Greenland tours & holidays
Heard about Greenland? It’s the one with all the ice
Found almost fully within the Arctic Circle, Greenland is an ode to humankind’s ability to survive the wild. Follow the journey of Inuit migration as we traverse the traversable on this frosty, ice-covered island. Whether the midnight sun or the northern lights brighten up the sky, what’s illuminated beneath is nothing short of staggering. With fjords around every corner, ice caps floating past multi-hued houses on the hilltops and the odd polar pear jumping floes, Greenland takes winter wonderland to a whole new level.
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Greenland at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Nuuk (population 19 thousand)
POPULATION
56,865
CURRENCY
DKK
LANGUAGE
Greenlandic, Danish
TIME ZONE
(GMT-03:00) Greenland
CALLING CODE
+299
ELECTRICITY
Type K (Danish 3-pin)
Learn more about Greenland
Best time to visit Greenland
Generally the summer months of June, July and August are the time to see Greenland, but it does depend what you’re looking for.
At midyear, the country isn’t as chilly as it can be (temperatures can rise as high as a sweltering 15°C…), and you’ll get to experience the phenomenon of the midnight sun.
Of course, if it’s the night lights of the aurora borealis you’re after, the time to go is definitely October through to March, when temperatures can plummet to well below freezing. Pack accordingly.
History and culture
Human history in Greenland began around four to five thousand years ago when different Inuit people migrated in waves from continental North America via the Canadian Arctic islands.
At some point, Norse settlers came and left the island, followed by English and Dutch whalers who mostly kept to the seas. Greenland then came under the colonial rule of the joint kingdom of Denmark and Norway, which lasted until 1979, when Denmark granted Greenland home rule.
Today, Greenland is still predominantly home to people of Inuit extraction, with the Kalaallisut or “Greenlander’s language” and Danish as the two main languages spoken. Greenland’s National Day is a great display of national pride, with national costumes worn, music played, and flags flown.
Geography and environment
When 84 per cent of your country is covered in the world’s largest ice sheet (and the rest is classed as permafrost), geography may seem kind of self-explanatory. But Greenland’s coastal fringes are where most of the magic happens. Plunging fjords, rocky promontories and trundling glaciers calving off into the Labrador Sea.
Most of the settlements along the western coast are wooden houses painted every colour of the rainbow. Towns and settlements are virtually cut off from each other (roads are very rare in Greenland), so most trade and movement are done by sea and air.
Eating and drinking
Greenland’s cuisine is somewhat dictated by the availability of food. In a land made mostly of ice, there’s little space and suitability to farm, so a majority of food comes from the ocean. From trout, salmon, halibut, cod, snow crabs and more to delicacies of seal and whale meat, the Greenlanders have survived off the ocean for thousands of years. Meat is typically salted, dried or smoked
Things to try in Greenland
- Fish
Seafood is a staple in Greenland, and there’s no wonder why, as there are so many different types found close by. Some of the favourite fish to be served across Greenland are cod, salmon and halibut. Fish can be prepared in a number of ways, including cured, smoked, dried, pickled, crumbed, boiled or even served as steak.
2. Shrimp
Greenland’s shrimps are slightly smaller than other shrimp as they are grown in ice-cold water over a longer period of time. This gives them a unique, crispier texture but full of flavour. Try a shrimp sandwich or simply order a plate to peel and eat yourself.
3. Suaasat
Greenland's national dish is suaasat, a tasty thick soup typically made with boiled seal, whale, seabird or reindeer meat, onions, potatoes and rice. Seals have been used as a basic ingredient in Inuit cooking for thousands of years but may take some getting used to.
4. Reindeer
The only deer found in Greenland; reindeer are used in a variety of ways in Greenlandic cuisine. You’ll likely find reindeer meat in everything from soups and stew-like dishes or eaten as steak.
5. Greenlandic coffee
This is no ordinary coffee. Made from whisky, Kahlua, Grand Marnier, whipped cream and coffee, Greenlandic coffee is typically enjoyed after dinner and symbolises the iconic northern lights when the Grand Marnier is warmed over a flame and poured over.
Money matters
The official currency of Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK).
Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants, hotels and shops. Major supermarkets also accept cash, but if you’re venturing into the smaller settlements, carry cash as a backup (card readers are often broken).
ATM access is good in the major towns and settlements, but most close at about 6 pm. You can also withdraw money in banks and post offices.
Greenland travel FAQs
Travellers from most nationalities need a visa to enter Greenland. For more information, please visit the Government of Greenland’s website or the Essential Trip Information.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.
You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.
Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.
We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.
For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
In Greenland, tipping is not mandatory but if you have found the service to be good, a gratuity will be appreciated.
In Greenland, you should come prepared with quality clothing that will keep you warm and dry. Ensure you bring a few layers that you can add or take off as needed. A mix of light to medium-weight layers is recommended. Other essentials include rain and windproof outer clothing, a beanie, gloves, a scarf, sun protection and mosquito repellent.
If you are planning on hiking, especially on glaciers, have a good pair of worn-in closed-toe hiking shoes/boots with good grip and a backpack for your essentials. If you are camping, you may need specialty equipment such as sleeping bag liners or head torches.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Greenland. You can even drink the water in the rivers and lakes – nothing better than pure glacial meltwater.
In Greenland, Wi-fi can usually be found in larger towns and hotels.
In Greenland, there is mobile coverage across cities and most settlements. Carriers may have different roaming charges, so check with yours before you go.
Most Greenland villages and cities have modern and fully functional flush toilets, which are widely available.
Greenland is mostly considered a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Homosexuality and gay marriage are legal in Greenland.
If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group trip, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.
We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.
We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.
Travelling from Australia?
Go to: Smart Traveller
From Canada?
Go to: Canada Travel Information
From the UK?
Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice
From New Zealand?
Go to: Safe Travel
From the US?
Go to: US Department of State
Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. Trips to this country directly support our global Intrepid Foundation partners Eden Reforestation Projects and World Bicycle Relief. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.
World Bicycle Relief
World Bicycle Relief provides people in low-income communities with bicycles to mobilise school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas – giving them access to vital education, healthcare, and income. Donations help provide Buffalo Bicycles – specifically designed to withstand the rugged terrain and harsh environment of rural regions – to those who need them most.
Find out more or make a donation
We believe travel should be accessible to everyone. Although some destinations and itineraries may be more accessible than others, we'll do our best to accommodate your needs, make reasonable adjustments where possible or guide you toward the most suitable trips. Get in touch with our friendly adventure consultants to chat about your options.
Our Tailor-Made team can also help you plan a customised trip just for you.