Things to Do in Greenland
32 things to do in Greenland
Greenland offers one of Earth's most dramatic landscapes: endless ice sheets, calving glaciers, and fjords that rival anything else on the planet. Whether you're drawn to raw natural beauty or cultural immersion, there's something for every traveler here. The Arctic Circle Trail Greenland is a multi-day trek that rewards hikers with remote wilderness and coastal views, while the Ilulissat Icefjord showcases towering icebergs drifting into a UNESCO-listed fjord.
Beyond the ice, Greenland's towns hold cultural treasures worth exploring. Nuuk, the capital, houses the Greenland National Museum and Archives and the striking Nuuk Katuaq cultural center. In smaller settlements like Ilulissat and Qaqortoq, local museums tell stories of hunting traditions and Arctic life. For something different, the Uunartoq Hot Springs offer a surreal contrast—steaming waters in one of the world's coldest inhabited regions.
Adventurers can hike Sermitsiaq Mountain near Nuuk, visit the remote Northeast Greenland National Park, or take a boat to Disko Island and Uummannaq Island. The Jakobshavn Glacier and Russell Glacier are must-sees for ice enthusiasts, while historic sites like Hvalsey Church remind visitors of Greenland's Norse settlement era.
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Ilulissat Icefjord
Must-seeUNESCO World Heritage glacier fjord; defining Arctic experience and Greenland's most iconic sight.
Ilulissat Icefjord, Ilulissat Icefjord, Greenland - 2
Disko Bay
Must-seeGreenland's most iconic natural attraction—enormous icebergs, whales, Arctic wilderness.
Disko Bugt, Disko Bugt, Greenland - 3
Greenland ice sheet
Must-seeCovers 80% of Greenland; world's second-largest ice body; defining Arctic experience.
Greenland ice sheet, Greenland ice sheet, Greenland - 4
Arctic Circle Trail Greenland
Must-seeGreenland's defining multi-day wilderness trek; essential for hiking-focused visitors and Arctic experience.
Arctic Circle Trail, Kangerlussussuk, 2648+HQM, Paamiut, Greenland - 5
Northeast Greenland National Park
Must-seeWorld's largest national park; Arctic wilderness defining Greenland's identity and appeal.
Northeast Greenland National Park, Greenland - 6
Jakobshavn Glacier
Must-seeDefining Arctic glacier and UNESCO World Heritage site; most visitors travel to Ilulissat specifically for this.
Jakobshavn Glacier, Jakobshavn Glacier, Greenland - 7
Cape Farewell
Must-seeGreenland's southernmost point with dramatic Arctic landscapes, hiking, and historic Norse significance.
Cape Farewell, Cape Farewell, Greenland - 8
Sermitsiaq Mountain
Nuuk's iconic landmark visible from the city; moderately challenging hike with Arctic panoramas.
Sermitsiaq, Sermitsiaq, Greenland - 9
Disko Island
Iconic Arctic destination with unique geology, hiking, and iceberg views; essential to experience Greenland's character.
Disko Island, Disko Island, Greenland - 10
Prince Christian Sound
Iconic Greenlandic fjord system; defines remote Arctic maritime experience for most visitors.
Prince Christian Sound, Prince Christian Sound, Greenland - 11
Uummannaq Island
Remote Arctic settlement with dramatic landscapes, authentic Inuit culture, and exceptional hiking and ice fjord experiences.
Uummannaq Island, Uummannaq Island, Greenland - 12
Hvalsey Church
Greenland's most significant Norse ruins; tangible connection to lost medieval settlement.
Hvalsey Church, Greenland - 13
Nanortalik Open Air Museum
Greenland's largest outdoor museum with nine historic colonial buildings; essential for understanding regional heritage.
Nanortalik Outdoor Museum, Kolonivej 9, Nanortalik 3922, Greenland - 14
Nuuk Art Museum
Greenland's main contemporary art museum with 1,200+ works; essential for understanding local culture.
