visit greenland from iceland

Visiting Greenland From Iceland

Should Iceland and Greenland swap names?

Why visit greenland, what tours can i take to greenland, greenland sailing | 10-day photography workshop, 8 day summer package | iceland in depth with a greenland day tour, 6 day summer package | south iceland with a greenland day tour, 5 day summer package | golden circle, south of iceland with a greenland day tour.

Is it possible to visit Greenland during your trip to Iceland? Which tour opportunities and packages include a trip to Greenland? And what links, if any, do Iceland and Greenland share? Read on to find out all you need to know about visiting Greenland from Iceland.

• See also: Iceland & Greenland Packages

Approximately three quarters of Greenland is covered by the largest permanent ice sheet outside of Antarctica. A mere 1,210 km east, Iceland is a temperate and green country in comparison, with only 11% of the land comprised of glaciers.

Despite Iceland’s snow-laden winters, many people notice a discrepancy when considering the choice of names for both countries.

According to one story, a group of Vikings rebelled against the Norwegian monarchy, forcing them to flee the country by boat. Enroute, they stopped at Iceland.

Quickly discovering the island to be habitable with its breezy summers, rich fishing grounds and wealth of timber, the rebels sent false word back to Norway claiming their landing grounds was harsh, barren, little more than ice. To further deter reinforcements, they stated a larger, more distant island was a lush paradise.

• See also: The History of Iceland

In short, this decision appears to have been clear bait-and-switch tactic. Unfortunately, as so often is the case, the legend is false.

Instead, this widely circulated rumour is little more than a simple and ingenious tale that simplifies the far more complex process that was the discovery of Greenland.

In truth, the Norsemen did not arrive to Greenland until Erik the Red in A.D. 982, approximately 100 years after the settlement of Iceland. Touching on grains of truth, Erik really was fleeing Iceland after murdering three people, but was blown dramatically off-course.

To attract other settlers to this newfound country, Erik reported that the island was perfect for habitation. To stress this point, he named it Greenland; medieval marketing at its best! In all fairness, it is likely that Greenland was far grassier in A.D. 982, especially the southwestern corner of Greenland which sits at a southern latitude below even Iceland. To this day, successful sheep farms continue to operate in the area.

Of course, not everyone calls the island Greenland. Greenlanders themselves refer to their island as Kalaallit Nunaat, which means “Land of the People” in the Inuit language.

Due to the ever-impending dangers of climate change, a large percentage of meteorologists believe that in the near future, the names will make more sense. With the slowing down of the Gulf Stream, Greenland will continue to experience warmer temperatures and the melting of ice, while Iceland will experience the polar opposite; pack ice and even longer, darker winters.

Greenland is a land of staggering, ethereal and dramatic scenery, the likes of which can be found nowhere else on earth. While Iceland’s landscapes are commonly regarded as some of the best scenery on earth, Greenland’s breathtaking smoky mountains, iceberg-filled fjords and sweeping plateaus make for a fierce contender.

• See also: International Relations in Iceland 

Greenlandic culture is just as inspiring, having much in common with the Inuit tradition, from which most people are descended. Ice fishing and dog-sled races, for instance, are both still popular among the local people.

Most inhabitants still hunt given to supplement their diet or provide skins for boats and attire. Animals such as walrus, seals, caribou and narwhal are still essential to the Greenlandic cuisine, especially in the northwest region known as Thule.

This is reiterated by the Greenlandic government themselves, who state;

" Hunting is the heart and soul of Greenlandic culture.... Hunting is also very important from a cultural perspective. In a society such as Greenland, which for centuries was based on subsistence hunting (until about 50 years ago), hunting is still of great cultural importance. Irrespective of the fact that most live like wage-earners in a modern industrial society, many Greenlanders' identity is still deeply rooted in the hunting."

Over recent years, Greenland has become more and more of a tourist destination, offering spectacular hiking trails, photographic opportunities and unbeatable adventure.

Given its isolation as the world’s largest non-continental island, Iceland makes for the perfect jumping off-point, with flights from Keflavik International Airport to both Nuuk (Greenland’s capital) and Ilulissat in Disko Bay.

Thankfully, visitors to the northernmost corners of this planet will have the opportunity to combine their holiday to Iceland with a trip to Greenland.

Below are two examples of the most prized tour options available. Don't hesitate to come aboard! 

It’s time to charge the batteries, pack extra memory cards and ready yourself for the adventure of a lifetime with this 10-day sailing trip photographing the unreal landscapes of Greenland.

After a night discovering the many cultural charms of Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, you will travel from the domestic airport to Constable Point, East Greenland—a 2-hour flight. Upon arrival, you will board the expedition schooner, Donna Wood, and sail to the scenic village to Ittoqqortoormiit .

Here, you’ll have the opportunity to capture the colourful houses and local fisherman, perfect for an authentic, documentary-style portfolio.

The next few days, you will be preoccupied photographing the icebergs of Scoresby Sound, the fjords of Milne Land and the wildlife of Hare Fjord, including Arctic foxes, snow hares, stoats, eagles and musk-oxen.

• See also:   The Arctic Fox | A Tale of Iceland's Only Native Mammal

Day 6 and day 7 are focused on the dramatic mountains of Øfjord, as well as the 200 m (650 ft) basalt stacks that tower nearby. You will also embark to the nature reserve, Bjørneøe, anchoring beside the Bear Islands to turn your lens towards the seabird colonies of the North Atlantic.

Your final day in Greenland will be spent travelling the Arctic Riviera, an archipelago filled with the largest icebergs of the expedition.  

Day 4 of this tour package provides a chance to visit Greenland, specifically the small island village of Kulusuk. Here, you will have a guided tour of the area, paying special attention to the local architecture and way of life for Kulusuk’s three-hundred or so residents.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the village museum, providing unprecedented insight into the region’s history and Inuit culture. In the evening, you will return on a short flight back to Reykjavik.

The previous days will be spent in Iceland, first discovering the Snæfellsnes Peninsula —often referred to as “Iceland in Miniature” thanks to its eclectic range of natural attractions—as well as the Golden Circle trail.

The Golden Circle is Iceland’s most popular sightseeing route, comprised of Þingvellir National Park, Geysir geothermal valley and the mighty Gullfoss waterfall.

After your return to Iceland at the end of Day 4, you will spend the following days exploring the picturesque South Coast , complete with its enchanting waterfalls, unique black sand beaches and gorgeous, ancient sea cliffs.

Enroute, you’ll stop at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, known as “The Crown Jewel of Iceland” thanks to its heavenly blue icebergs, still waters and the unbelievably beautiful surroundings of Vatnajökull National Park.

This tour is also available, with adjustments, as seen below:

Have you visited Greenland? Have you experienced both Iceland and Greenland during the same trip, or are you planning on doing so? Make sure to leave your thoughts and queries in the Facebook comments box below. 

See more blogs

Chasing Waterfalls in Iceland

Sænautasel Turf House in the Highland of Iceland

The Dynamic Plant Lupine

Secret waterfall on the South Coast

Midnight Sun Season in Kirkjufell

Other interesting blogs.

Download Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace to your phone to manage your entire trip in one place

Scan this QR code with your phone camera and press the link that appears to add Iceland’s biggest travel marketplace into your pocket. Enter your phone number or email address to receive an SMS or email with the download link.

Top things to do in Iceland

Book your complete trip with the best companies only

Explore an Ice Cave

Visit a Live Volcano

Find the Northern Lights

Visit the Blue Lagoon

Go on a Road Trip

Do the Golden Circle

See the Glacier Lagoon

South Coast Tours

Home » Europe » Greenland » Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Greenland From Iceland

Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Greenland From Iceland

By Author Lance Longwell

Posted on Last updated: September 28, 2022

In researching our trip to Iceland, I heard that a day trip to Greenland from Reykjavik might be possible. Visiting Greenland? I was intrigued.

This brought up several other questions for me. How can you visit Greenland? Specifically, how do you get to Greenland? And who goes to Greenland anyway?

I immediately became captivated with the idea of visiting Greenland and I knew that we HAD to go. Convincing Laura that this was a good idea would be another story. Here’s everything we learned about trips to Greenland from Iceland.

How to Get to Greenland

Our first real decision was how to get there. We found some airlines offering day trips from Iceland to Greenland. Alternately, if we’re going, we could add a couple of days and really explore, however the trip was proving to be long enough with our limited vacation time. Most of our long discussions came down to whether we would like take the quick trip from Iceland to Greenland.

Once before, I wanted to do a day trip to somewhere crazy (from Spain to Gibraltar ). At the time, I was accused of just wanting to collect a passport stamp (which, since Greenland is a partially autonomous constituent country within the Kingdom of Denmark, it’s a Denmark stamp).

And it went much that way this time. I’ll admit, that was part of it. But how often do you have the opportunity for visiting Greenland? We don’t have a lot of vacation time, and tacking the quick trip on to our time in Iceland just made sense (to me, anyway).

There’s really only two ways to get there. The first is to fly from Iceland to Greenland. There are flights to Greenland from Iceland (via Air Iceland Connect) and Denmark (via Air Greenland). However, there are still no direct air service from the United States.

So, if you’re wondering how to get to Greenland from the US, most people fly to Reyjavik with IcelandAir and then take an Air Iceland Connect flight on to either Nuuk or Kulusuk, which is actually kind of strange since Greenland is part of North America and you’d think you could fly direct.

The second option is that there are a number of cruise lines that are beginning to add the country to their sailings. Contrary to popular belief, there is no Iceland to Greenland ferry. The good news for travelers is getting to Greenland is getting easier every year with more travel options available.

We opted for a day trip offered by Air Iceland Connect. Yes, it is quite expensive – at about $525 per person, this would be an investment. Unfortunately, it was difficult to find detailed specifics about the Air Iceland Connect package. So, with a leap of faith, we booked the trip. [Note: Hearty travelers can overnight in Kulusuk at either of the hotel or hostel in town. Check current prices/options on accommodations here .]

Why Visit Greenland

My motives in this Greenland vacation were more about country collecting or getting that passport stamp. Before we left on the trip, the cover of National Geographic was about this island being Ground Zero for global warming . I wanted to see it for myself. Laura finally gave in.

We got up early and headed to the tiny Reykjavik city airport for the flight. The Air Iceland Connect flight from Reykjavik to the hamlet of Kulusuk took a little under two hours and covered a distance of just over 450 miles (725 kilometers).

Once in Greenland, we crossed through security and found the guide, a gent from Iceland who had lived in Greenland for some time. He originally came to the island as a sociologist to study the indigenous population and ended up seeing a money-making opportunity and stayed.

In Kulusuk, we walked from the airport down into the town, stopping at the cemetery ridge for a view of town. At about this time, the midges found us. These crazy little bugs are attracted to CO2 and fly into your mouth and up your nose. They made us miserable, but there was nothing we could do to keep them away. I wished we had had  netting to get the bugs out of our faces.

Kulusuk is a small village where all of the little buildings clinging to the rocks are painted in picturesque reds and greens and blues. It was very charming…from afar.

The locals in this part of the country have progressed rapidly. In just over 150 years, they have moved from tribal hunter/gathering in seal skins to driving ATVs and wearing North Face. But, like most native peoples, they have over 80% unemployment and an extremely high level of alcoholism.

When we were in Kulusuk on a Saturday, the few locals with a job had been paid the day before and the entire town was drunk – including some boys as young as about 10 or 12. Our guide explained that this was pretty typical right after pay day. It was quite sad. We wondered if this was typical for the entire 57,000 population of Greenland, or whether it was specific to this island.

Our first stop was the town’s all-purpose store. It carries everything from groceries to clothes to guns and ammunition. An unusual mish-mash of merchandise, but it gave us a glimpse into the sparse lifestyle of the people and was a strong reminder of how remote Kulusuk is.

There is one gift shop in town, which our guide opened up for us. The store sells exactly the same merchandise as the Kulusuk Gifts store in Reykjavik – t-shirts and expensive bone carvings. He then took us over to the brightly-colored church for a brief 10-15 minute history lesson on the island.

We then went into a woman’s house for a drum ceremony demonstration – it could have been really good, however, without providing any cultural context, it was just kind of weird. And somehow Laura got roped into participating.

Actually, that really sums up our trip. Our guide studied the local people for his degree and could have provided a really rich cultural discussion and been really informative. Instead, he seemed to be more focused on wanting to open the gift shop and sell things.

The most rewarding part of visiting Greenland was boarding the boats from the town of Kulusuk and taking them out into the bay and past some MASSIVE icebergs. That was very cool!

Yes, we got our Greenland passport stamp. Yes, we went to Greenland. And who goes there? It’s one of those places in the world that is very far off the beaten track and I’m glad we took this opportunity to go. But for cost of about $525 per person, we expected more. It was not the educational and enriching experience that we were hoping for, but I’m glad we did it.

That night, after our flight back to Iceland, we went out for dinner in Reykjavik. We had selected Argentine, one of the most popular restaurants in all of Iceland and one of the better steakhouses we’ve ever been to. The restaurant was excellent. However, the whole Greenland vs Iceland moment was a very odd juxtaposition. Here we were enjoying a fabulous meal after having spent much of the day with people who were really struggling.

Visiting Greenland was one of the most remarkable experiences of our lives, but it was both intellectually and emotionally challenging. Perhaps more than any other destination we’ve ever visited, our journey has stuck with us.

There are times I can still see the faces of some of the native children in Kulusuk. It is an island that is being rapidly transformed by climate change. But in many ways, the real change was within us. This trip changed us in ways we didn’t realize at the time.

Lance Longwell is a travel writer and photographer who has published Travel Addicts since 2008, making it one of the oldest travel blogs. He is a life-long traveler, having visited all 50 of the United States by the time he graduated high school. Lance has continued his adventures by visiting 70 countries on 5 continents – all in search of the world’s perfect sausage. He’s a passionate foodie and enjoys hot springs and cultural oddities. When he’s not traveling (or writing about travel), you’ll find him photographing his hometown of Philadelphia.

Share this post:

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Sunday 7th of January 2024

This sounds awesome! I'll be visiting Iceland in July and would love to add a day trip to Greenland! How did you book the tour in Greenland? Was there a specific website?

Lance Longwell

Sunday 14th of January 2024

They were offered by Air Iceland, which eventually became IcelandAir Connect. They ceased operations as an independent entity in 2021, and were absorbed into Iceland Air. The website for the Greenland flights is: https://www.icelandair.com/en-us/flights/flights-to-greenland. Use Keflavik (KEF) as your departure airport.

Michael ACE Blackburn

Wednesday 1st of February 2023

Interesting read. I’m watching a documentary on the Vikings from Scandinavia to Germany, Russia, Italy, France and UK … then one family sails to Iceland to settle. Later Canada. Sept 2002, I went to Iceland. In 4 days I had seen almost everything. The next day me & 5 others and our guide flew to Kulusuk. Your description was exactly the same as my trip, except 6 things. 1. I didn’t get to go on a boat 2. You didn’t mention the 5ft iron square with hooks. Townspeople would catch fish and hang it for anyone who wanted it. 3. Dogs were chained to the house. We’re told to stay away. The dogs were transportation, not pets 4. It took 45 mins to walk the dirt road into town. 5. In 2002 there were no hotels or Restaurants, so a day trip. 6. No gift shops in Reykjavik or in Kulusuk. The airport had one small t shirt that said KULUSUK and one XXLg GREENLAND sweatshirt. Still have them, still can’t wear them

Our guide half way to town, amongst the barren rolling landscape stops. Forgot to mention, IF we encounter a Polar Bear, Run, Run ! We all looked at each other and this woman next to me was smiling. I asked her why. She said, “I won’t be able to out run a Polar Bear, but I should be able to outrun everyone but you and the guide. I like my chances”

My Best Vacation … ever !

Richard Weil

Saturday 30th of July 2022

An old thread but very informative and will illustrated, thank you. I admit to being a country collector--122 and the 7 continents too--with some long trips to weird places (overland France to Nepal when things were calm enough in the Middle East, more recent visits to Andorra, Haiti, Albania, etc.). And my wife thinks I'm nuts that every time we get to a new port I jump off the cruise ship and look for that passport office. (Often find one for a stamp too.)

But for all that I agree that swooping in is both emotionally jarring for the visitor and does not do the locals justice. But if you treat them with respect (I try to learn a few local words first), study their history a bit, know about the local sights, and just gear into how things are done then you will learn something and do fine with the people. (I learned the latter in India where if you push then everything locks up. Take your time and things usually work.) What drives me nuts is people who just stay in a resort or expect things to be exactly like they are at home. One learns nothing and sees little.

On the other hand a lot of people are curious about the world. I teach college level geography and do a lot of ham radio, and in both these ways one finds much general interest about other places. And perhaps with so many people communicating online we're making a little progress that way too. So my thought is that if enough people travel without preconceptions, and meet enough folks from elsewhere, then it will be a better world. Keep on moving, friends.

Sunday 31st of July 2022

Richard, thanks so much for your thoughtful note. I agree that the world can teach us so much. And I really push back on the idea that there is only ONE right way to travel (and the stupid traveler vs tourist crap). Every needs to experience the world - sometimes we just do it differently. I dabbled in ham back in the 1980s and wished I would have stuck with it.

Tom Fletcher

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Great information. When I go there, it will be a multi-day trip. One day just allows you (as you said) to visit the gift shop and grocery store, see a few munities of music, and take a boat ride, but even that you got an experience.

Sunday 6th of February 2022

Thank you for the information. I stumbled on your story tonight while talking to my grandkids about the north pole. We will be in Iceland in June and is planning to go to Greenland.two says in Greenland sound like more than enough, should he leave on say two or go on to day three there? Thank you.

One day is plenty for Kulusuk (or a day and a night, fly back the second day). Two days would be good for Nuuk.

• Testimonials

Discover Iceland and Greenland Tour

Iceland and Greenland tour combines the ring road in Iceland and discovery trip to Ilulissat in West Greenland

Travel on Iceland’s ring road and discover stunning scenery and dramatic landscapes. A local expert guide helps you explore the unspoiled Icelandic countryside with volcanoes, lava fields, hot springs, mountains, fjords, glaciers and waterfalls. This escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hot spots and lesser-known sights and includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Continue your discovery tour to Ilulissat in West Greenland, a breathtaking location with massive icebergs, rugged wilderness, glittering glaciers, giant whales and the exciting mix of authentic Inuit culture and a modern society under the magical light of the midnight sun.

Transfer to your accommodations by Flybus shuttle bus from Keflavik international airport.

Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar. (50km / 31mi)

Meet with your tour guide at the hotel at 9:00. Travel to the village of Borgarnes in the west through the lovely Hvalfjörur fjord. Easy hike atop the Grábrók volcano's crater in the center of a green lava field. Further north, visit Glaumbaer, one of Iceland's most stunning turf house farms and folk museums. Continue along the beautiful fjord landscape and via a number of mountain passes. Our final destination today is Akureyri, the capital of Iceland's north. You can stroll through the lovely town of Akureyri from where you spend the night.

Akureyri Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar (B) (415km / 258mi)

Explore Akureyri in the morning and take in the expansive vista of the Eyjafjörur fjord. From April to October, optional whale watching cruises run from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Visit Goafoss, the Gods' waterfalls, in the afternoon. Then explore around Lake Mvatn, which is renowned for its rich wildlife and geological wonders. Visit Kálfaströnd to see the odd lava structures, Sktustair to see the fake craters, and Hverfjall to see the tephra cone. Finally, unwind at the geothermal Mvatn Nature Baths, which offer a stunning panorama of the surrounding landscape.

Mývatn Berjaya Iceland Hotels. (B) (120km / 75mi)

Walk through the lava labyrinth at Dimmuborgir, "the black castles," early in the day in the hopes of spotting the trolls who are claimed to reside there. Visit the bubbling mud pools and steamy solfataras of Námaskar's hot springs in the afternoon. To reach East Iceland, we drive over the deserted highlands and lunar landscaper. The tour includes a side trip to the impressive waterfall Dettifoss from June to August.

