Summer here is made for spending time outdoors. Hike beneath the midnight sun, kayak among towering icebergs, sail through quiet fjords or camp under bright Arctic skies. Thanks to Greenland’s location around the Arctic Circle, the days are long, the air is fresh and the temperatures stay comfortably cool, giving you more energy to explore. It’s the kind of holiday that leaves you feeling lighter than when you arrived.
Greenland has always been naturally cool
Long before coolcation became a travel trend, Greenland’s summers have offered exactly what many travellers are now searching for: cool temperatures, fresh Arctic air and nature that invites you outside rather than sending you searching for shade.
Life here follows nature’s rhythm. Plans may change with the weather, boats wait for the tide, and locals have learned that flexibility is simply part of life in the Arctic. Rather than rushing from one activity to the next, there’s time to slow down, breathe deeply and enjoy the wild nature surrounding you. And there’s something serene about that in itself.
What is Coolcation?
As summers around the world become hotter and heatwaves more frequent, more travellers are choosing cooler destinations for their holidays. This growing travel trend is known as a coolcation.
Instead of seeking intense sunshine and warm temperatures, coolcation travellers are looking for fresh air, comfortable weather and destinations where spending time outdoors is enjoyable throughout the day.
For Greenland, however, this isn’t a new trend. It’s simply everyday life.
Cool temperatures, endless daylight
Although Greenland is known for its Arctic climate, summer is surprisingly comfortable. Temperatures vary across the country, but generally range between 8°C (46.4°F) and 17°C ( 62.6°F) in South Greenland, while destinations further north remain even cooler. In Qaanaaq, Greenland’s northernmost town, the average summer temperature is around 4.5°C. You can check the temperatures for specific destinations here:
The country’s huge size means every region offers a slightly different summer experience, but wherever you travel, you’ll enjoy crisp air and plenty of opportunities to spend the day outdoors.
The long daylight hours make summer even more special. Depending on where in Greenland you go, the sun may not set at all in peak summer. Above the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun shines continuously in June-July, allowing you to hike, sail or kayak at any hour of the day (or night).
Further south, the sun still dips below the horizon, but twilight lingers for hours, bathing the mountains, fjords and icebergs in warm golden light.
The world’s coolest playground
Summer in Greenland is all about being outside. It’s how locals spend their free time, and at the heart of the experiences offered by local tour operators across the country.
With comfortable temperatures throughout the day, you can hike the rugged landscapes, climb the mountains, paddle among icebergs, sail deep into fjords, fish in Arctic rivers or camp beneath bright summer skies without the intense heat experienced elsewhere.
Around 80% of Greenland is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet, one of the world’s largest bodies of ice.
In places like Kangerlussuaq, where you have the most direct access to the Ice Sheet, you’ll often feel the air grow noticeably cooler as you get closer. Walking or cycling from town towards the Ice Sheet is a reminder that Greenland’s cool climate is shaped by ice that has existed for hundreds of thousands of years. Across Greenland, many glaciers create the same refreshing sensation, as the cool air flowing off the ice greets you long before you reach the glacier itself.
Rather than hiding indoors during the hottest hours, Greenland’s summer invites you to spend the entire day outside.
Why Greenland is the ultimate coolcation
A coolcation isn’t just about escaping the heat. It’s about making space for something different.
In Greenland, the fresh air, long days and dramatic landscapes create the perfect setting to reconnect with nature (and yourself), slow down and experience adventures that simply aren’t possible anywhere else.
Here, you won’t spend your holiday looking for shade or air conditioning. You’ll spend it hiking, sailing, kayaking and making memories under the endless light of the Arctic summer.
If you are in need of inspiration, here are some big and small adventures for your Greenland coolcation:
1. Explore glaciers and ice caves in East Greenland
East Greenland is home to some of the country’s most dramatic glaciers. Step inside an ice cave or walk alongside ancient ice shaped by thousands of years of movement.
2. Visit the Living Village in Disko Bay
In Qasigiannguit, the Living Settlement Project brings Greenland’s past into the present. During summer, local volunteers demonstrate the skills and traditions that sustained life here for generations, offering a glimpse into everyday life in Greenland during the 17th and 18th centuries.
3. Hike from farm to farm in South Greenland
Also known as Arctic Patagonia, South Greenland is home to several sheep farms that offer guesthouses and hearty meals. Follow trails through the UNESCO-listed Kujataa landscape and experience Greenland’s unique farming culture.
4. Forage like the locals
Towards the end of summer, the tundra is rich with crowberries, blueberries and Arctic herbs. Foraging is a long-standing tradition in Greenland and a peaceful way to experience the landscape at a slower pace.
5. Glamping in remote arctic landscapes
Connect with nature without giving up comfort. Spend some time in cozy camps, disconnected from the modern every distractions, and surround yourself with unforgettable views of mountains, fjords or icebergs.
6. Experience life in a settlement
Home to just a few dozen or a few hundred people, Greenland’s settlements offer a glimpse into everyday life beyond the towns. Nature sets the pace, traditions remain an important part of daily life and the sense of community is strong. As facilities are often simple and vary from settlement to settlement, it’s always a good idea to research your destination and ask your guide or tour operator what to expect.
7. Kayaking among the giants
Few places offer kayaking quite like Greenland. Paddle through calm fjords, weave between towering icebergs and, if you’re lucky, spot whales along the way. Disko Bay is one of the best places to experience both.
8. Stand on the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet
From Kangerlussuaq, several tour companies offer adventures on the ice sheet – ranging from small hikes to ice climbing and camping.
9. Horseback riding in South Greenland
Discover green valleys, Norse ruins and sheep farms from horseback in one of Greenland’s most fertile regions.
10. Wildlife safari
Greenland’s wildlife is as varied as its landscapes. Depending on where you travel, you may see humpback whales in the fjords, white-tailed eagles circling above the mountains, or musk oxen and reindeer grazing across the tundra.
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