Greenland is one of the final frontiers on the planet! It is the most sparsely populated country in the world and there are no roads connecting any of its towns. As a result, travelers must journey around the country either by ship or by flying.
The PlanetD explored Greenland on the Sea Spirit ship and enjoyed a 14-day adventure that started from the north of the Arctic circle all the way around to Reykjavik, Iceland. This Greenland travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Fast Facts about Greenland
- Greenland power voltage is 220 V 50Hz; Plug C & K
- Currency is the Danish Krone and is around 5.4 DKK to 1 USD
- Foreigner credit cards are valid at banks and ATMs but travelers are advised to bring some cash as these foreign cards may not be accepted at all shops.
- Random fact: Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but is not a member of the European Union.
Things to See and Do in Greenland
- Kayak through Uncharted Fjords – For centuries, Greenland was known as the land of kayakers and today the tradition still holds strong.
- Take the Arctic Polar Plunge – close your eyes and jump into icy waters.
- Go on a Greenland expedition – enjoy the sites on board a cruise ship while disembarking for multiple shore landings to explore this magical country.
- Take a Bath at the Top of the World – drink a glass of champagne while taking a dip in the Uunartoq thermal pool.
- Meet the locals and learn about the Inuit culture – discover more about Greenland, a unique country where ancient culture meets the modern world.
- Eat Whale – It is a staple food of Greenland and part of their tradition and heritage. Would you try it?
Greenland Travel Guides
Budgeting
Accommodation
Greenland is expensive to travel, and even basic hostels can be pricey. We visited on an expedition ship and it is easiest to go to Greenland on a tour or cruise. But there are options.
Budget – Hostels start at about $130. You can camp in Greenland, but it is recommended to have experience coming in harsh climates.
Mid Range – Mid-range hotels cost $200
High End – High-end accommodation costs $300 – $375.
- Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.
Food
Food: Greenland has an Arctic climate, so fresh fruits and vegetables are scarce.
A diet of fish and meat is the staple food for Greenland.
You will encounter marine mammals like whales and seals. Reindeer, muskox, and lamb are also on the menu.
The Best Ways to Get Around Greenland
Getting to Greenland:
Getting to: There are no direct flights from North America to Greenland. The best way to get to Greenland is by plane or as part of an expedition from Reykjavik, Iceland. You can check for the best flights to Greenland on Skyscanner.
Transportation:
Transportation: Greenland doesn’t have any roads between cities and communities. The best way to get around Greenland is by expedition ship.
Taxis/Uber: Towns are small, so you don’t need buses, taxis, Uber, or car rentals.
You can check for the best flights on Skyscanner. You will most likely have a connection flight as there are few direct flights to Greenland outside of Iceland. International flights will fly into Nuuk.
When to go To Greenland
- April through August is summer and the warmest time to visit this Arctic climate.
- June and July are the time to visit for 24-hour daylight.
- November through April is the best time for Northern Lights.
Where to Stay in Greenland
You’ll most likely be traveling Greenland via a tour or expedition as it is very expensive to get from town to town. With no roads connecting cities in Greenland, you will have to either fly or take a ship.
But you can find accommodation in places like Nuuk and Illulissat. Check for hotel prices here.
Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com, Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.
What to Pack for Greenland
- Insect Repellent – Along with natural beauty and warm weather, summers in Greenland (specifically July and August) are known for their mosquito swarms. Travelers are advised to bring a mosquito net, insect spray, or mosquito head net if planning to hike a mountain, particularly near any glaciers.
- Layers – The general rule of thumb is to pack at least four layers: a base layer, long sleeve shirts, a fleece (mid-layer), and a top layer such as a windbreaker (waterproof!). Base layers should be made of wool or synthetic fabrics as these fabrics offer superior moisture-wicking and temperature control protection than cotton.
- Hiking Boots – pack a good pair of boots with good grip that is waterproof and insulated for spring/winter travel.
- Binoculars – great to have if you plan on going on cruises and/or hiking, boating, or nature tours.
- Layering Tips to Dress for the Deep Freeze
- How to Pack for a winter vacation read – Travel Tips for Winter Packing
- See our packing tips: packing tips
Greenland Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources
Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.
We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.
- Booking.com: This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the lowest prices, especially in Europe, and we love its interface. Not to mention, you get free cancellation, and you are guaranteed the best price.
- Trip Advisor: What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
- VRBO: is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
- Hostelworld: With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
- Skyscanner: This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
- Rome 2 Rio: If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on Google Maps, and it works offline.
- Get Your Guide: For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
Greenland Travel Guide: Related Articles
To browse all our articles and guides about Greenland click here.
