The Best of Greenland

Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is a small but fascinating city with a mix of modern Nordic life and deep Inuit traditions. Since it’s surrounded by stunning Arctic landscapes, sightseeing here is as much about nature as it is about culture.

Sightseeing Suggestions in Nuuk:

1. National Museum of Greenland – A must-visit for history lovers. It has well-preserved mummies from the Thule culture, plus exhibits on Greenlandic history, art, and traditions.

2. Nuuk Art Museum – A small but interesting museum showcasing both classic and contemporary Greenlandic art, including sculptures and paintings.

3. Katuaq Cultural Center – Nuuk’s architectural gem and cultural hub. It hosts concerts, films, and exhibitions, plus a cozy café to relax in.

4. Kolonihavnen (Old Colonial Harbor) – The historic part of Nuuk with colorful wooden houses, old colonial buildings, and a scenic waterfront.

5. Hans Egede’s House & Statue – The home of the Danish-Norwegian missionary who founded Nuuk in 1728. His statue offers a great view over the city.

6. Nuuk Cathedral (Church of Our Saviour) – A charming red wooden church from 1849, located in the city center.

7. Qornok Settlement – A short boat ride away, this abandoned fishing village is a great spot to see Greenlandic history and nature up close.

Nature & Outdoor Activities:

8. Fjord Cruises – Nuuk sits at the entrance of one of the world’s largest fjord systems. Boat tours offer breathtaking views of mountains, waterfalls, and even icebergs.

9. Hiking Lille Malene & Store Malene – These are two of the best hikes near Nuuk, offering stunning panoramic views of the fjords and surrounding wilderness.

10. Whale Watching & Northern Lights – Depending on the season, you can see humpback whales in the fjords or catch the Northern Lights from September to April.

11. Skiing & Snowshoeing – In winter, Nuuk is a great place for cross-country skiing and other Arctic adventures.

It’s a small city, so you can see a lot in just a couple of days, but the natural beauty will make you want to stay longer!

• Breakfast
• Hotel Hans Egede 4*

Check-out after breakfast, and transfer to the airport.

A 50-minute flight from Nuuk (GOH) to Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) is a short but scenic journey. If the weather is clear, you’ll get stunning aerial views of Greenland’s coastline, fjords, and inland ice cap.

Upon arrival transfer to the Polar Lodge or Old Camp (availability dependent).

With Mount Hassel in the background, Polar Lodge is a charming place to stay, situated 100m from the airport and with shopping facilities close by.  It is the ideal location for enjoying the area's many outdoor activities, as well as for hosting groups and conference events.

• Breakfast
• Polar Lodge 2*
• Transfers

The Greenland Ice Sheet is a natural formation developed over millions of years as layers of compacted snow and ice, gasses, dust, and water accumulated. Although the landscape appears to be a frozen mass, the Ice Sheet is active, just like any living, breathing, evolving organism. In fact, with an average thickness of 2- to 3 kilometers (1.25-1.75 miles), the immense weight continues to push the ice outward toward the sea, which is why this so-called inland ice sheet can also be seen along much of Greenland’s coast.
As the excursion to Point 660 begins, our 4WD vehicle or coach will pass Kangerlussuaq’s makeshift golf course, a miniature forest of conifers, and a roughly 400-meter-high cone-shaped rock called Sugarloaf.

As Kangerlussuaq fades in the distance, we enter a stunning landscape of mountains, plains, and semi-desert valleys. The route to the Greenland Ice Sheet winds along the beautiful valley of Sandflugtsdal and its equally long, milky turquoise meltwater river. The terrain alternates between fertile moor and dense scrub with sandy dunes and barren mountain slopes. By Greenlandic standards, this landscape is mild with rich flora and speckled with lakes, yet it is still relatively arid.
A few kilometers from the ice sheet’s outer periphery lies the Russel Glacier, an impressive sight with vertical ice walls rising as high as 60 meters. 

Our final destination, Point 660, is nearby at the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Its towering backdrop of glacial foothills stretches from north to south as far as the eye can see and is quite a remarkable sight to behold. You can explore the surrounding area on foot and breathe in the ice sheet’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere.

Duration: 5 hours

• Breakfast
• Polar Lodge 2*

Tundra Safari 
With a fjord on one side and the massive Greenland Ice Sheet bordering the other, Kangerlussuaq is surprisingly one of the most ice-free maps of land in Greenland. Its location is a paradise for both reindeer and musk oxen, who thrive in this environment due to the relatively mild, stable, and dry climate and the abundance of food.

The trip takes place by an off-road 4WD coach, outfitted to accommodate transport in the Arctic’s summer and winter terrain. We drive through the beautiful tundra landscape while the guide describes the surrounding flora and fauna.

With some luck, we will observe musk oxen roaming freely in their natural habitat around Kangerlussuaq and learn about these incredible creatures. We will also look for other wildlife in the area, such as reindeer, and learn about the tundra’s vegetation and flowering plants, including the dense scrub that grows on the south-facing rocky slopes and the wooded thickets of arctic willow that thrive along the rivers and streams.

