Greenland may be tiny in terms of population – it's home to just 56,500 people – but its landscapes pack an almighty punch, and not just because it’s the world’s largest island. This is a land of skyscraper-sized icebergs, the most expansive ice sheet outside of Antarctica, and a coastline punctuated by soaring mountains and majestic fjords. And while Greenland has remained an under-the-radar destination for quite some time, it’s now more accessible than ever before thanks to new airports and extended flight connections, inviting adventurous travellers to discover its spellbinding scenery, abundant wildlife and colourful communities steeped in Inuit culture. And, if you need any further incentive to visit, it’s one of the best places on Earth to see the Northern Lights – or, in summer, the Midnight Sun. Having been there and experienced it for themselves, our experts bring a wealth of first-hand knowledge to help you plan your ultimate Greenland adventure. See itinerary ideas
West Greenland
The vast majority of Greenland’s population is concentrated on the southern half of the west coast, which remains largely ice-free for much of the year. Naturally, this region is the focal point of Greenland’s growing tourism industry – particularly the larger settlements of Nuuk, Ilulissat and Sisimiut, where you’ll find the greatest choice of hotels, restaurants and tour providers. As there are no roads between the towns, the main forms of long-distance transport here are domestic flights with Air Greenland and the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry.
Ilulissat: Greenland's Iceberg town
Ilulissat Icefjord (Credit: Alex Savu - Visit Greenland)
Spread across a series of hillsides on the shore of Disko Bay is Ilulissat, Greenland’s third-largest town, around 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle. It’s Greenland’s primary tourism hub, in no small part down to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ilulissat Icefjord which lies just outside the town. This 45-kilometre-long fjord is fed by the Jakobshavn Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq), one of the most active glaciers in the world, which produces an endless stream of gigantic icebergs. They can be easily seen from land, but the best way to appreciate the icebergs up close is to embark on a boat cruise on the Ilulissat Icefjord.
While the icebergs are undoubtedly Ilulissat’s strongest draw, there’s plenty more to see and do both in the immediate vicinity and in the wider Disko Bay region. The Northern Lights are a frequent sight here from September through to March, while the winter months provide opportunities for thrilling dog sledding and snowmobiling adventures.
Ilulissat in winter (Credit: Visit Greenland)
The summer months, by contrast, are defined by endless daylight and much milder temperatures, with ideal conditions for hiking and sea kayaking. Summer is also the best time for whale watching in Ilulissat, with excellent chances of spotting humpbacks, minke whales and fin whales. A day trip to Eqi Glacier is another of the most rewarding excursions from Ilulissat, bringing you up close to an immense wall of ice that calves on average every 15-30 minutes.
Our recommended accommodation in Ilulissat is the fabulous Hotel Arctic, which sits atop a hill just outside the town centre with expansive views overlooking Disko Bay. Here, you can stay in a standard room or in one of the ultra-sleek glass-walled aurora cabins, while a pair of restaurants – one gourmet, one more casual – serve Greenlandic specialities prepared with the freshest seasonal produce from the land and sea.
Getting to Ilulissat requires a short internal flight of 1 hour and 20 minutes from Nuuk, or a direct flight of 3 hours and 20 minutes from Keflavik in Iceland. The airport is currently being expanded and upon completion (expected by late 2026), it’s anticipated that Ilulissat will receive direct flights from further afield.
Nuuk: The capital of Greenland
Nuuk in summer
Nuuk is the capital of Greenland, built across a rocky outcrop at the entrance to one of the largest fjord systems on Earth. It lies around 240 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle at a similar latitude to Reykjavik, and with a population of just under 20,000, it’s one of the smallest capital cities in the world. Still, it’s considerably larger than any other Greenlandic settlement, with a thriving cultural scene and a cosmopolitan urban character that belies its remarkably remote setting.
In Nuuk, you’ll find a cluster of interesting museums, a mix of traditional and contemporary architecture, an eclectic choice of restaurants, a handful of hotels, and the only shopping mall in Greenland. While you can easily tick off the highlights in a day, there’s more than enough to justify a longer stay in Nuuk, with a myriad of hiking trails winding through the surrounding mountains and valleys and all manner of boat tours exploring the beautiful Nuuk fjord. It’s also possible to see whales and icebergs on the Nuuk fjord, though generally not quite to the same extent as in Ilulissat.
