In the summer Erik went to live in the land which he had discovered, and which he called Greenland, "Because," said he, "men will desire much the more to go there if the land has a good name."
-The Saga of Erik the Red
If you want to know how healthy the world is, come to the Arctic and feel its pulse.
-Sheila Watt-Cloutier
Greenland is one of the world’s most unusual travel destinations. The entire Eastern seaboard of the United States would fit comfortably within Greenland, but if the entire population wanted to go see a Cowboys game, they’d fill less than half the seats in the stadium. It is by no means straightforward to reach and virtually impossible to travel widely without the aid of a guide, but it’s as close to exploring another planet as you can get. It’s perfect for the adventurer who wants to see the understand the effects of climate change firsthand.
Icebergs - and the effects of climate change - are found year-round in Greenland
Getting to Greenland is just the start of the adventure. Air Greenland and Air Iceland offer flights from Copenhagen and Reykjavik throughout the year. However, Greenland has no inter-city road network whatsoever. Air Greenland operates a network of flights between cities and towns, with helicopters used to visit the smallest settlements. Greenland’s weather is very variable, so schedule plenty of time for weather-related delays. No matter how you fly in, you’ll definitely want to book a window seat to enjoy the landscape.
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Danish Kingdom. Most of its people are Inuit, but many trace their roots to the Nordic countries. Danish is widely spoken and the Danish Kroner is used for currency.
First-time visitors are better off taking advantage of the many cruises that operate between Greenland’s towns and settlements. Not only do passengers get to travel in comfort, they can learn about the history, culture and environment of Greenland from excellent local guides and spot narwhals, seals, polar bears and icebergs from the ship’s deck. Since the interior of Greenland is covered in an ice sheet year round, virtually all of Greenland’s settlements are directly on the coast. Most Greenlanders speak Greenlandic as their native language, with Danish as a second language and English widely spoken in bigger cities.
Downtown Nuuk’s brightly-colored socialist housing quickly gives way to wilderness. Communities throughout Greenland paint their houses brightly to have color throughout the year.
As with all Arctic destinations, summer is unquestionably the most popular time to visit. With nearly 24 hours of daylight and temperatures sometimes getting as warm as 60℉, expect hotels, cruises and flights to be busiest June-August. Hardier travelers may also enjoy a trip in May or September, when the days are still long enough and a decent anorak will be enough to stay warm. The northern lights can also be seen regularly in May and September. If you’re feeling romantic, Greenlandic legend believes that children conceived under the northern lights will be particularly intelligent and gifted.
Only the most dedicated travelers visit in the winter during periods of 24 hour darkness and freezing temperatures. However, you will be warmly welcomed by locals who see few unfamiliar faces during the winter.
Nuuk is Greenland’s capital. It’s the “big city” and home to about ¼ of all Greenlanders. One of the most walkable cities in Greenland, Nuuk is known for its public art, the National Museum of Greenland and an extensive bus network. It’s also distinctive for its brightly colored socialist housing blocks, built by the government of Denmark in an effort to modernize the city. Nuuk’s numerous restaurants offer a fascinating introduction to Greenlandic cuisine. The latest trend is Greenlandic-Thai fusion restaurants, which offer whale meat sushi.
A statue of Sedna, the Inuit goddess of the sea and mother of sea creatures. According to legend she displeased her father, so he father threw her from his kayak to drown her. As she clung to the kayak, the father chopped off her fingers, which transformed into the seals, bears, fish and walruses that live in the oceans.
As cosmopolitan as Nuuk may be, it’s still very much in Greenland. It’s easy to spot icebergs, whales and seals in the harbor. Any journeys beyond the city center will be an adventure to be conducted by 4WD vehicle, kayak, motorboat, snowmobile, helicopter or dogsled. For your own safety, you must travel with a local guide. Hunting and fishing are a part of daily life for most Greenlanders. If it’s on your agenda, you can find a local guide to take you. If you’d rather not, you can still sample local game meats and buy sealskin clothing in Nuuk.
Qaqortoq showcases the Inuit and Norse cultures that have shaped Greenland’s history and peoples
Even though Nuuk is Greenland’s largest city, its airport is only sized to handle propellor planes. If you’re travelling from Copenhagen, you’ll need to land at Kangerlussuaq, a small town with a WWII-era airbase that can accommodate the largest jet aircraft. Because the airbase was built deep in Greenland’s interior and away from coastal fog, Kangerlussuaq offers the unique opportunity to drive directly to the great Greenlandic ice sheet on a prepared road.
Qaqortoq is Greenland’s most popular tourist destination and the location of Norse ruins from the earliest settlements more than 1000 years ago. The hot springs in the region also make it popular with tourists, as does its excellent hotel.
No matter where you go in Greenland, you’re sure to experience something that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. Unfortunately, because of climate change, you may not be able to see the ice sheet in the summer for much longer. So get in touch to book your trip today!