Greenland Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Local time: 08:08 (capital)
Currency: Danish Krone (DKK)
Capital: Nuuk
Calling code: +299
Drive on the: right

Overview

Greenland, the largest non-continental island in the world, is for icebergs, whales, the midnight sun and Arctic hiking, between small towns linked only by plane and boat.

Greenland lies in the Arctic, north-east of North America, and about 84% of its surface is under ice. Arctic peoples have lived here for thousands of years, and the native Greenlanders, the Kalaallit, descend from Inuit who came from northern Canada; Vikings settled part of the green southern coast in the 10th century. The draws are the icebergs and glaciers, above all the Ilulissat Icefjord, wildlife from whales and seals to musk oxen and polar bears, and the long light of summer.

There are no roads or railways between towns, so you travel by plane, helicopter or boat, and the weather can delay all of them. Getting here and staying here is expensive, and tourist facilities are limited: the main centres are Nuuk, Ilulissat and Disko Bay, southern Greenland and Tasiilaq in the east. The towns are small, and you can hike freely near most settlements.

Ilulissat Icefjord: Icebergs and glaciers at Ilulissat, one of the main tourist centres.
Nuuk: The capital, with year-round flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavík since its new airport opened in 2024.
The Arctic Circle Trail: A marked 167 km trail from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut, usually walked in 7 to 11 days.
The midnight sun: In the northern two thirds of the island the sun stays above the horizon for days or weeks in summer.
Arctic wildlife: Whales, seals, walruses, musk oxen, reindeer and polar bears.
Kangerlussuaq: Mild weather for Greenland, a glacier within easy reach and a good place to see the northern lights.

Places to visit

City
Town
Park

Cities

Nuuk: The capital (Danish: Godthåb), with the main international airport and the University of Greenland.
Sisimiut: The second largest town, at the end of the Arctic Circle Trail.
Kangerlussuaq: A former US base with research facilities, fairly mild weather, a glacier within easy reach and good views of the northern lights.
Tasiilaq: The largest town in Eastern Greenland, and one of the main tourist centres.
Kulusuk: A town in the east with flights from Reykjavík, popular for day trips from Iceland and for traditional handicrafts.
Ittoqqortoormiit: A settlement in the sparsely populated east, with year-round flights from Reykjavík.
Uummannaq: A town for whale watching, at the end of the summer coastal ship route from Narsarsuaq.
Upernavik: Known for its wildlife and Apparsuit, the largest bird cliff.
Qaanaaq: One of the northernmost civilian settlements in the world; travelling through Thule Air Base needs a permit.

Beyond the cities

Ilulissat Icefjord (site): The place to see icebergs and glaciers, named after the town of Ilulissat.
Disko Bay (coast): Disko Bugt, one of the main tourist centres of Greenland.
Narsarsuaq (town): A southern airport settlement with seasonal flights, linked to two other settlements by a hike of about 80 km.
Arctic Circle Trail (area): A well-marked 167 km trail between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, walked by 600 to 1,000 hikers a year.
Northeast Greenland National Park (park): The largest nature reserve in the world, with no towns; you reach its coast on cruise expeditions, and any visit needs a permit.

Regions

Southern Greenland: The south coast, green in summer, where the Vikings settled; home to Narsarsuaq airport.
Western Greenland: The more populated west coast, served in summer by passenger ships between Narsarsuaq and Uummannaq.
Eastern Greenland: A sparsely populated coast with Tasiilaq, Kulusuk and Ittoqqortoormiit, reached by flights from Reykjavík.
Northern Greenland: The far north, where coastal January averages are -30 °C to -25 °C and the summer sun does not set for weeks.

Things to do

See

Icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord Ilulissat: Glaciers and icebergs at one of the main tourist centres.
Whale watching Uummannaq: Whales, seals and walruses along the coast.
The midnight sun: Around the summer solstice on 21 June, a national holiday, the sky never gets truly dark.
Northern lights Kangerlussuaq: Wikivoyage names Kangerlussuaq as a good place to watch them.

Do

Arctic Circle Trail Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut: 167 km on a well-marked trail, usually walked in 7 to 11 days.
Hiking from Nuuk Nuuk to Kapisillit: An unmarked 103 km route, walked in 5 to 7 days.
Mountaineering Western Greenland: Peaks near the western towns need no permit and often have a path to the top; helicopters are not equipped for mountain rescue.
A day in Kulusuk from Iceland Kulusuk: A popular day trip by plane from Reykjavík, with traditional handicrafts on sale.

Drink

Greenlandic coffee: Coffee with kahlua, whisky and Grand Marnier, often served with some ceremony.