Hérað Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar (B) (250km / 155mi)

We will spend the day in East Fjords admiring the landscape and small fishing villages, exploring local stone and mineral collection. 

In the afternoon we see Europe's biggest Vatnajökull glacier visible all over Southeast Iceland. We pass the town of Höfn, stop at the glacial lagoon Jökulsárlón, filled with floating icebergs. We will explore this extraordinary site and might meet local seals swimming in the Arctic waters. Stroll on the black sandy beach where large icebergs get stranded or take an optional boat trip (depending on the season).

Explore the southern part of the glacier Vatnajökull, in Europe's largest national park with Europe's largest glacier, Iceland's highest mountains, an alpine environment.

Please note that the itinerary on this specific day can change due to seasonal factors, such as daylight.

Fosshotel Glacier Lagoon or similar. (B) (260km / 161mi)

To begin the day, make a stop at Jökulsárlón, a glacial lagoon packed with driftingicebergs. Explore this remarkable location where you might be able to watch seals swimming in cold waters. From May through September, a boat excursion between icebergs in the water is a part of the itinerary. Take a walk across the Diamond Beachamong large icebergs trapped in the lagoon. View Europe's second-biggest national park, which contains Iceland's tallest mountains, an alpine environment, and Europe's largest glacier, by traveling along the southern portion of the glacier Vatnajökull.

The Eldhraun lava field, the sandy desert of the south coast, and rocky cliffs, glaciers, and waterfalls are just a few of the natural treasures that await us on our afternoon journey. Witness and feel the heat of molten lava at the extraordinary Icelandic Lava Show! Take a stroll on Reynisfjara's black lava beach, which is close to Vk. One of the most stunning waterfalls in the nation, Skógafoss is located in the tiny community of Skógar and is 60 meters high. Continue to the waterfall that plunges over the mountain, Seljalandsfoss, which is tall but narrow. If you're willing to get wet, there's an amazing route that leads from the fall.

From September to the middle of April, there is a chance to observe the Northern Lights at night.

Stracta Hotel Hella or similar (B) (380km / 235mi)

Today, as we traverse the Golden Circle area, we will explore classic landmarks of Iceland. Begin the day in Friheimar, where you will learn about the Icelandic horse, its special traits, and its history, as well as tour a geothermal greenhouse. As we approach, we can see steam rising from the Geysir geothermal fields. There are numerous hot springs and bubbling ponds. Strokkur, "the Churn," which erupts at 5-7 minute intervals, has taken the place of the original geyser. Continue to Gullfoss, often known as "the Golden Descends," a twin waterfall that falls 32 meters into the Hvtá river and attracts visitors both in summer and winter. In the interior, visit Thingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

When we return to Reykjavik, we will take you on a short city tour of the world's northernmost capital.

Northern Lights: If the weather permits, optional Northern Lights nighttime trips can be scheduled in the foyer of your hotel from September until mid-April.

Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels (B) (160km / 99mi)

After such a rigorous exploration of Iceland, you deserve a free day to soak off your tiredness in the healing warm mineral rich waters of the famous Blue Lagoon.

Non-guided return bus transfer to the famous Blue Lagoon where you get to soak off your travels in the warm mineral-rich waters. Entrance fee and towel included.

Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels (B)

Welcome meeting, hike to Sermermiut and welcome dinner

Early in the morning, fly directly from Keflavík International Airport to Ilulissat. You are picked up at the airport, and we will drive you to the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat.

The flight is in itself quite an adventure as you cruise at low altitude over the Inland Ice Cap as you prepare for landing in Ilulissat.

After arrival, a guide from our local excursion office will welcome you and inform you about the different excursions available but also about experiences you can make on your own during your stay in Ilulissat.

Hike to the Ice Fjord and the abandoned Sermermiut settlement 

Beautiful icebergs provide the setting for the old settlement of Sermermiut, 1.5 kilometers south of Ilulissat. For 4,000 years, different Inuit cultures lived in the settlement and, today, you can still see the remains, which indicate their former presence.

Hear the story about the life of the Inuit people and their traditions before the Europeans came to Greenland. See the ruins and touch the permafrost with your own hands. Visitors often ask if they can walk these treks themselves? The answer is yes. But it is our experience that most people prefer having a guide with them the first time they hike in Greenlandic nature.

Furthermore, historic places will be pointed out on the way, and these can be difficult to find on your own.  You will have a coffee or tea break at “Kællingekløften” with a beautiful view of the Ice Fjord before you head back.

Welcome dinner at the Arctic Hotel.

Dinner and overnight in Hotel Arctic  (B, D)

You have the whole day to explore Illulissat. The midnight sun makes the days very long, and you will feel full of energy to explore and take advantage of the entire day.

The sunny nights can only be experienced north of the Arctic Circle where the sun during summer never sets behind the horizon. In Ilulissat, the midnight sun is present from May 22 to July 24, but also throughout August, there will be very bright nights.

Sailing among the icebergs.

Almost every visitor in Ilulissat chooses to try this boat trip among the icebergs at least once. Every day, more than 40 million tonnes of ice flow out into the fjord. The floating icebergs are gigantic, sometimes wider than 100 meters and with a height up to 100 meters above the water surface as well.

These giants pile up at the end of the fjord, providing you with a great opportunity to sail among them. You should not miss out on this exceptional experience when visiting Ilulissat. The icebergs are a wonderful sight in every kind of weather; in the sunshine, the contrasts are very clear, whereas the blue shades are strikingly beautiful when it is cloudy, and the midnight sun casts a unique glow on the icebergs during the night.

Taking the boat trip on a bright night is an extraordinary experience. Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.

Overnight in Hotel Arctic (B)

Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which runs into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of chunks of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.

We sail in modern, comfortable boats during the excursion to Eqi Glacier. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted.

Lunchtime and watch the ice calve

Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately 2 hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. This is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip through the ice-filled waters.

Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.

Farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic.

Overnight in Hotel Arctic (B, D)

Departure from Ilulissat at 10:05 AM and arrival at Keflavík International Airport 3:25 PM. Airport transfers are included, both in Greenland and Iceland.

Reykjavík Natura Berjaya Iceland Hotels or similar.  (B)

Individual transfer from your hotel to the airport by Flybus shuttle (B)

Testimonials:

PER PERSON:

$ 7,505.00 (double occupancy) $ 9,375.00 (single occupancy)

• Round trip transfer Keflavík international airport/Reykjavík by Flybus shuttle
• 9 nights’ accommodation in Iceland, in standard rooms with private shower/WC
• 3 nights’ accommodation in Greenland, in standard rooms with private shower/WC
• Daily breakfast, welcome & farewell dinner at Hotel Arctic, and 1 lunch
• Visit the natural history & seal museum in Hvammstangi (Iceland)
• Visit Viðimýri turf church (Iceland)
• Mývatn Nature Baths, entrance and use of towel (Iceland)
• Admission to a stone & mineral collection (Iceland)
• Multimedia presentation at Lava Center (Iceland)
• Visit the Icelandic horse stable & geothermal greenhouse (Iceland)
• Blue Lagoon, entrance, drink & use of towel (Iceland)
• Flight from Reykjavik- Ilulissat-Reykjavik including all airport transfers & taxes
• Welcome meeting in Greenland with a local guide at the hotel
• 3 hours sunset cruise among giant icebergs (Greenland)
• 8 hours boat trip to Eqi glacier & hunters village of Rodebay, incl. lunch (Greenland)
• 3 hours easy hike to Sermermiut Inuit settlement (Greenland)
• All taxes & fees

Superior tourist-class hotels in Iceland - in rooms with shower/wc. 4 star hotel in Greenland. 

Reykjavik: Icelandair Hotel Natura total  North Iceland: Icelandair Hotel Akureyri  Lake Mývatn: Sel-Hotel Mývatn, Lake Mývatn or similar East Iceland: Álfheimar Guesthouse in Borgarfjörður-Eystri or similar Eastfjords: Hotel Höfn, Höfn or similar Vatnajökull Region: Hotel Eyjafajallajökull, Hvolsvöllur or similar Ilulissat, West Greenland: Hotel Arctic 

Note that above hotel list is subject to change and that double rooms in Iceland and Greenland are normally twin beds.

Highlights & Experience:

This tour is a combination of Iceland and Greenland. For Iceland, the escorted tour takes you both to classic nature hot-spots and lesser-known sights. The Iceland round trip includes several soft adventures and cultural visits. Some outdoor activities might differ between seasons depending on weather and road conditions. For Greenland, it’s a 4-day tour package including return flight from/to Reykjavík, hotel accommodation and 3 different excursions.

Iceland Highlights: Fully escorted tour around Iceland's Ring Road Explore two national parks The Golden circle including Þingvellir,Geysir & Gullfoss Mývatn Nature Baths, including towel Visits to small local museums, cultural experiences and soft adventures Visit to Icelandic horse stables & geothermal greenhouse Boat trip on Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon from May through September Optional whale watching in Akureyri in the morning of day 3, April through October

Greenland Highights:

Stay in the Town of Icebergs, Ilulissat Sail among gigantic icebergs Experience dramatic, calving glaciers Delve into authentic town and settlement living See the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ilulissat Ice Fjord up close

Optional Services:

Whale Safari - $190 per person

It is a great experience to get close to large animals like whales. There are 15 species of whale in Greenland. During the summer it is normally the humpback, the common minke whale and the fin whale, we see. The whales swim the entire Disko Bay during the summer; sometimes close to the town, sometimes in the ice fjord or up north by the island, Arveprinsens Ejland.

We are in constant radio contact with the fishermen and the hunters about the whales and their whereabouts. The humpback, with its characteristic fin, is the one we see most often.

Later, it is time to get ready for the next optional excursion. The midnight sun makes the days very long, and you will feel full of energy to explore and take advantage of the entire day.

English speaking tour guide

Maximum 25 persons in Iceland Small groups in Greenland due to logistics.

Trips to Greenland are always subject to weather, fog and ice conditions. Therefore the sequence of the day tours and excursions in Greenland is subject to change or if needed an alternative excursion will be operated if available. Delays and flight cancellations between Iceland and Greenland can happen. Therefore we strongly recommend you to buy travel insurance in the country of residence that would cover any additional travel expenses, should your flights be delayed or cancelled due to weather. We recommend not to book any international flight directly after a trip from Greenland; ideally staying minimum two nights in Iceland after the Greenland trip to avoid the risk of missing an international flight.

Other Tours to Consider

• Terms & Conditions
• Private Order
• Travel Insurance

Nordic Saga Tours Division of Bridges Unlimited Inc. 18518 Bothell Way NE, Ste. # B Bothell, WA 98011

Nordic Saga Tours Europe, UAB Kranto St. 23-17 Panevezys, Lithuania EU +37068471702

[email protected] toll-free: (800)848-6449 local: 425-487-2835 (4TRAVEL)

©Yongyut Kumsri/Shutterstock

Check out this year's Best in Travel winners

'When you've seen the world there's always Greenland' goes the old travellers' saying. But why wait till then? Greenland is not a cheap destination, but few places combine such magnificent scenery, such clarity of light and such raw power of nature.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

The Southern Fjords

Astonishingly grand spires of granite soar straight out of Greenland's southernmost fjords like the teeth of an interplanetary crocodile. Climbers rate…

Ilulissat Kangerlua

The greatest tourist attraction in all of Greenland is the astonishing Ilulissat Kangerlua (Ilulissat Icefjord), a berg-packed bay fed by the 5km (3mi)…

Greenland National Museum

The spacious, well-presented Greenland National Museum is based in an extended 1936 warehouse. Its better exhibits include an interesting section on 1950s…

Paamiut Museum

A circle of five historic stone-and-timber buildings around a turf-ringed former wellhouse constitute Paamiut Museum. The 1839 former governor's residence…

Tele-Museum

On weekend afternoons it's well worth visiting the Tele-Museum. It traces Greenland's role in the development of transatlantic communications and has such…

Emanuel A Petersen Art Museum

Greenlandic landscapes are on view at the Emanuel A Petersen Art Museum, where most of the works are by the eponymous Danish artist. Petersen (1894-1948)…

Qaqortoq Museum

Qaqortoq Museum is housed in a tar-blackened 1804 building that was once the Julianehåb colony manager's house. Today its most unique features are right…

Lyberth Charter

The cute 1859 cottage housing Lyberth Charter was the former Fortanderkabshuset (elders' council chamber). Red with green stairs, it retains the bronze …

Latest stories from Greenland

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Destination Practicalities

Oct 10, 2023 • 6 min read

Icebergs. Uninhabitable wilderness. Polar bears. Greenland will leave you awestruck. Here's everything you need to know about your trip.

May 22, 2020 • 6 min read

Jan 27, 2020 • 1 min read

Oct 18, 2019 • 2 min read

Oct 15, 2019 • 2 min read

Aug 30, 2019 • 2 min read

Aug 27, 2019 • 6 min read

Aug 16, 2019 • 5 min read

Oct 1, 2015 • 4 min read

Sep 22, 2014 • 5 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Greenland

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Greenland with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

Greenland and beyond

Greenland Is Approaching Tourism Slowly—And Taking Lessons from Iceland

By Stephanie Vermillion

With towering icebergs, unspoiled tundra, and unbeatable views of the aurora borealis, Greenland has all the makings of a tourist hot spot—not unlike where Iceland was a decade ago. In the following years, Iceland marketed its raw, pristine beauty, and tourism numbers spiked from 460,000 to over 2 million between 2010 and 2018, effectively turning the destination into the poster child of overtourism .

Greenland, a fragile Danish territory with one of the world’s two permanent ice sheets, wants tourists, but it has no desire to become Iceland 2.0. It’s been taking notes to ensure its own travel push yields sustainable results by prioritizing local jobs and protecting its ecosystems.

Upernavik, a small town in western Greenland

“Doing this [planning] before it becomes a crisis is always a good thing,” says Tracy Michaud, a hospitality and tourism professor at the University of Southern Maine. Michaud is part of the new Arctic Education Alliance , a partnership between the U.S. and Greenland that supports the island’s sustainable tourism and hospitality industries.

“It’s unique to still have this whole land mass that’s [nearly] 90 percent Indigenous,” says Michaud. “That’s really valuable to this world, so how do you preserve and maintain it while building in a way that allows visitors to enjoy and be part of it, too?”

New attractions dedicated to culture and climate

The first lesson in combating overtourism: Move travelers beyond the main sights—advice we’ve heard from Iceland’s own tourism leaders before . Greenland’s tackling this with a host of strategically dispersed attractions located beyond top sights like Kangerlussuaq, the most easily accessed international travel hub, where visitors can enjoy attractions like walking on the island’s headliner ice cap before jet-setting straight home.

“Each region will have its own visitor center and a specific regional theme, promoting the variability of cultural, geological, culinary, and historical elements each place has to offer,” says Visit Greenland Senior Manager Idrissia Thestrup.

In Ilulissat, a coastal town with colorful houses flanked by icebergs the size of skyscrapers, it’s all about the ice. The town, accessible via seasonal flight, ferry, or cruise, will soon open the Ilulissat Icefjord Center , a sleek new visitor center overlooking the Ilulissat Icefjord, one of few destinations where Greenland’s ice cap meets the sea. This venue, the first of Greenland’s new visitor-center offerings, is projected to open in summer 2021. It will pair iceberg views with educational exhibits that highlight Greenland’s cultural connection with ice while illustrating the stark reality of climate change.

Ilulissat Icefjord Center, a new visitor center that overlooks the area where Greenland's ice cap meets the sea

Themed visitors centers across the territory will follow Ilulissat’s lead, as will local-led experiences like the highly anticipated Qaqortoq Arctic Culture Center, a reindeer reserve and cultural hub with overnight accommodations, set to open as soon as fall 2022.

Thestrup says new hotels are also in the works, while more than 100 existing tourist accommodations stand ready to welcome travelers, from farm stays and hostels to Ilulissat’s four-star Hotel Arctic , an ocean-view getaway with rooms and isolated igloos overlooking the nearby icefjord.

Enhancing transportation will improve the Greenland experience

Greenland’s 836,300-square-mile island, slightly larger than the size of Mexico, has 56,000 people, only 100 miles of roads, and no railways. The ice sheet covers the majority of inland Greenland; its towns and settlements dot the coasts. Locals rely on the Sarfaq Ittuk ferry to move up and down the iceberg-laden western coast. This 12-town, often multi-day ferry ride does welcome tourists, but most travelers prefer the ease of visiting Greenland via organized cruise ships.

Thestrup says the territory hopes its towns will welcome more expedition cruises as its tourism grows. “[Expedition-cruise passengers] stay longer in the destination, they spend more in the destination, and they’re more aware about sustainability issues,” she says.

Emily Saladino

Mark Ellwood

Attracting travelers who arrive on their own is another goal for Greenland tourism. That’s where new aviation investments come into play.

Ilulissat is scheduled to get an international airport as early as 2023. 

The territory’s existing air-travel options are limited, with overseas routes from Copenhagen and Reykjavik. Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq, the territory’s main international hub, is the dominant route. Intermittent and seasonal flight options exist between Reykjavik and Nuuk or Ilulissat, and within Greenland, but small runways and low passenger numbers have made inter-island travel more difficult.

New international airports in Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Qaqortoq should change that. Airport construction was delayed due to COVID-19, but some aviation experts anticipate Nuuk and Ilulissat’s international airports could still open as early as 2023.

Keeping the kroner in local pockets

Another pillar of Greenland’s tourism plan is prioritizing local businesses. In Greenland, where the population is nearly 90 percent Inuit and millennia-old industries such as fishing and mushing are changing with the climate, this local-first approach is essential.

“Traditional livelihoods are disappearing, and it’s not a country where you have a lot of industry that allows locals to go from traditional livelihoods to new industries,” Thestrup says. “It’s either tourism or mining, and the locals are very much aware that tourism will have a less negative impact on their country and culture than mining would.”

What’s more, tourism provides a way to keep Greenland’s nearly 4,500-year-old Inuit culture alive. Some Greenlanders now mix traditional work like fishing with part-time tourism jobs to make ends meet.

“Tourism, when it's developed right and done sustainably, can be a really powerful tool for the economy and communities,” says Michaud. “There’s a lot of [economic] opportunity that doesn’t necessarily involve exploitation of resources. Greenland cares about and understands that, and they’re trying to develop from this perspective.”

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Iceland vs Greenland: How to decide between these two Arctic adventures

Looking to catch the Northern Lights and magnificent natural vistas of the Arctic? The Nordic countries Iceland and Greenland are two top contenders for wildlife lovers and those looking to get away from busy city life, but how do you decide which Arctic adventure to pick? We give you the lowdown on the differences between Iceland and Greenland and what each country is famous for to help you choose your next vacation spot.

Iceland vs Greenland: A quick introduction

Iceland is famously known as the land of fire and ice for its combination of active volcanoes and magnificent glaciers. This remote island in the North Atlantic Ocean has a population of just over 360,000 people but occasionally makes waves on the international stage as the home country of singer Björk, its underdog football team and the idyllic setting of 2020’s Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Greenland is the largest island in the world that’s not a continent–it’s more than 20 times the size of Iceland. With a population of just over 56,000 people, Greenland is the least densely populated place in the world. Fun fact: Iceland and Greenland were both part of the Kingdom of Denmark, but while Iceland became independent in 1944, Greenland, along with the Faroe Islands, remains a constituent country of Denmark.

Despite its name, only 11% of Iceland is covered with a permanent ice cap. Iceland is located at the meeting point of the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates–the divide runs right through Thingvellir –and sees a lot of active volcanic activity that results in natural phenomena throughout the country like black sand beaches , ice caves, geysers, geothermal hot springs and fjords.

