Everyone’s Talking About Greenland
The mysterious territory of Greenland is in the news a lot lately (mainly because US President Trump wants to acquire it!?). So we thought we’d explore what makes this Arctic island so interesting. With 81% of its landmass covered in ice, Greenland may not seem like an obvious visitor destination. Yet hiding among the rocky fjords is a natural paradise teeming with life for those intrepid enough to journey here.
No roads link the towns in Greenland, so exploring the islands by boat is how travellers discover secret coves and isolated mountains, quiet communities and hidden wonders. The coast surrounding the Greenland Ice Sheet is dotted with fishing villages, vibrant with colourful homes, and around every corner sea birds, fish, mammals and flora appear from this abundant wilderness.
Inuit culture is experiencing a renaissance and learning about the heritage of this fascinating island is enthralling.
So, is Greenland worth visiting?! Hell, yes! Let’s find out why.
Five Reasons to Visit Greenland
Visiting Greenland is ideal for those who love exploring new places, embracing nature and seeking adventure wherever they roam. Greenland holidays look a little different to other trips, which is what makes them so deliciously unique. You won’t find sun loungers and cocktails, but you may well see humpback whales and find uninhabited islands.
Read on to find out why Greenland is the perfect place for adventurers.
1. Visit one of the last true wildernesses on Earth
Greenland has a raw, untouched beauty that’s hard to find elsewhere. Towering glaciers, ancient fjords and endless Arctic skies give a wonderful sense of isolation and awe. For explorers who love spending time outdoors, enjoy being off-grid and journeying to places few others have been, Greenland ticks all the boxes.
Not only is it the least densely populated place on Earth, the complicated logistics of getting here and travelling around make it massively overlooked. With a little effort and a bit of time, holidays to Greenland pack a real punch. Why limit yourself by jumping on a cruise ship when you can tour Greenland paddling in a kayak or exploring on foot?!
The true wilderness of Greenland offers the opportunity to walk, paddle, camp and roam where few people have been, which is every adventurer's dream.
2. Experience unique icy adventures
Embrace ice unlike anywhere else with adventure activities on the world’s largest ice sheet. From kayaking through icebergs to dogsledding across remote wilderness, the sheer scale of the majestic ice sheet is truly profound.
Watch the Northern Lights dance across the snow. Learn to pull a pulk and ski across the tundra. Travel by snowmobile, boat, kayak or helicopter – a far cry from the mundane journeys we’re used to.
Camp on the shores of remote bays, backs to the towering crags behind looking out across the darkest skies you’ll ever see. Glimpse whales by day and millions of stars by night.
Visiting Greenland provides the opportunity to try so many new things that are impossible to find elsewhere.
3. Encounter extraordinary wildlife
Wildlife encounters in Greenland are wild and authentic. Pause in your tracks to allow reindeers passing in the distance or feel the swell from your boat as whales breach the surface of the sea nearby for air.
Greenland is home to musk ox, Arctic foxes, polar bears, seals, walruses, narwhals, whales, reindeer and sea birds, both indigenous and migratory, large and small. There are no game drives or jungle safaris here. Every experience is organic and natural, entreating explorers with unexpected wild encounters that are special and unforgettable.
4. Learn about the fascinating Inuit culture
The Inuit people are indigenous to Arctic regions and make up most of Greenland’s population. The first Paleo-Inuit arrived in Greenland over 4,000 years ago. To have thrived in such inhospitable and challenging conditions demonstrates the resilience and adaptability of the Inuit.
No visit to Greenland is complete without learning about local traditions. Discover unique handicrafts and Greenlandic cuisine, shaped by centuries of life in the Arctic. Visitors are welcomed with warmth and genuine hospitality, often alongside storytelling that shows the deep respect the Inuit people have for nature.
5. Witness nature’s greatest light shows
Few places rival Greenland for natural spectacles. During the summer months, the Midnight Sun bathes the ice in warm daylight for 24 hours a day for months. Although the sun stays above the horizon, it dips low enough to create a prolonged twilight, which is a stunning sight to see.
In winter, the Polar Night provides almost complete darkness for several months providing some of the best opportunities in the world to see the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis.
Both phenomena offer explorers unique lightscapes over a dramatic backdrop of snow, ice and rock and are a wonder to witness.
Introduction to Greenland
Is Greenland a country?
Technically, Greenland is not a country. It’s a territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Where is Greenland?
Greenland lies between the North Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Arctic Ocean to the north. It is east of the Canadian archipelago and northwest of Iceland, the UK and the rest of northwest Europe.
How big is Greenland?
Greenland is the largest island in the world and is a staggering 2.1m square kilometres, or 836,000 square miles. For context, that makes it smaller than Argentina but bigger than Mexico.
How many people live in Greenland?
As of January 2025, the population of Greenland is 56,542, making it the least densely populated territory in the world.
What is the capital of Greenland?
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk. Situated on the southwest coast of the island, approximately a third of the population of Greenland live here. Nuuk is also the seat of Greenland’s self-government parliament.
Why is Greenland called Greenland?
