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  • Local make up artist Natascha playing with her dog in the snow during sunset in Nuuk in Greenland. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

Tips to hang out with locals in Greenland

Tried-and-true ideas from travellers who've done it before

Many travellers who visit Greenland wish to see the ‘authentic’ side of our destination – and what could get more real than meeting the locals of our country?

Whether you are in Greenland for one day, one week, one month or even one year, we’d like to help you meet us. The question is, how does one do this exactly?

We asked three tourists (two who have turned into locals themselves) what they did to ‘break the ice’ in Greenland.

Nathania Wong

From Singapore, visited in summer of 2016 and summer of 2017

How do you meet locals?

I researched Greenland prior, checking out blogs. I tried to meet up with bloggers. I also met them in the local shops, whilst I was out solo hiking and on a boat trip to the ice fjord. It took some time to break the ice with the locals, but once we got talking, they really opened up and are one of the warmest people I’ve ever met.

Tip

Learn some Danish, it’ll help you get a lot further. Also, knowing a few
words in Greenlandic will earn you a “pikkori” (well done) and possibly a
new friend!

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions: Arctic Villages in East Greenland

Arctic Hiking and Expeditions

Arctic Villages in East Greenland

Visit the region's villages and its capital, Tasilaq. Learn about Inuit culture, climb Kuummiit mountain and enjoy sailing among icebergs.

FROM €3,349
Nomad Greenland: 4-Day Inuit Cultural Richness in Disko Bay

Nomad Greenland

4-Day Inuit Cultural Richness in Disko Bay

Journey through Greenland’s ice fjords, Arctic landscapes, and unique culture while enjoying unmatched luxury and comfort.

FROM €5,250
Tasermiut Expeditions: Ice Cap Explorer 8-15 days

Tasermiut Expeditions

Ice Cap Explorer 8-15 days

Explore the Ice Cap crossing through striking glacier formations, glacial lakes and rivers. Flight from Reykjavik or Copenhagen. Dates: July

FROM €2,795
Topas Travel: Unique Round Tour of Disko Bay

Topas Travel

Unique Round Tour of Disko Bay

Experience the Midnight Sun and visit Disko Island's dramatic landscapes. Stay at Glacier Lodge Eqi, explore Qasigiannguit, spot whales in Disko Bay, and enjoy breathtaking walks to Sermermiut and the Ilulissat Icefjord.

FROM €4,019
Show More

Mark Hudson

From Scotland, first visited the East Coast in 1993, living in Greenland since 2014

How do you meet locals?

I live in Nuuk, and my favourite place to meet locals is….MUTTEN!!! That’s where I meet all my new people. No… seriously… the place where Greenlanders are most engaging is the pub. 100% truth.

Tip

Everything in Greenland happens on Facebook. See if there are any social or activity clubs you can drop into while you are there – such as hiking, kayak polo, and Crossfit. Personally, I met many good friends at the climbing club.

Kim Insuk

From Korea, first visited in 2010, living in Greenland since 2015

How do you meet locals?

My first visit to Greenland was in 2010 as a solo traveller. While travelling I especially loved to participate in local events so I used to ask the hostel or tour operators if there was anything happening.

Luckily when I was in Nanortalik in South Greenland, the owner of my hostel let me know about the “first day of school” event which is considered a very important day for Greenlandic people. So I visited the school and met a lot of locals in Greenlandic national costume! Moreover, a lady I hadn’t met before invited me to her son’s kaffemik to celebrate his first day of school! It was my very first kaffemik invitation in Greenland and it is still an unforgettable memory for me.

Tip

Check the social media and official homepage of the government or municipality to get information about local events. Also personally whenever I plan to travel, I often ask tour operators if there are local events during my visit.

Infographic Kaffemik
DOWNLOAD

Infographic:
How to kaffemik

It might be the first day of school, a wedding, a birthday. A kaffemik is a celebration of life – and Greenlanders like to remind themselves that life is great! If you visit Greenland and stay for some time, chances are that you will be invited to a kaffemik.

Infographic Kaffemik coffee cup

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Cultural Experiences
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  • Winter

By Tanny Por

Tanny Por is Head of International Relations at Visit Greenland with responsibility for international market development, press and PR. She loves building and nurturing ideas and connections that will help to contribute to the sustainable tourism future of Greenland. Her favourite experience of Greenland is one winter in East Greenland where she saw purple northern lights overlooking the icefjord one completely silent evening!

https://thefourthcontinent.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
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