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WHY BOOK A TRIP TO GREENLAND
It feels like the edge of the world because it is the edge of the world. Booking a trip to Greenland takes a certain kind of adventurous spirit, ready to wrap up warm and tackle the Arctic face on.
The landscape is seemingly endless, mostly uninhabited and largely unreachable. Survivors here are adaptable and extremely tough, be it the hardy wild berries sprouting from the ground or blubber-filled whales circling the island, polar bears who go days without eating and, of course, the people, who’ve managed to make this place home and created some extraordinary towns and cities in the process.
Almost everyone’s journey begins in the capital, Nuuk, surely one of the most unique cities you could ever visit. Most tours continue north, up to Ilulissat and its epic Icefjord, and later the remarkable Disko Island and surrounding Disko Bay.
The truly intrepid may venture even further north to the world’s largest national park, where in summer you’ll discover the midnight sun shimmering onto the backs of polar bears trekking across the endless icy tundra. Are you for the adventure of a lifetime?
Frequently Asked Questions
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What’s the best time of year to visit Greenland?
In a landscape this extreme, your best bet is to pick the least extreme time of year, which is definitely the summer months of June, July and August. Temperatures don’t constantly remain below freezing at this time of year, some of the ice and snow melts, making transport more feasible – and whale watching tours more frequent – and, of course, you get more daylight.
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What’s the climate like in Greenland?
You guessed it, cold! The Arctic climate in Greenland is brutal with long, freezing winters and short summers. A warm day here is 5C (41F), while average winter temperatures can settle at -18C (-1F). Harsh snowstorms can come and go. Generally, temperatures are milder by the coast and get colder the more inland, and further north, you go. Body-warming under layers are crucial here, while top layers should focus on protection from wind, rain and snow.
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What’s the currency in Greenland?
Danish Krone
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Why is Greenland not considered a country?
Greenland is part of Denmark and not an independent country. That said, it is an autonomous territory with its own government, which was given extra powers by the Danish government in 2009.
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Who owns Greenland?
Greenland belongs to Denmark and has been a part of the Kingdom of Denmark since 1721. This means that, despite being geographically in North America, Greenland is very much part of Europe in geopolitical terms. It is a fairly autonomous region with self-governance on matters like health and education, while Denmark takes care of broader matters like security and foreign policy.
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How many people live in Greenland?
The population of Greenland is around 56,000, which is about as many people as you’d find in a small-medium sized English town. Since Greenland is enormous in size – it’s larger than Mexico – this makes it the world’s least densely populated area. That’s partly because around 75% of it is covered in a sheet of ice.
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Can people visit Greenland?
Yes! Greenland is one of the most amazing places on Earth to explore. Naturally, it’s only accessible by flying to the capital, Nuuk, or arriving by cruise. Infrastructure is limited, particularly far off the coast, weather conditions can be extreme and costs can be high, so it is wise to travel with a tour operator.
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What language is spoken in Greenland?
Greenlandic is the official language (as of 2009) and is spoken by around 90% of the population, although they are split into three dialects – Kalaallisut, Tunumiit and Inuktun. Danish and English are mandatory in schools, while some French and German is taught too. There is some tension between Danish and Greenlandic when it comes to the political class here as, despite most of the population speaking Greenlandic, the territory does still belong to the Kingdom of Denmark.
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What’s the time difference in Greenland?
The time zone here is Greenland Standard Time (UTC-2), which means the time is 2 hours behind London, 3 hours ahead of New York and 6 hours ahead of Los Angeles.
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How big is Greenland?
Greenland is enormous. At around 2.1m km-sq it’s larger than Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia. If it were a country, it would be the 12th largest in the world.
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Major Airports in Greenland:
- Nuuk Airport (GOH)
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What are the top places to visit in Greenland?
- Nuuk – the capital is the obvious starting point, a gateway to the country and a fascinating history city in its own right
- Ilulissat Icefjord – the sheer scale of this ice-white natural wonder earns it UNESCO World Heritage status
- Disko Island – a remarkable island and bay, ideal for dog sledding on Lyngmark Glacier, hiking in Qeqertarsuaq and whale watching in Disko Bay
- Sisimiut – a beautiful Arctic Circle city and gateway to thrilling backcountry sports
- Northeast Greenland National Park – the world’s largest national park, home to zero permanent human residents and lots of arctic creatures, including polar bears, wolves and beluga whales
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What are the top five local dishes to try in Greenland?
- Suaasat – a hearty, thick broth, can be made with seal, caribou, whale, reindeer or seabird
- Mattak – a classic snack of cubed whale skin and blubber, most commonly narwhal, served with a sprinkle of coarse salt
- Musk Ox steak – the animal is closer in relation to goats than cattle, but its meat is lean, juice and delicious
- Wild berries – great survivors of the Greenland landscape and a staple of local cuisine
- Lumpfish roe – Greenland’s answer to caviar!