10 BEST Things to Do in Greenland

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Here’s a list of the best things to see, do and eat when visiting Greenland. This really is one of the most beautiful countries in the world!

There’s something about Greenland that gets under your skin in the best possible way. The landscapes are so vast and raw that you can’t help but feel tiny in comparison, whether you’re standing at the edge of a glacier, sailing through ice-strewn fjords, or watching the northern lights dance across the sky. The combination of towering icebergs, dramatic mountains, and endless stretches of untouched wilderness makes it one of the most beautiful countries in the world – a place where nature’s scale and power are impossible to ignore.

What I loved most though was how every day felt like a true adventure, and how the local culture gave such a rich sense of connection to the land. Greenland isn’t just a place you visit – it’s a place that stays with you long after you’ve left. In this guide, I’ll share the best things to do in Greenland to help you plan your own unforgettable trip.

Quick overview

Currency: Danish krone (DKK)
Getting there: No direct flights from the UK. Fly via Copenhagen or Reykjavík.
Main airports: Nuuk, Qaqortoq, Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat
Getting around: By plane, helicopter or boat. There are no roads between towns.
Best time for this list: June to September, when boat trips, kayaking and hot spring tours are running

Map of Greenland

South Greenland

Visit Uunartoq: Southern Greenland’s hot springs

About an hour outside of Qaqortoq, you can visit natural hotsprings on the island of Uunortoq. I’m sounding like a broken record, but this place was just jaw-droppingly beautiful. I sat back in the warm pool and counted myself very lucky to be able to come to such an exclusive and untouched spot.

Tours leave from Qaqortoq harbour and take around an hour each way. Expect to pay roughly 1,900 to 2,400 DKK per person. Most operators need at least four people before they’ll run, so book ahead. There’s only a small changing hut, so bring a towel and warm clothes for afterwards.

Kayak with icebergs in Tasiusaq

This was one we were all really excited about. How often do you get the chance to kayak amongst icebergs? It was as beautiful as it sounds and a really unforgettable experience. Make sure to bring your camera on this one.

Drink beer made from a glacier in Narsaq

This is an easy one. Qajaq (pronounced Kayak) Brewing has been taken over by Icelander Fridrik Magnusson and the results are delicious. While visiting Narsaq, we saw how the company is using glacier water to create a beverage you can’t get anywhere else in the world. You can guzzle a pint while visiting Hotel Narsaq in their café.

The Ferry: Getting Around Greenland

Sail aboard the Arctic Umiaq Line

I’m not one for cruises, but the Arctic Line isn’t really that. Sitting on the deck, letting the sun warm you and watching icebergs float by is more entertaining than any Hollywood blockbuster, in my opinion. When you get too cold, go inside and warm up with a coffee and a hot meal, and then head out again and I’m sure the landscape will have changed. We went from Nuuk to Qaqortoq but there are many destinations on the route.

The ship is called the Sarfaq Ittuk and it sails once a week between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat. Every passenger gets a berth. You can also hop on or off partway, but remember the boat only comes back a week later.

Nuuk and the Surrounding Area

Find the abandoned settlement of Kangeq

Again with Guide to Greenland, we visited the abandoned settlement of Kangeq on one of our first days in Greenland and were blown away. The boat ride there was stunning enough, but walking amongst abandoned homes, churches and graveyards really gave a sense of the times of the past and the elements that these Greenlanders had to live with.

Hike, fish and eat with Touring Greenland

I think my post here says it all, but this was absolutely one of the best days of the trip and just in general, to be honest. With Greenland Tours, you can go out for an incredible day: starting with a boat ride, epic hike and ending with a little fishing and having it prepared for you by an all star chef. All around, the best of Greenland, by far.

Have a traditional Greenlandic BBQ at Inuk Hostels in Nuuk

At the Inuk Hostels in Nuuk, you can not only stay in waterfront cabins but you can also be treated to a traditional Greenlandic barbecue. What does this entail? Cooking up whale, seal and other local fish on the rocky beach and staying warm by the heather charged fire.

We learned so much about the history of how Greenlanders eat however we won’t be attempting this ourselves anytime soon – best to leave it to the experts. What’s on the fire depends on the season, but expect things like capelin, Arctic char, seal and reindeer.

