• 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
  • Three white sled dogs from Ilulissat in Greenland. By Andre Schoenherr

The Big Arctic Five – Five core things to do in Greenland

Greenland is one of the world’s great adventure destinations, and the Big Arctic Five highlights five core Arctic attractions with a unique Greenlandic touch.

Five experiences not to be missed whether you visit Greenland during the summer or winter months: Authentic dog sled rides, the uplifting magic of the northern lights, the splendour of the ice sheet and Greenland’s fascinating whales. To top if all off there’s the people of Greenland: pioneers; simultaneously ancient and modern. They look forward to welcoming you.

DOG SLEDDING

Dog sledding is at once a social, physical, and nature based experience drawing on centuries of development and refinement of an essential means of transportation in the Arctic.

Today’s dog sledding is a mix of everyday transportation and expedition style travel experience, and dog sled drivers are always locals with a distinct understanding of their natural environment and a deep connection with their dogs.

In the sled dog districts the dogs provide rhythm and work for their owners. For visitors, the sled dog grounds is a cultural experience filled with strange Arctic tools, friendly pups, and eager dogs waiting for the next ride.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

Northern lights bring a sense of connection with forces much greater than humans, and they give us a sense of scale when they dwarf entire towns under swirls of red, green, magenta and blue.

Northern lights are part of Greenland’s identity, and the phenomenon will even bring Greenlanders to a halt in the streets as we walk home from work or step outside on a clear night to enjoy the sky.

The northern lights are best experienced between September and April, and especially deeper into the winter when the nights are longer.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,812
Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

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

FROM €160
Tasermiut Expeditions: Greenland Northern Lights

Tasermiut Expeditions

Greenland Northern Lights

Admire northern lights from mid August to Sept. in one of the best spots: Qaleraliq Glacier camp. Hikes & Zodiac navigation among icebergs

FROM €2,350
Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

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

FROM €830
Show More

ICE & SNOW

The fact that 85% of Greenland is covered by an ice cap has a profound impact on climate, culture, everyday lives, and travel experiences throughout the country.

Take the world famous Ilulissat Icefjord as a core example of the importance of the ice. Icebergs are pushed right from the Greenland Ice Sheet into the waters of the Disko Bay, providing rich fishing grounds to sustain local communities and giving visitors unique access to a truly phenomenal natural environment.

Or consider how sea ice creates winter highways for dog sleds, snowfall creates water reservoirs, meltwater lakes act as power resources, and glaciers carve out the mountain ranges you hike through or fly over. The ice is everywhere in Greenland.

PIONEERING PEOPLE

We, the people, are at the core of your experience in Greenland. You will meet us through cultural experiences and in everyday life in towns and villages. We are your local backcountry guides and boat skippers, hunters and dog sled drivers. Everywhere you go the uniqueness of Greenland comes out through your meetings with the locals.

We call ourselves pioneers because waves of immigrants have adapted to the forces of nature and climate in the Arctic and shaped the modern Greenland. And even today we still have a habit of breaking new ground in the process of building a diverse nation on the foundations laid down by Inuit hunters, Norse settlers, Northern European traders, missionaries, explorers and many others.

WHALES

Whale watching is a progressive dialogue where the patient observer is rewarded with a visit from one of the most impressive animals of the sea. With binoculars trained at the surface, and while waves gently rock the quiet boat, the tension and anticipation builds up until someone suddenly shouts “Whale!”.

What follows might just be the spout, a raised back, or a tail whip before another stint of silence and eager waiting, but sometimes a whole pod of whales surface simultaneously or a playful young humpback whale breaches the surface in a seemingly impossible acrobatic trick – lifting its entire body clear of the water in a mighty jump. All those encounters leave people a little different, a little more aware of the wonders of life in the sea.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Natural Experiences
  • 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

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