Greenland Travel Guide

There are plenty of reasons to travel to Greenland and each region has something unique to offer. In our micro Greenland travel guide, we will cover the reasons to visit Greenland, region by region. 

Greenland is the world’s largest island that is not a continent. Roughly equivalent in size to Western Europe or about one-third the size of the US or Australia, it should come as no surprise that its landscapes and ecosystems vary significantly. We’re sharing with you the highlights and areas worth exploring. 

The Capital Region

Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, is the cultural centre of the nation. Here you’ll find significant landmarks like the National Museum, National Theatre, Nuuk Art Museum, and Katuaq Cultural Centre. The city also has fantastic shopping opportunities, including a diverse range of local fashion, pottery, glassware, and artwork available for purchase. Located at the head of the world’s second-largest fjord system, Nuuk has access to an amazing wilderness in its surroundings. Towering thousand-meter peaks drop right into the fjord, fed by two remote glaciers at its far end. 

Various activities provide opportunities to explore the diverse facets of the fjord, including boat tours to glaciers and remote settlements, whale and puffin watching during summer, fishing for your own dinner, or stand up paddleboarding amongst icebergs. Alternatively, you can choose on-foot exploration, ranging from day hikes in the nearby mountains to week-long trekking tours. While Nuuk is the primary city, the Capital Region also encompasses the town of Paamiut, located 265 kilometres further south. Paamiut is known for its striking Norwegian-style church and is home to Greenland’s largest population of Sea Eagles.

Travel guide to the Capital Region

• Culture: Being Greenland’s capital, Nuuk holds rich cultural heritage

• Shopping: Shop unique local goods, fashion, pottery, and more

• Boat Trips: Embark on a scenic sailing adventure between icebergs and glaciers in the Nuuk Icefjord

• Hiking: Explore a wide range of trails with varying difficulty levels

• Kayaking and stand-Up Paddleboarding: Navigate amongst icebergs and join migrating whales

• Remote Settlements: Explore the charming community of Kapisillit, the abandoned settlement of Kangeq, and savour exquisite cuisine at one of Greenland’s finest restaurants in Qooqqut

• Scenic Flights: Take a flight to land near the summit of the towering mountains or opt for a twilight flight over the fjord and city

• Wildlife Observation: Spot whales, puffins, reindeer/caribou, and witness sea eagles near Paamiut

• Winter Activities: Enjoy the winter wonderland with skiing, snowshoeing, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights

To learn more about visiting Nuuk check out our guide below.

Northeast Greenland National Park

The entire Northeast quarter of Greenland forms the world’s largest national park. Established in 1974 and expanded in 1988 to its current size, it serves as a sanctuary for Arctic wildlife, including polar bears, walrus, and musk oxen. Only a few people ever visit the area as special permission from the Greenlandic Government is required. Although, boat trips along the coastline are offered and are increasingly gaining popularity.

Travel guide to Northeast Greenland National Park

• Expedition Micro Cruises are the best way to experience the best of the Northeast National Park. 

• Wildlife Observation: Spot polar bears, walruses, whales, musk ox and Arctic foxes. 

East Greenland

In Greenlandic, East Greenland is called “tunu” (back side), highlighting its remote, wild nature. With only two towns and a few small settlements, this area remains one of the most isolated inhabited regions globally, offering a glimpse of traditional life. Here, Greenlandic sledge dogs, known for their resilience, still play an essential role. 

East Greenland is also one of the best spots to see polar bears. Tasiilaq, the largest town with about 2,000 people, is a key hub supporting four settlements and tourism. Further north, Ittoqqortoormiit, reachable by plane from Iceland, serves as the gateway to the scenic Scoresbysund and Greenland National Park, home to the world's largest fjord system and breathtaking Arctic landscapes. 

Travel guide to East Greenland

• Expedition Cruises: Embark on a small expedition ship to explore Scoresbysund, the longest fjord system on Earth with countless icebergs and jaw-dropping landscapes. Secret Atlas offer Expedition Micro Cruises with 12 guests to explore East Greenland.

• Northern Lights: Scoresbysund offers one of the best places on Earth to encounter the Northern Lights. Check out our Northern Lights Photo Tour with 12 guests.

• Off-Trail Hiking: Explore the vast and uncharted wilderness with off-trail hiking adventures

• Wildlife Observation: Spot polar bears year-round and whales during the summer

• Remote Settlements: Discover unique settlements like Tiniteqilaaq, Kuummiut, and Kulusuk, which is where the airport and an Inuit museum are located

• Kayaking: Paddle amongst icebergs and encounter whales during the summer

• Ice Caving: Venture into ice caves and experience glaciers from the inside

• Winter Activities: Enjoy the winter wonderland with dog sledging, snowmobile excursions, ice diving, snowshoeing, and heliskiing.

South Greenland

Greenland’s southern tip lies further south than Iceland, giving it a milder climate. It consists of two main regions: the Tasermiut Fjord, near Nanortalik, known for dramatic rock formations and Greenland’s only natural forest in Qinngua Valley, and the “farm belt,” featuring rolling hills with large sheep farms. Farming here dates back to Eric the Red’s Viking settlements and persists today; in 2017, this region, Kujataa, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Notable attractions include Norse Viking ruins like Hvalsey and Igaliku, and Greenlandic sheep farms such as Sillisit, where visitors can go horseback riding. The research farm Upernaviarsuk experiments with Arctic farming techniques. Qaqortoq, South Greenland’s largest town, is a tourism centre with attractions like Greenland’s oldest fountain and the Stone and Man exhibition. Scenic flights and trips to Uunnartoq hot springs also depart from here. Narsarsuaq, an important town, hosts South Greenland’s main airport and a museum documenting its WWII U.S. airbase history, with trails leading to stunning glacier views.