On the other hand, while the southern tip of Greenland is indeed quite green thanks to Qinngua Valley, Greenland’s only forest, about 80% of its land is uninhabitable. The center of Greenland is perpetually covered with a large ice sheet, second only to Antarctica’s ice sheet. Greenlandic towns are scattered along the coastline, and much of the remaining landscape is treeless Arctic tundra.

Iceland’s weather is generally quite mild throughout the year, but can change very suddenly within a single day. There are four seasons in Iceland: summer from June to August is about 41-77ºF on average, while winter from November to March can see temperatures plunging to 14-23ºF.

The majority of Greenland lies above the Arctic Circle so temperatures are frigid year-round. Greenland has two seasons: a short summer from June to September ranging around 30-50ºF on average, and a long winter from October to May where temperatures can plunge as low as -40ºF.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to see. Summer is the busiest with the most tours and festivals–expect crowds and make your bookings early. Winter is perfect for exploring ice caves and seeing the Northern Lights, while the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are ideal for those who prefer milder temperatures and fewer tourists.

Greenland’s peak tourist season is also summer; the thick snow cover melts away and long midnight sun days are great for wildlife spotting, cruises and hiking but be warned that mosquitoes can be a real pest in inland areas when it’s warmer. The long winter months spanning December and January are extremely cold and many tours don’t operate then; February to April is less cold and still great for Northern Lights and dog sledding.

Getting there

Iceland is an increasingly popular destination with around 20 airlines flying regularly from all across Europe and North America to the international Keflavik Airport .

You can also take the car ferry M/S Norröna from Denmark or the Faroe Islands to Seyðisfjörður . Iceland is also an increasingly popular cruise port. Iceland is also cheaper to fly to compared to Greenland because there are more airline options available.

Greenland is much less accessible with only three airlines that fly from Denmark and Iceland: Air Greenland flies from Copenhagen and Keflavik while Icelandair and Norlandair connect Keflavik, Reykjavik and Akureyri to various airports across Denmark. There are no international ferry services, though some cruise ships may stopover in July and August when the sea is less frozen.

Getting around

Iceland has a pretty good network of roads, with the famous Ring Road encircling the island and many popular road trip routes like the Golden Circle , Arctic Coast Way and South Coast for those who enjoy self-drive exploration. There are many guided tours available if you’d rather not worry about driving. You can also ride Strætó, the Icelandic public bus network that connects selected towns across Iceland, but plan ahead as there are limited routes and runs. Ferry services and regular domestic flights connect Iceland’s various towns, too.

In Greenland, on the other hand, there are no roads connecting its scattered communities. Getting around Greenland typically involves domestic airplane and helicopter rides for longer distances, or ferries and chartered boats for shorter connections.

Northern Lights

Iceland’s best season for Northern Lights is from September to March when the nights are colder, longer and darker. Avoid June to July as that’s when there’s midnight sun and the skies stay bright even at dusk. Visitors usually take a Northern Lights tour or a cruise to a remote location, away from the city lights to better catch this natural phenomenon.

In Greenland, light pollution is generally very low, so you can actually spot the Northern Lights from just about anywhere in the country, even in the capital city of Nuuk . The airport town of Kangerlussuaq on the southwest tip of Greenland is one of the best locations for Northern Lights-spotting in Greenland, with more than 300 clear nights in a year.

Marine animals and birds form the bulk of Iceland’s fauna. Seabirds and ducks are abundant; the Atlantic puffins with their colorful beaks are the most popular birds in Iceland—puffin-spotting is a top activity during summer months.

Offshore, over 20 species of whales can be spotted alongside a variety of seals. The only native land mammal found on Iceland is the Arctic fox, though you can spot reindeer, mink and even the odd visiting polar bear in the wild. Icelandic sheep and the pint-sized Icelandic horses have adapted over millennia and become a key part of the local culture.

In Greenland, the polar bear is the most well-known native animal, though you will only spot them out on the ice if you take a cruise to the east coast. The Arctic hare is an endemic creature to Greenland, and you may also spot Arctic foxes, reindeer and musk oxen. Up to 16 species of whales live off Greenland’s coasts alongside dolphins, seals and walruses. Snowy owls, white-tailed eagles and rock ptarmigans are some of the iconic birds among the many that can be found in Greenland.

Both Iceland and Greenland have relatively simple food cultures, limited by the remote locations and harsh conditions of the region, but each country has developed their own unique dishes.

Fish and seafood is an integral part of Icelandic culture–stockfish or hardfiskur and plokkfiskur fish stew are staples, though fermented shark ( hakarl ) and skate are traditional foods more notorious for their unique taste. Lamb is another must-have Icelandic dish–smoked hangikjot or ‘hung meat’ is one of the more traditional methods of cooking lamb. Take a food tour to try these Icelandic specialties.

In Greenland, most of the traditional food came from hunting the local wildlife–meat, birds and fish. Seal and musk ox can be found on traditional menus. Fish is another staple–lumpfish and its roe are local favorites, along with other Arctic fish like halibut and wolffish.

Recommended tours and activities

More like this:

• The best Icelandic cities to visit and what you can do in each
• 3 unforgettable ice caves in Iceland and where to find them
• How to visit Iceland in summer: 10 expert tips on maxing out your trip during those midnight sun days

What’s it really like to travel to Greenland?

Adventurous Kate contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

Are you looking to travel to Greenland? Do I ever have the post for you! I recently traveled to Greenland as a solo female traveler to find out what life is like in this cold and unforgiving corner of the Arctic.

Greenland is not a common travel destination. Most of the time when you tell people you’re going to Greenland, they respond with, “You can go there?” But travelers have long known that travel to Greenland is not only possible, but incredible.

I found Greenland to be a stunning and challenging destination, with spectacular natural wonders and a haunting history, all set in one of the most remote corners of the globe.

In this post, I’m collecting all of the vital information I learned from my time in Greenland — because I want you to know the truth about what to expect in Greenland.

Let’s take a look at Greenland!

This post was published in October 2023.

Table of Contents

Yes, you can travel to Greenland. Yes, people live there.

A lot of people have the belief that Greenland is nothing but a sheet of ice. While the Greenland Ice Sheet covers the vast majority of the country, Greenland is inhabited along its green coastline.

Greenland has a population of about 56,000, of whom roughly 89% are Greenlandic Inuit (including mixed race Inuit). That makes Greenland one of the most sparsely populated places in the world.

Yes, Greenlandic people are Inuit — same as the Indigenous people in Alaska and northern Canada. But they haven’t been here for thousands of years. The Inuit migrated from North America to Greenland in the 14th century.

Most of the population is concentrated on the southern and central west coast — the most populated city is the capital, Nuuk, with a population of about 19,000.

Yes, you can fly to Greenland. Air Greenland is a real airline flying from Copenhagen, Denmark. Icelandair flies to Greenland from Reykjavík, Iceland.

However, while there are roads within Greenlandic cities and towns, there are no roads connecting these towns. The only way to get from town to town is by plane or by boat. Air Greenland has small planes connecting these cities; the various boat lines are much smaller than you’d guess.

Why should people travel to Greenland?

What drew me to Greenland was the chance to visit a remote, beautiful, cold part of the world. I’m drawn to what I call “the edges of the world” — not just the polar regions, but far-north or far-south places with cold weather and quirky residents, like Newfoundland , Tierra del Fuego , Iceland , and Shetland .

Antarctica is still the most meaningful place I’ve visited , and it shattered my ego with its beauty and starkness. Since that trip, I’ve been longing to experience the Arctic as well.

The major difference is that unlike Antarctica, the Arctic is inhabited, and I’ve been curious about the Inuit people who have made their lives here for centuries. How do they live their lives, in face of harsh living conditions, colonialism, cruelty, and being on the front lines of climate change?

I didn’t get to experience Inuit culture firsthand as much as I had hoped, but I learned a lot secondhand — and the natural environment was intimidatingly beautiful. There’s something about being in isolated pockets of the world that strangely gives me comfort.

Overall, I’d say that this trip paid off very nicely — though not as astoundingly as Antarctica did.

Best Things to Do in Greenland

So many of my favorite activities in Greenland were hikes — especially the times I went solo hiking. I absolutely loved getting up at 5:00 AM to hike on Disko Island, seeing the waterfalls and black sand beaches lit up with the perfect early light.

Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is probably the most famous destination in all of Greenland. I absolutely loved taking a sunset cruise among the icebergs, and admiring the glacier lagoon while hiking near Sermermiut on the mainland.

Visiting the Greenland Ice Cap was another big highlight. It’s something you’ve seen on maps since you were a kid — and here you are, actually walking on it!

One thing that really surprised me was how few opportunities there were to explore Indigenous culture in Greenland. That’s something I really wanted to explore. (Much more on that below.)

For me, my favorite “cultural” activity was visiting Greenlandic grocery stores, local discount shops, and the occasional restaurant that doubles as a casino. The kinds of places where locals actually spend their time.

Yes, you can travel to Greenland independently.

A lot of travelers assume they need to book a tour in order to visit Greenland. That’s not true — plenty of independent travelers can and do travel in Greenland independently.

You can book flights with Air Greenland. You can book hotels on Booking or Airbnb, or independently through their websites. You can book activities through tour providers.

However — booking a package in Greenland could save you a lot of money. I actually booked a package, which is very unusual for me.

When I plan a trip, I travel independently 99% of the time. Packages aren’t my thing; to me, much of the fun comes from doing the research and finding the perfect places for me!

However, I started researching Greenland travel seven months ahead and realized that this was pretty late for planning a Greenland trip, especially in summer. Travel infrastructure in Greenland is limited and places book up quickly. Not a lot of hotels were left.

I ended up booking the Dream Trip in Disko Bay package with Greenland-Travel.com (which I paid for myself — nothing on this trip was sponsored). This tour included flights from Copenhagen and all ground transport; all hotel stays; some meals; and you could add on a package to include tours and activities (which you should). Unlike a tour, this package did not include a tour guide and gave full free time outside the scheduled activities.

It turns out that Greenland-Travel is part of a company that includes Air Greenland, the World of Greenland tour company, and the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat. Because it’s all one company, you’re able to book these tours for less.

World of Greenland, for example, is the only company offering an Oqaatsut kayaking day trip! It’s not like Iceland, for example, where you have several different companies offering similar tours. There’s no real competition in Greenland.

An additional benefit to booking a package is having someone else be in charge of logistics if anything goes wrong. Which brings me to my next point…

You should be prepared for delays and cancellations when traveling in Greenland.

Greenland has extremely limited travel infrastructure — and the natural environment here is challenging. I had read about lots of Greenland travelers having their trips interrupted with cancellations.

And unfortunately, it happened to me, too. Our boat to Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island was cancelled due to weather. We had to spend an extra day in Aasiaat — and I had pretty much exhausted the things to do in Aasiaat after 24 hours there, which was not ideal.

Greenland-Travel took care of everything. They extended our stay at the hotel, got us food vouchers, arranged for us to take the next available boat, and even refunded us for the cost of one day of the trip as soon as we sent our bank details (another good reason to have a bank account with Wise , as I sent them the details of my EUR account and converted them to USD and transferred to my regular bank account). That was impressive!

Compare that to a fellow traveler I met who was traveling independently in Greenland. He was supposed to be on our same boat that got cancelled. And he ended up having to hang out nearby for nine hours, going back to the port every now and then and asking if there were any updates.

That alone made booking a package so worth it for me. I was very happy with Greenland-Travel and would recommend them.

You do not need to explore Greenland by cruise ship. In fact, you shouldn’t.

As someone who has worked in the travel industry for more than a decade, I’ve seen firsthand the damage that cruise ships inflict on local communities. But at first, I didn’t think it would be as bad in Greenland. Couldn’t they use the extra tourism?

Oh, was I ever wrong. Everyone I spoke to in Greenland who works in tourism HATES the cruises with a burning passion. Like everywhere else in the world, cruises dump enormous numbers of people into small spaces who crowd the streets, fill the sights to overflowing, spend little to no money, and leave.

In Ilulissat, locals told me that when cruise ships are in town, the wooden pathway to Sermermiut, a popular attraction, is so crowded that people walk on the ground, stomping on the delicate plants, despite being told repeatedly to stick to the path.

Originally I had been looking into Greenland cruises — probably with Quark Expeditions, as I had a great trip with them in Antarctica — but now that I know what I know, I would not recommend anyone do an expedition cruise to inhabited parts of Greenland.

Overall — please visit Greenland overland rather than taking a cruise. But if you are set on cruising, choose a small ship expedition that visits primarily uninhabited destinations.

Greenland is an Indigenous destination, but Indigenous people are rarely profiting from tourism here.

If there’s any one thing I want you to take away from this piece, it’s this. I was shocked at how few Indigenous people are profiting from tourism — or even WORKING in tourism in Greenland. All of the higher-level tourism jobs are taken by Danes.

I didn’t have a single Greenlandic tour guide — every guide was Danish. (Though two people I met had an Indigenous guide once.) I want to be clear that they were wonderful guides, enthusiastic and caring, many of them university students here for the summer, but I really wish I had been hearing from and interacting with Greenlandic guides.

Greenlandic people, by contrast, were often working in tourism as hotel maids, servers, cooks, occasionally hotel front desk workers or assistants to the boat captain. While one boat captain I had was Greenlandic, the rest of the boat captains were Danish.

In some ways, this is similar to any colonized region — the colonizers are privileged with more education and experience, as well as the money to make more money.

But what floored me is that there are almost no Indigenous travel experiences or activities in the parts of Greenland I visited, including Ilulissat, the most touristy place in the country.

I’ve taken part in so many Indigenous travel experiences around the world. Experiencing a Zapotec temezcal in Oaxaca ; Indigenous gallery-hopping in Alice Springs, Australia; learning about Mi’kmaq life in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia . In places like the Yucatán, Indigenous culture is so intertwined with life that locals pepper their Spanish with Mayan slang.

But there was very little of this in Greenland — a place where 9 out of 10 residents are Greenlandic Inuit.

On a Greenland travel booking website, I found two Indigenous activities in Ilulissat: a kaffemik , or a traditional local party with lots of food and cakes served, and a learn to speak Greenlandic crash course. Both cool things! I SO wanted to do the kaffemik, but alas — it was only offered one day per month, and nobody at any of the hotels knew of any other kaffemiks taking place.

You know what there COULD be in Greenland? Off the top of my head — a kayaking demonstration. Learn how to craft Greenlandic textiles or carve reindeer antlers. Have a traditional Greenlandic meal with a family. Go fishing (or ice fishing in the winter) using traditional methods. A Greenlandic music session. Go foraging for plants, Greenlandic style.

These activities would put money in Inuit pockets — and that’s the way it should be.

But until these activities exist, if you want to have a peek at Indigenous culture in Greenland, one of your best bets is to hang out outside the local church on Sunday. If there’s a christening taking place (and there often is), there will be locals in traditional Greenlandic clothing.

Other than that, I highly recommend visiting the Inuit Artist Workshop in Ilulissat, where you can chat with Greenlandic artists and buy their work.

And yet I learned so much about Greenlandic people.

Here are some things I learned:

In Aasiaat, my guide shared that Greenlandic women often have their first child at 18 or 19, they stay home with the baby a few years, and then go back to school for vocational training. Young men often work as fishermen.

The only university in Greenland is in capital city Nuuk, and there are only two fields of study: teaching and nursing. For everything else, you’ll need to study in Denmark or internationally.

There are only three police boats in all of Greenland. I saw one of them in Aasiaat. (Also, the police in that town sure do love driving the same streets over and over. Maybe they thought I looked like a criminal.)

You see purple wildflowers every now and then in Greenland, my kayaking guide in Oqaatsut told me. They’re called nivi, and Nivi is a popular name for Greenlandic women.

In the winter, some settlements (including as big as Ilulissat) can go for months without a grocery delivery due to the water freezing. When the grocery boat finally shows up, people go and line up, cheer the unloading of packages, and buy out everything in the store until the shelves are bare.

This was told to me with a smile, but it made my stomach clench. These people were starving. These people regularly starve during the winter.

Again, all of these guides were Danish, and I wish I had learned more directly from Greenlandic people.

I fell down a Wikipedia rabbit hole in Greenland and learned about the cruelties Danes inflicted on Greenlanders. Like the spiral case , where women and girls were sterilized without their knowledge or consent between 1966 and 1975. Guess when the investigation began? May 2023.

And then the “legally fatherless” case between 1914 and 1974, where the children of Greenlandic women and Danish men were legally made unable to inherit from their fathers.

And the Little Danes experiment in 1951, when 22 Greenlandic children were stolen from their families, sent to Danish families, and attempted to be reeducated as Danes. Half the children died in young adulthood. The Danish government didn’t apologize until 2020.

It’s infuriating how common these stories are around the world — how marginalized communities, from Black Americans to Indigenous Australians, are so often abused in similar ways.

Greenland Travel FAQ

Here are a few nitty-gritty things about travel to Greenland that you should know:

Is Greenland a country? Technically Greenland is part of Denmark, but it’s an autonomous territory, and many people consider it a country.

How do you get to Greenland? There are direct flights to Greenland from Copenhagen, Denmark, and Reykjavík, Iceland. Bigger airports are being built in Greenland so they can serve direct flights from North America soon. There are no public ferries to Greenland, but many cruises to Greenland depart from Iceland.

How long does it take to get to Greenland? The flight from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq takes 4.5 hours and you cross four time zones, so you arrive 30 minutes after you departed! The time zone is two hours later than the east coast of the United States.

Can you do a day trip to Greenland from Iceland? Technically, yes, but FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DO NOT DO THAT.

What currency does Greenland use? Greenland uses the Danish kroner (DKK), and almost everywhere accepts credit cards. I only brought a small amount of DKK with me and used credit cards for everything else. ATMs can be scarce outside the major cities.

Is the water safe to drink in Greenland? Yes, you can drink the tap water in Greenland.

Are there special requirements to visit Greenland? Visiting Greenland is the same as visiting Denmark. You won’t need any additional documentation if you’re able to visit the Schengen Area without a visa.

“Greenland has lots of ice, and Iceland has lots of green?” Not exactly.

You may have heard this saying before, but as soon as you say you’ve been to Greenland, EVERYONE will parrot this back at you. (It’s almost as bad as everyone saying, “It’s good luck, you know!” on our rainy wedding day in Boston, thinking they were the only ones saying this, but EVERYONE WAS SAYING THIS.)

Greenland is home to the Greenland Ice Sheet, which covers 80% of Greenland’s surface. Considering that Greenland is the world’s largest island, that’s a LOT of ice.

But there’s the other 20% that is NOT covered with ice — which includes the inhabited parts of Greenland. It gets pretty green here, and there are lots of lovely wildflowers, too!

You may be traveling with lots of Danes.

Greenland might not be an obvious travel destination — but it is a major bucket list destination for many Danish people, similar to how Alaska is a major bucket list destination for many Americans.

It turned out that eight Danes had booked the same Disko Bay package as me. At 39, I was the youngest; most were 50+. While we weren’t glued to each other’s sides all day, we did go to all of our activities together, stay in the same accommodation, and share many meals together.

My fellow travelers were interesting people, who made me feel welcome. That said, there will always be a bit of awkwardness when it’s a big group dinner and you’re the only person who doesn’t speak everyone else’s language! They always switched to English when including me, which was lovely of them, but I didn’t want them to feel like they couldn’t speak Danish together.

It made me extra happy I had read The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell, a memoir about a British expat in Denmark trying to figure out what made Danish people tick. I put that knowledge to use and asked none of them what they did for a living!

One thing that surprised me was that the Danes, while well traveled, weren’t the extreme travelers I had expected. None of them had been to Iceland, for example.

But other nationalities traveling in Greenland were extreme travelers! The American and Swiss travelers I befriended in Greenland and I would have long, rapid-fire conversations veering from Indonesia to Uzbekistan, Guatemala to Moldova, and around and back again.

