Immense icebergs, uninhabitable wilderness and temperatures as low as -69.6°C. Greenland is a country of extremes.
Not for the faint of heart, the world’s largest island – which sits between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans – has remained largely isolated from the rest of the world. Until now.
Greenland’s capital has big plans to attract adventure-seeking tourists, with the opening of Nuuk international airport in November heralding a new era of travel for the remote Arctic territory.
Spanning an almost unfathomable two million square kilometres, the island is home to just 57,000 people but covers a land mass bigger than Texas. Perhaps its gargantuan size is fuelling Trump’s designs to ‘make Greenland great again’ by turning it into US territory.
Overtourism and ‘coolcations’
Across Europe, traditional holiday hotspots such as Barcelona and Santorini have been pushing back against tourists.
Against this backdrop comes the rise of ‘coolcations’, a trend that sees a growing number of holidaymakers opt for destinations with lower temperatures and less mass appeal.
And Greenland sets to benefit. Not only is it essentially a massive ice sheet(80% of its land mass is frozen), it’s also actively welcoming visitors.
The desolate island offers a host of adventure sports including hiking, kayaking and climbing, as well as thrilling experiences like paddleboarding amongst icebergs.
Nature lovers can cruise to see the fjords, which are home unique marine wildlife including humpback whales, dolphins, puffins and polar bears.
But perhaps the main draw is the Northern Lights, which are visible in Greenland for most of the year (though visiting between September and April offers the best chance of seeing them).
Astrotourism
The spectacular auroras are set to be particularly impressive in 2025 thanks to the approaching solar maximum, the period of peak solar activity during the sun’s 11-year solar cycle.
Minimal light pollution in Greenland means it’s possible to see the Northern Lights, even in the centre of Nuuk.
Get a front row view by dog sledding tour further north to Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can see the auroras reflected on the still water of the iceberg-smattered fjord.
Culture and food
Dotted around the island are picturesque villages with rich cultural history, while modern life meets traditional practices in the capital.
After working up an appetite trekking through ice, sample Suasaat, the national dish of seal meat soup. A sold place to dine is Nuuk’s top-rated restaurant Sarfalik Seafood, followed by drinks at the Godthaab microbrewery.
But Greenland’s small population and limited transport systems mean it lacks food and drink offerings from brands that other countries consider staples.
McDonald’s, Starbucks and Burger King are just a few of the companies that don’t have a single site in Greenland.
But while it’s harsh climate means much of the food on the island has to be imported, traditional Greenlandic cuisine makes use of the marine life.
Expect to find dishes made with whale meat, cod, shrimp and lumpfish roe (the Greenlandic equivalent of caviar) on the menu in Greenland’s restaurants.
Elsewhere, The Greenland National Museum and Nuuk Art Museum offer a window into local history and traditions.
It’s also possible to visit some of Greenland’s remote settlements to learn more about the island’s Inuit culture, but bear in mind that getting around Greenland isn’t easy.
The vast and largely uninhabited country has only a few roads, so it’s best to choose one region to explore and spend most of your time there.
How to get to Greenland
Despite the recent unveiling of a revamped Nuuk Airport, there is still no direct route between the UK and Greenland.
Direct flights run from Copenhagen, and in June, twice-weekly connections will launch from New York.
Flying via Iceland or Denmark remains the best route for British travellers, with direct flights available from across the UK to Keflavik Airport, which connects to Nuuk.
Direct routes from Billund and Aalborg, both in Denmark, are expected to begin in March 2025.
Two more airports are set to open in the south of Greenland (Ilulissat and Qaqortoq) in 2026, the final phase of an expansion project costing £615m.
The top 10 things to do in Greenland, according to Tripadvisor
- Ilulissat Icefjord
- Greenland National Museum and Archives
- Nuuk Water Taxi
- World of Greenland
- Prince Christian Sound
- Nanortalik Open Air Museum
- Eqip Sermia Glacier
- Nuuk Cathedral
- Sermermiut
- Disko Island
Why is Greenland important to the United States?
In a press conference earlier this week, President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his interest in buying Greenland from Denmark, claiming the US ‘need[s] Greenland for national security purposes.’
While it’s not entirely clear why Trump thinks this, Greenland is home to a large American space facility and is also rich in mineral resources including coal, copper, diamonds, iron ore, oil and zinc.
In response to Trump’s ambitions, Greenland’s head of government Mute Bourup Egede said: ‘Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.’
He also expressed his desire to pursue independence from Denmark and to strengthen Greenland’s cooperation with other countries.
Donald Trump has also suggested that the US could take control of the Panama Canal and that Canada could become the 51st US state.
Who controls Greenland?
Greenland is one of three territories that make up the Danish kingdom, alongside the Faroe Islands and Denmark itself.
Greenland has been autonomous since 2009, when the Danish parliament recognised the Greenlandic people as a nation in their own right. The law gave the country the right to become fully independent at any time.
As it stands, Greenland has its own flag, language and institutions, but the judiciary, defence, monetary policy and foreign affairs are all controlled by Denmark.
This sovereignty was declared in 1921 with support and recognition by the United States, who had a say due to Greenland’s proximity. Why did the US agree to Denmark taking control?
It’s all down to the selling of a former Danish colony in the Caribbean.
In 1917, Denmark sold a group of islands then known as the Danish West Indies to the US, who quickly set about renaming them the US Virgin Islands.
Denmark got sovereignty of Greenland as part of that deal.
At a glance: Everything you need to know about Greenland
- Weather: Greenland has a tundra climate, meaning it has cold winters and short, cool summers. Weather in Greenland varies between regions and changes dramatically over the seasons, plunging down to a mean of -18°C in the north in the winter, while summers in the south can reach temperatures of more than 20°C.
- When to visit: Travel to Greenland in the months of June, July and August, to experience the midnight sun. National Day, on the 21st of June, sees Greenland celebrate summer solstice. March, April and September are the best months to see the Northern Lights, while between November and April temperatures across the island are below freezing.
- Where to stay: Hotels in Nuuk cost between £100 to £200 per night. Expect to spend around £25 for an evening meal in a restaurant — Greenland’s food is expensive because much of it has to be flown in. A pint costs around £8, while a coffee costs around £6.
- What to pack: Essential packing items for Greenland include lots of layers and waterproof jackets and trousers. You should also bring active, comfortable footwear, and you’ll need sunscreen and bug repellent in the summer months.
- Adaptors: Greenland has four associated plug types: type C, type E, type F and type K. The UK uses G-type plugs, so you will need to take an adapter.
- Currency: The currency used in Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK). 1 DKK converts to roughly 0.11 GBP.
- Visas: Citizens of the United Kingdom don’t need to apply for a visa to enter Greenland.
- Time: Greenland is two hours behind the UK (BST-2).
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