Updated 2026
Overview and Things to Consider
Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, self-governing since 2009, with a population of around 56,000 people concentrated in a handful of towns along the southwest and west coasts. There are no roads between towns - travel between settlements is by boat, helicopter, or small plane. The ice sheet covering 80% of the island is one of the two major ice sheets on earth (the other is Antarctica) and its melt is one of the primary contributors to global sea level rise. The icebergs calved from the Ilulissat Icefjord - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - are among the world's most productive, and seeing them is the defining Greenland experience.
Most travelers visit the west coast, with Ilulissat (the icefjord) and Nuuk (the capital) as the main destinations. East Greenland is more remote and more expensive to reach but has dramatic fjord scenery and very few visitors. Greenland suits expedition travelers, serious hikers, and people with a genuine interest in Arctic environments and Greenlandic culture. It does not suit anyone looking for convenience, reliable infrastructure, or anything approaching standard tourism amenities.
Getting There and Around
Air Greenland is the primary carrier, flying from Copenhagen (Kastrup) to Nuuk, Ilulissat, and other towns. The Copenhagen to Nuuk flight takes about 4.5 hours. Nuuk has been getting a new international airport that opened in 2024, expanding direct connections. Air Iceland Connect flies from Reykjavik to Nuuk and several other Greenlandic towns. Expedition ships and cruise vessels approach from various North Atlantic ports during summer.
Within Greenland, Air Greenland's helicopter and small plane services connect coastal towns. The Disko Line ferry serves west coast communities from south to north in summer, a scenic journey of several days if done in full. In towns, walking is the primary transport. Dog sledding (winter) and boat tours are the main ways to access the surrounding landscape from any base.
What's Changed Since 2016
Climate change is the defining change in Greenland. The Ilulissat Icefjord, where the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves icebergs into the fjord at one of the fastest rates on earth, is measurably different from a decade ago - the glacier front has retreated and the volume of ice is lower. This is visible to the naked eye over return visits and is documented in visitor centre materials at the icefjord site. The melt season now extends longer into autumn than it did fifteen years ago.
Nuuk's new international airport opened in 2024 with the capacity for larger aircraft, making direct transatlantic connections possible for the first time. This is intended to grow tourism significantly. Nuuk itself has grown as a city and has developed a more cosmopolitan character - better restaurants, cultural institutions, and visitor infrastructure than existed a decade ago. Geopolitical interest in Greenland (particularly from the United States under various administrations) has made the territory's status an ongoing diplomatic story. [VERIFY: current Nuuk airport international routes 2026]
Ideas to Consider for Your Visit
The Ilulissat Icefjord is the single most important destination in Greenland. Icebergs the size of apartment buildings drift silently through the fjord, calved from one of the world's most active glaciers. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre at Ilulissat has an excellent visitor centre, and the boardwalk trail through the landscape gives access to viewpoints above the fjord. The night light in summer (near-24-hour daylight) changes the colors constantly. Boat trips into the icefjord are available and give a different scale to the ice.
Dog sledding in winter - February through April, when the ice is stable - is one of the defining Arctic experiences. The Greenlandic sled dog (a distinct breed) is powerful and fast across sea ice. Tours operate from Ilulissat and several other west coast towns. The landscape under clear winter skies with the possibility of Northern Lights is exceptional.
Nuuk, the capital, is more of a small city than most people expect - around 20,000 people, university, museums, restaurants. The Greenland National Museum has an extraordinary collection including the Qilakitsoq mummies (15th-century Greenlandic mummies found preserved by the cold in 1972). The old colonial harbor district (Nuuk Fjord area) gives a sense of the town's Danish colonial history alongside Greenlandic identity.
Realities to Be Aware Of
Greenland is very expensive. Flights to Greenland from Copenhagen cost €500-1,200 per person return depending on season and destination. Internal flights and helicopter transfers add significantly. Accommodation in Ilulissat: €150-350 per night for a basic to mid-range hotel. Guided tours (dog sledding, boat trips, hiking) run €100-300 per person per activity. A week in Greenland including flights from Europe commonly costs €3,000-6,000 per person all in. There is no budget travel option in any meaningful sense.
If Greenland Is Part of a Longer Trip
The natural combination is Iceland- Air Iceland Connect flies Reykjavik to Nuuk, making a North Atlantic combination straightforward. Copenhagen is the most common gateway and can itself be a worthwhile stop. Some expedition cruise itineraries cover Iceland, Greenland, and the Canadian Arctic in a single voyage - the 'Three Corners' circuit is a growing market.
