports, with Air Greenland’s first direct flight from Copenhagen the same day.
What currency is used in Greenland?
The Danish krone (DKK). Cards are widely accepted, but carry a little cash for small purchases and weekends.
What is the best time to visit Greenland?
June to September for hiking, boat trips, whales and the midnight sun; February to April for dog sledding, snow and northern lights.
How cold is Greenland in summer?
Cool rather than cold. In July, the average daily mean is 7.0 °C (45 °F) in Nuuk and 8.3 °C (47 °F) in Ilulissat, with afternoons around 10–12 °C (50–53 °F), according to DMI’s 1991–2020 normals.
Can you drive between towns in Greenland?
No. There are no roads connecting towns, so you travel by plane, helicopter or boat, or by dog sled and snowmobile in winter.
How many days do you need in Greenland?
Five days covers Ilulissat and the Icefjord; a week lets you add Nuuk; two weeks lets you add Kangerlussuaq, the coastal ship or South Greenland.
Do you tip in Greenland?
It is not expected: all prices include tips and service. A tip for very good service in a restaurant or from a guide is appreciated.
What language is spoken in Greenland?
Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language. Danish is widely spoken, and English is common among young people and in tourism.
Plugs and power in Greenland
Greenland uses 230 V, 50 Hz and these plugs (left) and wall sockets (right):
Danish-style sockets; two-pin European (Type C/F) plugs fit. North American visitors need an adapter and, for single-voltage devices, a converter.
All plug types and voltages by country → · Check what you need to pack →
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Sources · last reviewed 6 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 6 October 2026. Population figures come from Statistics Greenland (1 January 2026); climate normals from the Danish Meteorological Institute (1991–2020); midnight sun and polar night dates and the Icefjord site rules from the Ilulissat Icefjord Office; entry rules from Visit Greenland and the Danish immigration service; currency, payment, tipping, healthcare, phones, flights, domestic transport, the coastal ship, fishing licenses and seasons from Visit Greenland; the Nuuk runway from Air Greenland; the Ilulissat airport opening from Greenland Airports; the Copenhagen–Ilulissat schedule from Air Greenland; and the emergency and police numbers from Greenland Police. Plug types come from general reference and are flagged for checking; daily costs are our estimates. Schedules, prices and rules change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Rates: ECB · Wikidata (CC0)