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.
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!
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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?
