Table of Contents
Visit the white paradise of Greenland and confront its heavenly beauties. The country charms us with its simplistic of coastal settlements and the liveliness of age-old markets. Though famous for its natural expanse, Greenland has a fair share of history and culture too. Explore the mysteries buried under at ancient settlements. Come across the remotest of islands and a number of breathtaking natural phenomena. Take a tour of the Viking villages or simply go boating across glaciers. Greenland reserves an ocean of attractions to offer you. Here, we discuss the most magical things to do in Greenland. Take a look and add them to your itinerary.
Travel 101: Top Things To Do In Greenland
1. Visit the Ice-fjords of Ilulissat
One of the largest towns in Greenland, Ilulissat is nestled by shores and is well noted for its beautiful ice-fjords. It is Greenland’s most visited area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004. Be prepared for stunning vistas and nature in its majestic form. While in Ilulissat, stop to see the collection of Greenland landscapes in the Emanuel A Petersen Art Museum. The immense glacier Sermeq Kujalleq, more than five-km wide and one-km thick, feeds into the bay and flows quite swiftly.
Recommended for: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Ilulissat, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro Tip: Ilulissat has some amazing souvenir stores. Do check them out.
2. Learn History at Greenland National Museum
Nuuk, the capital and administrative centre of Greenland is popular with visitors for the Greenland National Museum. Its collections of hunting equipment, kayaks, carvings, and Viking finds, paint a vivid picture of life here from the old times. The 500-year-old mummies of women and children are so well preserved that some of the facial tattoos and various colours of the clothing material are still recognizable.
Recommended For: Explorers, History Lovers
Location: Nuuk, Greenland
Average Price: $5 per person
Timings: 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
3. Visit Katuaq Cultural Centre
A place that is the Centrepoint of the entire cultural scene in Greenland, it is amongst the best when you are looking for things to do in Nuuk, Greenland. The building structure is an ode to the charismatic Northern Lights, icebergs, and the effect of light in the snow. The architecture looks like that of a magnificent piano shaped like a triangle. Here, you would find art displays, cinema shows for the young audience as well as the grownups and a cafeteria to have some snacks and coffee.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Nuuk, Greenland
Timings: 11:00 am to 09:30 pm
Pro Tip: Check before visiting the centre as several music concerts also happen here regularly. So, plan accordingly if you are a lover of music.
4. Go Kayaking Upon The Icy Waters
The kayak is one of the oldest means of transport dating back to 4000 years ago and till today it is used by many Inuits as a daily mode of commuting. This is also a very popular activity among tourists. Amongst all the popular places, the Blue River which originates from Petermann Glacier is the most spectacular point for kayaking. Every year, the river takes a new and stunning shape and the best way to explore the cool blue waters is through a kayak.
Recommended For: Adventure Lovers, Photographers
Average Price: $50 – $80 per session
Timings: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
5. Get a Ride on Sarfaq Ittuk
Get onboard the Sarfaq Ittuk, Greenland’s solo ferry ship which is also a mode of transport for the locals as an alternative to flights. The tourists are given special privileges on the ship. This is also a great way to spend some precious time with the Inuits and know more about their lifestyle and culture. Connect and hear some interesting stories about the places and people. During the summers, you can also take a guided walking tour of the towns and cities where the ferry makes a stop.
Recommended For: Explorers
Average Price: $1400 – $1500 for a week tour
Pro Tip: If you suffer from seasickness, then get a pressure-point wristband which is sold on the ship.
6. Indulge in Whale Watching
One of the top things to do for visitors in Greenland is to experience a close encounter with whales. Most of the fjords melt by May and hence, 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 and Greenland Adventures. Typical encounters are with humpback, minke, and fin whales.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Average Price: $40 – $70 per session
Timings: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
7. Taste the Adventure of Skiing
One of the best things to do in Greenland in winter is Skiing. As the country is home to a number of snow-covered mountains, skiing is a popular adventure here. The most famous skiing route in Greenland is the Eternity Fjord. Arrive here in a hired boat and start your journey upwards travelling through snowfields and glaciers while admiring the various shades of blue in the ice.
Recommended For: Skiers, Adventure Lovers
Timings: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro Tip: In the alpine mountains, the town of Maniitsoq on the west coast is the best spot for skiing adventures.
8. Frame the Heavenly Northern Lights
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. There is 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, Ittoqqortoormiit and Kangerlussuaq provide the best views.
Recommended For: Photographers, Nature Lovers
Timings: Midnight
Pro Tip: If you are planning to visit Greenland for the sole purpose of seeing the Aurora Borealis, then make sure to travel in winter.
9. Detox at Unnartoq Hot Springs
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.
Recommended For: Adventurers, Explorers
Location: Ilulissat, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: 07:00 am to 04:00 pm
10. Explore Different Cultures of Greenland at Qaqortoq Museum
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 Julianehab colony manager’s house, the Qaqortoq Museum displays artifacts from the Dorset, Thule, and Norse cultures, each with its separate exhibits and interpretation. There is also a replica of umiac, a traditional Greenland boat.
Recommended For: History Lovers, Culture Explorers
Location: Qaqortoq, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: 01:00 pm to 04:00 pm (Closed on Mondays)
11. Go on a Dog-Sledding Tour
Undoubtedly, 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 by dog-sledding tours. The winter months are the best time here for dog sled tours and snowmobile trips. Some of the most popular areas to explore are Disko Bay, Tasiusaq fjord, Qaanaaq, and Thule.
