Is visiting Greenland one of your dreams? Are you drawn to this immense island covered in ice over most of its territory? We have selected for you the most beautiful places to visit on Green Earth.
When Erik the Red landed on the southern shores of Greenland in the 11th century, he was struck by the contrast with the Iceland he had just left. In contrast to this Land of Ice, he named the new region Greenland, meaning Green Earth. The small glaciation that began shortly afterwards eventually buried this greenery, and all that remains today is a sparse vegetation on the coastal strip bordering the ice sheet. The Vikings abandoned the island in the 14th century. During the Scandinavian occupation, Inuit from Alaska gradually settled all around the island, and most of the present-day inhabitants are their descendants.
Colonized by the Danes from the 17th century onwards, the island is an Overseas Territory attached to Denmark and part of the Schengen area, which facilitates formalities when visiting Greenland. Here, from northwest to southeast, we present the most beautiful places to discover.
1. Qaanaaq
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Daniel Fridriksson
If you want to experience the polar night or the midnight sun, the Thule region is definitely the place to go. The area serves as a U.S. military base and requires authorization if you wish to visit this part of the Groeland. The small town of Qaanaaq, along with a few surrounding villages, is freely accessible and offers all the facilities you need for an unforgettable stay.
Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate is not as harsh as might be feared. The hospitality of the locals and the superb scenery add to the pleasure of discovering a community that has preserved its ancestral customs.
2. Uummannaq
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Alexander Lozitsky
Uummannaq, the name of the village, the island that shelters it and the mountain that dominates it, is a concentration of Greenland’s landscapes and attractions. On this 12 km² island, you’ll be able to hike the seaside paths, climb the 1,100 m mountain, watch the icebergs detach themselves from the Qarajq glacier or observe several species of whale. If you go in winter, you can take a dog-sled ride and maybe go ice fishing. The mountain is often depicted by artists, as its twin peaks form a picturesque heart.
3. Disko Island
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Olga Gavrilova
Greenland is an island four times the size of France, and Disko is the second largest of the archipelago. Much more modest in size, at around 9,000 km², it has a personality all its own, with particularly verdant areas, thanks to the presence of hot springs. Here you’ll find angelica, of which you’ll be able to take home a sachet for making delicious herbal teas as a souvenir.
Another point of interest is that this is the only place where you can go dog-sledding when you visit Greenland in summer.
4. Ilulissat
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Kertu
Currently the country’s third-largest city, with a population of almost 5,000, Ilulissat is a must for any visitor to Greenland. Well sheltered behind the island of Disko, it enjoys a rather pleasant climate, with plenty of sunshine in summer. You can easily spend a week here without getting bored. Here are just a few of the activities you can enjoy:
Hiking
Three perfectly-marked trails, from one to six km long, will take you among the rocks to discover the superb colors of the tundra and lead you to different viewpoints of the icefiord, this magnificent field of icebergs, detached from the Kujalleq glacier, the front of which lies some sixty kilometers away.
Whale watching
The bay is particularly rich in plankton and fish, which whales love. You’re bound to see humpback whales from the shore, but to see them up close and in large numbers, it’s best to take a boat or kayak trip.
Discovering isolated communities
A twenty-minute boat ride will take you to the small fishing village of Ilimanaq, with its 80 inhabitants, or an hour and a half to Oqaatsut, with just 40 inhabitants. From Oqaatsut, you can return to Ilulissat on foot, on a six- to seven-hour walk, to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Calving the Eqi glacier
A three-and-a-half-hour boat ride away, don’t miss a visit to the Eqi Glacier. Glaciers are in perpetual motion, and the air bubbles they contain sometimes explode with a bang, releasing chunks of ice to form icebergs. Tour boats stop a kilometer from the glacier, to avoid being jostled by a tsunami caused by a falling boulder. Eqi produces many calvings, so you’re almost guaranteed to see one. However, these are generally small in volume, compared with those of its Ilulissat neighbor, Kujalleq.
Visit the two local museums
One is dedicated to local Eskimo scientist Knud Rasmussen. The other is an art museum, exhibiting much of the work of Danish painter Emanuel Pertersen, as well as temporary exhibitions.
5. Sisimiut
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Lee Jorgensen
One of the last towns north of the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut has a rich historical past, traces of which can still be seen today. An important year-round fishing port, the town is best known as the arrival or departure point for the famous Arctic Circle Rail. Reserved for experienced hikers, this trek lasts from nine to eleven days and can be enjoyed in any season, whether on foot, cross-country skis, dog sled or snowmobile. Yes, visiting Greenland means stepping out of your comfort zone!
6. Kangerlussuaq
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Yongyut Kumsri
100 km inland, at the end of a fjord, Kangerlussuaq is best known as an air hub. It is the country’s only airport capable of handling medium-sized aircraft and connecting to Denmark in just over four hours. Many domestic routes also pass through here.
But Kangerlussuaq has other points of interest:
– It’s a short distance from the ice cap, which can be reached in a ten-minute flight;
– An easy 16 km hike provides an opportunity to discover the abundant local wildlife: musk oxen (actually goats), reindeer, arctic foxes and numerous birds;
– This is the best place to see the northern lights when visiting Greenland;
– It’s one of the few places in Greenland where you can see trees.
7. Nuuk
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Vadim Nefedoff
The world’s most northerly capital, Nuuk has a population of around 17,000 and is bubbling with activity. Its magnificent Katuaq cultural center offers a varied program, showcasing the work of local and international artists in all artistic fields. Founded in 1729 by the Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, Nuuk still retains its colonial waterfront houses.
Sculptures, such as the Mother of the Sea, can be seen all over the city, and are regularly partially submerged by the tides. As for the National Museum of Greenland, it’s a mine of information and a must-see on any trip to Greenland.
8. Qaqortoq
Photo credit: Shutterstock / Ulannaq Ingemann
The southernmost town in Greenland, Qaqortoq enjoys a milder climate than its western or eastern counterparts. Considered the country’s most beautiful town thanks to its colonial heritage, it boasts the country’s oldest fountain. Many artists have settled here. One of them came up with the Stone & Man project, which has become a permanent exhibition of some forty sculptures carved out of stone and rocks throughout the city.
Anecdotally, Qaqortoq means « the White » because of the multitude of daisies that bloom along its fjord.
9. Narsaq
Photo credit: Shutterstock / aroundworld
Not far from Qaqortoq, sheltered in the fjord, Narsaq is built on a plain. Its location is ideal for market gardening and livestock farming, creating a landscape that is a pleasure to contemplate. Narsaq is the starting point for several hikes, one of which takes you up Qaqqarsuaq Mountain (685 m), offering superb views over fields, fjord and rivers. Geologists visiting Greenland can discover a rare semi-precious stone, tuttupit.
10. Tasiilaq
Photo credit: Wikipedia – Christine Zenino
Climatic conditions in eastern Greenland are harsher than in the west, and have not favored human settlement. Tasiilaq, the largest town – with 2,000 inhabitants – is an exception.
Nestled on the sheltered island of Ammassalik, in the middle of an arcing fjord and surrounded by mountains with sharp peaks, is a pretty town with colorful houses. Numerous hikes in the surrounding area allow you to contemplate the colorful vegetation and the fjord dotted with icebergs of all sizes.
Enjoy your trip to Greenland!
Map of hotels and accommodation – Greenland