The story of Greenland
Greenland, the world's largest island, was first settled by Arctic peoples who crossed from North America more than four thousand years ago. Successive cultures, known to archaeologists as Saqqaq, Independence and Dorset, adapted to the extreme cold by hunting seals, walrus and caribou. Around the 13th century the Thule people, ancestors of today's Greenlandic Inuit, spread eastward with skin boats, dog sleds and kayaks, bringing the technology that would let them thrive along the coasts.
Meanwhile, from the west came Norse settlers. Erik the Red, exiled from Iceland, founded farming colonies in southern Greenland around 985 AD and gave the island its inviting name. The Norse built churches and farms, and their descendants lived there for nearly five centuries before the settlements faded in the 15th century, possibly due to a cooling climate and dwindling trade. Stone ruins of their churches still stand by the fjords.
Read the full history
In 1721 the Dano-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede arrived, beginning a long period of Danish colonial rule and trade monopoly. Greenland remained closely tied to Denmark, becoming an integral part of the Danish realm in 1953. Greenlanders gained Home Rule in 1979 and expanded Self-Government in 2009, with Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) as the official language and control over many internal affairs, while Denmark still handles areas such as defence and foreign policy.
Today about 56,000 people live in Greenland, mostly in colourful coastal towns, as the vast interior is covered by an ice sheet. For visitors, the island offers glaciers calving into iceberg-filled fjords, Norse ruins, Inuit culture, dog sledding, whale watching and the northern lights – an Arctic adventure where history and nature are always intertwined.
Timeline
- c. 2500 BCFirst Arctic peoples reach Greenland
- c. 985Erik the Red founds Norse settlements
- c. 1200sThule culture, ancestors of the Inuit, arrives
- c. 1450Norse settlements disappear
- 1721Hans Egede arrives; Danish colonisation begins
- 1979Greenland gains Home Rule
- 2004Ilulissat Icefjord listed by UNESCO
- 2009Self-Government Act takes effect
Entry rules depend on your passport and change often.
Before you book, check the official rules for your passport:
- IATA Travel Centre – passport, visa & health rules ↗
- U.S. passport holders – State Department country pages ↗
- UK passport holders – GOV.UK travel advice ↗
The latest visa and entry news for Greenland appears below as soon as publishers report it.
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#United Kingdom#France#London#ParisThings to do in Greenland
- Cruise among icebergs at IlulissatSail past towering bergs calved from one of the world's fastest-moving glaciers.
- Go dog sleddingRace across frozen landscapes behind a team of Greenlandic sled dogs in winter and spring.
- Watch the northern lightsSee green curtains of aurora dance across dark winter skies.
- Spot whalesLook for humpbacks feeding in the fjords during summer.
- Hike the Arctic Circle TrailTrek through wild tundra between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut.
- Visit Norse ruinsExplore Viking-age church and farm ruins in the Kujataa region of South Greenland.
- Kayak in a fjordPaddle silently among floating ice, as Greenlanders have done for centuries.
- Soak in Uunartoq hot springsBathe in natural warm pools while icebergs drift nearby.
- Stand on the ice sheetWalk onto the vast inland ice near Kangerlussuaq.
- Try Greenlandic foodTaste musk ox, Arctic char and dried fish at a local kaffemik gathering.
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Where to go in Greenland
- IlulissatDisko Bay · icebergsHome to the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, the island's most spectacular sight.
- NuukCapital · cultureA small capital with a national museum, cultural centre and mountain fjords.
- KangerlussuaqWest · ice sheet gatewayThe main air hub, with easy access to the ice sheet and musk oxen.
- 📍South Greenland (Qaqortoq & Narsaq)South · Norse historyGreen valleys, sheep farms and Norse ruins in a UNESCO-listed landscape.
- 📍SisimiutWest · adventure townA hub for hiking, skiing and dog sledding on the Arctic Circle.
- TasiilaqEast · remote ArcticDramatic peaks and a strong traditional culture on the wild east coast.
- 📍Disko IslandDisko Bay · islandBasalt mountains, a glacier for summer sledding and black-sand beaches.