Yearly Things to Consider
Greenland has two distinct visitor seasons. Summer (June-August) is when most travelers go - 24-hour daylight in the north, accessible hiking trails, boat tours, whale watching, and the icefjord in its most dramatic form. Winter (February-April) is dog sledding season, Northern Lights, sea ice travel, and the extraordinary light quality of Arctic winter. Spring/autumn are shoulder seasons with fewer services and fewer visitors. The tourist infrastructure effectively closes in many areas from October through January.
January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Low | Dark; cold; very few visitors; some helicopter routes reduced
February | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.7 in | Shoulder | Dog sledding season begins; Northern Lights; sea ice stable
March | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | Shoulder | Best dog sledding; lengthening days; Northern Lights still
April | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | Shoulder | Spring; melting beginning; dog sledding ending; transition
May | 37°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | Shoulder | Summer coming; some services resuming; not yet peak
June | 46°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | High | Midnight sun; icefjord dramatic; hiking opens; boat tours
July | 52°F (11°C) | 1.4 in | High | Peak season; warmest month; whale watching; highest prices
August | 50°F (10°C) | 1.6 in | High | Still peak; good visibility; icebergs plentiful
September | 41°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | Shoulder | Quiet; Northern Lights beginning; some services winding down
October | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | Low | Cold; tourist infrastructure closing; few visitors
November | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.9 in | Low | Dark season approaching; very quiet
December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Low | Polar night; minimal visitor services
Ideas for Itineraries
3 Days in Greenland
Three days is Ilulissat. Fly Copenhagen to Ilulissat direct. Day one: walk the icefjord boardwalk trail at different times to see the light change. Day two: full-day boat tour into the icefjord among the icebergs - this is the definitive experience. Day three: helicopter tour over the ice sheet if budget allows, or the longer hiking route around the fjord. Fly back to Copenhagen on day four.
5 Days in Greenland
Add Nuuk to the Ilulissat visit - fly between the two cities (1 hour). Nuuk gives you the capital, the national museum, and the Nuuk fjord system. With five days you can also add an overnight trip to the small village of Rodebay (accessible by boat from Ilulissat) for a different scale of Greenlandic community.
1 Week in Greenland
A week is the right minimum for feeling like you've properly experienced Greenland rather than just seen the icefjord. Ilulissat three nights, Nuuk two nights, with a possible extension to Sisimiut (hiking base for the Arctic Circle Trail) or the Disko Island settlement of Qeqertarsuaq. The Arctic Circle Trail from Sisimiut to Kangerlussuaq (160km, 8-12 days) is a serious hiking route through subarctic wilderness and requires a dedicated trip.
2 Weeks or More in Greenland
Two weeks opens up East Greenland (Tasiilaq, the main east coast settlement, accessible by flight or summer ferry - more dramatic fjords, fewer services) or the full Arctic Circle Trail as the centerpiece. Expedition kayaking along the coast, multi-day dog sledding in winter, or a Disko Bay circumnavigation by boat are all possible for travelers with the time, budget, and appropriate experience. Extended stays in Greenland are unusual but possible in Nuuk for researchers and those with specific project reasons to be there.
Greenland Travel FAQ
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the Schengen Area. Most Western passport holders (US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia) can enter visa-free. Check with Visit Greenland or the Danish immigration authority for your specific nationality. The territory's geopolitical status means entry rules are governed separately from Denmark's Schengen membership.
September through March, with February and March being especially good because the nights are still long but the temperatures are manageable and dog sledding activities are happening alongside Northern Lights viewing. Clear skies are necessary - check aurora forecasts before traveling. Ilulissat, Nuuk, and Sisimiut all have Northern Lights viewing in good conditions.
There are no roads between towns in Greenland. Travel is by Air Greenland flights and helicopters (expensive but fast), Disko Line ferries (slow, scenic, seasonal), or private boat. Book internal flights well ahead, especially in summer - capacity is limited and routes can sell out. The helicopter network covers smaller communities that fixed-wing aircraft can't reach.
The Arctic Circle Trail is a 160km marked hiking route from Sisimiut on the west coast to Kangerlussuaq, passing through subarctic wilderness with no roads, no huts for most of the route (wild camping required), and no rescue services. It takes 8-12 days and requires solid backcountry experience, appropriate gear, a bear canister, and pre-departure registration with local authorities. It's considered one of the world's great wilderness hikes but is genuinely demanding.
Greenland towns are safe for travelers. The wilderness is demanding and requires appropriate preparation - the weather can change rapidly, emergencies are far from rescue, and polar bears exist in some areas (carry a flare gun in east Greenland backcountry). The main risks are environmental rather than social. The small communities are welcoming to visitors, though respect for Greenlandic culture and the limited carrying capacity of small towns is important.