Travel guide to South Greenland

• Norse Viking Ruins: Discover these distinct and historically significant sites

• Uunnartoq: Take a bath in Greenland’s only natural hot spring

• Hiking: Explore the surroundings of each settlement, embark on multi-day hikes, or venture into the Tasermiut Fjord on a guided hiking expedition

• Boat Trips: Set sail to witness the impressive glaciers or go fishing

• Kayaking: Explore the area from sea level and get up close with the icebergs

• Scenic Flights: Catch a flight to view glaciers, the hot springs, or the Viking Ruins from above

• Horse Riding in Sillisit

• Wildlife Observation: Spot whales during Summer 

• Farms: Visit the experimental farm of Upernaviarsuk or stay overnight at a Greenlandic sheep farm 

• Winter activities: Beyond scenic flights and the chance to witness the Northern Lights, there is very little scheduled tourism in winter

Destination Arctic Circle

As the name implies, Destination Arctic Circle encompasses the region of West Greenland situated along the Arctic Circle, featuring jagged mountains near Maniitsoq and tundra around Kangerlussuaq. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Aasivissuit-Nipisat, highlights its historical Inuit hunting grounds. Kangerlussuaq, with Greenland’s only international airport, provides access to the ice cap via a gravel road leading to Russell Glacier and Point 660. Visitors can dine at Roklubben or spot local musk oxen. The Arctic Circle Trail connects Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, Greenland’s second-largest city, known for events like the Arctic Circle Race and Arctic Sounds music festival. Sisimiut’s backcountry offers well-marked trails and the Arctic Spa at Hotel Sisimiut. Maniitsoq, south of the Arctic Circle, boasts dramatic peaks, fjords, and glaciers, offering exceptional heli-skiing and summer explorations in Eternity Fjord.

Travel guide to Destination Arctic Circle

• Easy access to the Greenland Icecap and Russell Glacier

• Hiking: Sisimiut offers numerous options for day hikes and the Arctic Circle Hiking Trail that leads all the way to Kangerlussuaq

• Boat Trips: Embark on day sailings to explore the stunning fjords and glaciers

• Stand Up Paddleboarding in Sisimiut, Kayaking in Sisimiut and Maniitsoq

• Wildlife Observation: Enjoy whale watching during the summer in Sisimiut and Maniitsoq, encounter musk oxen and reindeer/caribou in Kangerlussuaq

• Remote Settlements: The picturesque abandoned settlement of Assaqutaq is an easy day trip from Sisimiut, the settlement of Kangaamiut serves as the gateway to the Eternity Fjord and is accessible from Maniitsoq

• Winter Activities: Enjoy the winter wonderland with dogsledding, snowmobile excursions, snowshoeing, skiing, and heliskiing in Maniitsoq, and a chance to see Northern Lights

North Greenland

North Greenland is ideal for those seeking massive icebergs, with landscapes stretching from Disko Bay to Greenland's northernmost tip. Ilulissat, Greenland’s third-largest town, is famed for the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, constantly fed by the Northern Hemisphere's most active glacier, filling the fjord with icebergs. Boat tours, kayaking, and three scenic hikes offer immersive views of this natural marvel. 

Nearby, Eqi Glacier is a prime spot for witnessing calving events, and summer brings frequent sightings of Humpback whales. Disko Island, Greenland’s only volcanic island, features black sand beaches, basalt columns, and the Lyngmark Glacier, where summer dogsledding is possible. Further north, Uummannaq, named after a heart-shaped mountain, lies amid drifting summer icebergs and a frozen fjord in winter. This exceptionally beautiful region is also where Greenland’s Qilakitsoq were discovered – the country’s oldest mummies. 

Uummannaq is surrounded by a significant number of glaciers, a strikingly vibrant yellow Arctic desert, and a scattering of small settlements – both active and abandoned. For those seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure in North Greenland, Uummannaq is one of the prime destinations to visit. Qaanaaq, Greenland’s northernmost town, is a remote settlement with a population of only 600. Accessibility is limited, and travel expenses can be relatively high. However, during the summer months, the town does offer excursions for visitors, for those seeking authentic Greenlandic experiences, Qaanaaq holds promise. The town has less infrastructure compared to other settlements, and its population largely consists of subsistence hunters and fishermen.

Travel guide to North Greenland

• Hiking: Explore the Ilulissat Icefjord, the unique geology of Disko Island, or venture off-trail in the far north of Greenland

• Boat Trips: Embark on a sailing tour to get up close to icebergs, or to see the calving Eqi Glacier

• Kayaking: Experience kayaking amongst colossal icebergs

• Scenic Flights: Take scenic flights to witness the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ilulissat Icefjord from above

• Wildlife Observation: Enjoy whale watching during the summer season

• Remote Settlements: Ilulissat provides easy access to Oqaatsut, a typical and traditional Greenlandic settlement, and Ilimanaq, which offers luxury accommodation and an excellent restaurant within the settlement

• Winter Activities: Enjoy the winter wonderland with dogsledding, snowmobile excursions, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and the chance to see Northern Lights

For more information about visiting Ilulissat, please check out our guide below.