Greenland was named as such as a marketing ploy. According to folklore, exiled Norwegian Erik the Red was evicted from Iceland and sailed north to find a new home. He landed in Greenland, found an area suitable for habitation and settled there. He named the island Greenland to entice other settlers to the region.
In Greenlandic language, the name of the territory is Kalaallit Nunaat. Greenland is the ‘land of the Kalaallit’, the name of the Inuit people who inhabit western Greenland.
Sustainable Adventures in Greenland
There are few places in the world where the fragility of the planet is so evident, and it’s a humbling experience. Here, away from modern technology you’re face-to-face with nature in its most raw form.
With limited infrastructure for traversing the interior, most Greenland expeditions journey to the coast and explorations are localised and self-powered. Enjoy Greenland at a slower pace by exploring on foot or by kayak, on skis or snowshoes. Savour every moment, and reduce the impact of your adventure at the same time.
We love Greenland hiking and kayaking trips because the adventures are challenging, responsible and immersive. There are precious few places where nature is revered as it is in Greenland and we hope it stays that way for generations to come.
Fun Facts About Greenland
Did you know …
- Greenland is the largest island in the world that isn’t a continent.
- Approximately 80% of Greenland is covered by ice.
- Greenland is home to the largest national park in the world – North East Greenland National Park.
- Greenland probably was green, once upon a time, when temperatures were milder.
- Geographically, Greenland is part of the continent of North America despite being part of the Kingdom of Denmark
- Greenland has 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Ilulissat Icefjord, Nipisat Island and Kujataa
Best Time to Visit Greenland
Approximately 75% of Greenland lies within the Arctic Circle. Its geographical location means that Greenland experiences both the Midnight Sun and the Polar Night. Every visit to Greenland experiences cold temperatures, Arctic winds and often snow, yet those cool, calm blue sky days in between are magical.
The best time to visit Greenland depends on the degree of cold you’re comfortable with. Temperatures in the interior are far colder than coastal areas, and get colder the further north you travel. Greenland weather can be wild and at times, unpredictable. Delays all you to linger in a place, a welcome side effect of weather-related travel delays.
During winter the sun barely rises above the horizon for several months, a phenomenon known as the Polar Night. This is the absolute best time to see the Northern Lights in Greenland as plenty of darkness offers better opportunities for a glimpse.
Conversely, the Greenland summer sees the sun barely dip below the horizon. This phenomenon is known as the Midnight Sun and means the territory experiences daylight for months on end.
The duration and degree of each phenomenon depends on how far north you stray, with darkness and daylight lasting for longer closer to the North Pole due to the axial tilt of the planet.
The best time of year to visit Greenland is March for witnessing the Northern Lights, and July and August for the mildest temperatures. These months also reward travellers with adventures lit by the Midnight Sun – an ethereal experience and a breathtaking spectacle.
How to Get to Greenland
To fly to Greenland, you must transit through Denmark or Iceland first. Flights from the UK or US typically travel through Copenhagen in Denmark with Air Greenland or Reykjavik in Iceland with Icelandair. The best place to fly to depends on what you want to see and do in Greenland.
There are several international airports in Greenland. Ilulissat Airport (JAV) is in central west Greenland. Farther south along the coast is Nuuk International Airport (GOH), with Narsarsuaq International Airport (UAK) situated further south.
For east coast expeditions, flights from Keflavik Airport (KEF), the main airport hub in Iceland, connect to Kulusuk Airport (KUS) on the southeast coast of Greenland.
Check out our Greenland travel guide for more information on how to get to Greenland.
Top Tips for Visiting Greenland
- Pack everything! Anything is possible during your Greenland visit so pack for all eventualities. Sunglasses for daytime and an eye mask if travelling during the Midnight Sun months; walking boots for trekking and sandals for evenings; ear plugs and insect repellent; sunscreen and a down coat; swimmers and thermals.
- Travel with a group. With highlights often spread out and accessible only by boat, the benefits of group travel will ensure someone else works out the logistics while you enjoy the ride.
- Try everything. Ordinary experiences become extraordinary in Greenland. Swim in the sea with icebergs and camp on remote beaches, try local delicacies and settle down for storytime afterwards. Simple pleasures set to an indescribable backdrop are what makes Greenland so unique.
Recommended Greenland Trips with Kandoo Adventures
We make visiting Greenland super easy. Our Greenland tours vary in length and itinerary, offering a choice of adventure experiences depending on what appeals to you.
Like kayaking and fancy spotting whales from the water? Kayak the west coast of Greenland with us and view this incredible destination from a whole new perspective. This is the best kayak expedition Greenland has to offer and comes highly recommended.
Do you prefer walking and the stability of dry land? Trek the east coast of Greenland and arrive by boat before trekking through incredibly remote landscapes under your own steam. Each Greenland trek is tantalisingly different, with the climate, wildlife and terrain creating unique experiences for every explorer.
We also offer a multi-activity Greenland holiday on the west coast of Greenland during the Polar night where you can try snowshoeing and pulling a pulk, dog-sledding and skiing across the tundra. Sleep in the wilderness and catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights dancing across the sky.
Talk to our travel experts at Kandoo HQ for more information on Greenland and book an unforgettable adventure to a remote wilderness like no other.