There are LOTS of cool places to visit in Greenland.

Here are some of the places I visited in Greenland:

Kangerlussuaq

Kangerlussuaq is the town where the jets from Copenhagen land. From here, smaller planes take off to other parts of Greenland. So chances are high that you will spend at least a day here.

You won’t find much traditional Greenlandic culture in Kangerlussuaq — it was originally a US military base, which the Americans sold back to Greenland for a dollar in 1992. It still has the feel of a military base today, and now has a population of about 500.

The major activity in Kangerlussuaq is visiting the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is about a two-hour drive from the town. Walking on that ice is pretty cool, and the surrounding scenery is a great introduction to the country.

If you have a chance, be sure to eat at Restaurant Roklubben on Lake Ferguson, 5 kilometers south of town. This is probably the best single restaurant that I ate at in Greenland, and everything was spectacular.

Aasiaat, Greenland’s fifth-largest city, is not an obvious tourism draw — but I appreciated visiting it because it’s a modern Inuit city. Aasiaat has a population of about 3,000.

Aasiaat has a small museum — unfortunately closed for both of the days I was there — and a beautiful church worth visiting. You can also take a boat tour to see icebergs, the whale graveyard, and the abandoned settlement of Manermiut.

Beyond that, I found Aasiaat to be a fantastic place to photograph. So many brightly colored cottages on jagged, rocky hills, long steel pipes connecting all of them.

I recommend staying at Hotel SØMA Aasiaat , which has simple but comfortable rooms and has a great little canteen popular with locals. The view from the front is lovely.

Qeqertarsuaq and Disko Island

Disko Island is Greenland’s one and only volcanic island. It’s located across Disko Bay with direct boat journeys from Ilulissat and Aasiaat, making it a fairly easy destination to add on if you’re flying into either of those cities.

Right away, the volcanic landscape makes it feel so different — it looks so much like Iceland! Because of the geothermal activity, there are hot springs everywhere, and that draws whales to the island’s shores.

There are two major hikes you can do from Qeqertarsuaq: the hike to the waterfall, and the hike to Kuannit. Unfortunately I had awful weather the first day, but I woke up at 5:00 AM to do the waterfall hike before our 8:30 AM departure!

Qeqertarsuaq is a small town (population: 800) with lots of colorful homes and a lovely black sand beach with views of icebergs. I really enjoyed staying at the Hotel Disko Island , which served a fantastic dinner of snow crab.

Disko Island was my favorite place in Greenland. I only wish I had time to do the full Kuannit hike!

Ilulissat is Greenland’s biggest tourism draw and has the best tourism infrastructure in the country — plenty of hotels, tours, and activities. Ilulissat is the third-largest city in Greenland (population: 4,600) and is home to the Ilulissat Icefjord, one of Greenland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Here in Ilulissat, a glacier meets the sea, splintering off into thousands of icebergs. (Interestingly, some scientists believe the Titanic iceberg may have originated here.) You can see the icebergs up close, taking a sunset cruise through the glacier lagoon or kayaking close by. You can go fishing or whale watching here.

There is also nice hiking in Ilulissat. Sermermiut has a wooden pathway leading to views of the ice fjord (1.3 km or 0.8 miles), and from here you can split off and do the yellow hike back to town along the coastline (2.7 km or 1.7 miles) or the blue hike to the quarry (6.9 km or 4.3 miles). I did the yellow hike solo and loved it.

In general, I found it difficult to find quality souvenirs in Greenland — but Ilulissat is home to the Inuit Artist Workshop, where you can buy artwork directly from local artists. They’re open seven days a week and they take cash only.

I enjoyed getting to chat with an artist and take home an Inuit figure he carved from a reindeer bone. That’s where to spend your cash — into the pockets of locals.

In Ilulissat I stayed at the Hotel Arctic , an upscale hotel that is located a 20-minute walk from the main town but has a frequent shuttle. I loved my room, but they were a bit rough around the edges (like the restaurant would be half-empty but they couldn’t accommodate anyone for dinner — annoying for people who had just been offline for three days at Eqi Glacier and couldn’t call ahead!).

Oqaatsut is a small settlement an hour’s boat ride north of Ilulissat. I came here on a kayaking trip, and there is a lauded restaurant here called H8 Explorer.

The bay surrounding Oqaatsut is called Rodebay (red bay), which got its name from the blood of the whales that filled the bay. This was a popular spot for whale butchering in the past.

There’s not much to see in the town (population: 29!), but I did find it interesting to see a place like this and get some photos. I didn’t find the lunch from H8 Explorer to be that impressive (it was mostly cured lamb, whale steak, pickled halibut, and shrimp), but perhaps they’re a better option for dinner.

There’s also a hotel, Hotel Nordlys, if you’d like to stay overnight.

Eqi Glacier

Eqi Glacier is a massive, incredibly active glacier a few hours’ boat ride north of Ilulissat. The glacier is five kilometers wide (3.1 miles) and brilliant shades of white streaked with bright blues. The glacier groans and cracks continuously, and this is the most reliable places to see live calving in Greenland.

Climate change is constantly on your mind while in Greenland, and Eqi Glacier is where you see it visually, the rocky landscape streaked with where the glacier used to extend before it began receding in the 1910s.

Eqi Glacier can be visited as a day trip from Ilulissat — it’s about a three-hour boat journey each way — but for something REALLY special, stay for two nights at Glacier Lodge Eqi . This is the most unusual place I stayed in Greenland. There are tiny red huts perched on a rocky hillside overlooking the glacier.

You should know that there is zero phone signal or wifi here; the power may randomly go off; and the basic huts and glamping tents have shared bathrooms. I upgraded to a hut with an ensuite bathroom and was so glad I did.

The big daytime activity here is hiking. I joined a group for a hike to the moraine, overlooking the glacier, which took about five hours; you can also do a full-day hike to the ice cap and back (that was a hard no for me). And the food is really, really good for being in the middle of nowhere!

The one issue here was the mosquitos. At certain times of day, the mosquitos and flies were NONSTOP, making it essential to wear a net. But that was mainly when the sun was shining. When it was rainy or cloudy, there were very few bugs or no bugs at all!

Other Places

There are plenty of other places worth visiting in Greenland, especially South Greenland. Two other places worth visiting are the largest and second-largest cities in Greenland — Nuuk (population 19,000) and Sisimiut (population 5,500). Each city has its own distinct flavor, and Nuuk is as cosmopolitan as it gets in Greenland.

Another place worth visiting is Ilimanaq, a settlement south of Ilulissat. This is home to Ilimanaq Lodge , one of the luxury properties in Greenland — and the two-Michelin-star KOKS restaurant of the Faroe Islands has temporarily relocated there!

I ate at KOKS in Tórshavn back in 2012 and enjoyed every bite rapturously . I wish I had had time to visit Ilimanaq, but they were closed on my one free day in Ilulissat. I did meet a couple who went and loved the multi-course tasting menu, which included a reindeer blood petit-four. “Those are three words that NEVER go together!” I joked.

Suggested Greenland Itinerary for First-Timers

If you’re planning an independent trip to Greenland and don’t want to work with an agency, I recommend you keep it relatively simple. Don’t switch destinations every day; give yourself a few days in each place to account for delays or bad weather.

Option 1: Ilulissat. The easiest option would be to base in Ilulissat, which is Greenland’s main tourism hub and has lots of different activities and accommodation options. You can do this for just a few days, or perhaps even a week.

You can easily add on all-inclusive stays at Glacier Lodge Eqi or Ilimanaq Lodge , which include boat transportation from Ilulissat.

Option 2: Kangerlussuaq, Ilulissat, and Nuuk. These are the three main hubs in western Greenland, and three very different places. You’ll easily be able to fly between all of them without having to rely on boats.

Optional Add-On: Disko Island. Once again, Disko Island was my favorite place in Greenland. I would recommend adding on two or three nights here, ideally three, just to make sure you’ll have a day with good weather for hiking. Book your boat trip from Ilulissat way in advance with Disko Line and stay at Hotel Disko Island .

Best Time to Visit Greenland

When is the best time to visit Greenland? It depends on what you’re looking for. Like many Arctic destinations, Greenland travel is divided into summer travel or winter travel.

If you visit Greenland during the summer months — as I did — you can maximize your outdoor activities with hiking, kayaking, and exploring towns on foot. The closer you are to late June, the more midnight sun you’ll have. This is the busiest and most expensive time to visit Greenland.

If you visit Greenland during the winter months, you can enjoy winter activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, or staying in an igloo — plus all the beauty of snow-covered villages. The days are VERY dark in winter, though. But if you’re looking to see the northern lights, your best luck will be during the winter months.

Late spring brings husky puppies and much larger, more intense ice formations. Fall brings a fresh dusting of snow without endless darkness. And the aurora borealis also tends to be active around the spring and fall equinoxes.

What are hotels like in Greenland?

While the tourism industry in Greenland is underdeveloped, there are plenty of comfortable places to stay. I stayed at a variety of Greenland hotels, and every hotel had clean and comfortable accommodation with a full restaurant on site.

In Kangerlussuaq most people stay at the Hotel Airport, a basic hotel inside the airport. I stayed there my first night and ate at the cafeteria downstairs.

In Aasiaat I stayed at Hotel SØMA Aasiaat , a welcoming mid-range guesthouse with a canteen on-site that was popular with locals.

Hotel Disko Island in Qeqertarsuaq was a simple place but felt almost luxurious with the attention to detail. The restaurant on site was excellent (and is pretty much the only place in town to eat at night). Get the snow crab!

Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat at one point called itself “the world’s northernmost four-star hotel,” but I see they’re not using that phrase anymore. I’m guessing somewhere in Svalbard has that title now.

Hotel Arctic was the most high-end place I stayed, with really nice rooms and luxurious-feeling beds. While there was a restaurant (and a bar with local craft beers!) on-site, often they would be empty yet not accepting dining reservations, telling us to buy a sandwich for the night instead. For that and other reasons, I think they were a bit rough around the edges for a nice hotel.

But the most special and unique place was Glacier Lodge Eqi , with its little red huts on a rocky hillside, overlooking a massive calving glacier in the distance. It’s very basic in some ways, but the food is great.

Here the most basic huts and glamping tents have shared bathrooms, and I upgraded to a comfort hut that had an ensuite bathroom. No way was I going outside to pee in the middle of the night.

And when have you had the opportunity to be so isolated with views of a roaring glacier from the comfort of your little red cabin?

My big piece of advice: Bring an eye mask . Don’t count on hotels in Greenland to have blackout curtains.

The internet isn’t great in Greenland.

There is internet in Greenland, but don’t expect it to be great. In most places, speeds are slow.

These days, I like to buy an eSIM online when I travel so I can download a phone plan without having to get a card at a shop. I ended up getting an eSIM from Nuuk Mobile via the Airalo app . I got 1 GB of data for $9 USD, and I topped up three more times over my 11-day trip.

Did it work? Probably about two thirds of the time. When it worked, it worked fine — but it would randomly not work at all, even in busy places like the middle of Ilulissat or Aasiaat.

The one place I visited that had no internet whatsoever was Eqi Glacier — there was neither phone signal nor internet. The lodge had a satellite phone for emergencies. I knew that going in, and it was a nice digital detox for a few days.

My big piece of advice: Act like you won’t have any internet at all. Let your loved ones and job know that you’ll be unreachable.

And download all the entertainment you need BEFORE your trip (ebooks, podcasts, TV episodes, etc.). You’ll have a much easier time downloading them at home.

Greenland is very expensive.

Greenland is one of the most expensive travel destinations I have ever visited — and easily the most expensive place I’ve paid to visit out of pocket. You should know that going in.

Greenland is up there with Switzerland and Norway, and is more expensive than comparable destinations like Iceland and Finland.

Here are some prices I paid in Greenland in August 2023:

Coffee and cheesecake in Ilulissat: 65 DKK ($9 USD)

Local craft beer in Ilulissat: 95 DKK ($13.50 USD)

Gin and Labrador tea cocktail in Ilulissat: 118 DKK ($17 USD)

Two-course meal with one glass of wine at Roklubben in Kangerlussuaq: 580 DKK ($82 USD)

Greenlandic buffet at the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, food only: 435 DKK ($62 USD)

Kayaking excursion in Oqaatsut with transportation and lunch: 270 EUR ($286 USD)

Upgrade to a hut with a private bathroom at Glacier Lodge Eqi: 445 EUR ($471 USD) (yes, this is the cost of the upgrade alone)

The food in Greenland is not great.

I’ll be honest — I did have some wonderful meals in Greenland, but the overall quality of food in Greenland was lackluster at best. You can count on eating a good amount of seafood (particularly cod, shrimp, halibut, and the occasional snow crab or whale), with occasional lamb, reindeer, or musk ox (the beef of Greenland).

Fruits and vegetables are very limited here. I visited several grocery stores in Greenland (one of my favorite things to do in a new country!) and I was shocked at the terrible state of produce. So much produce was banged up, dried out, or moldy. Some grocery stores sold strawberries covered with thick layers of mold.

You’ll find a lot of Danish specialties, like smørrebrød (various open-faced sandwiches), and in the Danish tradition, the bread and butter is top-notch. Greenlanders also enjoy having coffee and cakes in the afternoon, which is fun!

There are a few Thai restaurants in Greenland, which might shock you if you haven’t come across lots of Thai restaurants in far northern Finland and the Faroe Islands like I have. There are a surprising number of Thai people in the Nordics.

Unfortunately, the Thai food had zero spice whatsoever. I asked the Thai servers to make it Thai spicy, the kind of spicy Thai people like. Say that in Thailand and they will happily murder you with chiles; in Greenland, it was about as spicy as mayonnaise.

But the best meals? Ooh, let me tell you about those.

In Kangerlussuaq, Restaurant Roklubben is superb. I had a fabulous potato soup and a roasted reindeer steak, which was perhaps the best meal of the trip. You’ll need to book the shuttle to the restaurant as it’s five kilometers out of town.

In Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island, Hotel Disko Island has an excellent restaurant. If snow crab is on the menu, you need to get it. What a delicious feast that was — we ate it like barbarians.

The restaurant at Glacier Lodge Eqi made some truly delicious dishes, including a tomato-based chowder with shrimp and halibut that I’m still thinking about.

In Illulissat, Restaurant Ulo at the Hotel Arctic puts on a Greenlandic buffet on Monday nights from June through August. I didn’t find the food particularly delicious, but this is your chance to try seal soup, whale, shrimp with lots of roe and all kinds of local seafood.

And if you’re craving something NOT Greenlandic, the burger at the Hotel Arctic is pretty decent.

What’s it like to travel to Greenland with dietary restrictions? I imagine it’s a challenge, but one that is mitigated by communicating with restaurants ahead of time. If you book through a company like Greenland-Travel, they’ll probably help you with that.

But just from what I observed, you can probably get by in the larger towns with simple restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, etc.), but I wouldn’t want to travel to Greenland with a long list of food allergies.

Get ready for Greenland wildlife — just not polar bears.

A lot of travelers expect to see polar bears in Greenland. While polar bears are one of the symbols of the country, it’s very rare to see them near inhabited areas. Your best chance may be seeing them by cruise ship in uninhabited parts of East Greenland.

But you know what you WILL see, if you’re lucky? Further inland, including around Kangerlussuaq, you might see reindeer and musk ox.

In the water, you might see whales upon whales upon whales — mostly humpback whales, minke whales, the occasional fin whale. (While I went on a whale-less whale watch in Aasiaat, I saw plenty of whales north of Ilulissat, near Oqaatsut.) And there are tons of cool birds in the skies.

And my absolute favorite — the arctic fox! Probably the cutest animal I’ve ever spotted on my travels!

But don’t approach the huskies in Greenland.

You’ll see plenty of husky dogs throughout Greenland — but you should never approach or touch them. Here in Greenland, huskies are workers, not pets.

Greenlandic huskies are the only dogs you’ll find in Greenland (with one prominent exception — the drug-sniffing dog at Kangerlussuaq Airport).

If you’d like to get some time with huskies, there are a few husky experiences you can do in Ilulissat. If you visit in the winter — or, more likely, fall through spring — you can go dog sledding in Greenland! An amazing Inuit tradition.

If you visit in the spring months, there will be puppies — and puppies are the only dogs that visitors can handle. Some let you cuddle the babies! (If I had been here in the spring, I would have been ALL OVER THAT.)

Visiting at another time of year? There is a group in Ilulissat that does a “feed the husky dogs” experience. Essentially throwing meat to the dogs and having them bark ferociously. That’s not really my thing, but it might be yours.

But other than those organized experiences, you should keep your distance from huskies in Greenland. The adults will be leashed, but be careful if you’re wandering into different areas to take photos. If you try to pet one and it attacks you, the whole pack will be put down.

Is Greenland safe for solo female travelers?

I knew from the beginning that I would be traveling solo in Greenland. Not only was this one of my long-held solo travel dreams, but my husband Charlie has zero interest in visiting the Arctic.

Greenland in general is a very safe destination for travelers. Violence against travelers is rare; the risk for natural disasters or political upheaval is low.

In fact, you might have an easier time being solo. When there are only 12 seats on the Disko Line ferries, you’ll have more luck getting a single seat than two people getting two seats. Additionally, don’t be surprised if you get a room with a single bed, which I did twice.

I didn’t receive any street harassment in Greenland, and none of the men made me feel uncomfortable — locals or visitors.

I hiked alone twice in Greenland — from Qeqertarsuaq to the waterfall on Disko Island, and along the Sermermiut yellow trail in Ilulissat — and felt extremely safe both times. Those were both short and easy (under two hours round-trip). I would not have attempted an ambitious hike solo, though, in Greenland or anywhere else.

In Greenland you may want to keep extra cash hidden on you somewhere, as you might get stuck somewhere for a few days in a place without ATMs.

The only times I felt nervous or borderline scared in Greenland was when there were huskies around. I had heard Greenlandic huskies were vicious and I didn’t want to get close to them. I do not like when street dogs show aggression and have bad memories of the dogs of Bali not letting me down the street.

A few times in Greenland I accidentally walked into a husky’s territory — like when taking photos in what looked like a junkyard in Aasiaat. I backed off with my eyes down every time I came across an adult husky. But you know what? None of them showed any aggressive behavior toward me, ever. Not so much as a low growl. Perhaps that was because I kept things low-key.

But overall I found Greenland to be a very safe place to travel solo, especially with the extra security of booking a package tour, as I did with Greenland-Travel.

Read More: Top 10 Travel Safety Tips for Women

You’ll inevitably compare Greenland to Iceland.

If you’ve been to Iceland — as most Greenland visitors have, Danes excluded — Iceland will be on your mind for much of your Greenland trip. It certainly was on mine. I’ve been to Iceland four times, most recently on a two-week road trip the year before my Greenland trip.

I love Iceland and think it’s a fantastic destination for first-time solo female travelers , first-time international travelers, or anyone who wants an easy international destination.

I hate to say it, but Iceland provides much better value for money for tourists. While Greenland is beautiful, the scenery in Iceland is much better (is it any coincidence my favorite place in Greenland was Disko Island, the one volcanic island, which looked just like Iceland?). And Iceland is concentrated, with stunning natural sights around every corner.

Additionally, Iceland is much easier to get to, very easy to get around by driving, and has TONS of travel infrastructure. There are hotels at various price levels and all kinds of tours. All that…and while an expensive destination, Iceland is actually cheaper than Greenland.

Greenland is where you go for the isolation — to be removed from the world. That is much harder to find in Iceland, especially if you’re sticking to the much-traversed southwest corner of the country. You’re above the Arctic Circle in most of these places in Greenland. And Greenland gives you undeniable travel clout.

But yes. Being in Greenland reminded me just how good Iceland is as a destination. I’d love to get back to Iceland for some hiking in Thórsmörk next.

