• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Icebergs

Icebergs are majestic natural works of art heading out to sea. These sculptures that are up to 100 metres high are a formidable sight and are best seen in the summer.

FROM SNOWFLAKE TO ICEBERG

Icebergs are unique works of nature whose magnificence and majesty cannot be adequately captured on film – they must be experienced first hand! No two icebergs are alike, and when you see an iceberg for the first time, you may be seeing shapes and sizes that no-one has seen before.

It also gives food for thought that icebergs were originally created in a slow transformation from snowflake to ice during a period predating modern history.

GLACIERS GIVE BIRTH TO ICEBERGS

Icebergs consist of heavily compacted snow that fell on the Greenlandic ice cap several thousand years ago – in some cases more than 15,000 years ago.

The ice cap is in a constant state of change and movement, and every year it produces thousands of icebergs that are primarily formed in the sea from glaciers in the central and north-western region of Greenland and on Greenland’s east coast.

“The tallest icebergs tower over the surface of the ocean at a height corresponding to a 15-storey building, whilst the smallest are only about the size of a hut.

Package Tours

Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

Take a whale safari in Disko Bay and have a unique experience.

FROM €160
Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM €830
Greenland by Topas – Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Greenland by Topas

Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Experience Disko Island’s glaciers, Disko Bay’s huge icebergs and legendary whales, then further north, Eqi Glacier's deafening calving events.

FROM €3,615
Disko Line: Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Disko Line

Day trip to Eqip Sermia

Experience the beautiful Eqi glacier that runs into the fjord north of Ilulissat.

FROM €327
Show More

ICEBERGS OF SOUTH GREENLAND

They are present throughout Greenland’s waters, but the areas around Ilulissat and Uummannaq are particularly well-known as the source of many large icebergs that break off the glaciers in the deep fjords.

Icebergs are found in countless different shapes and sizes – it is not uncommon to see icebergs that contain beautiful openings that form tempting passages to sail through.

In South Greenland beautiful turquoise mountains of ice are frequently seen. They are often smaller than those in the north, but just as breathtaking. Many glaciers are also easily accessible in South Greenland.

Whole palaces of icebergs gently drift under the influence of the currents in the Arctic waters. Some icebergs drift more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) south before they melt at latitudes of around 40 degrees, corresponding to the latitude of New York.

Whole palaces of icebergs gently drift under the influence of the currents in the Arctic waters. Some icebergs drift more than 4,000 km (2,500 miles) south before they melt at latitudes of around 40 degrees, corresponding to the latitude of New York.

You can only see the top of the iceberg, whilst the remaining 7/8 is left to your imagination. A few ice-free towns in Greenland receive rare visits by icebergs as a result of currents and other natural factors.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • All destinations
  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Attraction
  • Icebergs
  • Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Nukissiorfiit worker is moving ice with poclain in Qaanaaq. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

  • #Anytime
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #North Greenland
  • #Providers
  • #Public Facilities
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Uummannaq
Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

  • #Camping
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fauna
  • #Flora
  • #Hiking
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements

Arnarulunnguaq: A tough woman in a strongly male-dominated universe

As the only female arctic explorer, she participated in the famous 5th Thule expedition from 1921 to 1924, led by the legendary expedition leader Knud Rasmussen.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #History
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Evening Light View in Uummannaq - Photo- Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

The light in the darkness

What does the darkest time of year look like in Greenland? The 21st of December is the Winter Solstice in Greenland - the shortest day of the year. 

  • #All destinations
  • #Capital Region
  • #Climate
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #Festival
  • #In The Spotlight
  • #Ittoqqortoormiit
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Maniitsoq
  • #Nanortalik
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Nuuk
  • #Photo tours
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Qaqortoq
  • #Qeqertarsuaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #South Greenland
  • #Sports & Events
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Upernavik
  • #Weather
  • #Winter
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

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

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Hot springs in Greenland A family enjoying the Uunartoq hot springs in South Greenland. By Mads Pihl Two hikers overlooking Nuuk in the midnight sun from the peak of Ukkusissaq - Store Malene in Greenland The midnight sun
Scroll to top