A Greenland holiday is defined by scale, remoteness, and powerful natural beauty. Unlike traditional destinations where travel revolves around cities or resorts, Greenland’s appeal lies in its landscapes, light, and culture. Each destination offers a distinct way to experience the Arctic, shaped by geography, season, and local traditions. Choosing the right destination is essential to creating an unforgettable Greenland holiday, as travel between regions is limited and each area delivers a very different atmosphere. From iceberg-filled fjords and snow-covered mountains to cultural capitals and remote wilderness, Greenland’s destinations are few in number but rich in character. Whether visiting in winter for Arctic adventures or in summer for long days under the Midnight Sun, these locations represent the very best of what Greenland has to offer.
Ilulissat – Icefjord Capital of Greenland
Ilulissat is Greenland’s most famous destination and often the centerpiece of a first Greenland holiday. Located on the west coast, the town overlooks the UNESCO listed Ilulissat Icefjord, where enormous icebergs break away from one of the world’s most productive glaciers and drift slowly into Disko Bay. The sight of towering ice formations moving through the fjord is one of the most iconic images of Greenland.
A holiday in Ilulissat is defined by proximity to ice. In winter, snow-covered landscapes and frozen coastlines create a stark Arctic atmosphere, ideal for Northern Lights viewing and dog sledding. In summer, the Midnight Sun illuminates the icefjord around the clock, allowing travelers to explore hiking trails, boat tours, and scenic viewpoints at all hours. Ilulissat offers a balance of accessibility and spectacle, making it one of the easiest places to experience Greenland’s dramatic nature.
Accommodation options in Ilulissat include well-located hotels and lodges designed to accommodate Arctic travelers. Many stays offer direct views of the icefjord, allowing guests to experience Greenland’s most famous landscape from the comfort of their accommodation.
A holiday in Ilulissat is defined by proximity to ice. In winter, snow-covered landscapes and frozen coastlines create a stark Arctic atmosphere, ideal for Northern Lights viewing and dog sledding. In summer, the Midnight Sun illuminates the icefjord around the clock, allowing travelers to explore hiking trails, boat tours, and scenic viewpoints at all hours. Ilulissat offers a balance of accessibility and spectacle, making it one of the easiest places to experience Greenland’s dramatic nature.
Accommodation options in Ilulissat include well-located hotels and lodges designed to accommodate Arctic travelers. Many stays offer direct views of the icefjord, allowing guests to experience Greenland’s most famous landscape from the comfort of their accommodation.
Nuuk – Greenland’s Cultural and Travel Gateway
Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, provides a different perspective on a Greenland holiday. As the country’s largest city, Nuuk combines modern amenities with deep cultural roots, offering museums, restaurants, and cultural centers alongside access to nearby fjords and mountain landscapes. For many travelers, Nuuk is the entry point to Greenland and an ideal base for combining urban comfort with outdoor exploration.
A holiday in Nuuk allows visitors to learn about Greenlandic history and contemporary life while still experiencing Arctic nature. The surrounding Nuuk Fjord system is one of the largest in the world, offering winter snowmobiling routes, boat tours in summer, and excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. In winter, Nuuk also serves as a convenient base for Northern Lights excursions, thanks to nearby dark-sky locations.
Nuuk offers the widest range of Greenland accommodations, from modern hotels to smaller guesthouses, making it suitable for travelers seeking flexibility and comfort during their Greenland holiday.
A holiday in Nuuk allows visitors to learn about Greenlandic history and contemporary life while still experiencing Arctic nature. The surrounding Nuuk Fjord system is one of the largest in the world, offering winter snowmobiling routes, boat tours in summer, and excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting. In winter, Nuuk also serves as a convenient base for Northern Lights excursions, thanks to nearby dark-sky locations.
Nuuk offers the widest range of Greenland accommodations, from modern hotels to smaller guesthouses, making it suitable for travelers seeking flexibility and comfort during their Greenland holiday.
Sisimiut – Mountain Landscapes and Arctic Adventure
Sisimiut is widely regarded as Greenland’s adventure capital, particularly during the winter months. Located just north of the Arctic Circle, the town is surrounded by mountains, valleys, and inland routes that become accessible only when snow covers the landscape. For travelers seeking an active Greenland holiday, Sisimiut delivers some of the country’s most immersive outdoor experiences.