Nuuk in winter (Credit: Rebecca Gustafsson - Visit Greenland)
A key distinction in Nuuk is that dog sledding tours aren’t possible. This is because Greenlandic sled dogs are only allowed to be kept on the east coast and north of the Arctic Circle on the west coast, in places such as Ilulissat and Sisimiut. You can, however, see the Northern Lights in Nuuk, any time from mid-August to late April. Nuuk isn’t quite far north enough to experience the full Midnight Sun, but it still doesn’t get dark throughout the summer months.
Following the opening of its new airport in November 2024, Nuuk succeeded Kangerlussuaq as Greenland’s main hub for international flights, with regular year-round connections from Copenhagen (4 hours and 50 minutes) and Keflavik (2 hours and 10 minutes). Air Greenland also offers a comprehensive network of domestic flights from Nuuk to destinations throughout Greenland.
East Greenland
Dog sledding in Tasiilaq, East Greenland (Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland)
While Greenland as a whole can generally be described as ‘off the beaten track’, this is especially true of the east coast. Only around six percent of Greenland’s population lives in this isolated region of steep mountains, deep fjords and pristine, ice-covered wilderness, carving out a way of life rooted in ancient hunting and fishing traditions. Culturally and linguistically, East Greenland is distinct from West Greenland, largely due to the fact that the Tunumiit people remained relatively isolated from other Inuit communities until the late 19th century.
The largest town in East Greenland is Tasiilaq, situated in a natural harbour on an island surrounded by sharp peaks and fjords that freeze over during the winter months. Elsewhere, there’s just a sprinkling of small settlements, including Kulusuk (which has an airport) and Ittoqqortoormiit, which lies much further north on the edge of Scoresby Sund (the world’s largest fjord system) and Northeast Greenland National Park (the world’s largest national park) – an area home to a significant population of polar bears.
Although we don’t currently offer tailor-made holidays to East Greenland, you can visit the region as part of our ‘Polar Frontiers’ itinerary with HX, embarking on an expedition cruise from Svalbard to Northeast Greenland National Park before culminating in Reykjavik.
North Greenland
Colourful houses of Uummannaq (Credit: Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland)
Greenland’s far north stretches all the way to Kaffeklubben Island at 83°39 N, a mere 713 kilometres from the North Pole. The northernmost communities, such as Qaanaaq, experience extreme seasonal contrasts, with over three months of Polar Night (when the sun doesn’t rise) from late October to early February and around four months of the Midnight Sun between late April and late August. In these remote communities, subsistence hunting remains an integral part of life, as it has done for the Inuit for thousands of years.
Upernavik is the northernmost town in Greenland with over 1,000 inhabitants, set among a labyrinth of islands in Baffin Bay (the body of water that separates Greenland from Canada). Around 270 kilometres further south is Uummannaq, Greenland’s eighth-largest town and most northerly ferry terminal, situated on an island crowned by a spectacular twin-peaked mountain. Currently, we only offer Greenland holidays as far north as Ilulissat, as tourism infrastructure beyond here is very limited.
South Greenland
Qaqortoq, South Greenland (Credit: Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland)
The natural beauty of Greenland is continued in its stunning south, a region of jagged mountains, lush meadows, sheep farms, natural hot springs and iceberg-dotted fjords. This is where the Vikings first arrived from Iceland in the late 10th century, and the remains of several ancient Norse settlements can still be seen in South Greenland today. With a milder climate and fertile pastures, South Greenland is the only part of Greenland where agriculture flourishes; in fact, the cultivation of the region’s sub-Arctic farming landscape has received UNESCO World Heritage recognition. The Qinngua Valley, meanwhile, is home to Greenland’s only natural forest.
There are many superb hiking routes in South Greenland, alongside opportunities for kayaking among icebergs and spotting whales in the fjords. The towns are also a pleasure to explore, characterised by colourful wooden houses, a blend of Norse and Inuit history, and restaurants serving delicious seafood and lamb dishes. Qaqortoq is the region’s largest town, nestled among rolling green hills that slope down to a bustling harbour. It’s well placed for exploring the natural and cultural delights of South Greenland, and with a new airport under construction, it will become a more accessible gateway in years to come. The southernmost town, Nanortalik, is just as charming, situated at the mouth of the Tasermiut fjord and flanked by towering granite mountains; an outdoor adventure paradise.