Shop

Inuit art and sealskin: Crafts and sealskin goods; check the import rules of your home country before buying sealskin.

Tours and tickets in Greenland PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

The Arctic Circle Trail in 12 days (12 days)

Kangerlussuaq (1 night): The start of the trail, with a glacier within easy reach.
Arctic Circle Trail (9 nights): 167 km on a marked trail; most hikers take 7 to 11 days.
Sisimiut (2 nights): The second largest town, at the end of the trail.

Nuuk and the Ilulissat icebergs in 7 days (7 days)

Nuuk (3 nights): The capital, with year-round flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavík.
Ilulissat Icefjord (4 nights): Icebergs and glaciers; in summer Ilulissat also has flights from Reykjavík.

East Greenland from Iceland in 4 days (4 days)

Kulusuk (1 night): Year-round flights from Reykjavík; handicrafts for sale.
Tasiilaq (3 nights): The largest town in the east; you can hike around it without an expedition permit.

Holidays and events

1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
6 January 2026 · Epiphany
2 April 2026 · Maundy Thursday
3 April 2026 · Good Friday
5 April 2026 · Easter Sunday
6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
1 May 2026 · General Prayer Day
14 May 2026 · Ascension Day
15 May 2026 · Bank closing day
24 May 2026 · Pentecost
25 May 2026 · Whit Monday
21 June 2026 · Ullortuneq
24 December 2026 · Christmas Eve
25 December 2026 · Christmas Day
26 December 2026 · St. Stephen's Day
31 December 2026 · New Year's Eve

Getting around

Main airports	GOH

There are no roads or railways between towns: you travel by plane, helicopter, boat, or by ski, snowmobile or dog sled. Air Greenland is the easiest way to get around. In summer, Arctic Umiaq Line passenger ships sail along the west coast between Narsarsuaq and Uummannaq, and Royal Arctic Line carries passengers on some local routes. Arctic weather can delay or interrupt services, so build spare days into your plans and carry enough money for unexpected nights.

With no roads between settlements, visitors rarely drive. You must be at least 18 to drive, Canada advises carrying an International Driving Permit, and penalties for drink-driving and speeding are severe.

Flying to Greenland? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flights

Where to stay

Hotels: Pricey, with high-standard hotels in the most visited places, such as Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk and Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat.
Seaman's Homes: Run by the Danish Seaman's mission: cheaper, with hotel-like services.
Rooms with locals: The Nuuk tourist office runs a programme of rooms in private homes for about a third of hotel prices.
Camping: Free in any field, if you are equipped for the weather.

Accommodation is expensive, and tourist facilities are limited. Your hosts in private homes may not speak English, so a few words of Danish or Greenlandic help. In small towns there are often no signs: ask locals for shops, food and beds.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Fish and shrimp: Locally caught, on most menus.
Whale and seal: Traditional foods, often combined with familiar dishes, even in Thai restaurants.
Musk ox and reindeer: Local meat from the land.

Drinks

Greenlandic coffee: Coffee laced with kahlua, whisky and Grand Marnier; it hits hard.

Restaurants mostly serve European food, and many mix in local ingredients such as fish, shrimp, whale, seal, musk ox and reindeer. Prices are high everywhere, though portions are large. Vegetables are expensive and not very common. Supermarket chains such as Pilersuisoq in the villages and Pisiffik in the towns sell a bit of everything, and local food is sold at the town markets.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	At least 3 months beyond the date you plan to leave

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
Canada	Visa free	90 days	No tourist visa required for stays of up to 90 days in a 180-day period. You may study, but not work or teach.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

Official entry requirements

Greenland is not part of the Schengen area and has its own entry rules, so a Schengen visa for Denmark is not valid here. According to Wikivoyage, if you do not need a visa for Denmark you can generally visit Greenland for up to 90 days without one; everyone except Nordic citizens needs a passport. Canadians need no visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. To stay longer you must apply for a residence permit before you arrive.

Check your route: travellers other than Canadians connecting in Newark need a US ESTA or a transit visa, and those connecting in Iqaluit need a Canadian eTA or visa, according to Wikivoyage. Nuuk airport has passport control and customs on arrival. Expeditions, including trips on the glacier or into the national park, need a special permit. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Danish Krone (DKK)
Cards	Limited

The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), written kr. Icelandic krónur, euros and Canadian dollars are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, but check first; other currencies can be changed at any bank or post office for a small fee.