Add time in Copenhagen before and after your Greenland trip.

If you’re flying to Greenland from Copenhagen, I highly recommend giving yourself a two-day buffer on either side of the trip. Why? It gives you insulation from flight cancellations.

It’s not uncommon for flights to be cancelled to and from Greenland due to weather; since COVID, flying has been a bit of a mess with more cancellations than usual.

Luckily, Copenhagen is a delightful place to spend a few days. Some of my favorite things to do in Copenhagen include visiting Tivoli, the amusement park that inspired Walt Disney; enjoying the outdoor international food market at Reffen; admiring the Impressionist sculptures at Glyptotek; restaurant-hopping in hip Nørrebro, and taking lots of photos of Nyhavn, the colorful harbor.

And if you’ve never ridden a bicycle in a city before, Copenhagen is one of the best places to start. The infrastructure for cyclists here is second to none.

Greenland Packing List

Packing for Greenland is extra important because in most places you won’t be able to buy gear. Like most places, layers are the name of the game. You can take a look at my Iceland Packing List , which is nearly identical to what you need for Greenland.

If you visit in the summer, you can expect temperatures approximately from 35 F to 55 F (2-13 C). Temperatures will vary wildly depending on the time of day, whether there’s sun or wind, and how close to ice you are (BOY did it get cold on the ice sheet!), and how active you are makes a difference in how you feel.

In one day in Ilulissat I went from t-shirt weather while hiking to freezing and wearing everything I owned while sailing the icebergs after sunset.

I ended up having my laundry washed through my trip at the Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, which had a surprisingly reasonable rate.

Here are some items that I found essential for a summer trip to Greenland:

Waterproof hiking boots — Yes, waterproof is a must, as you may be hiking through puddles. I brought my trail runners as alternative shoes for non-hiking days. And bring good hiking socks . I love my merino wool socks.

Base layers — Essential year-round. I love Uniqlo’s Heattech base layers (they’re super-affordable, too!) and every day I wore a Uniqlo Heattech long-sleeved top and Uniqlo Heattech leggings underneath everything. I would add a thick sweater if it was cold.

Puffer jacket and waterproof shell — Some travelers prefer to have a single jacket that does both, but I preferred the flexibility of wearing one jacket or both, especially when I got hot while hiking. I got both from the Patagonia outlet in Prague.

Hiking pants — I rotated two pairs throughout my trip (I was glad to have two, as one got very muddy!).

Eye mask — You’ll need these because it’s not easy to sleep through the midnight sun! And not all hotels have blackout curtains! I visited in August, when things weren’t so bad, but we still had the sun quite early and late.

Hat , gloves , and scarf . You’ll be glad you have them. I’m a big fan of Speakeasy Travel Supply scarves , and they would work very well in Greenland!

Mosquito net — I bought mine at Glacier Camp Eqi, which was the one place that had bad mosquitos during my trip, but I recommend bringing your own. Don’t forget the mosquito repellent , too.

Day pack for hiking — I’ve been using my Pacsafe Venturesafe as my carry-on work/hiking backpack for years, and it worked great in Greenland.

Reusable water bottle — Yes, the tap water is safe to drink in Greenland. Fill up whenever you can; it gets dry in the Arctic!

Sun protection — I got unexpectedly sunburned on my first day — because the Greenland Ice Sheet was reflecting the sun into my face! All that ice does double duty here! Don’t skimp on sunscreen or sunglasses , and consider a hat with a brim .

Strong portable charger — I was able to charge devices sufficiently in my room, but I always bring a portable charger on my travels. This is especially important if you get power outages like I did at Glacier Lodge Eqi.

All the drugstore meds you may need — Again, you probably won’t be able to buy what you need in remote areas. I was glad to have ibuprofen and motion sickness medicine .

Pre-downloaded entertainment — The internet is bad in Greenland, so I recommend coming with already downloaded ebooks for your Kindle , TV episodes, and podcasts for your downtime and travel days.

What I didn’t need — There’s no need for an umbrella when you have a hooded raincoat; I brought rain pants but didn’t need to use them; and I didn’t rent a telephoto lens this time, as this wasn’t a wildlife-focused trip.

Is Greenland Worth It?

I am SO happy that I chose to travel to Greenland. I feel enormously privileged to have visited this harsh and often unforgiving destination, to have hiked in its nature, and to be closer to understanding a bit of Greenlandic life.

However, I don’t think that Greenland travel is for everyone. I don’t think it’s one of the better choices for less experienced travelers, nor someone who wants lots of diverse activities and experiences. And as I said before, I think Iceland provides a lot more value (and wow factor) for slightly lower prices.

I do think that Greenland is an excellent destination for experienced travelers who are independently minded, enjoy getting off the beaten path, love nature, and are able to roll with the punches when things don’t go as planned.

If this post is resonating with you, I highly encourage you to look into traveling to Greenland. This is a truly special place in the world.

More on Iceland:

• What NOT to Do in Iceland
• The Ultimate Iceland Packing List
• What My Iceland Trip Cost: Detailed Budget Breakdown
• Blue Lagoon: Does it live up to the hype?
• 35 Awesome Things to do in Reykjavík, Iceland
• Why Iceland is Great for First-Time Solo Female Travelers

More on Antarctica:

• A Typical Day on an Antarctica Expedition Cruise
• The Ultimate Antarctica Packing List
• Kayaking in Antarctica: What You Need to Know
• Antarctica and the Traveler’s Ego
• My Favorite Moments in Antarctica
• Solo Female Travel in Antarctica: What’s it Like?

Have you been to Greenland? What tips would you share?

14 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Greenland

Written by Andrew Birbeck Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Greenland, an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of Denmark , can truly be said to be a world apart. Icebergs and glaciers are the most famous of Greenland's natural attractions, and the Ilulissat Ice-fjord in Disko Bay is a popular place to visit if you want to see the colossal shapes of blue and white float on an azure sea.

Green mountains with beautiful wildflowers, breathtaking fjords, precipitous cliffs, hot springs, and crystal-clear skies perfect for viewing the northern lights are all waiting to be discovered. Seals and whales flourish in the sea, and impressive animals like polar bears and reindeer roam the land.

Nature isn't all Greenland has to offer tourists, though. The nation's weather and isolation have helped preserve evidence of cultures long past, allowing tourists to visit sites like a 2,000-year-old Eskimo village and several Norse Viking settlements.

Because of the unique topography, there are virtually no roads between towns, so if you want to explore, it will be by boat, airplane, sled, or snowmobile. In fact, you'll find that some of the best things to do in Greenland are active ones — dogsledding, snowmobiling, hiking, walking on the ice cap, and traveling its waters by boat.

Explore this fascinating land with the help of our list of the top attractions and things to do in Greenland.

See also: Where to Stay in Greenland

1. Ilulissat Ice-fjord

2. whale watching, 3. nuuk and the greenland national museum, 4. the northern lights (aurora borealis), 5. uunartoq hot springs, 6. qaqortoq museum, 7. viking ruins, 8. sermermiut eskimo settlement, 9. exploring by boat and ferries, 10. dogsledding and snowmobile tours, 11. tasiilaq, east greenland, 12. walking on the ice cap from kangerlussuaq, 13. katuaq cultural center, 14. nuuk art museum (nuuk kunstmuseum), where to stay in greenland for sightseeing.

Justifiably Greenland's most visited area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, this amazing berg-strewn section of coast in Disko Bay is where huge glaciers "calve," an expression meaning that icebergs break off from the glaciers and float out into the coastal waters.

This is the perfect place to visit, if you're lucky enough to get the timing right, to witness this awe-inspiring natural spectacle. Unlike other ice fjords in Greenland, it can be watched from land.

The immense glacier Sermeq Kujalleq , more than five kilometers wide and one kilometer thick, feeds into the bay and flows at a rate of about 25 meters (82 feet) a day. Be prepared for stunning vistas and nature at its most majestic. Disko Bay is also notable for its historic significance; it's the site of Norse Explorer Erik the Red's 985 CE settlement.

While in Ilulissat, stop to see the collection of Greenland landscapes in the Emanuel A Petersen Art Museum.

Read More: Best Winter Holidays with Snow

One of the top things to do for visitors in Greenland is to experience an up-close encounter with whales. Most of the fjords melt by May, so June and July are usually the best months for cruising among icebergs and whale watching along the breathtaking coastline.

Tours usually depart from towns such as Qeqertarsuaq, Nuuk, and Aasiaat and are offered by operators like Disko Line . Typical encounters are with humpback, minke, and fin whales, but occasionally also blue whales, killer whales, narwhals, beluga whales, sperm whales, and pilot whales. Patience is required but richly rewarded.

Nuuk, the capital and administrative center of Greenland, has a population of around 16,000 and is especially popular with visitors thanks to the Greenland National Museum . Its collections of hunting equipment, kayaks, carvings, and Viking finds paint a vivid picture of life here from the earliest times.

The 500-year-old mummies of women and children (discovered in 1978) are so well preserved that some of the facial tattoos and various colors of the clothing material are still recognizable. The museum also hosts regular exhibitions of geology and the arts.

Nuuk is the departure point for tours of the Godthåb Fjord, one of Greenland's most beautiful regions, and the atmospheric buildings of the old colonial harbor are well worth seeing.

Address : Hans Egedes Vej 8, Nuuk

The northern lights are often referred to as "the biggest light show on earth," and during your visit to Greenland, you shouldn't miss this incredible natural spectacle. If you're planning to visit for the sole purpose of seeing the aurora borealis, then make sure you travel in winter.

There's a good chance of seeing the northern lights anytime between November and March, although December through February are the best months because the nights are clearer. The Northern Lights are visible across Greenland. Qaqortoq (south), Ittoqqortoormiit (east), and Kangerlussuaq (west) provide the best views.

Hot springs are found throughout Greenland, but on the uninhabited island of Uunartoq, the springs are the perfect temperature for bathing. Here, three naturally heated springs merge into a small pool, where you can immerse yourself surrounded by icebergs and stunning mountain peaks.

Uunartoq is a short boat ride from the town of Ilulissat . There are literally thousands of springs elsewhere in Greenland, most notably on Disko Island, whilst on the easterly side of the country there are around a hundred more.

Qaqortoq is a rock-bound fishing village of brightly painted houses climbing a hillside above the harbor. Set in an 1804 building that was once the Julianehåb colony manager's house, the Qaqortoq Museum displays artifacts from the Dorset, Thule, and Norse cultures, each with its separate exhibits and interpretation.

Norse history is especially well-represented with artifacts that include harpoons and kayaks, along with an authentic replica of a peat hut. There is also a replica umiac, a traditional Greenland boat.

On the top floor are the beautifully reconstructed "Blue Room" and "Red Room," where the explorer Knud Rasmussen and aviator Charles Lindbergh respectively stayed. Lindbergh was here when he was scouting sites for a Pan Am stopover airport.

Address: Torvevej B 29 3920, Qaqortoq, Greenland

Among the most popular things to see in southern Greenland are the remnants of Eric the Red's thousand-year-old Norse colonies. At their peak, it's estimated that something around 5,000 Norsemen lived throughout Greenland. Why the settlements died out remains a mystery.

A visit to the sites of the ruins is a fascinating journey back in time into the lives of these hardy hunter-gatherers. There are several Viking ruins found in the region including the Hvalsey Fjord Church (the oldest in Greenland and highly recommended) and Brattahlid near the town of Qassiarsuk (a 20-minute boat ride from Narsarsuaq international airport).

Roughly two kilometers from the town of Ilulissat, you'll find this ancient Eskimo settlement, first excavated at the beginning of the 20th century, which has some of the best-preserved remnants of indigenous Eskimo cultures in the Arctic. The ancient village is abandoned, but you can still see artifacts from the inhabitants who lived here more than 2,000 years ago.

To get to Sermermiut by foot takes roughly an hour. From the center of Ilulissat, walk south to the old Heliport and then follow the boardwalk a further 1.2 kilometers south to the shore of the Icefjord. Finds from the site are displayed in the Ilulissat Museum .

Whether you take a short afternoon cruise among the icebergs to a glacier or a multi-day cruise into the bays and fjords, boats are the best way to get a look at most parts of Greenland. Most of these mighty walls of ice are visible only from the sea, and boats are such a vital part of Greenland life that wherever you go there will be opportunities for sea excursions.

Small excursion boats have the advantage of no set itinerary, so in addition to the icebergs and glaciers, you may see waterfalls and wildlife, like an eagle guarding her nest. You can also find tour operators like Blue Ice Explorer in Narsarsuaq that offer custom tours to suit your interests and your schedule.

You can also take a longer multi-day cruise to see more of Greenland's wonders or get a feel for local life by joining Greenlanders on one of the many ferries that ply the small coastal ports. The Arctic Umiaq Line operates ferries that are the local transport, so unlike the cruises designed especially for tourists, these ferries give you a chance to meet and mingle with Greenlanders.

Without a doubt, exploring the wild landscape is one of the top things to do in Greenland, and the best way to experience the country's unique natural environment when snow is on the ground is on a tour by dogsled or a snowmobile excursion.

Naturally, the winter months are the time for dogsled tours and snowmobile trips. Some of the most popular areas to explore are Disko Bay , Tasiusaq Fjord , Qaanaaq , and Thule . You'll find numerous tour operators all over Greenland offering trips to suit different budgets.

Although it has just 2,000 inhabitants, Tasiilaq is the largest town in East Greenland. It lies on the island of Ammassalik, about 100 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle. Set amid breathtaking scenery on a fjord surrounded by soaring mountains and bisected by a small river, Tasiilaq should be high up on any visitor's agenda.

The Flower Valley behind the town is a popular place to visit for short or long hikes. Popular winter activities are skiing trips and dog-sled tours. In summer, activities include hiking, climbing, helicopter rides over the ice sheet and glaciers, sea kayaking between icebergs on the fjord, whale watching, and fishing. As Tasiilaq remains one of the most isolated settlements on Earth, expect an experience like no other.

Kangerlussuaq is a small town of about 500 people that has two reasons for a visit: it's the favorite starting point for hiking the 200-kilometer (124-mile) Arctic Circle Trail and it has the closest access to the Greenland ice sheet. You can book a half-day tour to the ice sheet, which is only about 30 kilometers away, and once there, walk on its surface.

This is one of the few places the ice cap can be reached without a helicopter. It's like no other experience-ice stretching to the horizon, cut by blue rivers of meltwater. Hikers looking for something shorter and less demanding than the Arctic Circle Trail can climb the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain for sweeping views that include the ice cap.

The Katuaq Cultural Center is located in Nuuk, housed in a beautiful modern building that was designed to emulate the movements of the northern lights. For tourists, the highlights of this attraction are its art exhibits and variety of live performances.

Visual arts exhibits change every one to two months and highlight the work of Greenland creators, both well-known and emerging artists. Performances include not only musical and theatrical productions, but also comedy shows and lecture series.

The center also has a very nice restaurant that features international food made with locally sourced ingredients.

Address: Imaneq 21, 3900 Nuuk

The Nuuk Art Museum began as the private collection of Svend and Helene Junge, which represented their love of all things Greenland. The collection includes paintings of Greenland and works by those who lived and stayed here, as well as a variety of craft-art pieces.

Tourists interested in local handcrafts can see the process of traditional Greenlandic costume-making up close at the Kittat Economusée , also located in Nuuk. It is a working museum, giving visitors the opportunity to watch as the skins are prepared, designs are drafted, and the art form is implemented. Visitors can also touch and examine the work and can purchase items made on-site.

Address: Kissarneqqortuunnguaq 5, 3900 Nuuk

Hotels in Illulissat:

• The closest to posh you're likely to find in Greenland, Hotel Arctic Ilulissat bills itself as "the world's most northerly 4-star hotel." Views from rooms facing the bay are stunning, and breakfast is free, as are rides to the airport and the hourly shuttle into town.
• Conveniently located in the town center, the mid-range Hotel Icefiord sits right on the edge of Disko Bay. All rooms face the bay for views of the icebergs drifting past. The restaurant is popular, and breakfast is included, along with airport transportation.

Guesthouses in Nuuk:

• Right on the water, with beautiful views from the rooms, Eagle View is a boutique guesthouse with a well-equipped kitchen, lounge area, and baths shared by guests.
• Guest rooms are spacious and cheerful. Greenland Escape is close to the airport, and about a 20-minute walk or a taxi ride from the center of town, Rooms have a modern, minimalist décor, and the guest kitchen and baths are shared.

Hotels Elsewhere in Greenland:

• Popular with hikers and visitors seeking outdoor experiences, Kangerlussuaq is not a place to find luxury resorts, but you'll be comfortable in the small rooms of the Old Camp , a hostel-style lodge where guests can make their own breakfasts in the kitchen.
• Perched high above the colorful village of Tasiilaq, in East Greenland, the Angmagssalik Hotel has stunning views of mountains across a bay filled with ice. The hotel has a restaurant, and breakfast is included in the rate.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

Where to Go from Greenland: Most visitors flying here from North America connect to Greenland through Reykjavik , the capital of Iceland and the closest international airport to Greenland. A stopover here gives you a chance to explore the tourist attractions of Iceland .

More Arctic Regions to Explore: If glaciers, icebergs, Arctic landscapes, and the midnight sun fascinate you, then you'll enjoy the fjord-cut coastline of the Kenai Peninsula and 700-square-mile Harding Icefield, south of Anchorage in the US state of Alaska . You might also like to explore the Arctic reaches of northern Finland .

More on Denmark

Thanks for visiting nordicvisitor.com! For the very best browsing experience on our website, we urge you to upgrade to the most recent version of your browser . Some of our site features may not function properly on older versions.

• Travel Update
• Search Suggested Results View All Results
• EUR (€)
• GBP (£)
• Self-Drive i
• Privately Guided i
• Guided Small Groups i
• Northern Lights i
• Honeymoon & Romance i
• Ice & Snow Hotels i
• Multi-Country Tours i
• All Travel Styles
• Show all tours
• Best Sellers
• Special Offers
• Scandinavia
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• Book With Confidence i
• Why book with us i
• Booking Terms i
• Sustainability Policy i
• Manage Booking
• Privacy policy

Iceland Bíldshöfði 20 110 Reykjavík +354 578 20 80 View Map

Sweden Scotland View Details

Iceland vs Greenland: Where Should You Go?

On a visit to Iceland and Greenland , you can expect to see some of the most spectacular sights in the world. Imagine strolling along black sand beaches, marvelling at breathtaking glaciers, and enjoying some enchanting hot springs.

These two island nations in the North Atlantic are similar in many ways, but there’s a lot that’s unique to each of them. So Iceland vs Greenland: which should you explore?

In this post, you can find out more about which destination is best suited to your tastes and interests. Whichever one you choose to visit, you will never be short of extraordinary things to see and do. You might want to discover both Iceland and Greenland on the same trip!

1. Location

Iceland and Greenland are neighbours in the North Atlantic Ocean, separated by a narrow stretch of water called the Denmark Strait. This makes combined tours of Iceland and Greenland easy.

Where are Greenland and Iceland?

Considered the world’s largest island, and part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland spreads both north and south of the Arctic Circle. On a map you’ll see that the country is situated just off the eastern border of Canada.

To the east, you’ll find the much smaller island nation of Iceland, which lies just south of the Arctic Circle. Though technically part of the European continent, the island is a midpoint between Europe and North America.

The North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet below Iceland, causing its famous volcanic activity. This is how the island got its nickname: “The Land of Ice and Fire”.

• Explore these top vacations in Iceland and Greenland

How far is Iceland from Greenland?

Iceland is Greenland’s closest European neighbour. If you measure it from the narrowest point, the total distance to Iceland is just 300 kilometres (186 miles). And you can reach West Greenland from Reykjavík by plane in around 3 hours.

How do you get to Greenland and Iceland?

