Greenland FAQs – When to Visit, What to Do and Costs

After my trip to Greenland, I did an “ask me anything” question and answer session about my trip on Instagram and I got lots of questions on a wide variety of topics. I also go a lot of questions from people when I told them I was going to Greenland or when I came back. In this post, I put together all the questions that people asked me about visiting Greenland. I hope this Greenland FAQs post will help you as you plan for your trip and answer any questions you have.

Where to Visit in Greenland?

First up on this Greenland FAQ list is where to visit. Barring a handful of bigger (it’s all relative) cities, most places in Greenland are tiny towns or settlements. In west Greenland, Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat are the popular places to visit. Among these, Ilulissat is considered the tourist hub and is my top choice for travel. Ilulissat is located 300 kilometers above the Arctic Circle and its icefjord is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can see whales and seals in the waters of Ilulissat and also visit the mighty Eqi glacier on a day trip.

When to Visit ?

This depends on what you want to do. There are more things to do in the summer than in the winter months but there are more unique things to do like dog sledding in the winter. Summer time usually has more frequent flights and more availability from an accommodation and places to eat stand point as well. Summers also have 24 hours of daylight which is nice when you are trying to maximize your time.

What to Do?

This is probably the most popular FAQ I got on Greenland. This again depends on your interests and what time of the year you visit. Here are a few examples of what is there to do during the summer vs. winter

Examples of Summer Activities

• Whale Watching
• Hiking
• Sailing in the mid-night sun
• Kayaking

Examples of Winter Activities

• Northern lights
• Dog sledging
• Ice fishing
• Snowmobiling

See HERE for a comprehensive list of things to do in Ilulissat, including when they are available (not everything is available throughout the year).

How Long to Visit?

Again ,this depends on your interests and your budget. But if you are looking for a bare minimum time, I would say you need at least 4-5 days in a city like Ilulissat to properly explore the city and surroundings.

Do you Need to Book a Tour?

You certainly do not need to book a tour. I am talking about the types of tours where they make an itinerary for you and book your accommodation and activities. I published a detailed step-by-step guide on how you can plan and book your own trip to Greenland.

See HERE for more details!

How to Get There?

Air Greenland flies to Kangerlussuaq from Copenhagen. You have to then connect to other places in Greenland on small propeller planes. Iceland Air flies direct to Ilulissat but does not fly daily. You can also get to cities in East Greenland on cruises. Some cruise operators offer cruises to West Greenland from Canada as well where you will fly into Greenland on a chartered flight from Toronto to get on the cruise.

NEW – United Airlines will have non-stop flights to Nuuk from Newark, USA in the summer of 2025.

How Much Does it Cost?

This will depend on how long you are there for and what you are doing. Here is a sample breakdown:

• Flight to Greenland – $1000
• Hotel/ B&B – $500 – $150 a night
• Tours
  • Eqi glacier – $400
  • Iceberg sailing – $120
  • Whale watching – $180
  • Kayaking – $200

Can you Take Children?

Certainly, but, interestingly, I rarely saw children on any of my activities. Greenland is expensive so I can see why people do not bring their children here. From an activities stand-point, most kids (older than toddler) age should be able to do all of the activities without an issue. With Greenland being so expensive, it maybe good to wait until they are older and can fully comprehend what they are seeing. However, on the other hand, them seeing the scenery and wildlife in Greenland can make a lasting impact on their views of the environment and its protection. I can see the argument for both side.

Is it Cold in the Summer?

It can be! Especially depending on where you come from. For me, A Greenlandic summer was like my winter back home. The temperatures range around 32–68°F (0–20°C). I visited the city of Ilulissat in early July and experienced temperatures from 32-50° F.

Is it Hard to Sleep in the Summer?

Summer time brings 24 hours of daylight. This phenomenon is called the mid-night sun. I did not find it hard to sleep at all. Windows have blinds and blackout curtains which helps.

Do you Need to Book Activities Ahead of Time?

It is recommended to book activities ahead of time but my advice is to book activities with 1 or 2 tour operators instead of multiple. Activities may get rescheduled or even canceled due to the weather and other reasons. If you book with say 1 tour operator, it is then their responsibility to shuffle your itinerary around. This is so much better than you having to do this. I booked with 3-4 operators and had to do this myself. It all worked out in the end but it was a good lesson learned.

How is Greenland Different from Iceland?

I found them to be very different. To me, Iceland is the land of fire and ice and the nature in Iceland is some of the most diverse I have seen in all my travels. Greenland on the other hand is more homogenous BUT it’s the scale and magnitude of the icecaps, icebergs and icefjords that makes it so unique.

What to Pack?

The weather in Greenland is unpredictable and you need to be prepared for all eventualities. If I had to choose 3 of the important packing callouts, I would say:

1. Pack good waterproof, insulated and sturdy hiking boots
2. Pack layers
3. Invest in Merino wool base clothing

I have a very detailed packing list for Greenland that you can find HERE. It includes links to what I actually took to Greenland.

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