TOP 5 THINGS TO DO IN GREENLAND & THE ARCTIC
Greenland is a great destination for travelers who want to experience something truly out of the ordinary. About 56,000 people call this unique place between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans their home.
Greenland caters to the growing trend of tourists looking for off-the-beaten-path excursions and genuine cultural encounters. The country is eager to increase tourism, and in 2024, a brand-new international airport is scheduled to open in Nuuk.
New flight schedules from Icelandair will make traveling to the country much simpler. North Americans planning a trip to Greenland once faced the hassle of connecting in Copenhagen or Reykjavik. Icelandair will connect its U.S.-bound flights to Greenland’s Nuuk and Ilulissat airports via Keflavik International Airport this summer.
However you get there, Greenland is definitely worth the journey. To what end do tourists flock to Greenland? The Big Arctic Five is often cited as the most foolproof approach to guarantee yourself the best possible time in Greenland.
A trip to Greenland isn’t complete without experiencing dog sledding, the northern lights, the ice, the people, and the whales. If you don’t do at least two or three of these things while in Greenland, you aren’t getting the whole Greenland experience.
FIRST STOP: DOG-SLEDDING IN GREENLAND
Dog sledding is not only a popular pastime in Greenland, but also a practical mode of transportation for locals and visitors alike. The lack of paved roads in Greenland makes dog sleds and snowmobiles indispensable modes of transportation. Dog sled trips may be a necessity for locals, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less fun for visitors.
Taking a dog sled ride around Greenland is a great way to see the landscape, learn about Inuit culture, and challenge yourself physically, especially if you try to steer the sled yourself. You’re surrounded by nothing but snow, ice, and the sky, with just the occasional glimpse of a house or animal. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like you’re the only human being in the wide, wide universe.
SECOND STOP: SEEING THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN GREENLAND
You won’t have to do much effort beyond showing up, as no tickets nor reservations are required. All you have to do is show up in the middle of the street and gaze up to see a kaleidoscope of color stretching across the sky.
WHEN TO SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN GREENLAND
On top of a black or dark blue sky, you’ll see magenta, crimson, green, and blue hues. Dress warmly and venture outside at night if you plan on visiting Greenland between September and April to increase your chances of seeing this famed beauty.
THIRD STOP: ICE AND SNOW IN GREENLAND
No one should be surprised to learn that ice and snow play a significant role in Greenland. White fluff covers nearly every flat surface, house, and flora, making it impossible to go on a walk or even glance out a window without noticing it. But you shouldn’t be content with the snowfall outside your window; you need venture out into the huge white expanse.
This step pairs well with other activities, such as a dog sled ride or a trip to the island’s massive Ice Sheet. If you’re lucky, you can witness an iceberg being pushed off the sheet by a massive glacier and into the frigid sea of Ilulissat Icefjord.
Visitors often underestimate the significance of snow and ice to the Inuit. Snow, ice, and cold are pervasive in their everyday lives, especially when it comes to getting around and going places. Experiencing the ice and snow firsthand is a great opportunity to learn about the Inuit and their culture.
FOURTH STOP: MEET THE INUITS OF GREENLAND
A trip to Greenland wouldn’t be complete without mingling with the locals. To this day, the Inuit are one of the world’s few remaining indigenous peoples who maintain a traditional lifestyle that is in harmony with their natural environment. For survival, many Inuits still rely on hunting and fishing. They eat a wide variety of species, including whales and seals.
The Inuits take great pleasure in mingling with others. No one can predict how many people will accept an Inuit’s invitation to “Kaffemik,” a daily gathering for coffee and cake. There is no restriction on who anyone can invite, so a full home with frequent traffic is nothing out of the ordinary.
Staying with a local family, as opposed to a hotel or motel, will allow you a more in-depth view at Inuit culture. You’ll dine and sleep with the family you’re staying with, and you might even get invited on hunting and fishing trips if you ask nicely.
FIFTH STOP: WHALE WATCHING IN GREENLAND
While whale viewing isn’t uniquely Greenlandic, you won’t get a better sight at these beautiful creatures than in the waters off Greenland. Take a boat out on the Arctic Ocean and bring your binoculars so you can enjoy the sights.
There will be perfect silence on the boat and in the sea as everyone keeps a sharp lookout for a breaching whale, tail, or maybe a newborn whale’s cries. A whale or two will likely come to say hello, and you may watch them as they swim along the coast, possibly even with your boat as company.
These five adventures will offer you a great taste of Greenland, however there is always more to see and do there (such as hiking, heli-skiing, kayaking, skiing, snowmobiling, or climbing).
WHEN TO GO TO GREENLAND
Greenland is accessible year-round, but more aircraft operate in the summer. Visit during the summer to see the midnight sun, or in the winter to see the northern lights and learn about the Inuit holiday traditions.
TIPS FOR VISITING GREENLAND
Greenland does not require a visa for citizens of the European Union, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, and a number of other countries in central Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. If your planned stay is longer than 90 days, however, you will need to apply for a work visa.
