Best Places in Greenland You Must Visit

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Greenland, an autonomous nation within the Kingdom of Denmark, can truly be said to be a world apart. Over the last few years, tourism to the area has increased substantially, and thousands of adventurers have visited the country to explore the ice sheet, see whales, or experience the northern lights for themselves. Here are some of the best places in Greenland you must visit on the next trip.

Best Places in Greenland

1. Nuuk

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Most Greenland travelers will spend the majority of their trips in Nuuk, and for good reason: Greenland’s capital is a great place to learn about the country’s culture and is a popular starting point for cruises and other expeditions.

From here, you can head up Quassussuaq, a 1,420-foot mountain overlooking the city. It’s a fairly easy hike, and guided hiking tours are available. Of course, you can also stay in the city and marvel at the unique architecture or head to the Greenland National Museum to learn about the country’s Norse and indigenous roots.

2. Ilulissat Icefjord

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Announced as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, the Ilulissat Icefjord stretches 40km from the Greenland ice sheet to Disko Bay. Jakobshavn Isbræ, the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, is located at the eastern end of this fjord. Almost 20 billion tonnes of icebergs get passed out of the fjord each year after they’ve melted.

To witness the gorgeous vistas that this ever-changing and ephemeral site has to offer. you can either go for a hike, hire a boat, or you can take a helicopter tour to get an aerial view.

3. Disko Bay

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Occupying the western coast of Greenland, this bay has historical significance, as it was at this place Erik the Red, a Norse explorer who first started a settlement in 985 AD. The Inuits, however, are said to have encountered Disko Bay even earlier than 2400 BC.

The nutritious waters make it a habitat conducive to the survival of a wide array of marine lives such as benthic and pelagic fishes. During springtime, you can even catch a glimpse of the bowhead, humpback pilo, killer, and narwhal whales.

It is also the site where you can view gulls, kittiwakes, cormorants, eider ducks, and migratory birds such as harp, bearded, ringed, and hooded seals. The tours would last either three hours or as long as an entire week.

4. Whale Watching

 

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One of the top things to do for visitors in Greenland is to experience an up-close encounter with whales. Most of the fjords melt by May, so June and July are usually the best months for cruising among icebergs and whale watching along the breathtaking coastline.

Tours usually depart from towns such as Qeqertarsuaq, Nuuk, and Aasiaat and are offered by operators like Disko Line and Greenland Adventures. Typical encounters are with humpback, minke, and fin whales, but occasionally also blue whales, killer whales, narwhals, beluga whales, sperm whales, and pilot whales. Patience is required but richly rewarded.

5. Northern Lights

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The Northern Lights are often referred to as the “the biggest light show on earth,” and during your visit to Greenland, if at all possible, you shouldn’t miss this incredible natural spectacle. If planning to visit for the sole purpose of seeing the Aurora Borealis, then make sure to travel in winter.

There’s a good chance of seeing the Northern Lights anytime between November and March, although December through February are the best months because the nights are clearer. The Northern Lights are visible across Greenland. Qaqortoq (south), Ittoqqortoormiit (east), and Kangerlussuaq (west) provide the best views.

6. Uunartoq Hot Springs

Greenland has a fairly unforgiving climate, but the southern part of the country features numerous hot springs. Unfortunately, most of those springs are too cold to bathe in, but that’s not the case on the island of Uunartoq, where a number of warm pools await weary travelers.

The view at Uunartoq Hot Springs.

One of the best places in Greenland to visit is Uunartoq Hot Springs. You’ll take in views of ice-covered mountains and grassy fields while enjoying the warm waters, which reach temperatures of up to 100 degrees. Inuit ruins near the springs provide another good reason to visit Uunartoq, but you probably won’t meet many tourists;

7. Qaqortoq Museum

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Qaqortoq is a rock-bound fishing village of brightly painted houses climbing a hillside above the harbor. Set in an 1804 building that was once the Julianehåb colony manager’s house, the Qaqortoq Museum displays artifacts from the Dorset, Thule, and Norse cultures, each with its separate exhibits and interpretation.

The Norse history is especially well represented with artifacts that include harpoons and kayaks, along with an authentic replica of a peat hut. There is also a replica umiac, a traditional Greenland boat.

On the top floor are the beautifully reconstructed “Blue Room” and “Red Room,” where the explorer Knud Rasmussen and aviator Charles Lindbergh respectively stayed. Lindbergh was here when he was scouting sites for a Pan Am stopover airport.

In conclusion, these are some of the best places in Greenland for you to explore in your travel.