The main airport in Iceland is Keflavík International Airport (KEF), located 40 minutes from Reykjavík. You’ll find plenty of direct flights here from across Europe and North America.

Greenland, on the other hand, is not quite as simple to reach. In fact, you can only fly directly to the island from either Iceland or Denmark. Luckily, the airline Air Greenland has year-round flights from its Nordic neighbours to both the west and south of the island.

• Related: Fun facts about Greenland

Thinking about the climate is very important for planning your trip, as it influences which activities you can do.

What is the weather like?

For an island called Iceland, the climate can be warmer than you might expect. Summer temperatures have an average of 12°C (53°F), while winters average at 0°C (32°F).

No matter when you visit Iceland, you should be prepared for all types of weather. You might experience wind, rain, sun, or snow.

For up-to-date weather information, the Icelandic Meteorological Office has frequent updates on the island’s weather for you to check.

Similarly, although Greenland has an Arctic climate, temperatures reach up to 10°C (50°F) in the warmer months. In the southern regions, temperatures can even hit 20°C (68°F).

• Related: What to wear in Iceland

Is Greenland colder than Iceland?

On average, Iceland is milder than Greenland. 80% of Greenland is covered by an ice sheet, the second largest in the world after Antarctica. Greenland also lies further north than Iceland, making it the colder island.

Plus, Iceland is warmed by an ocean current that travels from the tip of Florida across the Atlantic to Northern Europe. This current is known as the Gulf Stream . It flows along the east coast of the US and Canada, and warms much of Western Europe, including Iceland.

• Check out winter tours of Iceland

When is the best time to visit?

To enjoy the very best of Greenland, you should consider visiting the island in the summer months. The warmer weather makes this the best time for you to enjoy Greenland’s many outdoor activities and fascinating wildlife.

In the summer, you can have the chance to spot an Arctic fox, glimpse a majestic polar bear, or whale-watch in the beautiful fjords. And you can feel invigorated by the midnight sun – a natural phenomenon where the sun doesn’t set for weeks.

Iceland is also one of the best places to experience the midnight sun, particularly around the summer solstice in mid-June. You will find most of the island’s hiking trails are open between June and August , making this the ideal time to wander through its striking landscapes.

If you’re hoping to witness Iceland’s northern lights , the winter months from October through April are a better choice for your trip. You can also find ways to enjoy Iceland’s glorious snow , such as snowmobiling or riding an Icelandic horse.

• Explore summer tours of Greenland and Iceland
• Related:  Best time to visit Iceland

The history of these islands is a rich one, dating back to the 9 th century when they were first discovered. It even gives you a glimpse of how their seemingly mismatched names were chosen.

Who discovered Greenland and Iceland?

Greenland was likely discovered in 986 AD by Erik the Red , a Viking explorer. The first settlement was called Brattahlíð, located in the south of the island. You can still visit the ruins of this village today.

Viking settlements remained on the island for a few centuries, but were eventually driven out by the icy temperatures. The Inuit people were better adapted to Greenland’s harsh climate and now make up over 90% of the country’s population.

The discovery of Iceland is more mysterious. According to ancient Icelandic sagas, it was founded by a group of Norse settlers around 870-930 AD.

The island was relatively unpopulated until the Viking Age. Before this, Iceland was allegedly known as “Thule”, a place where people could live in complete solitude and peace from the outside world.

• Related: Best places to visit in Iceland

How did Iceland and Greenland get their names?

According to Icelandic legend, when the brave Naddador founded the island, it was snowing heavily. This never-ending blanket of snow inspired him to name the country Snæland, meaning “Snow Land”. It was a common tradition in Nordic culture to name something as soon as it was discovered.

It is thought that when Erik the Red discovered Greenland, he wanted to bring more of his people to the island. So he called it "Greenland" to make it sound like an appealing place, convincing them to make the journey from Europe and settle in this lush, green land.

So, there is an explanation to these names after all!

What language is spoken in Iceland and Greenland?

Icelandic is the main language of Iceland. It is closely related to Norwegian and even has some resemblance to Old Norse, a Viking language. In fact, many native speakers of Icelandic can read Old Norse Sagas.

While most people on the island speak English as a second language, you could take a look at some commonly used words and phrases before you visit Iceland.

Greenlanders mostly speak Greenlandic, although many also speak Danish and English as second languages. You may recognise a number of Greenlandic words, such as “kayaking”, “igloo” and “anorak”, which are commonly used in the English language.

• Related: Complete guide to the Nordic countries

Visit Greenland and Iceland and you’ll be amazed at the stunning natural sights all around you.

Is Iceland greener than Greenland?

Although it may be called Greenland, its neighbour, Iceland, is the far “greener” island. This is because of its milder climate.

Iceland’s greenery benefits from the long hours of daylight during the midnight sun. This helps the island’s plant life thrive. While Greenland also experiences the midnight sun, its immense ice sheet prevents much growth.

What is Greenland’s scenery like?

Most of Greenland's landmass is an ice sheet, which you can visit in the Northeast Greenland National Park. The rest of the island is covered in tundra – a flat landscape with very little tree growth and strong winds.

What you’ll love about Greenland’s scenery is its coastline. The many glacial fjords make the island’s coast the longest in the world at 44,000 kilometres (27,000 miles). This is almost long enough to stretch around the Earth at the equator.

Along the coastline you can expect to see colossal icebergs, giant glaciers, and some of the island’s many species of whales.

• Explore Greenland iceberg tours

What is Iceland’s scenery like?

Iceland is brimming with otherworldly landscapes. Come here and you’ll discover glaciers, volcanoes and mountains, as well as waterfalls, hot springs and black sand beaches.

In South Iceland , for example, you can experience the country’s incredible natural beauty. Here you will find underwater caves, tumbling waterfalls, and the visible split of two continental plates in Þingvellir National Park .

The island also boasts impressive volcanic scenery and geothermal attractions , particularly in North Iceland and the highlands . You can visit lava fields, hike a volcano, discover mud pots, and so much more.

Iceland is one of the few places on Earth with powerful geysers dotted about its landscape. This is a rare sight where you’ll see water and steam dramatically spring from the ground.

• Take a look at these volcano tours in Iceland

5. Experiences

Whether you’re a lover of the outdoors or you’re keen to immerse yourself in a different culture, Iceland and Greenland have so much to offer.

Do Iceland and Greenland have similar cultures?

Iceland and Greenland have many similarities, especially their history of Nordic culture.

Yet they also have their differences. Central to Icelandic culture are folkloric tales and mythological legends. The telling of fables has been common throughout Iceland’s history and remains an important part of the country’s culture today.

Icelanders are also known for their festivals, during which they indulge in lavish foods and enjoy time with their families. You may want to check out their annual Airwaves  or Secret Solstice festivals.

Greenlandic culture is closely tied to the Inuit people. They enjoy a wealth of traditions that still play an important part in Greenlandic life. During your trip you could visit Inuit art galleries, or learn about local heritage at Nuuk’s National Museum.

• Explore these Greenland culture tours

What are the top things to do in Greenland?

There are so many experiences to choose from when planning your visit, it can be hard to know where to start.

To help you decide, here are the best things to see and do on your Greenland trip :

• Sail along the island’s coastline
• Witness the midnight sun
• Go whale watching
• Experience Inuit culture
• Learn about Viking history
• Enjoy an Arctic hike
• Visit breathtaking glaciers
• Explore Greenlandic museums
• Sightsee while kayaking
• Jet off on a helicopter tour
• Related: Greenland travel: top 10 things to do

What are the top things to do in Iceland?

Iceland offers non-stop adventure all-year round. Whatever season you visit, there is so much to choose from on an Iceland tour . Whether you snorkel between continental plates or stroll along a black sand beach, the memories you create will be unforgettable.

These are the experts’ recommendations of the best things to do on your Iceland tour:

• Relax in a hot spring or pool
• Visit the remote highlands in a 4x4
• Go snorkelling between tectonic plates
• Explore the island’s volcanic scenery
• Learn about Icelandic folklore and mythology
• Visit a black sand beach
• Try typical Icelandic cuisine
• Visit magnificent waterfalls
• Ride through the countryside on horseback
• Go snowmobiling on glaciers
• Related: Top things to do in Iceland: the best activities and sights

Plan your trip to Iceland or Greenland

These are some of the main things to consider when deciding between visiting Greenland and Iceland for your next adventure. Or you may decide to choose both islands and enjoy a combined tour of Iceland and Greenland .

Why not head to Greenland first to enjoy its glaciers, fjords, and icebergs? Then catch a quick flight over to Iceland to explore on a road trip. Discover the bustling city of Reykjavík, the waterfalls of Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss, and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, to name a few.

Whatever you choose we are certain you will have the experience of a lifetime. And you’ll have a personal travel consultant to make all the arrangements for you, including accommodation, activities, and local transport. Plus you can reach us 24/7 on your trip if you need our support.

Contact us for more guidance on deciding between Iceland or Greenland. The experts here at Nordic Visitor are more than happy to help!

Wanderlust has taken Emma across much of the world, but it was Scotland that she made her adopted home. Aside from enjoying countryside walks, campervan weekends and gigs in Glasgow, you’ll often find her writing about European travel and plotting her next trip.

Getting there

We'd love to give you the same amazing travel experiences as you read about in our blog! To visit the destinations and attractions mentioned in this post - and to discover a few new highlights along the way - check out these recommended Nordic Visitor tours.

THE ISLANDS OF FIRE & ICE - ICELAND & GREENLAND

Iceland full circle classic.

• USD ($)
• CAD ($)
• AUD ($)

ICEFJORD ADVENTURE

Related posts, 18 top things to do in iceland: the best activities & sights.

Blogs , Nordic , Iceland , Greenland , Destinations , Guides , Things to Do

Greenland Travel: Top 10 Things to Do

10 best places to visit in iceland, 11 fun facts about greenland.

Iceland vs. Greenland: All Your Questions Answered (+ Travel Info)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: May 8, 2024

The popular saying goes that Iceland is green and Greenland is ice, but is this true? And what are the differences or similarities between these two countries? Or which one should you travel to and why? This article should give you a better idea of how Greenland compares to Iceland and, hopefully, inspire you to visit both.

Because…. Spoiler alert… They are both very different, but equally stunning!

Good to know: In this article, we compare Iceland vs. Greenland from a travelers’ perspective. We focus on things such as accessibility, tourism infrastructure, what there is to see and do in both countries, wildlife, crowds, and also costs. So that if you’re wondering where to travel and why, you can make an informed decision.

So here we go – Iceland vs Greenland! But before we get to more practical info, let’s first take a look at the most commonly asked question – what’s in the name?

Why Iceland is Called Iceland

There are many theories as to why Iceland is called Iceland . According to Icelandic Sagas, it was first named ‘ Snowland ‘ by one of the first Norwegians who arrived here when it was snowing. Later, a Swede called Garðar Svavarsson named the island ‘ Garðarshólmi’ (Garðar’s Isle ) after his own name.

Iceland’s current name is believed to come from yet another Norwegian Viking Hrafna-Flóki Vilgerðarson (9th century). He was nicknamed Hrafna-Flóki (Raven-Flóki) because he took ravens to help him find his way to the island we currently know as Iceland.

The colonists settled in the current Westfjords and had an amazing first summer, but weren’t at all prepared for the winter. Their livestock died in winter and settlers decided to leave when spring came. Before leaving, Hrafna-Flóki is said to have climbed the mountain from which he had a view over the current Ísafjörður, filled with drift ice. That’s why he called this place ‘ Iceland ‘: Ísland = ísur (ice) +‎ land (land, country).

Hrafna-Flóki later returned to Iceland and lived here for the rest of his life.

Why Greenland is Called Greenland

Greenland got its name from the first settlers who arrived in the southern part of the country that is actually very green. That’s where those people lived, not in the north of Greenland or inland where the huge glaciers are.

It’s believed that Norwegian Viking Erik the Red (who lived at the end of the 10th century) has founded the first settlement in Greenland. He was exiled from Iceland for murder, set to look for a new place to live, and ended up on the nearby island. Of course, he looked for a place that was ice-free and had the potential for farming and favorable living conditions.

Upon his return to Iceland three years later, he talked about a place that he called ‘ Greenland ‘, hoping to make it more attractive to the new settlers. His marketing campaign was quite successful and he went back to Greenland with a big group of colonists. They established settlements close to locations where Qaqortoq (the largest town in southern Greenland) and Nuuk (the capital of Greenland) are today.

Iceland vs. Greenland – Some Facts

Iceland is a sovereign state with its own parliament, a president, currency, language, and laws.

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the kingdom of Denmark. They do have some autonomy and, in addition to Danish, also speak Greenlandic, which is Eskimo – Aleut language spoken in Greenland, Alaska, and several other Arctic regions. Greenland uses the Danish krone as its currency.

With a total surface of over 2,166,000 km2, Greenland is more than 20 times bigger than Iceland (103,000 km2). However, the population of Greenland is just about 56,000 people, while Iceland has around 360,000 inhabitants. As you can imagine, both countries are very scarcely populated.

Location and Accessibility

Both Iceland and Greenland are located in the Atlantic Ocean, about half-way between Europe and North America. However, Iceland lies just under the Arctic circle, while a big part of Greenland stretches several thousand kilometers further north.

With direct flights to many European as well as North American destinations, Iceland is very easy to get to . For example, it takes just about 3hrs to fly to Reykjavik from Amsterdam or Brussels and about 6 hours from New York. Some cruise ships also stop in Iceland and you can also get to Iceland by car ferry from Denmark via the Faroe Islands .

At the moment, there are just two countries with direct flights to Greenland – Denmark and Iceland . While most people think that the only way to get to Greenland is flying from Copenhagen, there are also direct flights from Reykjavik.

There are also cruise ships visiting Greenland in summer, but those are usually Arctic cruises that cost a whole lot more than ‘regular’ cruises.

Getting Around

You can easily visit Iceland by car. Infrastructure is good and while public transportation outside of Reykjavik is still a bit limited, there are plenty of options ranging from self-drive trips to 1-day excursions or organized multi-day group tours. You can drive the entire Ring Road of Iceland on your own and you’ll find excellent facilities everywhere you go.

Traveling around Greenland is a very different story. There are no roads between settlements in Greenland , so you have to visit each place separately and then either fly or take a boat between different towns.

Just to be clear – there are roads in Greenland, but only in towns and not between them. In winter, it’s also sometimes possible to travel between different places by snowmobile, but only for rather short distances. There are now plans to open a new road between Kangerlussuaq and Kangerluarsuk Tulleq, a fjord in the vicinity of Sisimiut, the second-largest settlement in Greenland. This road will be about 80 miles (130 km) – the longest in Greenland.

Both Iceland and Greenland are not your usual summer destinations. That being said, in summer temperatures in Southern Greenland are quite comparable to those in Iceland . You can have some really nice summer days with temperatures of 15-20°C (60-68°F) in both places, but it can also be just 5°C (41°F)…

Northern Greenland is obviously not as warm as southern Greenland or Iceland, but still, it’s not unusual to have really nice warm days.

In winter, it gets much colder in Greenland than in Iceland, especially up North.

There is one big difference between the two places though – it’s not as wet in Greenland as it is in Iceland.

Good to know: Both destinations can be visited the whole year-round. The choice of activities will, of course, be very different, depending on the season.

READ ALSO: When to Visit Iceland & Best Time to Visit Europe

Do They Speak English?

Pretty much everyone speaks English in Iceland, so it’s really easy to get around and communicate with the locals.

It’s not the case in Greenland. People who work in the tourism sector (many of them come from Denmark), do speak English. But very few locals speak English, which makes it a bit more challenging to communicate with them.

That being said, it’s not something you’ll notice much in hotels or when doing tours. And in the other cases, you’ll always find someone who speaks English if absolutely need be. And in the worst case, a smile and some gestures will get you a long way too, just as it did for us when we accidentally crashed a local wedding in Qeqertarsuaq in Greenland…

Food and Drinks

Since Greenland is much more remote than Iceland, there is usually less choice when it comes to food. Because almost everything has to be imported from far away, prices of fresh fruit or dairy products are really high.

This is especially notable in supermarkets. Food offer and prices at Iceland’s bigger supermarkets such as Bonus are very comparable to those in Western Europe. Whereas Greenland’s supermarkets have much less choice and much higher prices.

However, food and beverage prices at the restaurants are very comparable in Iceland and Greenland. You can expect to pay 25-50 euro for a nice fish or meat dish. I found that prices at the restaurants in Greenland were actually more reasonable than those in Iceland. We never paid more than 35 EUR for the main course at dinner, whereas in Iceland, there are quite a few restaurants charging more.

In both countries, alcohol is very expensive.

While both – Iceland and Greenland – are expensive destinations, traveling to Iceland is actually quite a lot more affordable than traveling to Greenland . This is mainly because of the more expensive flights to Greenland and transportation within Greenland.

Accommodation prices and other expenses are somewhat comparable in Iceland and in Greenland. But in Iceland, you have more choice and thus more possibilities to find accommodation on a lower budget.

Organized tours and activities are really expensive in both countries, but some activities are even more pricey in Greenland. Just think of a 600 EUR scenic helicopter flight of 1-2 hrs in Ilulissat… Iceland helicopter tours are also expensive, but somewhat more reasonable. The cheapest boat tours cost about 100 EUR in Greenland and about the same in Iceland.

LEARN MORE: How Expensive is Iceland

Facilities & Connectivity

Both destinations have all the modern facilities – from really nice hotels to good restaurants and good phone coverage.

However, in Greenland, most of the tourism infrastructure is concentrated in just a few biggest settlements, with the rest of the country just starting to catch up.

Iceland has come a long way in this regard and has a lot more infrastructure than ever before. There are many accommodation options in Reykjavik and even the most remote parts of Iceland have quite some lodging options. In high season, you can also find cafés and small food shops even at the most remote destinations.

Using your cell phone in Greenland is also very expensive and many hotels still charge a lot of money for WiFi. That being said, WiFi in most quality hotels in Ilulissat is free of charge.

In Iceland, most hotels and even restaurants offer free wi-fi. European roaming rules apply in Iceland as well. If you are traveling from outside of the EU, you can also hire a portable wi-fi device and use it pretty much all over the country. Even in some parts of the highlands, mobile phones work just as well as in Reykjavik.

READ ALSO: Where to Stay in Iceland

Scenery, Glaciers & Icebergs

If you look up some pictures of Greenland and Iceland, it’s likely that you’ll see icebergs in Greenland and green mountains, lava fields, and waterfalls in Iceland. That’s probably where the saying that Iceland is green and Greenland is ice comes from…

However, this is just the first impression. If you look deeper, you’ll see that there are just as many amazing green landscapes in Greenland as there are in Iceland. And there are quite some glaciers and even (small) icebergs to be found in Iceland.

One thing that Greenland has that you won’t find in Iceland is huge icebergs. They come from the calving glaciers of the immense ice cape and can be huge. The visible part of some icebergs is bigger than the biggest apartment buildings or cruise ships. Not even to mention that there’s 9 times as much ice underneath the surface… It’s hard to imagine this until you see some of these immense icebergs. Absolutely impressive. Magical. Surreal.

TIP! The best place to see icebergs in Greenland is the Ilulissat Icefjord and the surrounding area.

In the south of Greenland, you can also find high mountains, green valleys, and even sheep farms. Also in the North of Greenland, on Disko Island , the scenery is incredibly green. In fact, volcanic Disko Island looks like a miniature version of Iceland – with black sand beaches, green pastures, waterfalls, fjords, and glaciers. With one added bonus – floating icebergs dotting the horizon, as far as an eye can see.

Iceland is extremely diverse too. It’s a country of waterfalls, endless lava fields, and moonlike scenery that you won’t find anywhere else on the planet.

