When I first landed in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, I was taken aback by the vast, otherworldly frozen landscape. Although I’ve traveled all over the world, I knew right away that Greenland — an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, covered almost entirely in ice — would be unlike anywhere I had ever been.
Exploring the country, where roughly 80% of the landmass is covered by an ice sheet, was challenging at times, but I still dream of returning to see more. Greenland and its activities shift dramatically with the seasons: In winter, travelers can view the northern lights and go snowshoeing, while summer brings opportunities to hike under the midnight sun, kayak and whale watch.
Greenland is one of the most remote places on the planet, with a sparse population, yet there is an endless amount to see and do — especially for outdoor enthusiasts, northern lights hunters and travelers seeking immersive cultural experiences.Here are some of the highlights travel advisors can recommend to clients.
Ilulissat
Ilulissat is a must-visit for most travelers to Greenland. With nearly 5,000 residents, the small town is one of the country’s most populated places. It has a compact, charming and historic downtown, and it also serves as an ideal jumping-off point for day trips throughout the surrounding area. In both Ilulissat and Kangerlussuaq, I booked all activities through Albatros Arctic Circle.
Visiting Ilulissat Icefjord is a must-have experience.
Photo Credit: 2026 Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland
One of the highlights of my time there was sailing through the UNESCO-protected Ilulissat Icefjord. Many consider the fjord one of the most beautiful places on Earth, and even after visiting more than 90 countries, I have to agree. Cruising through the fjord in a small icebreaker boat, surrounded by soaring icebergs and glaciers, was an awe-inspiring experience.
I also loved visiting the small settlement of Oqaatsut, where I spent the day ice fishing, exploring the tiny village — home to fewer than 50 residents — and dining at the historic Restaurant H8 Explorer. Other seasonal activities in Oqaatsut include dogsledding and snowshoeing.
While in Ilulissat, I also visited Sermermiut, part of the Ilulissat Icefjord UNESCO World Heritage Site, to learn more about Greenland's history and Indigenous culture. During my hike through the abandoned settlement, I saw the ruins once inhabited by Greenland’s Inuit settlers, who lived there because of the area's access to the ocean and nearby hunting grounds.
A northern lights display at Sermermiut
Photo Credit: 2026 Paul Zizka - Visit GreenlandOne evening, our Albatros tour group returned to Sermermiut to watch the sky above the mountains illuminate with deep-green northern lights. During the scenic hike, our guide warned us not to whistle beneath the aurora, lest we attract the attention of spirits said to take people's heads to play a game similar to soccer. Afterward, we warmed up at Hotel Hvide Falk with Greenlandic coffee — an essential part of the northern lights-viewing experience in the country. The drink is emblematic of Greenland in every layer, from the generous pour of whiskey symbolizing the country’s wild nature and the whipped cream piled on top meant to resemble icebergs to the flambeed Grand Marnier representing the ethereal dance of the overhead aurora.
Depending on the season, visitors to Ilulissat can also kayak, whale watch and day trip to Disko Island.
During my time in Ilulissat, I stayed at Hotel Arctic, billed as the world’s northernmost four-star hotel. I loved watching the northern lights from my modern, comfortable room. The hotel is also home to two restaurants and a great breakfast buffet. My favorite feature, however, was the hotel's large deck, which was perfect for watching the sunrise or spotting more northern lights — which I did nightly, despite the cold. Hotel Arctic also offers panoramic Aurora Cabins, perfect for clients who wish to watch the light show from the comfort of their own bed.
Kangerlussuaq
Kangerlussuaq, meanwhile, is Greenland’s adventure capital and the country’s only inland settlement. The town is wild, remote and perfectly suited for outdoor exploration. Almost immediately after I landed, Albatros whisked us off to a tundra safari to spot Greenland’s native reindeer, Arctic foxes and elusive musk oxen.
On a tundra safari, travelers can see native reindeer and other wildlife.