Nuuk Art Museum, Kissarneqqortuunnguaq 5, Nuuk 3900, Greenland - 15
Kulusuk Museum
Kulusuk Museum, B179, Kulusuk 3915, Greenland - 16
Greenland National Museum and Archives
Central repository of Greenlandic history and Inuit artifacts; essential for understanding the destination's 4,500-year cultural arc.
Greenland National Museum and Archives, Hans Egedesvej 8, Nuuk 3900, Greenland - 17
Aasiaat Museum
Aasiaat Museum, P45H+9HX, Sissakkooriaq, Egedesminde, Greenland - 18
Qasigiannguit-Museum
Oldest European wooden building in North Greenland with deep Inuit and colonial history collections.
Qasigiannguit-Museum, Kalaallit Nunaat, Poul Egedesvej 5, Christianshåb, Greenland - 19
Ammassalik Museum
Essential context on Inuit culture and East Greenland history; housed in significant 1903 church building.
Ammassalik Museum, Ruttelip Aqq, Tasiilaq 3913, Greenland - 20
Qinngua Valley
Greenland's only natural forest and rare sub-arctic ecosystem with Norse heritage significance.
Qinngua Valley, Qinngua Valley, Greenland - 21
Ukkusissat Mountain
Demanding day hike near Nuuk with panoramic fjord and Arctic views; worth prioritising in summer.
Ukkusissat, Ukkusissat, Greenland - 22
Nuuk Katuaq – Cultural Center
Iconic modern architecture and primary venue for experiencing contemporary Greenlandic culture and arts.
Nuuk Katuaq - Cultural Center, Imaneq 21, Nuuk 3900, Greenland - 23
Nuuk Cathedral
Greenland's oldest cathedral and defining landmark of Nuuk's Old Town, architecturally and culturally iconic.
Church of our Saviour, 57H4+V9F, Nuuk 3900, Greenland - 24
Russell Glacier
Accessible glacier with dramatic Arctic scenery; defining Greenland experience near Kangerlussuaq.
Russell Glacier, Russell Glacier, Greenland - 25
Sermermiut
Ancient Inuit settlement with 4,000 years of cultural history and Arctic hiking near Ilulissat.
Sermermiut, 6V8X+H68, Alanngukasik, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland - 26
Uunartoq Hot Springs
Greenland's only accessible geothermal hot springs, uniquely Arctic bathing experience.
Uunartoq Hot Springs, GM58+2M2, Igdlorpait, Greenland - 27
Qaqortoq Museum
Qaqortoq's main cultural institution covering Inuit, Norse, and colonial history comprehensively.
Qaqortoq Museum, B-29, Torvevej, Qaqortoq 3920, Greenland - 28
Sisimiut Museum
Sisimiut Museum, W8QH+9J4, Sisimiut 3911, Greenland - 29
Ilulissat History Museum
Important local history museum in Ilulissat; worth visiting if interested in Greenlandic culture and Knud Rasmussen.
Ilulissat History Museum, Nuisariannguaq 9, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland - 30
Ilulissat Kunstmuseum
Ilulissat Kunstmuseum, Aron Mathiesenip Aqqutaa 7, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland - 31
Paamiut Museum
Paamiut Museum, Orthorssuup Aqqutaa 6, Frederikshåb, Greenland 
Scoresby Sund
Scoresby Sund, Scoresby Sund, Greenland
Things to Do in Greenland: FAQ
What's the best time to visit Greenland?
Summer (June–August) offers near-constant daylight and accessible hiking like the Arctic Circle Trail Greenland. Winter brings the Northern Lights and is ideal for dog sledding, though many sites including the Ilulissat Icefjord are still accessible with proper preparation.
How do I get between Greenland's towns?
There are no roads connecting settlements; travel is by boat (summer) or helicopter/small plane (year-round). Most visitors fly into Nuuk and then take domestic flights or ferries to reach places like Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, and Disko Island.
Are there guided tours for glaciers and hiking?
Yes—the Jakobshavn Glacier, Russell Glacier, and Arctic Circle Trail Greenland can all be explored with local guides. Most towns have tourism offices that arrange boat trips to icebergs and day hikes to peaks like Sermitsiaq Mountain.