Just as Greenland, Iceland also has many glaciers, but of course, they can’t be compared; neither in size or in volume. Compared to the surface of about 80% of Greenland covered with ice, Iceland’s glaciers are just a tiny snowflake on the map.

Both countries have some amazing wildlife, mostly marine animals.

In Greenland , you can see many whales, seals, reindeer, Arctic fox, but also polar bears. However, since hunting and sealing is one of the ways locals get their food, you won’t see many animals anywhere close to the settlements.

Since whaling is practically forbidden, there are many whales around and it’s easy to see them from the shore. We saw so many whales in Greenland, always from the shore, and a few times even from our hotel room window.

In Iceland , you can also see whales, but you’ll have to take a boat tour for that. There are also seals, reindeer, Arctic fox, and in summer also puffins.

There are no polar bears in Iceland, but there have been occasional sightings when bears got trapped on the floating ice and couldn’t get back to Greenland in time.

Hot Springs

Iceland is world-famous for its hot springs and geothermal pools. You’ll find many natural hot pools all over the country and also big popular geothermal pools such as the Blue Lagoon , Sky Lagoon , or Myvatn Nature Baths . Also, pretty much every town and every village in Iceland has a swimming pool with numerous hot tubs.

There aren’t many swimming possibilities in Greenland unless you’re prepared to dive into the ice-cold water of the Arctic Ocean (not a good idea, btw).

While Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island also has several hot springs, they are just ‘hot’ enough not to freeze in winter (2°C). You can’t compare this to the geothermal pools of Iceland.

Both – Iceland and Greenland – are a real paradise for outdoor lovers. Summer or winter, there is always so much to be experienced! From hiking, mountain biking, or kayaking in summer to dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice-caving, or aurora hunting in winter…

There is more infrastructure and therefore more possibilities when it comes to all kinds of organized activities in Iceland. But in terms of the diversity of activities on offer, both places are quite comparable.

Northern Lights

Both – Iceland and Greenland – are great for seeing the Northern Lights in winter.

Due to their latitude and the position of the Aurora Oval, some parts of Greenland are better located for auroras than Iceland, but seeing them still remains a gamble.

You need clear skies, darkness, and higher aurora activity in order to see the Northern Lights. For that, your chances in Iceland and in Greenland are quite comparable.

READ ALSO: Northern Lights in Iceland

As you can imagine, the number of tourists is much higher in Iceland than it is in Greenland. Over 2 million tourists visit Iceland each year, whereas that number is not even close to 100,000 in Greenland…

This means that the most popular places in Iceland (like the Golden Circle and the SouthCoast of Iceland ) are really busy throughout the year, whereas in Greenland you’re very likely to have some of the world’s most incredible locations all to yourself even in high season.

While it’s still possible to get off the beaten path in Iceland (mostly in the Icelandic highlands ), the whole of Greenland is still very much off the beaten path.

However, it won’t stay like this for long. Greenland has so much to offer and is so beautiful that it’s just a matter of time before infrastructure catches up and the whole world finds out how amazing it is…

Greenland vs. Iceland – Conclusion

As you can see from the above, despite the fact that Iceland and Greenland are so close to each other, they are also very different…

Visit Iceland: If you are on a lower budget, are looking for a place that’s easy to get to and simple to visit on your own, then Iceland is a better choice.

Visit Greenland: If you are looking for a unique destination that not many people have visited yet and you don’t mind doing a bit more research, planning, and preparation for your trip (and have a higher budget), then Greenland is absolutely worth the trip.

Visit both: I wouldn’t say that Iceland is a better destination than Greenland or that Greenland is better than Iceland. They are just so different that they both deserve a place on your bucket list. And if you can’t choose, why not just visit both. With direct flights of just a few hours, Greenland is easy to get to from Iceland. So you can get a taste of both destinations in one trip and decide for yourselves…

As for me, I’ve been to Iceland many times and to Greenland just once and I would go back to both places in a heartbeat. There’s so much to be discovered!

Planning a Trip

Because of more infrastructure and a bigger choice, it’s much easier to plan your own trip to Iceland than to Greenland .

For Iceland , you can easily book everything online (flights, accommodations , tours , car rental, etc.). See a suggested Iceland one week itinerary or Iceland Ring Road itinerary for some inspiration.

For Greenland , you can book your flights and accommodations online, and also some tours , but a lot has to be arranged either via tour agents or when you’re already there. This, obviously, makes it more difficult to compare prices and find better deals.

Most of the tourists we met in Greenland, booked their trip via a travel agent (=$$$). Whereas in Iceland, many people just book their own trips, which is much more affordable.

TIP: On our blog, you can find lots of information, practical tips, itineraries, and destination guides for Iceland. Please check our Iceland travel guide for the complete selection.

We also have an article with travel tips and an easy Greenland itinerary , as well as a very comprehensive guide to visiting Qeqertarsuaq on Disko Island and a Greenland packing list .

If you are looking for travel inspiration or have any general questions about traveling to Iceland or Greenland, I encourage you to read those articles. If you don’t find an answer to a more specific question, feel free to leave a reply under one of the related articles and we’ll try to help. Alternatively, you can also join our Facebook group for traveling to Iceland and the Nordic Countries , and ask your questions there.

READ ALSO: Best Places to Visit in Iceland

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Guermeister

Thursday 26th of October 2023

I’m booked for a small group photo expedition to Iceland next summer and our host just announced a trip to Greenland. This comparison was very helpful and makes me comfortable sticking with Iceland.

Friday 27th of October 2023

Glad to help. Enjoy Iceland and maybe you can visit Greenland on another occasion ;). It's simply a totally different country and a very different travel experience.

Tuesday 4th of October 2022

I want to go to both in the same trip but this dream vacation of mine , price wise seems like a pipe dream. Thanks for the info . It was helpful

Sunday 9th of October 2022

Hi Kristen, yes, visiting both of these countries in one trip can be really expensive. If you are worried about the budget and just want to make things simple for yourself, go to Iceland first. It's so much easier to plan a trip there on your own, keep an eye on your budget, and book things accordingly, etc. We have lots of articles that can help you with this - see our Iceland page for an overview. Happy travels!

Tuesday 19th of July 2022

Really enjoyed your tips & the info on accommodations....very helpful. A group of friends are traveling to Ilulissat in summer 2023, then kayaking in the Uummannaq area, just north of there. We need to stay in Ilulissat both before and afterwards, so your info is extremely helpful. Thank you! I LOVE Greenland! (Iceland is gorgeous too!)

Glad to help. Have a wonderful time in Greenland!

Bato Harriet

Sunday 5th of September 2021

Thanks for the detailed information It's really intriguing. I can now make well informed choices.

Wednesday 8th of September 2021

Glad you found this useful, Harriet. Both countries are really fascinating and well worth a visit!

radha vasam

Sunday 23rd of August 2020

Love this, gives so much information about Iceland and Greenland. Thank you, Jurga. I had been mulling about visiting Iceland for a long time, ever since Iceland wants to forge trade links with India. I am an Indian American, and I love the cold weather, I know either of the countries are very cold, but once a while it is ok, :) Thanks for the post, with lots of details.

Tuesday 25th of August 2020

Glad you found this interesting, Radha, and I hope that you get to visit Iceland (and maybe Greenland too) one day. Both countries are very different than any other place I've been to. And so if you're looking for a unique travel experience, you can't go wrong with any of the two.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Tips

These Are the Best Times to Visit Iceland

Here are the best times to visit Iceland for ideal weather, fewer crowds, and more.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Over the last decade, Iceland has become one of Europe's "it" destinations thanks to its ethereal — and highly photogenic — landscapes featuring ancient glaciers and rugged fjords.

Before you book your flight to this popular island nation, you'll want to think about everything you want to see and do on your trip because the time of year can determine what's available. Some attractions, like Iceland's famous hot springs , are open all year, while natural phenomena like the northern lights and midnight sun are best viewed during specific months. Here's a breakdown of the tourist seasons in Iceland:

• High Seasons:  June to August and late December
• Shoulder Seasons:  September to October and May
• Low Season:  November to April, excluding holidays

Read on to learn about the best time to visit Iceland for whale watching, northern lights spotting, and more.

Irjaliina Paavonpera/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Iceland for Smaller Crowds

The busiest months in Iceland are June, July, and August, when most natural attractions are open and easily accessible. Iceland can stay relatively warm through the first week of October, so planning a September visit can be ideal since most crowds have thinned as children return to school. May, too, provides ample daylight for sightseeing, warmer temperatures, and fewer crowds.

The off-season between November and April is ideal for those looking to escape the hordes of tourists, as long as you don't mind the dark (by mid-winter, expect only five or six hours of daylight). Though some roads are closed, it's a glorious time to enjoy hot springs, backcountry skiing, and tours by snowmobile or jeep. You'll also have a better chance of spotting the northern lights. Tourism tends to pick up again during the holiday season, so avoid December if you're looking for a crowd-free vacation.

Courtesy of Visit Iceland

Best Times to Visit Iceland for Good Weather

During the summer months — July and August — the temperature in Iceland hovers around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a popular time to visit. And June, with its 24 hours of daylight, sees just about as many tourists as the peak of summer. But even during this season, rain and intense wind are not uncommon. The island's fickle climate often means you can experience all four seasons in a single day.

The weather remains pleasant in September, with temperatures between 43 and 52 degrees Fahrenheit. May is similar, but if you're keen on exploring some of the more remote hills and fjords, it might not be the best time to visit, as some roads remain closed while they thaw from winter's snowy cover. For serious hikers, the best time to visit Iceland is during the summer, when all the mountain roads and famous trails are open and accessible.

Best Times to Visit Iceland for Lower Prices

Getting to Iceland can be relatively affordable, especially compared to other European destinations. Travelers from the United States and Europe frequently find flight deals — keep an eye out for sales on Icelandair and low-cost airline Play to save even more on your journey.

Accommodations, tours, attractions, and meals can be pretty pricey throughout the year, but you might be able to save money by visiting during the off-season, which is typically late fall through early spring, excluding December. Summer is usually the most crowded and expensive time to visit.

Best Time to Visit Iceland for the Northern Lights

You'll need three essential factors to see the aurora borealis: darkness, clear conditions, and a surge in solar activity. The northern lights are often elusive and can easily be marred by transient clouds. To avoid disappointment, travelers should never plan their trip to Iceland solely for the northern lights because the island's weather is too capricious (statistically, there are more clear nights in Yellowknife, Canada , for example.) The best way to optimize your chances of seeing the northern lights in Iceland is by visiting from mid-October through March, when you have extended hours of darkness, and by getting out into the countryside to reduce ambient light pollution.

Best Time to Visit Iceland for Whale Watching

According to Icelandic marine biologist Edda Elísabet Magnúsdóttir, the peak months to go whale watching in Iceland are June and July. During the summer, Reykjavík sees higher numbers of minke whales and dolphins, while orcas congregate in West Iceland along the Snaefellsnes peninsula during the first half of the year.

In northern Iceland, you'll have a wider window to enjoy visits from humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins, which ply the Atlantic from May to August; a few humpbacks even stick around until the end of the year. Blue whales pass through in the summer, too. For best results, head to the charming small town of Húsavík , where you can spot more than 20 species of whales on boat tours that leave from the harbor.

Best Time to Visit Iceland's Hot Springs

Hot springs are intrinsic to Icelandic culture for social as well as wellness benefits. Reykjavík's public pools are open year-round (and are especially invigorating during the dead of winter), but Iceland also has hundreds of hidden "hot pots" that tap directly into the geothermal activity under its lava-ridden surface.

Expert Icelandic mountaineer and cofounder of Midgard Adventure , Sigurdur Bjarni Sveinsson, offers the following advice for hot water hunters: "Check them out during September or, even better, the first half of October, when they're all still accessible by mountain road, but the crowds of tourists have significantly died down."

For travelers who want to visit the Blue Lagoon , the most famous geothermal spa, the best time to visit is during the off and shoulder seasons, when crowds are thinner.

Worst Time to Visit Iceland

Thanks to Iceland's stunning landscapes and seasonal natural phenomena, there's really no bad time to visit. Northern lights seekers flock to the country during the darker winter months, while visitors chasing more daylight opt for summer. Of course, those traveling in the spring and fall can take advantage of more moderate weather and daylight, so the best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to see and do during your trip.

That said, the warmest months of the year are easily the worst time to visit if you're hoping to avoid the onslaught of tourists. July and August see the highest number of travelers, with big-ticket attractions like the Blue Lagoon, Golden Circle, South Coast, and Jökulsárlón being particularly overrun. If you're planning to visit during that time, consider exploring more remote corners of the island like the Westfjords or East Iceland, which have their own cache of fjords, vistas, and waterfalls that are just as impressive as the natural attractions surrounding the capital — if not more.

Related Articles

Passing Thru Travel

Historical Viking Trails Around the World

Posted: March 23, 2024 | Last updated: March 23, 2024

The Viking Trail is an epic journey into the world of the Norse explorers, warriors, and settlers who crossed the North Atlantic over a thousand years ago, reaching the shores of Greenland, Iceland, and North America. This trail is a route through history, offering insights into the Viking way of life, their incredible seafaring skills, and their interactions with the lands and peoples they encountered. The trail spans modern-day countries, each rich in Viking heritage, and is marked by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient settlements, and museums dedicated to Viking culture.

1. Reykjavik and the Saga Museum, Iceland

Image Credit: Shutterstock / lenggirl

Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, is the perfect starting point for the Viking Trail. The city is home to the Saga Museum, which brings the Viking Age to life through realistic silicone figures depicting significant moments in Icelandic sagas.

Visitors can immerse themselves in the world of the Vikings, understanding their daily lives, battles, and explorations. The museum is located near the harbor, offering insights into the importance of seafaring in Viking culture. Reykjavik is steeped in Norse history, with numerous sites, monuments, and museums dedicated to its early settlers and their sagas.

Insider’s Tip: After visiting the Saga Museum, take a stroll along the old harbor, where you can find traditional Icelandic cuisine and handcrafted souvenirs that reflect Viking craftsmanship. The harbor area also offers boat tours that trace the maritime routes of the Vikings, providing a unique perspective on their journeys.

When to Travel: The best time to visit Reykjavik for mild weather and extended daylight hours is from May to August, though the Northern Lights are best seen from September to April.

How to Get There: Reykjavik is accessible via international flights to Keflavik International Airport, located about 50 km from the city center. From there, buses, taxis, and rental cars are available to reach Reykjavik.

2. L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland, Canada

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Weekend Warrior Photos

L’Anse aux Meadows, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located at the northern tip of Newfoundland, is the only authenticated Norse site in North America and the foundation of Viking exploration history. This site consists of the remains of an 11th-century Viking settlement, including timber-framed houses that Norse explorers once called home.

The on-site visitors’ center offers detailed exhibitions on the Viking lifestyle, their voyages across the North Atlantic, and the significance of this settlement in pre-Columbian transatlantic contact.

Insider’s Tip: For a truly immersive experience, visit L’Anse aux Meadows during the annual Viking Festival in July. You’ll witness reenactments and traditional Norse craft demonstrations and even have the chance to participate in workshops that teach ancient Viking skills.

When to Travel: Summer months, from June to August, offer the most favorable weather for exploring the outdoor historical site and participating in the Viking Festival.

How to Get There: The nearest major airport is in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, which is about a 4.5-hour drive from L’Anse aux Meadows. Car rental is the most convenient way to reach the site, allowing for stops along the picturesque Viking Trail route.

3. Thingvellir National Park, Iceland

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Tommy Larey

Thingvellir National Park, a site of historical, cultural, and geological significance in Iceland, is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the location of Iceland’s first parliament, the Althing, established by the Norse settlers in the 10th century and is considered one of the world’s oldest parliamentary institutions.

The park’s dramatic landscape, marked by rift valleys and the Silfra fissure, tells the tale of the North Atlantic Ridge’s tectonic movements. Thingvellir represents the confluence of Iceland’s Viking heritage and its extraordinary natural beauty.

Insider’s Tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to snorkel or dive in the Silfra fissure, where you can float between two tectonic plates. The clarity of the water and the vivid colors of the underwater world make for an unforgettable experience.

When to Travel: Thingvellir is accessible year-round, but the best conditions for outdoor activities and diving in Silfra are from May to September.

How to Get There: Thingvellir is about 45 km northeast of Reykjavik, easily reached by car via Route 36. The drive offers stunning views of Iceland’s landscapes.

4. The Viking Ship Museum, Oslo, Norway

Image Credit: Shutterstock / JHVEPhoto

The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo houses some of the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, along with a wealth of artifacts from the Viking Age. The museum’s highlights include the Oseberg ship, known for its intricate woodcarvings, and the Gokstad ship, a great example of Viking shipbuilding skill. These artifacts offer insights into the maritime expertise of the Vikings and their journeys across the seas. The museum also explores the societal roles and daily lives of the Vikings.

Insider’s Tip: Plan your visit to coincide with one of the museum’s special exhibitions or public lectures, which offer deeper dives into specific aspects of Viking culture and history.

When to Travel: The museum is open year-round, but visiting from May to August allows you to enjoy Oslo’s vibrant summer atmosphere.

How to Get There: The Viking Ship Museum is located on the Bygdøy Peninsula in Oslo. It can be reached by bus, ferry (in the summer months), or car from the city center.

5. Jelling, Denmark

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Kenneth Bagge Jorgensen

Jelling in Denmark is known as the “birthplace of Denmark,” a site of immense historical significance to the Viking Age and Danish heritage. The Jelling monuments, comprising massive runic stones, burial mounds, and a church, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The larger of the two runic stones, erected by King Harald Bluetooth in the 10th century, is often referred to as “Denmark’s birth certificate,” as it bears the earliest known reference to the name “Denmark.” The site encapsulates the transition from Norse paganism to Christianity, marking a pivotal point in Scandinavian history.

Insider’s Tip: The interactive exhibition at the Jelling visitor center uses modern technology to bring the Viking Age to life, offering a captivating experience for all ages. Don’t miss the light show projected onto the runic stones after dusk.

When to Travel: Jelling is accessible throughout the year, but the best time to visit is from April to October, when the weather is more conducive to outdoor exploration.

How to Get There: Jelling is in central Denmark, easily accessible by train or car from major Danish cities like Aarhus and Odense.

6. The Greenland National Museum, Nuuk, Greenland

Image Credit: Pexels / Shvets Anna

The Greenland National Museum in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, offers insights into the lives of the Norse settlers who lived in Greenland for almost 500 years and the indigenous Inuit cultures. The museum’s extensive collection includes traditional boats, costumes, mummies, and the famous Qilakitsoq mummies, providing a comprehensive narrative of human habitation in Greenland from the earliest times to the present. The Norse collection, in particular, sheds light on the daily life, culture, and eventual disappearance of the Greenlandic Norse communities.

Insider’s Tip: Make sure to attend a guided tour to better understand the Norse artifacts and their significance in Greenland’s history. The stories behind these artifacts bring the Viking Age and Norse sagas to life in a compelling way.

When to Travel: The best time to visit Nuuk for favorable weather conditions is from June to September.

How to Get There: Nuuk is accessible by air from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Copenhagen, Denmark. The museum is located in the city center, within walking distance from most accommodations.

7. Viking Valley, Gudvangen, Norway

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Vladimir1984

Viking Valley in Gudvangen, nestled in the heart of Norway’s stunning fjord country, is a living history museum where visitors can experience Viking culture firsthand. The valley hosts Njardarheimr Viking Village, where every detail is designed to create an authentic Viking Age environment. Visitors can engage in various activities, such as archery, axe throwing, and traditional crafts, or enjoy guided tours that explore Viking laws, beliefs, and daily life.

Insider’s Tip: Participate in one of the Viking feasts for an unforgettable culinary experience, where you can enjoy traditional dishes in a communal setting, just as the Vikings did.

When to Travel: The Viking Valley is open to visitors from May to October, with the summer months offering the most extensive program of activities and events.

