Why Greenland may not be for you

A quick guide on how and when to travel to Greenland

It’s usually around this time of the year where media and tourist destinations try to convince you to visit their tropical island, city or ski resort, because it is the biggest, prettiest, flashiest, or <insert any adjective> place to have a holiday.

This year, we thought that we’d try something different, and re-acknowledge the already known fact that Greenland is not for everyone. In fact, if you are planning on visiting Greenland, it would be helpful if you were aware of what you’re getting into.

Don’t get us wrong, Greenland is a very special destination that will give you experiences hard to replicate elsewhere, but there’s also some things not always in our control. So don’t come to Greenland unless….

"The Arctic is a place where you can’t always be in charge of it all."

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Package Tours

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 DKK500

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in Greenland

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

FROM €24

Disko Line

The BIG adventure in Disko Bay

Book your individual travel in the Disko Bay. It’s easy and cheap! Your travel includes transfers and accommodation, incl. breakfast.

FROM €1,833

Tasermiut Expeditions

Best Adventure

Navigate among fiords, icebergs, peculiar ice formations and spectacular glacier fronts.

FROM €2,695

Visitors of Nuuk Art Museum talking about and looking at art from the Kimik exhibition. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

Sunrise over Nussuaq in Nuuk in Greenland. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

Two hikers overlooking Nuuk in the midnight sun from the peak of Ukkusissaq - Store Malene in Greenland

Walking towards Igaliku on the kings road in South Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl

Greenland Sagalands - A family swimming in the Uunartoq hot springs in South Greenland

Two fishermen working near the front of the Knud Rasmussen glacier in East Greenland. By Mads Pihl

YOU’RE WILLING TO BE FLEXIBLE

Being open-minded when traveling is important no matter where you go, but the Arctic is a place where you can’t always be in charge of it all.

For example, the same weather conditions that produce enough snow for dog sledding, might also give you a day where you are better off staying indoors.

TIP:

So go ahead and plan your trip as much as you like but be prepared for a few changes along the way – and maybe consider including a few days to relax so that you do Greenland the local way and tackle each day as it comes.

THINGS TO DO
Use our ‘Things To Do’ guide to filter when you want to do it, where you want to go and what type of activities you can experience.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
Midnight sun, whale watching, icebergs, hiking, kayaking, climbing, culture related activities...
WINTER ACTIVITIES - DEPENDENT ON SNOW LEVELS
Dog sledding, heliskiing, ice fishing, northern lights, trophy hunting...

Northern lights over the Travellodge Greenland hut at Sermilik Ice fjord in East Greenland

Digging a house out of the deep snow in Kuummiut in East Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl

A sunset snowball fight in Kulusuk in East Greenland. Photo by Mads Pihl

YOU’RE OK TO HAVE A DIGITAL DETOX

You’re traveling to get to one of the most remote and least accessible countries in the world.

It’s the chance to unplug from the world wide web and get in touch with marvelous natural surroundings, yourself and your travel companions – and it’s probably better to come to Greenland with this mindset.

TIP:

If you need your internet fix it is still possible to purchase WiFi in most places albeit at a higher price than you’re likely used to. However, Nuuk library offers limited free internet access for all, and accommodations like the fine Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat, Hotel Qaqortoq, Vandrehuset and Hotel Hans Egede in Nuuk offer their guests free WiFi in their rooms!

YOU CAN PACK CREATIVELY

If you’ve booked your flight ticket, we can tell you already now: pack within the standard 20 kilo checked baggage guidelines of the carriers, for example the national airline Air Greenland.

Due to the fact that everything from food to dogs to plasma TVs are shipped or flown into Greenland, weight and space on aircrafts are precious.

Therefore, every kilo counts and is accounted for. You might get charged for even bringing a kilo or two extra in.

TIP:

Read the checked baggage guidelines.

By Tanny Por

As Content Manager, Tanny curates and tells stories about living, travelling (and sometimes surviving!) in Greenland. She also supports and develops Visit Greenland's strategic initiatives across its different media and social platforms.

https://thefourthcontinent.com/