- Ilulissat and its UNESCO-listed Icefjord are the highlight of most trips
- Fly via Copenhagen with Air Greenland or via Iceland; there are no direct UK flights
- There are no roads between towns, so you travel by plane, boat or, in winter, dog sled
- Greenland is expensive and weather-dependent, so build in spare days
- Airports
- Nuuk (GOH), Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), Ilulissat (JAV), Narsarsuaq (UAK), Kulusuk (KUS)
- Flight time
- about 7-9h from London to Nuuk, with one stop in Copenhagen or Reykjavík
- Best time to go
- June-August for hiking, boat trips and the midnight sun; February-April for snow and northern lights
- Currency
- Danish krone (DKK)
Greenland is one of the last great wildernesses within easy reach of Europe. About 80% of the island is covered by an ice sheet up to three kilometres thick, and its 56,000 or so people live mainly in small, brightly painted towns along the coast. Visitors come for colossal icebergs, glaciers calving into fjords, whale watching, hiking under the midnight sun and the northern lights in winter, as well as Inuit culture that is very much alive.
Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, and uses the Danish krone. Plugs are the European two-pin type (230V). There are no roads between settlements, so the right-hand driving rule rarely matters. The capital, Nuuk, is two hours behind the UK for most of the year. It is expensive and logistically complex, but a new international airport at Nuuk has made it easier to reach, and it combines well with Iceland. See our North America guide for more of the region.
Entry requirements
Greenland is not part of the EU or the Schengen area. British passport holders can usually visit visa-free for up to 90 days. Most routes pass through Denmark or Iceland, which are in Schengen, so the usual Schengen rules apply there, including the EU's Entry/Exit System and, once it starts, ETIAS. Your passport should be valid for at least three months after you leave Schengen. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Greenland
Ilulissat and Disko Bay
Ilulissat sits beside the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the fast-moving Sermeq Kujalleq glacier sends enormous icebergs into Disko Bay. Walk the boardwalk to the Sermermiut valley, take an evening boat among the icebergs or fly over the glacier. Whales are often seen in summer.
Nuuk
The capital is small but cosmopolitan, with the National Museum, the Katuaq cultural centre, good restaurants and a dramatic backdrop of mountains and fjords. Boat trips explore the Nuuk Fjord system, and hiking trails start on the edge of town.
Kangerlussuaq
A former US air base and long the main international hub, Kangerlussuaq is the easiest place to reach the edge of the ice sheet, at Point 660, and to spot musk oxen and reindeer. It is also the start of the Arctic Circle Trail, a multi-day hike to Sisimiut on the coast.
South Greenland
Greener and gentler, the south has sheep farms, hot springs on Uunartoq island and the Norse ruins of Kujataa, a UNESCO site recording Viking-era and Inuit farming. Qaqortoq and Narsaq are attractive bases, with Narsarsuaq the main airport.
East Greenland
Remote and dramatic, East Greenland is reached via Kulusuk, a short flight from Reykjavík. Tasiilaq, surrounded by jagged peaks and iceberg-filled fjords, is a base for hiking, kayaking and, in winter, dog sledding. The far north-east is a vast national park, mostly seen on expedition cruises.
Best time to visit Greenland
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Summer (June-August) | Around 5-15 °C, midnight sun in the north, boat trips, hiking and whales; busiest |
| Autumn (September-October) | Cooler, autumn colours and the first northern lights; fewer visitors |
| Winter (November-January) | Dark and very cold; limited activities and short days |
| Late winter and spring (February-April) | Snow, dog sledding, northern lights and returning daylight |
Weather often delays flights and boats in Greenland, so leave a spare day before any international connection home.
Getting to Greenland from the UK
There are no direct flights from the UK. Air Greenland flies from Copenhagen to Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, taking around 4.5–5 hours, and Icelandic airlines fly from Iceland to Nuuk, Ilulissat and East Greenland. Seasonal flights from North America have also started serving Nuuk. From London, allow 7–9 hours or more with one change, and possibly an overnight stop. Expedition cruises are another popular way to see the coast in summer.
Getting around
Air Greenland's domestic flights and helicopters link the towns, and in summer coastal ferries and passenger boats run along parts of the west coast. Within towns, you can walk, take local buses in Nuuk, or use taxis. Many activities, such as ice sheet trips, whale watching and dog sledding, are best booked as guided tours, as they need specialist gear and local knowledge.
Money and costs
Greenland is very expensive, as almost everything is imported and transport is costly. Budget around DKK 2,000–3,000 (roughly £230–350) per person per day for a mid-range trip including accommodation and some tours, more with domestic flights. Many visitors book package tours that bundle flights, hotels and excursions. Cards are widely accepted in towns, but carry some kroner for small settlements.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Greenland from the UK?
Yes, with a change in Copenhagen or Iceland. There are no direct flights, but the journey can be done in a day to Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq.
When can you see the northern lights in Greenland?
From around September to early April, on clear, dark nights. Kangerlussuaq is known for its stable, clear winter weather.
Is Greenland part of Denmark?
It is a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, with its own government, but uses the Danish krone.
How many days do you need in Greenland?
A week is a good minimum for one or two areas, such as Ilulissat and Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq, allowing for weather delays.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
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