Greenland is largely a cash economy. More shops take cards than before, but outside hotels and supermarket chains do not count on it, and carry cash as a backup. Every settlement has at least one ATM, and banks may give a cash advance on a credit card. Weather delays are common, so keep money aside for unexpected expenses.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis B, Hepatitis A, to consider for most travellers, Rabies, for some travellers, such as those working with wildlife
Malaria	None
Tap water	Safe

No vaccines are required to enter Greenland. The CDC recommends hepatitis B for unvaccinated travellers and suggests considering hepatitis A; rabies is present in some wildlife. Check with a travel health professional before you go. Tap water is safe to drink. Summer mosquitoes do not carry disease but can be a nuisance, and the very long summer days can make it hard to sleep.

Medical facilities are limited, though most doctors speak English, and serious illness or injury means evacuation by helicopter or plane, which is very expensive: get insurance that covers medical evacuation and helicopter rescue. Medicines are hard to find, so bring enough in their original containers with a copy of the prescription; you can usually bring a three-month supply, and 30 days for controlled medicines. The cold can cause frostbite, and too much sun can damage your eyes. For emergencies, dial 112.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

United States: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (2026-10-20)
Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)

Canada advises taking normal security precautions: the crime rate is low and there are no serious security concerns, and Wikivoyage says crime is very rare. The real risks are the cold and the weather. Conditions change quickly even in summer, heavy snow can cut off areas in winter, and avalanches can be fatal. Most of the island is remote, and emergency services may not be able to reach you; helicopters are not equipped for mountain rescue.

If you hike, climb or go on an expedition, tell someone your plans, bring equipment and clothing that meet Arctic standards, check the weather and get insurance that includes helicopter rescue. A permit is required for the glacier, the national park and other expeditions; the application fee is not refundable. Cruise travel can be disrupted by rough seas, and rescue at sea is very limited in winter or bad weather.

Customs and etiquette

Never use the word 'Eskimo', which is considered a racist slur. The native Greenlanders call themselves Kalaallit (singular Kalaalleq), and 'Greenlander' is also fine. Greenlanders prefer that you do not say you are 'in Denmark'. Most places have two names, an official Greenlandic one and an older Danish one, and many names describe a feature: Kangerlussuaq means 'Big Fjord', so check maps carefully.

Penalties for drugs are severe. Taking natural resources out of the country, including precious and semi-precious stones and metals, is strictly regulated. Duty-free shopping is available at Kangerlussuaq airport, and customs rules are those of a trip outside the EU.

Language

Official languages	Kalaallisut
English	Limited

What to pack

Arctic-standard clothing: The cold is the main danger, and the weather changes quickly even in summer.
Sunglasses: Too much sun can cause eye damage in the Arctic.
Passport: Needed by everyone except Nordic citizens, and useful if bad weather diverts your flight.
Cash in Danish kroner: Many shops still do not take cards.
Medicines in their original containers: Medicines are hard to find; carry a copy of your prescriptions.
Insect repellent: Summer mosquitoes are harmless but irritating.
Eye mask: Very long summer days can make it hard to sleep.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Nuuk
Population	56,831 (2025)
Area	410,449 km²
Time zone	America/Nuuk (UTC-2), America/Danmarkshavn (UTC+0), America/Scoresbysund (UTC-2), America/Thule (UTC-3)
Calling code	+299
Driving side	right

Staying connected

SIM and eSIM	Tusass is the only phone company. Prepaid SIM cards with data are sold by Tusass but are not cheap, and eSIMs are also available. Almost every village has mobile coverage, the countryside much less.
Roaming	Greenland is outside the EU, so EU roaming rules do not apply and roaming charges are high.
Wi-Fi	Hotels and guesthouses usually have Wi-Fi, and every town and village has some public internet access.

Staying connected in Greenland PartnerMobile data on your phone, without a local SIM cardGet an eSIM

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Greenland?

Greenland has its own entry rules and a Schengen visa is not valid. Canadians need no visa for up to 90 days, and Wikivoyage says most visitors who do not need a visa for Denmark can stay up to 90 days. Check the official link before you book.

How do you get around Greenland?

By plane, helicopter or boat: there are no roads or railways between towns. In summer, passenger ships run along the west coast between Narsarsuaq and Uummannaq.

Can I drink the tap water in Greenland?

Yes, tap water is safe.

Is Greenland safe?

Crime is low. Canada advises normal precautions, while the US advises increased caution (Level 2). The main dangers are the cold and fast-changing weather, and rescue in remote areas is limited, so get insurance that covers evacuation.

Can I pay by card in Greenland?

Only in some places. Greenland is largely a cash economy: cards work in hotels and supermarket chains, and every settlement has at least one ATM.

Do I need a permit to hike in Greenland?

Not on the usual tourist paths. Expeditions, including trips on the glacier or into the national park, need a special permit.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Greenland