Recommended For: Explorers
Average Price: $20 – $35 per person
Timings: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
Pro Tip: Pace down to experience the best of dog-sled tours.
12. Explore the Viking History of Greenland
Among the most popular things to see in Greenland are the remnants of Eric the Red’s thousand-year-old Norse colonies. At their peak, it is estimated that something around 5,000 Norsemen lived throughout Greenland. Though, 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.
Recommended For: Explorers, History Lovers
Location: Brattahlid, Hvalsey Fjord Church, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: Anytime
13. Visit An Eskimo Settlement
Roughly two km from the town of Ilulissat, you would find this ancient Eskimo settlement called Sermermiut, first excavated at the beginning of the 20th century. It has some of the best-preserved remnants of indigenous Eskimo cultures in the Arctic. The ancient village is abandoned, but you can still see artefacts from the inhabitants who lived here more than 2,000 years ago. Finding from this site are also displayed at Ilulissat Museum.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Sermermiut, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: Anytime
14. Spend at Day at Tasiilaq
Although it has just 2,000 inhabitants, Tasiilaq is the largest town in East Greenland. It lies on the island of Ammassalik about 100 km south of the Arctic Circle. Set amidst breathtaking scenery on a fjord surrounded by soaring mountains and bisected by a small river, Tasiilaq should be high up on any visitor’s bucket list. The Flower Valley behind the town is a popular place for short or long hikes. Popular activities are skiing trips and dog-sledge tours, hiking, climbing, and sea kayaking.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Pro Tip: June to September is the best time for sailing and glacier watching trips and February to April is best for watching Northern Lights.
15. Walk Over an Ice Cap from Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq is a small town of about 500 people that has two reasons for a visit. It is the favourite starting point for hiking the 200-kilometre 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 km away. Once here, enjoy an adventurous walk on its surface. This is one of the few places the ice cap can be reached without a helicopter. So, do not miss out on this wondrous beauty.
Recommended For: Explorers, Nature Photographers
Price Range: $80 – $120 per tour
16. Shop at the Nuuk Center
Opened in the year 2012, Nuuk Center is Greenland’s first mall and has everything a shopping centre needs including a supermarket, multiple clothes shops, restaurants and cafes. Visit this towering mall and shop all your interests. Go on a shopping spree and buy wonderful souvenirs for your home. Bring along kids and have a fun time relishing local delicacies at the restaurants and cafes.
Recommended For: Shoppers, Explorers
Location: Nuuk, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: 07:00 am to 10:00 pm
17. Take a Cold Water Dive
Get ready to experience the most amazing underwater dive under the guidance of certified divers. The beautiful surprises from the ocean’s surface will leave you mesmerised. You get to see lumpsuckers, catfish, sea cucumbers and a jungle of seaweed and of course different species of whales. You can actually see an iceberg from up close and explore the shipwrecks. If you are doing this in winter, then you also get to experience the surreal effects of lights under the water.
Recommended For: Explorers, Adventure Lovers
Location: Tassilaq, Greenland
Average Price: $80 – $100 per session
Timings: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
18. Explore Greenland by A Boat
Greenland’s large expanse covered with thick sheets of snow has made it a popular offbeat destination for all the adventure lovers. Cruise through the chilling waters of the country. Take the least-explored route and discover new trails. Capture wonderful scenery on the way. Exploring the country by boats or ferries is surely one of the best things to do in Greenland.
Recommended For: Offbeat Explorers, Adventure Lovers
Location: Greenland
Price: $50 – $100 per person
Timings: 06:00 am to 06:00 pm
Pro Tip: Always go for certified boat tour operators as they are well aware of explored as well as unexplored trails.
19. Take a look at the Oldest Fountain in Greenland
Mindebronden, also called Memorial Fountain, is the oldest one in the country. You can certainly understand considering the climate, the demand for fountains isn’t too high in Greenland. In fact, after it was completed in 1932, Mindebronden has been the only fountain on the entire island. Visit it and capture its rustic design on your camera. Sit around for a while and enjoy its peaceful surroundings.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Qaqortoq, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: Anytime
20. Look for Arctic Poppy on Kaffeklubben Island
On this small yet gorgeous island, specimens of Arctic Poppy and Purple Saxifrage grow in thin rocky soil. Kaffeklubben Island is practically a polar desert with roughly a 30-day summer. Despite the extremely inhospitable conditions, these two tiny flowering plants bloom in full glory. On Kaffeklubben Island, the scant meadows of Purple Saxifrage and Arctic Poppy also grow with various mosses, liverworts and lichens. Hence, do visit this incredible beauty and witness its wonders.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Near Cape Morris, Greenland
Timings: Anytime
Pro Tip: It is one of the least explored and difficult regions to visit in Greenland and hence, make sure you are well-equipped with a team.
21. Visit the Abandoned World War II Site
Bluie East Two also called BE2 is an abandoned U.S. Army Air Corps base from World War II. The remains of the disused airfield today include thousands of empty fuel drums and heaps of twisted metal and rusted vehicles. And this entire thing makes surrounding extremely photogenic. It’s located on Greenland’s east coast, about an hour-and-a-half flight from Keflavik, Iceland, followed by two boat rides. The journey is an all-day outing and hence, getting to this remote site requires some work.
Recommended For: Explorers, Photographers
Location: Ilulissat, Greenland
Price: No Entry Fee
Timings: 08:00 am to 05:00 pm
Read More: 10 Most Thrilling Adventure Trips In the World