How to Get There: Gudvangen is located about 2.5 hours by car from Bergen. Public buses and seasonal fjord cruises also connect Gudvangen with other destinations in the region.

8. Birka, Sweden

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Willem Tims

Birka, on the island of Björkö in Lake Mälaren, Sweden, was one of the most important Viking trading centers between the 8th and 10th centuries. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most significant archaeological sites in Scandinavia, offering insights into the Vikings’ extensive trade networks, social structures, and daily life.

The Birka Museum provides detailed exhibitions on the archaeological findings from the site, including tools, jewelry, and weapons, while reconstructed buildings and guided tours bring the Viking Age to life.

Insider’s Tip: Take a guided tour to the archaeological fields where new discoveries are still being made, offering a rare chance to see Viking history still in the process of being uncovered.

When to Travel: Birka is best visited from May to September when guided tours and boat services from Stockholm are most frequent.

How to Get There: Birka is accessible by boat from Stockholm, with several operators offering day trips to the island during the tourist season.

9. York Viking Festival, York, England

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Baby-Spider

The York Viking Festival, held annually in February, celebrates York’s (Jorvik’s) Viking heritage, one of England’s most significant Norse settlements. The festival features a variety of events, including battle reenactments, Viking camps, workshops, lectures, and a parade.

It’s a deep dive into Viking culture, emphasizing the historical impact of the Norse on the British Isles. The Jorvik Viking Centre, the festival’s focal point, offers year-round exhibitions on Viking life in York based on archaeological finds from the site.

Insider’s Tip: Attend the evening events, such as the Viking feast or the march through York, for a truly immersive experience, where the ancient city comes alive with the spirit of its Norse ancestors.

When to Travel: The festival takes place in February, offering a unique winter experience of Viking culture.

How to Get There: York is easily accessible by train from major cities in the UK, including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh. The Jorvik Viking Centre and festival events are located within the historic city center.

10. The Westfjords, Iceland

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Ludovic Farine

The Westfjords region of Iceland, with its dramatic landscapes and remote location, offers a glimpse into the rugged life of the Vikings in one of the first parts of Iceland they settled. The area is known for its steep cliffs, deep fjords, and ancient sagas. The Westfjords Heritage Museum in Ísafjörður provides insights into the maritime and settlement history of the Vikings in the region, with artifacts, boats, and exhibitions on the sagas that tell the stories of their lives and exploits.

Insider’s Tip: Explore the remote settlements and natural hot springs in the Westfjords to experience the isolation and beauty that have remained unchanged since the Viking Age. It’s a chance to connect with the landscape that shaped the sagas.

When to Travel: The best time to visit the Westfjords is from June to August when the roads are fully accessible, and the weather is more accommodating for exploration.

How to Get There: The Westfjords are accessible by car from Reykjavik, though the drive can be long and challenging. Domestic flights to Ísafjörður offer a quicker alternative.

The Bottom Line

Image Credit: Pexels / Magic K

Each destination along the trail offers a unique perspective on the Viking Age, from their daily lives and social structures to their remarkable achievements in exploration and settlement. As you follow in the footsteps of the Norse explorers, take the time to immerse yourself in the rich stories, landscapes, and heritage that make up the Viking legacy.

Whether you’re standing in the ruins of a Viking settlement in Newfoundland, participating in a feast in Norway, or exploring the sagas of Iceland, you’re connecting with a pivotal era in history that continues to fascinate and inspire.

More Articles Like This…

Barcelona: Discover the Top 10 Beach Clubs

2024 Global City Travel Guide – Your Passport to the World’s Top Destination Cities

Exploring Khao Yai 2024 – A Hidden Gem of Thailand

The post Historical Viking Trails Around the World republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / NazarBazar.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

More for You

Harvard psychologist shares 9 toxic phrases 'gaslighters' always use—and how to respond

Russia Claims Rare NATO Trophy on Ukraine Frontlines: Video

This Is the Average 401(k) Balance for Retirees Age 65 and Older

Tom Holland Has Heart Eyes for Zendaya's Jaw-Dropping Met Gala Look

30 Delicious & Easy Dip Recipes For Any Occasion

Hertz Charges Tesla Model 3 Renter $277 Fee for Gas, Won’t Back Down

50 Unique Things For Your Home That Are So Damn Clever

30 dog breeds that are ideal for older owners

Houston police chief retires suddenly after questions raised about more than 260,000 suspended investigations

The 20 Best Long-Lasting Perfumes You Won't Need to Reapply

How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Salmon Bites

Here's What Happens When You Keep a Car For Over a Decade

Here's What a $5 Million Retirement Looks Like in America

People Are Sharing What Every Teenager Should Really Know About "The Real World"

Donald Trump Loses Battleground State Poll for First Time in Six Months

18 Cat Myths That Aren’t True But Everyone Believes

30 Genius Garage Organization Ideas to Keep Your Life in Order

Never Offer These 10 Foods When Hosting A Party

Here's the Maximum Possible Social Security Benefit at 62, 66, 67, and 70

40 DIY Kitchen Décor Ideas to Refresh Your Space on Any Budget

Tips to travel Iceland on a budget, plus travel expert-approved gear

Where to get local deals, take a dip in a hot spring and more.

Need some summer vacation ideas that won't break the bank? "Good Morning America" is off to Iceland and packing expert tips to help create the perfect travel bucket list on a budget.

From free dips in hot springs to the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, ABC News' Ashan Singh explored the Nordic island nation and shared the top ways to enjoy every stop of the trip without overspending.

"Iceland is a tremendous deal from the Boston area in particular -- flights are only about five hours in each direction -- you could take just a long weekend there and still get an action-packed trip," Eric Rosen director of travel content for The Points Guy, told "GMA."

TPG has seen deals for as low as $400 and for travelers who don't care where they're seated on the plane, some fares drop as low as $230.

When it comes to hotels, Rosen offered another simple tip, spend now on credit cards from brands like Hilton or Marriott that, once the spending threshold is reached, offer large bonus points.

"Hilton cards for instance, offer anywhere from 130 to 180,000 points typically as part of their bonus," he said. "And that's going to be good enough for two maybe even three nights at some of these hotels in Reykjavik. And that could be your whole trip right there."

Iceland activities on a budget

Get a taste of the city's culture with the Reykjavík City Card, which gives visitors access to multiple museums, art galleries, pools and even bus transportation for free.

Enjoy going home with a fashionable souvenir? Local knits are quintessentially Iceland, but with handmade sweaters priced up to $500, Singh sought out second hand store, Extraloppan to score a sweater as low as $50.

Rent a car. Singh found deals for as low as $86 a day.

Save on a more extravagant meal by finding a deal through the Dineout Iceland app, which for a small fee offers discounts all over the land of fire and ice.

Looking for a cheap and quick local bite? Try a roadside hot dog for just $4.

Visit the free National Parks and take in sights like waterfalls and geysers, but Singh suggests skipping the Blue Lagoon, which can cost $350 for a family of four, instead opt for taking a dip in a local, free hot spring.

Editor’s Picks

Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

Expert recommended travel gear.

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Men's

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Women's

Men's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Women's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Michael Josh Large Outdoor Picnic Blanket

CeraVe Hydrating Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 for All Skin Types, 2.5 fl oz

Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream with Prebiotic Oat

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Women's

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter One International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS (TA-105, Grey)

Action Camera 4K 20MP Sport Camera 40M Waterproof Underwater Camera Volg Video Camera WIFI Wide Angle Helmet Camera EIS Stabilization Dual Microphone

Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector

4Monster Camping Towels Super Absorbent

Vapur Flexible, Collapsible Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle with Detachable Carabiner

KNIT CUFFED BEANIE

THE NORTH FACE Apex Insulated Etip Glove - Men's

• $39.18 to $41.51

Indoor Instant Privacy Bed Tent for Sleeping,Quick Set-up Bed Canopies,Portable Bed Drapes with Large Space and 3 Doors (Black, Twin)

Manta Sleep Mask - 100% Light Blocking Eye Mask, Zero Eye Pressure, Comfortable & Adjustable Sleeping Mask for Women Men, Perfect Blindfold for Sleep/Travel/Nap/Shift Work

[Weighted Sleep Mask

Lonely Planet Iceland (Travel Guide)

Top stories.

House quickly kills Marjorie Taylor Greene's effort to oust Speaker Johnson

• May 8, 7:25 PM

Miss Teen USA 2023 resigns 2 days after Miss USA gives up title

• May 8, 6:09 PM

Grandfather pays homeless woman $20 to watch granddaughter while he got drunk at bar

• 2 hours ago

Georgia court takes up Trump appeal of Willis ruling, possibly delaying election case

• May 8, 10:51 AM

3 children, 2 adults in critical condition in San Antonio shooting

• May 9, 12:36 AM

ABC News Live

24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events

Tips to travel Iceland on a budget, plus travel expert-approved gear

Need some summer vacation ideas that won't break the bank? "Good Morning America" is off to Iceland and packing expert tips to help create the perfect travel bucket list on a budget.

From free dips in hot springs to the stunning Seljalandsfoss waterfall, ABC News' Ashan Singh explored the Nordic island nation and shared the top ways to enjoy every stop of the trip without overspending.

"Iceland is a tremendous deal from the Boston area in particular -- flights are only about five hours in each direction -- you could take just a long weekend there and still get an action-packed trip," Eric Rosen director of travel content for The Points Guy, told "GMA."

TPG has seen deals for as low as $400 and for travelers who don't care where they're seated on the plane, some fares drop as low as $230.

When it comes to hotels, Rosen offered another simple tip, spend now on credit cards from brands like Hilton or Marriott that, once the spending threshold is reached, offer large bonus points.

"Hilton cards for instance, offer anywhere from 130 to 180,000 points typically as part of their bonus," he said. "And that's going to be good enough for two maybe even three nights at some of these hotels in Reykjavik. And that could be your whole trip right there."

Iceland activities on a budget

Get a taste of the city's culture with the Reykjavík City Card, which gives visitors access to multiple museums, art galleries, pools and even bus transportation for free.

Enjoy going home with a fashionable souvenir? Local knits are quintessentially Iceland, but with handmade sweaters priced up to $500, Singh sought out second hand store, Extraloppan to score a sweater as low as $50.

Rent a car. Singh found deals for as low as $86 a day.

Save on a more extravagant meal by finding a deal through the Dineout Iceland app, which for a small fee offers discounts all over the land of fire and ice.

Looking for a cheap and quick local bite? Try a roadside hot dog for just $4.

Visit the free National Parks and take in sights like waterfalls and geysers, but Singh suggests skipping the Blue Lagoon, which can cost $350 for a family of four, instead opt for taking a dip in a local, free hot spring.

Editor’s Picks

Bucket list travel on a budget: Expert tips for airfare, loyalty programs, credit card perks and more

• Apr 25, 2024

It's not too late to book summer travel deals, these expert tips make it easier

• Apr 30, 2024

Google reveals top destinations for summer vacation 2024

• Apr 09, 2024

Expert recommended travel gear

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Men's

REI Co-op Trailmade Pants - Women's

Men's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Women's Trail Model 4 Hiking Shoes

Michael Josh Large Outdoor Picnic Blanket

CeraVe Hydrating Face Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 for All Skin Types, 2.5 fl oz

Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body Gel Cream with Prebiotic Oat

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Men's

Trailmade Rain Jacket - Women's

EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter One International Wall Charger AC Plug Adaptor with 5.6A Smart Power and 3.0A USB Type-C for USA EU UK AUS (TA-105, Grey)

Action Camera 4K 20MP Sport Camera 40M Waterproof Underwater Camera Volg Video Camera WIFI Wide Angle Helmet Camera EIS Stabilization Dual Microphone

Anker Nano Power Bank with Built-in Foldable USB-C Connector

4Monster Camping Towels Super Absorbent

Vapur Flexible, Collapsible Wide Mouth Anti-Bottle with Detachable Carabiner

KNIT CUFFED BEANIE

THE NORTH FACE Apex Insulated Etip Glove - Men's

• $39.18 to $41.51

Indoor Instant Privacy Bed Tent for Sleeping,Quick Set-up Bed Canopies,Portable Bed Drapes with Large Space and 3 Doors (Black, Twin)

Manta Sleep Mask - 100% Light Blocking Eye Mask, Zero Eye Pressure, Comfortable & Adjustable Sleeping Mask for Women Men, Perfect Blindfold for Sleep/Travel/Nap/Shift Work

[Weighted Sleep Mask

Lonely Planet Iceland (Travel Guide)

Up next in travel—.

Airbnb launches stays at 'Up' house, 'Inside Out' headquarters and more 'Icons'

Southwest Airlines CEO says airline may reevaluate open seating after financial loss

Shop editors picks, sponsored content by taboola.

• Privacy Policy — 
• Your US State Privacy Rights — 
• Children's Online Privacy Policy — 
• Interest-Based Ads — 
• Terms of Use — 
• Do Not Sell My Info — 
• Contact Us — 

© 2024 ABC News

• Capital Region
• South Greenland
• East Greenland

The National Park

• North Greenland

Destination Artic Circle

Destinations in Greenland

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

North Greenland is the land of the midnight sun and dog sledding. A cornucopia of arctic experiences with giant icebergs and the Ilulissat Icefjord, honoured with a place on the esteemed list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

South Greenland lives up to its name as it is truly a green land. Agriculture thrives here with many farms and luxuriant vegetables, in contrast to a barren ice world that covers much of Greenland.

• Destination Arctic Circle

Destination Arctic Circle is the land of adventure. The combination of raw nature and cultural traditions brings you to the heart of modern Greenland.

East Greenland is an isolated yet very special place. The language is different and the culture is deeply rooted in myths and legends, which is expressed in their much-coveted handicrafts.

The Capital Region

Greenland’s Capital Region combines the urban vibes and city breaks of Nuuk with grand fjord experiences and small town escapes.

From the strange volcanic rocks along the hiking trails on Qeqertarsuaq and the island’s summer dog sledding on the Lyngmark Glacier, to the many whales and birds in the bay.

The National Park

Covering an area of 972,000 square kilometres, Greenland’s National Park is the world’s largest – with approx. 40 inhabitants and high Arctic species of animals.

Select your destination

Explore nature activities in Greenland and use the filter below to refine or braoden your search to find more adventures

The Northeast Greenland National Park is the world’s largest National Park with unspoiled, pristine wilderness and unique Arctic wildlife.

Tiilerilaaq

Traditional culture and endless icebergs lie at the edge of the Ice Sheet and the Sermilik Fjord in the settlement Tiilerilaaq.

Tall mountains, perfect hiking valleys, and extreme snow hide one of the best-kept secrets of East Greenland – the small settlement of Kuummiut.

Experience a small, close-knit community who rely on each other and a bounty of arctic wildlife to flourish in Siorapaluk.

As the only place in the country where you can go river fishing for salmon, in Kapisillit you can easily lose yourself for a few days soaking

Set amidst a small fishing settlement, a gourmet restaurant and luxury lodge accommodation lie just across the Ilulissat Icefjord in Ilimanaq

Kangaatsiaq

Have an authentic experience in this unspoilt town close to a 150 km fjord where there is ample opportunity to discover Kangaatsiaq’s wildlife.

Come to Qaanaaq and leave with memories of majestic nature and incredible hospitality from the northernmost town.

Upernavik is a prime town for travelers who want something between an organized holiday and a self-sustaining Arctic expedition.

The wide sky overhead is the only timetable you need for discovering this haven for Inuit culture, bespoke fjord adventures and proud locals.

A welcoming dining table and a variety of nature experiences bring village camaraderie in Oqaatsut into close view.

Nature, dog sledding, and cultural exploration await you in this iceberg paradise. Explore Ilulissat and its UNESCO protected Icefjord.

Qasigiannguit

In Qasigiannguit – Greenland’s forgotten paradise the original way of life is still very much alive and nature is at the front doorstep.

Qeqertarsuaq

Qeqertarsuaq stands alone on the great Disko Island far off Greenland’s west coast, and the Lyngmark Glacier that towers above the town. The natural environment around Qeqertarsuaq

The land of a thousand islands gives nature lovers many ways to discover the southern boundary of Disko Bay.

Kangerlussuaq

With the mouth of the fjord sitting on the far western horizon and the ice cap knocking at the door, all roads lead to the backcountry.

Backcountry sports and Arctic adventures in Sisimiut are the perfect answer to a pursuit for cultural discovery and pure natural settings.

Experience both adventurous and relaxing activities such as angling, whale watching and heliskiing, the trademarks of Maniitsoq.

Paamiut is embodied by snowy winter slopes, majestic wildlife with eagles and a tourist density that will make you feel like the guest of honor around town.

The heart of a nation. Greenland’s largest city and capital is fueled on fresh air, strong coffee and diverse personalities.

Ittoqqortoormiit

Sea ice makes this the most isolated town in Greenland, where dog sledding, expedition cruises and wildlife dominate the opportunities for adventure.

Kulusuk is the gateway to many different types of adventure-based activities for both summer and winter in East Greenland.

Tasiilaq is the largest town in Eastern Greenland and the gateway to pretty much every kind of adventure that Greenland offers.

Nanortalik is a must-see. The Tasermiut Fjord make an adventurer’s imagination run wild while city sightseeing bring you down to earth.

The largest town in South Greenland gives you art, culture, Norse history, boat tours, hot springs, kayaking and hiking trips.

Narsaq is the most striking agricultural town in Greenland situated in a fjord system known for hiking, mineral deposits and cowboy history.

Igaliku is a family-oriented and open-air destination with Norse ruins, modern agriculture, farms, and many hiking opportunities.

Narsarsuaq is the gateway to hiking trails through lush valleys and Norse ruins spotted along a deep fjord.

The settlement Qassiarsuk is an agricultural destination for hikers and a visible meeting place between Norse culture and modern-day sheep farmers.

Package Tours

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

Arctic Villages in East Greenland

Visit the region's villages and its capital, Tasilaq. Learn about Inuit culture, climb Kuummiit mountain and enjoy sailing among icebergs.

Blue Ice Explorer

UNESCO sites 5 days

Visit Hvalsey, Igaliku and Qassiarsuk – 3 of the UNESCO sites – together with South Greenland’s colourful town Qaqortoq.

Greenland Travel

Dream trip to an Arctic Paradise

Get an experience of a lifetime! See Disco Bay in all its glory. Go explore! See whales, calving glaciers, majestic icebergs and much more

Tasermiut Expeditions

Ice Cap Explorer 8-15 days

Explore the Ice Cap crossing through striking glacier formations, glacial lakes and rivers. Flight from Reykjavik or Copenhagen. Dates: July

Plan your trip

How to get there

Commercial airlines are the only way for travelers to get to Greenland, served by airports in Denmark and Iceland unless you arrive with a cruise ship.

How to get around

Read about boats, helicopters and planes that tie the country together in a web of sea and air connections operated by both large and small scale operators.

Where to sleep

Read about accommodation possibilities in Greenland - where is it possible to stay for longer or shorter period of time.

Summer is a season of the midnight sun, while winter is for dog sledding, northern lights, ski trips, and star gazing. Read more.

EDITORS' PICKS

Top 10 restaurants in Greenland you shouldn't miss

Discover the Top 10 Gastronomical Experiences featuring Fresh Greenlandic Produce and Traditional Greenlandic Food.

Discover Siorapaluk and Kiviaq

Experience Siorapaluk, Greenland's northernmost settlement. Witness Kiviaq-making and savor a North Greenlandic delicacy.

Visa requirements for foreigners visiting Greenland

If you are a citizen of one of the countries on the list, you don’t need to apply for a visa to enter Greenland.

About Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

• Things to Do
• Destinations
• Nature & Climate
• Greenlandic Culture
• Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

• Travel Trade
• Cruise Call List
• Media Database

SIGN UP HERE

VISIT GREENLAND – contact us: