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Town Kulusuk, Greenland

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Things to see and do in Greenland

Climbing

Greenland's southernmost town, Nanortalik, is surrounded by the Nanortalik Skyscrapers, steep peaks and sheer mountain walls lining fjords. The area is a paradise for climbers, but Ketil Mountain and Ulamertorsuaq should only be attempted by experienced hands.

Disko Bay

North Greenland, and in particular the area around Disko Bay, is one of the most popular areas with travellers to Greenland. Here you'll find huge icebergs glowing in the light of the midnight sun (in summer) and a wide variety of attractions at sea, on land and in the air.

Dog sledding

The inuits have been living with their dogs and using their sledges for thousands of years, and taking a dog-sled trip will give you an insight into their culture. This is a popular activity in Eastern Greenland and north of the Arctic Circle, with tours available for all levels and durations. Best months for this are from February to April.

Greenland National Museum

This is one of Nuuk's major attractions. Take a look at the mummies of a group of women and children who were thought to have died in about 1475 when their boat capsized. The museum is in the oldest part of the city where buildings date back to 1728.

Hiking

Guided tours for mountain walking are available. Greenland Tourism has published colour-coded hiking maps and guides for Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Narsarsuaq in South Greenland and Ammassalik in the east. Mountain huts are often available, particularly in the region of the Narsaq and Qaqortoq peninsulas and Vatnahverfi.

Ilulissat

Ilulissat (meaning iceberg) is the gateway to Disko Bay and the whole of northern Greenland. Ilulissat boasts many modern as well as traditional buildings surrounded by breathtaking scenery (the 56km-long Ilulissat Icefjord was added onto UNESCO's World Heritage List in 2004). The famous explorer Knud Rasmussen was born here in 1879 and the house where he grew up has been transformed into the interesting Knud Rasmussen Museum. The town is also home to 3,000 sled dogs.

Nuuk

One of the world's smallest capitals, with a population of about 15,000, Nuuk was founded in 1728 by Norwegian missionary Hans Egede as the very first town of Greenland. The town is overlooked by Sermitsiaq Mountain, and is a popular destination for visitors.

Qaqortoq

The largest town in South Greenland is home to a small Inuit (Eskimo) Museum, which includes an exact copy of a turf-built house. The town square, situated close to the harbour, is surrounded by some of the most well-preserved buildings of the colonial era, dating back 200 years. Examples of a unique art project called 'Stone and People', where sculptures are carved into granite, can also be found throughout the town.

Snowmobiling

First and foremost a vehicle for recreation and leisure, snowmobiles are ubiquitous in Greenland, and renting one is a great way to discover Greenland's beautiful scenery in winter. Not a cheap leisure activity, but one that's guaranteed to give you a huge adrenaline buzz.

The world's largest national park

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of the youngest towns in Greenland and the most isolated - the municipality is about the size of the UK and holds the largest fjord in the world, Scoresby Sund. The area is ideal for expedition trips in kayaks or on dog sledges and it is also the departure point for the national park, for which permits are required.

Viking ruins

Narsarsuaq and Qassiarsuk in southern Greenland are situated in the area first settled by the Viking Eric the Red 1000 years ago. Many ruins from this epoch of Greenland's history still survive.

Whale watching

Many different species of whales can be seen along Greenland's coasts. Try the area around Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaat and Qasigiannguit, where with a bit of luck you might spot gigantic fin whales.

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