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- Sail among towering icebergs in the Ilulissat Icefjord
- Walk on the edge of the Greenland ice sheet
- Go dog sledding across the snow in late winter
- Watch humpback whales in summer
- Suaasat – traditional soup of seal, whale or reindeer with rice
- Musk ox – lean, rich meat often served as steak
- Greenland halibut – fresh cold-water fish, often smoked
- Mattak – whale skin with a layer of fat, a local delicacy
Best time to visit Greenland
Greenland has an Arctic climate, with short cool summers and long cold winters. The south and west coasts are milder, while the north and east are colder and more remote.
Typical daytime highs and rain in Nuuk (approximate averages).
- June 21National DayCelebrated on the longest day with drum dancing, kaffemik and the national costume.
- SpringArctic SoundsA music festival in Sisimiut showcasing Arctic and Greenlandic artists.
- March-AprilNuuk Snow FestivalArtists carve giant snow sculptures in the capital.
- January-FebruaryReturn of the SunTowns north of the Arctic Circle celebrate the sun's first appearance after the polar night.
How many days in Greenland?
Day 1-2 Kangerlussuaq for the ice sheet and musk oxen. Day 3-5 Ilulissat for icefjord hikes, an evening iceberg cruise and a boat trip to a calving glacier.
Day 1-2 Kangerlussuaq, Day 3-5 Ilulissat and Disko Bay. Day 6-7 Nuuk's museum and fjords, Day 8-10 South Greenland's Norse ruins, hot springs and sheep farms.
Backpacker budget: about $150–220 a day
- Greenland is expensive and there are no roads between towns, so budget for flights or coastal ferries.
- Hostels, camping and simple guesthouses are the cheapest options.
- Camping in nature is generally allowed – bring good gear for wind and cold.
- Buy supplies at local supermarkets, as restaurant meals are costly.
- Book flights and boats early in summer, as space is limited.
Stay safe
- Greenland is very safe from crime, but nature is the main risk – go with guides off the beaten track.
- Weather changes quickly; carry layers and tell someone your hiking plans.
- Keep away from glacier fronts and icebergs, which can calve or roll without warning.
- Polar bears may occur in the north and east – travel there only with experienced guides.
Money
- Greenland uses the Danish krone.
- Cards are widely accepted in towns, but ATMs are limited in small settlements.
- Tipping is not customary but appreciated for guides.
Emergency: 112 police, fire & ambulance
Nuuk, Kangerlussuaq and Ilulissat airports handle international flights, mainly from Copenhagen and Iceland, with some seasonal routes from North America. In summer, expedition cruises also visit.
✈️ Cheap flights to Greenland: airports, flight times & best time to fly →
- Greenland is the world's largest island that is not a continent.
- Around 80% of Greenland is covered by an ice sheet up to about 3 km thick.
- There are no roads connecting Greenland's towns.
- The word 'kayak' comes from the Inuit language.
- Ilulissat's glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, is one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world.
Greenland travel questions
Is Greenland safe for tourists?
Yes, crime is very low. The main hazards are cold, weather and remoteness, so travel with guides for hikes and boat trips.
When is the best time to visit Greenland?
June to August is best for hiking, boating and the midnight sun. March and April are great for dog sledding and northern lights.
How many days do you need in Greenland?
Five days covers Ilulissat and the ice sheet. Ten days or more lets you add Nuuk and South Greenland.
Do I need a visa for Greenland?
It depends on your passport. Greenland has its own entry rules separate from Denmark's Schengen arrangements, so check the official government site or embassy before you travel.
How do you get around Greenland?
There are no roads between towns, so you travel by plane, helicopter or boat. In winter, dog sleds and snowmobiles are used locally.
Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).
There are no roads between towns, so travel is by Air Greenland flights or coastal ferries and boats. In winter, dog sleds and snowmobiles are used locally.
- Church of Our Saviour, Nuuk – Red wooden cathedral overlooking Nuuk's old harbour
- Ask before photographing people
- Respect hunting and fishing traditions, which are part of daily life
- Accept an invitation to a 'kaffemik', a friendly coffee-and-cake gathering
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