Go clubbing in Nuuk

Don’t even get me started about Manhattan Nightclub. The carpets alone make it worth the visit. This place is huge and I can only imagine it getting quite packed on the weekend, as it’s the only nightclub in town. Oh, and there’s a swing… For more on the capital, here are my favourite things to do in Nuuk.

Other Experiences in Greenland

Stay up late and see the Midnight Sun

One of my favourite things to do in Greenland was go out at night, with a cup of tea or a glass of wine or whiskey, and watch the sun coast along the horizon. It’s hard to find anything but an incredible view in Greenland and of course, the further North you are, the longer the sun lingers. It was so peaceful to just sit and watch and it was in these moments that I really felt energy of this place. It also makes for some beautiful photos.

Eat muskox, anywhere, really

Muskox is one of the staples of Greenlanders diets and we ate it almost every day. You can’t visit Greenland without trying it. It makes for a very tasty burger and if you’re in Nuuk, Café Esmerelda takes the cake. You might want to share, though, because the portions are of epic proportions.

Eat salty liquorice from the bulk section of Brugsen

Alright this might be a biased addition to the list but that’s the point, right? I’m obsessed with salty liquorice (a Scandinavian specialty) and I had an addiction to the bulk candy section at the local grocery store while in Nuuk. Just make sure you get enough to share.

What’s new in Greenland for 2027?

Greenland is welcoming a range of exciting new experiences and events in 2027, making it an even more of an amazing place to visit for adventurous travellers. From cultural showcases and outdoor experiences to festivals and new visitor‑focused initiatives, there’s plenty fresh to explore across this beautiful Arctic land.

• Ilulissat’s new airport – Ilulissat’s new airport opens on 29 October 2026, with a weekly direct flight to Copenhagen. Summer 2027 will be its first full tourist season. You can now fly straight to the Ilulissat Icefjord without changing planes in Nuuk. Air Greenland’s new A320neo also joins the route in spring 2027.
• Qaqortoq, the new gateway to the south – Qaqortoq’s airport opened in April 2026, so 2027 is its first full year. It puts the fjords, Norse ruins and Uunartoq hot springs within easy reach. Air Greenland links it with Nuuk, and Icelandair flies in from Keflavík in summer.
• The coastal ferry is secured – The Sarfaq Ittuk has a government contract running to the end of 2027, sailing weekly between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat. The route will be reviewed once the new airports have changed how people travel. If the ferry’s on your list, 2027 is the year to book it.
• Suialaa Arts Festival in Nuuk – Nuuk’s biggest arts festival, formerly the Nuuk Nordic Culture Festival, is held every other year. The last one was in October 2025, so the next is due in 2027. Expect theatre, dance, music and art in venues all over the city. Dates haven’t been announced yet.

Planning a trip to Greenland

How to get to Greenland

There are no direct flights from the UK, so you’ll need to connect in Copenhagen or Reykjavík. Air Greenland now flies direct from Copenhagen to Nuuk in just under five hours. Icelandair flies from Keflavík to Nuuk all year, and United runs a summer route from Newark.

South Greenland is now much easier to reach. Qaqortoq’s new airport opened in April 2026 and is the gateway to the south. It’s the one you want for Narsaq, Tasiusaq and the Uunartoq hot springs. You can fly there from Nuuk year-round, or from Keflavík in summer.

Getting around Greenland

This is the bit that catches people out. No roads link the towns, so every journey is by plane, helicopter or boat. Flights get delayed by the weather all the time, so build a spare day into your plans before any international connection.

In Nuuk, taxis wait outside the airport and cost around 150 to 300 DKK into town. There’s also an hourly bus (route 3). Flights aren’t cheap either. A direct ticket between Copenhagen and Nuuk averages around 4,000 DKK.

Greenland is huge, and I think on our next visit we will head further north – there is so much more to explore! For now, we hope you liked our list of the best things to do in Greenland. Watch our adventures in Greenland on our YouTube channel and I guarantee, you will want to start planning your trip.

Questions? Just ask in the comments below! Still on the fence? I’ve answered the big question in is Greenland worth visiting.