Winter in Sisimiut is defined by movement across the land. Dog sledding routes connect remote areas, snowmobiles travel across frozen lakes, and winter hiking reveals expansive mountain views. In summer, Sisimiut transforms into a hub for hiking and coastal exploration, with trails leading into the surrounding highlands. The town maintains a strong sense of local life, offering insight into how Greenlandic communities adapt to seasonal change.
Accommodations in Sisimiut include hotels and guesthouses suited for adventure focused travelers, often with direct access to guided activities and local operators.
Winter in Sisimiut is defined by movement across the land. Dog sledding routes connect remote areas, snowmobiles travel across frozen lakes, and winter hiking reveals expansive mountain views. In summer, Sisimiut transforms into a hub for hiking and coastal exploration, with trails leading into the surrounding highlands. The town maintains a strong sense of local life, offering insight into how Greenlandic communities adapt to seasonal change.
Accommodations in Sisimiut include hotels and guesthouses suited for adventure focused travelers, often with direct access to guided activities and local operators.
East Greenland – Remote Arctic Wilderness
East Greenland represents the most remote and visually dramatic side of a Greenland holiday. The region around Tasiilaq and the Ammassalik area is characterized by steep mountain ranges, deep fjords, and limited infrastructure. Travel here feels like an expedition, offering an unparalleled sense of isolation and connection to nature.
A holiday in East Greenland is not about convenience but immersion. In winter, frozen fjords become natural travel routes, and snow-covered peaks rise directly from the sea. In summer, ice-filled waters and rugged coastlines create a striking contrast of color and texture. This region is ideal for travelers seeking solitude, dramatic landscapes, and authentic Arctic experiences.
Accommodation options in East Greenland are limited but meaningful, typically consisting of small hotels and locally operated guesthouses that emphasize warmth, community, and respect for the environment.
A holiday in East Greenland is not about convenience but immersion. In winter, frozen fjords become natural travel routes, and snow-covered peaks rise directly from the sea. In summer, ice-filled waters and rugged coastlines create a striking contrast of color and texture. This region is ideal for travelers seeking solitude, dramatic landscapes, and authentic Arctic experiences.
Accommodation options in East Greenland are limited but meaningful, typically consisting of small hotels and locally operated guesthouses that emphasize warmth, community, and respect for the environment.
South Greenland – History, Fjords, and Green Landscapes
South Greenland offers a surprising contrast to the icy imagery often associated with a Greenland holiday. Known for its rolling hills, fjords, and sheep farming communities, the region is rich in history and cultural significance. This area was once home to Norse settlers, and remnants of Viking-era ruins can still be explored today.
A holiday in South Greenland is well suited to summer travel, when milder temperatures and long daylight hours allow visitors to explore historic sites, hike through green valleys, and sail along scenic fjords. The region offers a quieter, slower-paced Greenland experience, appealing to travelers interested in history, landscapes, and cultural exploration. Accommodations in South Greenland often include countryside lodges and small town hotels, offering a more intimate stay surrounded by nature.
A holiday in South Greenland is well suited to summer travel, when milder temperatures and long daylight hours allow visitors to explore historic sites, hike through green valleys, and sail along scenic fjords. The region offers a quieter, slower-paced Greenland experience, appealing to travelers interested in history, landscapes, and cultural exploration. Accommodations in South Greenland often include countryside lodges and small town hotels, offering a more intimate stay surrounded by nature.
Choosing the Right Destination for Your Greenland Holiday
Each destination in Greenland offers a unique way to experience the Arctic. Ilulissat provides iconic icefjord scenery, Nuuk blends culture with nature, Sisimiut delivers mountain adventure, East Greenland offers raw wilderness, and South Greenland reveals history and contrasting landscapes. The best destination for your Greenland holiday depends on your interests, the season of travel, and how you want to engage with the environment.
Regardless of where you choose to go, Greenland’s destinations promise unforgettable scenery, meaningful cultural encounters, and experiences shaped by one of the most powerful natural environments on Earth.
Regardless of where you choose to go, Greenland’s destinations promise unforgettable scenery, meaningful cultural encounters, and experiences shaped by one of the most powerful natural environments on Earth.
Final Thoughts
A Greenland holiday is not defined by luxury or convenience, but by authenticity and scale. By choosing the right destination and planning with intention, travelers can experience Greenland at its most breathtaking and memorable. From icefjords and mountains to cultural capitals and remote wilderness, these destinations form the foundation of an unforgettable journey to the Arctic.
Next Step: Explore Greenland accommodations and travel options in these top destinations to begin planning your Greenland holiday.