• 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
  • Ski touring skiers in heavy snowfall in Kuummiut in East Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl

7 things to do in bad weather in Greenland

It’s no secret that Greenland is not really a sun, sea and sand destination. Although we do have all three of those things (most of the time!), people don’t come to sunbathe.

But this doesn’t mean that the weather is always bad in Greenland – just sometimes.

Believe it or not, bad weather is one of the things we love most about Greenland. Yes, you read that right. We love bad weather! It’s the best excuse to get together with friends and family, snuggle up, and forget the world outside.

Check out our 7 favourite things to do in bad weather in Greenland.

1

Learn something

We love to share our history and our culture with our guests, and one of the best ways to do this is through museums. There are museums in all major towns in Greenland and also in many smaller towns and settlements as well. From Greenland’s National Museum in Nuuk, to art museums in Nuuk and Ilulissat, to tiny museums located inside local houses in Ittoqqortoormiit and Kulusuk, there is a real variety of different kinds of museums to choose from.

Some towns have what we call “open air” museums, which means they are spread across a number of original local buildings, so are mostly inside. In other words, don’t be deterred by the name – you can also visit them in bad weather!

2

Gather with locals

Forsamlingshuse – literally, “gathering houses”, are a real staple of modern Greenlandic culture. They are a kind of community centre where all kinds of events take place – from flea markets, to music performances, to dance classes, to bingo. There are forsamlingshuse in most towns, but you’ll have to do a bit of investigation, as events are not generally advertised to tourists. Try checking bus stops or notice boards for flyers, or asking local people what’s on.

3

Immerse yourself in everyday culture

Greenland’s cultural centres are an easy opportunity for tourists to experience some local culture and mingle with local people in a natural setting. There are currently three official cultural centres in Greenland, with the biggest and most well-known, Katuaq, being located in Nuuk.

Katuaq is located in Nuuk’s city centre and contains a cafe, art exhibition space, concert hall and cinema/theatre space. Its big windows looking out onto Nuuk’s pedestrianised high street make it the perfect place to cosy up with a cup of coffee and some Greenlandic delicacies and watch the rain or snow fall outside.

Taseralik is Sisimiut’s cultural centre and it is also an impressive, modern building in a beautiful setting. Looking over the lake and mountains, it is worth braving the harsh conditions to make it to this idyllic spot where you can enjoy a warm drink at the cafe, some art in the exhibition space or a movie or theatre production in the concert hall.

Sermermiut cultural centre in Ilulissat is not as new or modern as the other two but is just as lively. It is located just up the hill from the town centre, opposite the Pisiffik and Elgiganten stores. Pop by to see what’s going on.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in South Greenland

Are you dreaming and going to South Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €55
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Greenland Tours – East & West

Greenland Tours

East & West

8 days exploring Disko Bay & East Greenland with stop in Nuuk

FROM €2,365
Show More

4

Swimming and Spa-ing

Not the most obvious bad weather activity, but bear with us.

Nuuk has a fantastic modern indoor swimming pool that houses an indoor multi-pool, a warm water pool, a hot tub and a cafe. The main pool stretches right up to the building’s huge glass windows, so you can swim while enjoying the view over the bay. Get more information on the pool’s website.

Kangerlussuaq also has an indoor swimming pool (located on the other side of the airport, close to Kangerlussuaq Youth Hostel and the grocery store). It doesn’t have fixed opening times but it’s worth passing by to see if you can hide from the weather with a relaxing dip.

Turn up the ‘treat yourself’ factor by indulging in one of Greenland’s many spa experiences. Hotel Sisimiut has an Arctic Spa, complete with sauna and outdoor hot tub, that can be used individually or rented exclusively. Ilulissat Guesthouse has recently opened a panoramic sauna with a unique view over the icefjord. South Greenland, meanwhile, is gaining a reputation as a ‘wellness region’ or ‘one giant spa’, with its natural hot springs and its very own spa.

5

Coffee and cake

It’s hard to get more Greenlandic than coffee and cake. There’s always a good reason for it, but no reason is better than bad weather.

The Greenlandic kaffemik (meaning “via coffee”) is a traditional gathering that celebrates a special event, like a wedding, a birthday, or the first day of school. If you spend some time in Greenland, you may get invited to one. You can experience a kaffemik as a tourist product, which is more about being invited into a local’s home and enjoying coffee and cake with them than attending an actual celebration.

6

Go to church

The majority of Greenland’s population are Protestant Christians, which means you’ll find a church in most towns and settlements. Generally speaking, they are open and tourists are welcome to go in and take a look or attend services. If there is an event such as a wedding or a funeral underway, you are welcome to watch, but please be respectful and keep your distance.

7

Embrace it!

Snow! It’s nature’s greatest plaything, and we love to get out in it! As long as you dress appropriately, there is no reason to be afraid of the bad weather. Greenlanders are used to getting on with life as normal during the long winter – whether that means using dog sleds to get from place to place or having to catch fish through the thick sea ice. Why not experience these wintry activities for yourself, or try out some of the world’s best skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing?

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • All destinations
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Craft
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Dog Sledding
  • Food & Drinks
  • Gastronomy
  • Hot Springs
  • Meeting Greenlanders
  • Natural Experiences
  • Winter

By Liz Cooper

Liz has previously worked for Visit Greenland as part of the content, online, B2B and press teams. She is currently an industrial PhD candidate at Visit Greenland and Copenhagen Business School, researching sustainable cruise tourism.

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Stella Davidsen Olsen from Kangerlussuaq. Dogsledge musher. Photo by Aningaaq R. Carlsen, Visit Greenland

Know the story of Greenlandic women

Greenlandic women have always played a decisive role in society, and we will highlight them in celebration of International Women’s Day, 8 March.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #In The Spotlight
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Two snowmobilers on pause in Sisimiut. Photo by Kim Insuk - Visit Greenland

Fulfil your winter wishes in April in Greenland

Come and visit Sisimiut in April and enjoy dogsledding, Arctic Sounds, and Arctic Spa that you have been longing for.

  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Disko Bay
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #Festival
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Music
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Editor’s guide: How to spend 4 days in East Greenland

An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles
FEEDBACK
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
111863

Scroll to top