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What makes Kangerlussuaq special?
With the World’s second-largest ice cap crouching on its doorstep and herds of arctic game roaming freely through its UNESCO World Heritage Listed hinterland. Kangerlussuaq provides an opportunity to step into a different world.
It is a world of blue meltwater lakes, crevasses, glaciers, and more ice than you can possibly imagine! A world where hunters still stalk large game. A world in which the Northern Lights dance overhead during the winter months and can easily outshine the moon. A world that originated as a US air base (Sondrestrom Air Base) during WWII, and where you can still stay in refurbished ex-military barracks.
How to get to Kangerlussuaq
In 2026 you can fly direct from Copenhagen with two weekly flights from February 10 to November 17.
Alternatively, you can fly to Nuuk from Copenhagen and continue with a short domestic flight to Kangerlussuaq. This domestic flight takes only about 50 minutes.
Kangerlussuaq is a year-round destination where you can observe musk oxen, visit the ice sheet, and go on scenic flights at almost any time. For other activities, the best times to visit are January – April (dog sledding, ice fishing, northern lights), March – April (winter hunting), May – September (hiking, kayaking, fishing), July – October (summer hunting), and October – January for off-season conferences.
The Polar Circle Marathon (where part of the route is on the Greenland IceCap itself) is held in April or October each year.
How to get around Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq stretches around both sides of the airstrip so it can take a while to walk from one side of town to the other. Alternatively, you can catch the bus that calls past each stop roughly every 30 minutes – one of the stops is just outside the airport across from the souvenir shops. It’s important to note that you can only pay for your bus ticket in cash (a ticket costs 12 DKK) but you can get change. See the bus timetable. Another alternative would be to arrange your transfer with your accommodation provider.
Unless you are a keen hiker, most excursions in the area depart in Kangerlussuaq via some sort of road transportation. It is also possible to arrange your own private transportation in Kangerlussuaq through Arctic Ice Tours, Albatros Arctic Circle and Kang Mini Tours.
Useful phone numbers
- Police (+299) 70 14 48
- Hospital (+299) 86 96 11
What Can You Experience in Kangerlussuaq?
Kangerlussuaq is one of Greenland’s most unique places to experience Arctic nature up close. Here you’ll find magnificent landscapes, rare wildlife, and a wealth of activities – both in summer and winter.
Few places in the world allow you to get as close to an ice sheet as here. A trip to the Greenland Ice Sheet at Point 660 is a must – an awe-inspiring encounter with nature’s immense power, where the silence and vast view make you feel both small and deeply connected to something greater. The adventurous can even camp on the ice itself and spend a night in the frozen wilderness.
Not far away lies the impressive Russell Glacier, where the ice tumbles down from its high plateau in a dramatic display. Here you can often witness the ice calving and crashing into the river below. The area is also known for its abundant wildlife – especially musk oxen, reindeer, Arctic foxes, and snow hares that roam freely across the open landscape.
For the active traveler, Kangerlussuaq is the starting point of the Arctic Circle Trail – Greenland’s most famous hiking route. The trail stretches over 160 km through mountains, lakes, and valleys all the way to Sisimiut, offering a true backcountry adventure, whether you’re hiking, fat biking, or skiing in winter.
In summer, the area is perfect for shorter day trips, such as to Garnet Rock or Sugarloaf Mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views over the valleys. You can go kayaking on Lake Ferguson, fish for Arctic char in the rivers, or enjoy a peaceful evening at Restaurant Roklubben, overlooking the lake.
In winter, the landscape comes alive with the sound of sled dogs. You can follow in the tracks of Greenlandic hunters and head out into the open wilderness on short rides or longer expeditions. Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places in the country to experience this traditional form of transport – and perhaps even combine it with ice fishing or musk ox hunting alongside local guides.
No matter the season, Kangerlussuaq is a place where nature is close, adventure waits just outside your door, and you gain a genuine insight into the raw, pure, and fascinating soul of Greenland.
Self-guided Activities in Kangerlussuaq
Lying on the auroral oval and with more than 300 nights of clear skies per year, Kangerlussuaq is one of the best places in the Arctic to see the Northern Lights during winter (October – April). The town’s small size and low light pollution mean that you can often see the Northern Lights clearly from its centre. However, for even clearer views, you should walk just 15 minutes in any direction to an even darker location where the auroral colours will really stand out against the stars, or arrange for a tour to the very darkest sites.
Hike to the top of any nearby hill for an aerial view over Kangerlussuaq or, for those with more experience, explore the mountains and valleys of the vast backcountry that stretches all the way from the ice sheet to Sisimiut. You are limited only by how much you want to carry and how much energy you want to expend.
For those who are interested in history, make sure you visit the Kangerlussuaq Museum, which focuses on the town’s history as an American base and its subsequent transformation into the key transportation hub for Greenland. It is a great place to learn a little about the town so that you can appreciate much better the style of building and infrastructure you will see around town during your stay.
Good to know
- The town of Kangerlussuaq was established in 1941 when it was opened as a U.S. Air Force base. Americans remained there until 1992.
- The 25km long road from Kangerlussuaq to the IceCap was originally built by Volkswagen, who used to test their cars for cold climates here.
- Kangerlussuaq lies just outside of the Aasivissuit – Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage-listed cultural area – the Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea.
- From 1983 to 2018, Kangerlussuaq was home to the Sondrestrom Upper Atmospheric Research Facility. It was located 15km away at Kellyville, which is also the starting point for the 160km long Arctic Circle hiking trail to Sisimiut.
- The Arctic Circle Road which will connect Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut by gravel road is under construction and is expected to be open in summer 2025. For more info: Arctic Circle Road website
- Kangerlussuaq has a Pilersuisoq supermarket located near the airport terminal, as well as a convenience store on the other side of the runway. Camping gas can usually be found in both places, and you may also be able to pick up some limited, basic camping supplies. However, it is best to bring all your own gear with you.
- All the souvenir shops in Kangerlussuaq are located inside or very close to the airport terminal, and there are also souvenirs for sale at Polar Lodge.
- Not all airports in Greenland offer free internet, but Kangerlussuaq Airport does! Travelers can enjoy 100 MB of free Wi-Fi by connecting to MIT FREE WIFI or scanning the QR code available at the airport.