• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • 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

Nomad Greenland: 4-Day Inuit Culture, Icebergs & Whales in Saqqaq

Nomad Greenland

4-Day Inuit Culture, Icebergs & Whales in Saqqaq

Serene retreat in Arctic fishing village to disconnect, explore icebergs, Northern Lights, and stunning landscapes.

FROM €5,250
Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

6 days exploring Disko Bay in winter with stopover in Greenland's capital incl. flights from Copenhagen.

FROM €2,660
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 €3,617
Secret Atlas: Northern Lights in Greenland

Secret Atlas

Northern Lights in Greenland

Photograph the Earth and the heavens in East Greenland with our 12 guests micro expedition photo cruise

From €13,650
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

Gill is winter hiking in Ilulissat. Photo by Gill and Alistair Campbell

A senior’s guide to adventure in Greenland

There are more and more active travellers who are over 60 but still looking for adventure and new places to discover.

  • #Aasiaat
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Coastal Ferry
  • #Cross Country Skiing
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Kapisillit
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Nuuk
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
A view on Tasiilaq. Photo by Chris König

A journey into East Greenland – iceberg, glaciers, and local life

From Kulusuk we leave in the direction of Tasiilaq and almost the first things we see are the massive icebergs floating around.

  • #Anytime
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Icebergs
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Kuummiut
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter

New flight schedule makes Greenland more accessible

Big changes for Greenland tourism: Nuuk’s new international airport opens Nov 28, 2024, with two more until 2026.

  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Photo workshop under the glacier. Photo by Norris Niman - Visit Greenland

Discovering the ancient – East Greenland’s ultimate ice cave expedition

Equipped with crampons and a helmet, we crunched over the ice and into the mouth of the cave. Our torchlight illuminated the otherwise pitch-black surroundings, revealing a grand expanse.

  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Photo tours
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
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

VISIT GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

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

Visit Greenland Phone:
(+299) 34 28 20

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