On this excursion, we often drive up to the American-named mountain of Tacan. It is a mountain south of Kangerlussuaq that offers fantastic panoramic views of the valleys, rivers, Kangerlussuaq, and even parts of the Greenland Ice Sheet. We will take a few breaks during the excursion so you can stretch your legs while enjoying the peacefulness, fresh air, and views of the distant horizon. Duration: 2 hours

Flight to Ilulissat
In the afternoon we board a 50-minute flight to Ilulissat, one of the most scenic flights in Greenland, offering breathtaking views of the Arctic landscape. Transfer to the hotel on arrival.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*
• Transfers

Ilulissat City Walk
Together with a professional guide, you will visit the most charming places in the city. You will have a chance to explore the city while hearing fascinating facts and legends. In direct translation, Ilulissat is the Kalaallisut word for "Icebergs". The nearby Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has made Ilulissat the most popular tourist destination in Greenland. You will be surprised how many stories are hidden in the streets, buildings, and corners of Ilulissat. Your charming guide will tell you what is special and unique about living in this city. 

Icefjord Cruise
When you're in Ilulissat, a boat tour amidst the renowned icebergs is an absolute must. Each year, over 48 cubic kilometers of ice cascade into the fjord, forming colossal icebergs that can span over 100 meters on every side and tower more than 100 meters above the water's surface. These mammoth structures rest at the fjord's end, creating a remarkable opportunity to navigate through them. Regardless of the weather, the icebergs exhibit stunning beauty. In sunlight, they sparkle in brilliant white hues; on cloudy days, their blue tones are most vivid, and during the midnight sun, they emit a unique, warm radiance.

These icebergs stand as Ilulissat's iconic feature, and cruising among them is an unparalleled nature experience that's not to be missed while exploring the area.

Dress warmly; the Icefjord remains chilly throughout both summer and winter. Enjoy complimentary coffee and tea served onboard during the tour.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Walk to the Sermermiut Settlement
The picturesque backdrop of beautiful icebergs sets the stage for the ancient settlement of Sermermiut, positioned one and a half kilometers south of Ilulissat. Various Inuit cultures have inhabited this settlement for over 4000 years; today, remnants still exist, bearing testament to their existence.

Guides narrate enthralling stories about the lives and traditions of the Inuit people before the arrival of Europeans. Visitors have the chance to witness the ruins of turf huts and even feel the permafrost firsthand, connecting with the ancient environment.

Recognizing its exceptional significance, UNESCO designated this area as a World Heritage site in 2004. Sermermiut draws in around 30,000 guests annually, leading to the construction of a wooden walkway to preserve and safeguard the site from wear. As a result, everyone can embark on this enlightening journey.

A visit to Sermermiut is essential when exploring Ilulissat. We assure you that nothing compares to the unique experience awaiting you here. Dress appropriately for the prevailing weather conditions. Enjoy a warm beverage served during the tour for added comfort.

Whale Safari
The whales swim the waters of Disko Bay throughout the summer, sometimes near Ilulissat, occasionally in the Icefjord, Ilimanaq, or further north at Arveprinsens Ejland. Through radio contact with Ilulissat's fishermen and tourist operators, we're almost always able to locate these magnificent creatures. 

It is an incredible experience to get up close to such majestic creatures like whales. During the summer, you will typically encounter the humpback whale, minke whale, and fin whale. Among these giants, the humpback whale stands out as an acrobat despite its massive size of up to 18 meters and 30 tons. It showcases remarkable agility, leaping out of the water and skillfully maneuvering its tail and flippers. Identifiable by its humped fin and distinctive white back when it dives, the humpback whale frequents the Disko Bay in pursuit of fish, squid, and krill, offering excellent viewing opportunities.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

Only a few places in Greenland are as beautiful as the Eqi Glacier, which runs into the fjord 80 kilometers north of Ilulissat. It is possible to get very close to the glacier by boat and experience huge pieces of ice breaking off. The sounds are thunderous, and the sight of chunks of ice crashing into the water is astonishing.

We sail in modern, comfortable boats during the excursion to Eqi Glacier. The route takes us north along the coast, passing Bredebugt, the settlement of Oqaatsut and the big fjord system called Pakitsoq, where whales and seals are often spotted.

Lunchtime and watch the ice calve 

Further along the route, we pass through the Ataa Strait, which is surrounded by steep mountains with bird life and waterfalls. Our boats, which are reinforced for sailing in icy waters, will remain in front of the glacier for approximately 2 hours and wait for the ice to calve. Meanwhile, a delicious lunch will be served. This is an all-day excursion where you will have a good opportunity to immerse yourself in the experience and fully enjoy the boat trip through the ice-filled waters.

Remember to bring warm clothes – otherwise, sealskin clothing is available for rent.

• Breakfast
• Hotel Arctic 4*

In the morning, transfer to the airport, and flight to Reykjavik.

• Breakfast
• Transfers