Photo Credit: 2026 Peter Lindstrom - Visit GreenlandDuring my stay in the sparsely populated town, I booked several other excursions, including a walk along the edge of the towering Russell Glacier and a hike across Greenland’s ice sheet — the world's second largest after Antarctica's. Walking on Greenland’s ancient ice in two different locations was easily another highlight of the trip.
Other seasonal activities here include kayaking, dogsledding, camping on the ice cap, ice fishing and snowmobiling.
Life in Kangerlussuaq centers around the town’s small airport, originally built as a U.S. Air Force base during World War II. The settlement's only tourist hotel, Hotel Kangerlussuaq, sits adjacent to the airport. The 70-room property is basic but comfortable, with multiple eateries and even a supermarket, where I picked up snacks during my stay.
Nuuk
Nuuk is Greenland’s international gateway. Most travelers to the country land in Nuuk and spend at least a day or two in the world’s northernmost capital city. With a population of approximately 20,000 people, Nuuk is also one of the world’s smallest capital cities. In Nuuk, locally owned agency Greenland Travel can help agents arrange tours, hotels and activities.
Most visitors to Nuuk don’t stay in the city for long. However, while there, travelers can take a guided tour of fjords, hike in the backcountry, take a cultural walk through the Old Colonial Harbor, or visit Nuuk’s museums, including the Greenland National Museum and an art museum. Day trips include boat tours to Sermitsiaq and other nearby settlements, as well as a boat ride in the fjords around Nuuk. Seasonally, visitors can go whale watching or hunt for the northern lights.
Nuuk is Greenland’s capital city and its international gateway.
Photo Credit: 2026 Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit GreenlandIn Nuuk, Hotel Hans Egede is a great higher-end hotel, while the HHE Express and Hotel Nordbo are good mid-range options. Sarfalik in the Hotel Hans Egede restaurant is well known for lunch and fish dishes. Restaurant Unicorn, located by the Old Colonial Harbor, is another popular restaurant for Greenlandic specialties and Asian food.
How to Reach Greenland
Greenland is just a four-and-a-half-hour plane ride from New York City, yet historically it has been difficult to reach. That’s changing rapidly.
Icelandair now offers several flights to Nuuk weekly, as well as vacation packages that include accommodations in Nuuk. As a bonus, passengers can take advantage of Icelandair’s stopover program to spend up to a week in Iceland at no extra charge, a great incentive for a combined trip. Additionally, United Airlines flies to Nuuk seasonally.
Greenland’s main international airport is in Nuuk. There is also an international airport in Kangerlussuaq. Another international airport in Qaqortoq, Southern Greenland, opened in April 2026, and an international airport in Ilulissat is scheduled to open in October 2026.
Cruise lines are also significantly expanding their sailings to Greenland. Notably, HX Expeditions launched several new Greenland sailings this year with different options around the island, including stops in Ilulissat, Nuuk, smaller settlements, and Greenland’s national park, the largest national park in the world.
Essential Information for Planning a Trip to Greenland
Because about 80% of Greenland is covered in ice, it has no roads connecting its towns and settlements. That means visitors need to fly between destinations on Air Greenland or take boats, which can be long and arduous outside of a cruise. Due to the lack of roads, renting a car to drive between destinations or finding a driver isn’t an option.
Another approach is to choose one city as a base and arrange day trips from there. Travelers will find the most to do around Kangerlussuaq, a better base for adventure activities, and Ilulissat, best for those who want access to a small town, more hotel options, icebergs and settlements.
Cruising is the final and, for many clients, most convenient option.
“Traveling by sea is really the most efficient and immersive way to explore Greenland,” said Karin Strand, vice president of expedition development for HX Expeditions and the executive committee chair of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators. “Expedition cruising gives access to remote communities and stretches of coastline that are otherwise very difficult to reach, while offering a more seamless way to experience the landscapes and culture.”
Because accommodations and dining options are limited even in major hubs like Nuuk and Ilulissat, traveling on a ship may be more comfortable for some visitors. Moreover, travel by air and smaller boats in Greenland is highly weather-dependent. Traveling on an expedition ship designed to handle ice and extreme conditions may be a more reliable way to get around Greenland.
