Greenland
Most trips here are built around the Ilulissat icefjord, the capital Nuuk, and short flights or boat rides between coastal towns.
Greenland is the largest island in the world and part of the Kingdom of Denmark. Most of it lies under an ice sheet, so people live along the coast in small towns. Nuuk, the capital, is the largest town and the main hub for domestic flights. Ilulissat, on the west coast, is the town to visit for its icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where icebergs break off the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier.
Travel between towns is by domestic flight, helicopter or boat, and weather often changes plans, so keep spare days in your schedule. Kangerlussuaq, in the west, is the usual gateway for trips to the ice sheet. Sisimiut on the west coast and Tasiilaq on the east coast suit travelers who want hiking and a quieter pace, though both need planned transport. Summer, roughly June to August, brings the most daylight and the easiest conditions for boats and hiking. Allow at least a week, and more to see more than one area.
Five things to know before Greenland
- Carry a passport, even from the EU
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside Schengen and the EU. An EU ID card is not enough, so bring a passport.
- Check that your visa covers Greenland
If you need a visa for Denmark, you need one endorsed for Greenland too. Visa-exempt travelers can visit for up to 90 days. Visas and entry
- Build in spare days for the weather
Fog and wind often delay flights and boats between towns. Leave at least a spare day before your international connection.
- Book domestic flights and boat trips early
Seats on domestic flights and on summer boat trips to the glaciers are limited. Book as soon as your dates are firm. Getting around
- Pack for cold even in summer
Summer highs in Nuuk and Ilulissat are often around 10 °C, and wind off the ice feels colder on boats. Bring a warm layer, hat and waterproof shell.
Greenland travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Passports, Greenland-endorsed visas and the 90 days.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote areas, weather delays and evacuation.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMCoverage is mainly in towns; what works on your phone.
Read the guideMoney and costsDanish krone, cards in towns and what to budget.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights and coastal boats; no roads between towns.
Read the guide
Destinations in Greenland
When to go
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- JanuarySnow15 rainy days7 snowy daysHigh-8°Low-12°Dark, coldJanuarySnow
- High
- -8°
- Low
- -12°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 7
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, cold
- FebruarySnow15 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-9°Low-14°Cold, snowFebruarySnow
- High
- -9°
- Low
- -14°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, snow
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh-6°Low-11°Snow, lighterMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- -6°
- Low
- -11°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Snow, lighter
- AprilPartly cloudy10 rainy days4 snowy daysHigh-1°Low-5°Cold, brightAprilPartly cloudy
- High
- -1°
- Low
- -5°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 4
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, bright
- MayPartly cloudy8 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh2°Low-1°ThawMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw
- JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh6°Low3°Long lightJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long light
- JulyPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Warmest, boats runJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warmest, boats run
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh9°Low5°Whales, boatsAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 5°
- Precipitation
- 88 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Whales, boats
- SeptemberPartly cloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh6°Low2°Autumn, aurorasSeptemberPartly cloudy
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 105 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn, auroras
- OctoberPartly cloudy11 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh1°Low-2°Cold, aurorasOctoberPartly cloudy
- High
- 1°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, auroras
- NovemberSnow12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-3°Low-6°Dark, aurorasNovemberSnow
- High
- -3°
- Low
- -6°
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Dark, auroras
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy days6 snowy daysHigh-5°Low-10°DarkestDecemberPartly cloudy
- High
- -5°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 6
- Days with storms
- 0
Darkest
Average daily high and low in Nuuk, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Greenland
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -3°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 27%
Nuuk
06:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today3°-4°27%Monday: Snow. High 3°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Tue2°-2°41%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 41%.
- Wed1°-2°18%Wednesday: Fog. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu1°0°64%Thursday: Rain. High 1°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Fri2°-2°87%Friday: Rain. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat-1°-2°64%Saturday: Snow. High -1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Sun1°-2°45%Sunday: Snow. High 1°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 45%.
Updated 04:17 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 6.694 DKK
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Greenland FAQ
Do I need a visa for Greenland?
Not if your passport is visa-exempt for Schengen: you can stay up to 90 days. If you need a visa for Denmark, you need one endorsed for Greenland.
Is Greenland part of the EU or Schengen?
No. Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside both, so Schengen visas do not apply there.
Can I drive between towns in Greenland?
No. There are no roads between towns, so you travel by plane, helicopter or boat.
When is the best time to visit Greenland?
June to August for boat trips, hiking and whales. September to March for northern lights, with winter activities such as dog sledding in the north.
How do I get to Greenland?
Flights run from Copenhagen and Reykjavík, with some seasonal routes from North America. Most arrive at Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq.