• 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

Souvenir Shopping

Keep your memories close to your heart as reindeer horn, soapstone and muskox wool turn into souvenirs like symbolic statues, beautiful jewelry and clothing for you to carry home.

A GREENLANDIC IDENTITY

It is said that one can recognize the essence of a people through their artwork because they instinctively depict what is central to their lives, and in Greenland the souvenirs tell the story of the country as a pioneering nation.

Ritualistic figures called tupilaks, intricate depictions of hunting and fishing, tools like the woman’s knife called an ulo, and carvings of polar bears, whales, and seals are all evidence of a people with close connection to the natural environment, who have thrived in Greenland by adapting their lives to nature’s way.

Greenlandic identity is shown not only through the images that souvenirs depict but also through their materials. As sustainable hunters, we only take the animals needed and we use every possible part. The bones and warm fur of Arctic mammals turn into jewelry and clothing, so souvenir shops are stocked with pieces made of reindeer and muskox horn, sealskin, muskox wool, and even polished whale baleen.

Greenlandic identity runs high as souvenirs depict Greenlandic images on the canvas of Greenlandic materials, and the fact that locals themselves proudly wear the same items that travelers buy as souvenirs bears testament to their authenticity.

“In Ilulissat we went to the craft workshop and saw all the things they were making. They spoke mostly Greenlandic, but we bought some things for the family at home!”

Package Tours

Tasermiut Expeditions: Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

Tasermiut Expeditions

Hiking and Kayaking Adventure

8 days trip, kayaking and on foot: complete contact with nature, kayaking and hiking activities, discover Viking ruins in South Greenland.

FROM €2,495
Disko Line: Whale Safari

Disko Line

Whale Safari

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

FROM €160
Tasermiut Expeditions: Kayaking and Ice-walk 15 days

Tasermiut Expeditions

Kayaking and Ice-walk 15 days

A genuine kayak expedition in total autonomy among icebergs & glaciers. Arctic fauna and trekking. 15 day adventure from June to Sep(RKV/CPH)

FROM €3,595
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

8 days winter trip to Disko Bay with stay at Igloo Lodge and Greenland's capital incl. flights from Copenhagen.

FROM €1,335
Show More

BREAKING THE MOLD

Authentic comes in more forms than just animal bones. An increasing number of our artists are breaking the mold and putting a creative spin on Greenlandic souvenirs by using plastic, ceramic, or metal materials and by designing fur clothing with the international catwalk in mind. This adaptation of classic elements shows respect for the history that shaped Greenlandic society today while demonstrating that Greenlanders are solid members of the global community.

A rare, but incredibly beautiful, souvenir to find is jewelry made of gold from South Greenland. The production mine is now closed, making the supply of items that resulted from the area quite exclusive. Just imagine bringing your dearest to Greenland and leaving with one of the most unique souvenirs in the world – a set of wedding rings forged by hand out of Greenlandic gold!

  • There are rules regarding which souvenirs made from animal products can be exported from Greenland, and some souvenirs require a CITES permit at no cost to you. For more information, consult an updated CITES page.

  • Where to buy souvenirs: Souvenir shops, handicraft workshops, Kittat Économusée sewing workshop, hotels, tourist offices, and Sarfaq Ittuk, the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry

  • What souvenirs to buy: Artwork and jewelry from local artists; tupilaks; sealskin clothing from Great Greenland; ornaments; statues and figurines carved from soapstone, reindeer horn, muskox horn, whale baleen, or walrus tooth; accessories knit from muskox wool.

KNOW YOUR REINDEER FROM YOUR NARWHAL

With so many souvenir shops to browse and even more souvenirs to mull over, it is easy to want a bit of everything. But there is one thing that helps narrow the difficult decision: The CITES export regulations.

Part of protecting the beautiful Arctic wildlife is keeping some animals sacred to Greenland. Souvenir shops will happily advise you on which items must stay in Greenland and which souvenirs can be yours to cherish forever.

Local providers

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Aasiaat
  • All destinations
  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Gift Shop
  • Ilulissat
  • Ittoqqortoormiit
  • Kangaatsiaq
  • Kangerlussuaq
  • Kulusuk
  • Maniitsoq
  • Nanortalik
  • Narsaq
  • Narsarsuaq
  • Nuuk
  • Qaanaaq
  • Qaqortoq
  • Qasigiannguit
  • Qeqertarsuaq
  • Sisimiut
  • Souvenir shopping
  • Summer
  • Tasiilaq
  • Uummannaq
  • 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

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
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

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

VISIT GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Visit Greenland Phone:
(+299) 34 28 20

info@visitgreenland.com
Copyright Visit Greenland 2023 © Produced by KathArt Interactive
Vikings in Greenland Cast iron figures inspired by norse runes in Qassiarsuk in South Greenland Reindeer in winter colors in Greenland Arctic Wildlife
Scroll to top