Greenland — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“A World Heritage ice fjord, the northern lights, dog sledding, and the Inuit land at the edge of the world”
Greenland is the world's largest island and the most pristine Arctic land — the Ilulissat Icefjord, a World Heritage site full of giant icebergs; Nuuk, the world's smallest capital, with a thousands-of-years-old Inuit culture; brilliant northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer; dog sleds crossing the snowfields; whale and seal watching; massive glaciers; and Arctic hiking trails — with no roads connecting the towns, you can only get around by plane or boat.
Greenland at a glance
Choose a city in Greenland
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Greenland right for you?
Why people love Greenland, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
The Ilulissat Icefjord
A UNESCO World Heritage site full of giant icebergs that calve from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.
Northern lights and midnight sun
Spectacular auroras in winter, and a sun that never sets in June and July.
Dog sledding
Ride a dog sled across vast snowfields — a true Inuit experience.
Whale and seal watching
Fin whales, humpbacks, and seals in pristine Arctic waters.
The world's smallest capital
Nuuk, with fewer than 20,000 people, yet rich in museums, fjords, and deep Inuit culture.
Arctic hiking
The Arctic Circle Trail and glacier landscapes that have never seen a tourist's footprint.
Greenland vs its neighbors
| Greenland | Iceland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $100–200 | $100–200 | $71–143 |
| Visa for travelers | Schengen (special note) | Schengen | Work/travel / ETA |
| Known for | Glaciers · Inuit · isolation | Volcanoes · hot springs · easy tours | Forests · mountains · variety |
| Getting around | Plane/boat only | Rental car island-wide | Car/train/plane |
| Remoteness | Very high | Moderate | Low-moderate |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Glacier and adventure lover
Ilulissat and the ice fjord — cruise among the icebergs and giant glaciers over 5–7 days.
See this plan → 🌌Northern lights and winter lover
Nuuk and Ilulissat — northern lights, dog sledding, and Inuit culture in winter.
See this plan → 🥾Hiking and nature lover
The Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq over 7 days — pristine nature, with no trains or roads.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
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🚆 Getting around Greenland
Fly from Copenhagen or Reykjavik
Air Greenland flies direct from CPH or via Reykjavik — the main routes into Greenland.
Domestic flights
Air Greenland connects all the main towns — the only option, since there are no connecting roads.
Disko Line ferry
Passenger boats connect the west-coast towns — slower than flying, but with fjord and iceberg views.
Walking in town
Towns are easily walkable, with no large public transport — Nuuk has taxis.
Dog sled (winter)
North of the Arctic Circle, dog sledding is still a main way to travel between villages.
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Greenland
Hunting and fishing life
Inuit culture is tied to hunting and fishing — both as food and as national identity.
Drum Dance
The Drum Dance, with a skin drum, is an Inuit cultural heritage passed down over thousands of years.
No roads connecting towns
Every town in Greenland is reached only by plane or boat — there are no connecting roads.
Prepare for extreme weather
Temperatures vary greatly between the west coast and the north — pack quality cold-weather, windproof clothing.
Respect nature
Greenlanders are deeply connected to the environment — never litter, and respect natural areas strictly.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Guesthouse / hostel $57–114
Greenland is expensive because nearly everything is imported — cook your own meals and choose simple lodging.
Comfort
🛏️ Small / local hotel $114–200
Boat cruises, whale watching, dog sledding, and local food.
Premium
🛏️ Main hotel in Nuuk/Ilulissat $229+
Helicopter glacier tours, a private guide, and accommodation with fjord views.
🗓️ When to visit Greenland
Summer (midnight sun)
Jun – AugThe warmest temperatures — hiking, whale watching, and a sun that never sets in June and July.
Winter (northern lights)
Feb – AprClear auroras, dog sledding, and clean white snow, but bitterly cold (-20°C in some areas).
Autumn
Sep – OctThe tundra turns gold and red, the northern lights begin to appear, and there are fewer people than in summer.
Midwinter
Dec – JanVery short days but the brightest auroras — utterly silent, perfect for those seeking solitude.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Greenland — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.2🧘 Great for your trip
★ 8.8💑 Great for your trip
★ 8.7🧘 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Greenland?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Greenland
How many days do you need in Greenland?+
6–10 days, depending on which towns you choose — Nuuk for 2–3 days plus Ilulissat for 3–4 days (the ice fjord), and allow extra time for domestic flights that may be delayed by weather.
What visa do travelers need?+
You use a Schengen visa (but Greenland isn't in the Schengen area, so it must be specially noted). Check the latest conditions with a Danish embassy before applying.
Is Greenland hard to get to?+
Fairly challenging — fly via Copenhagen or Reykjavik, with high airfares, no roads connecting towns, and travel between towns only by plane or boat. Book several months ahead.
Which season is best for first-timers?+
June–August has the warmest weather, easy travel, hiking, and full tour offerings — but if you want the northern lights, choose February–April.
Tips before you go to Greenland
- Book Air Greenland flights several months ahead — seats are few and prices are high.
- Domestic flights may be delayed by weather — always allow extra time.
- Pack cold-weather, windproof, and waterproof clothing even in summer — the weather changes fast.
- DKK cards work in the main towns, but carry cash in rural areas.
- Book ice fjord cruises through hotels or local operators in Ilulissat.
- Respect Inuit culture — always ask before photographing people.