Top 8 Things To Do In Greenland

Located between the Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, geographically Greenland is part of North America, politically and historically it is associated with Europe and nationally it forms a part of Denmark. Greenland is a remote and cold country with a rich cultural history that spans back several centuries. It is a country that has preserved its incredible nature, wildlife and Inuit culture and offers travelers a unique and exciting experience. Check out our Top 8 Things To Do In Greenland.

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Uunartoq Hot Springs

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The island of Uunartoq is home to the only hot springs in Greenland that are warm enough to bathe in. Water temperatures average is between 37C-38C (98F and 100F) degrees all year long. Uunartoq island is located in the Kujalleq municipality in southern Greenland, close to the settlement of Alluitsup Paa.

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

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Greenland is one of the best places in the world to witness the Northern Lights. The Northern Lights are actually the result of collisions between gaseous particles in the Earth’s atmosphere with charged particles released from the sun’s atmosphere. The lights are seen above the magnetic poles of the northern hemisphere. Auroral displays appear in many colors although pale green and pink are the most common. The lights appear in many forms from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains or shooting rays that light up the sky with an eerie glow. The Aurora Borealis occurs all year round in Greenland but cannot be seen during the summer months due to the midnight sun. However, from early autumn the night sky is regularly illuminated by the Northern Lights’ green glow. The phenomenon is often seen around midnight and is best experienced on a dark, clear night from September to the beginning of April. Source: regent-holidays

Qaqortoq

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With about 3,300 inhabitants, Qaqortoq is the largest city in South Greenland and perhaps the most beautiful town in Greenland. The town is very colorful. It sits in a “bowl” around the harbor and the sides of the hills are covered with multi-colored wood buildings. In the center you will find beautiful colonial buildings dating back to year 1775 when the municipality was discovered, and a small square with Greenland’s most ancient fountain. You will encounter several groceries, a bank, a post office, a bar and a café but not many shops. Because just about everything is imported, prices are extremely high here. Outdoor types will enjoy trekking down the hiking trails located through and around the town. You can also spend a day whale watching or exploring the nearby glaciers and fjords.

Ilulissat Icefjord

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Located on the west coast of Greenland, 250 km north of the Arctic Circle, Greenland’s Ilulissat Icefjord is the sea mouth of Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the few glaciers through which the Greenland ice cap reaches the sea. These large pieces of ice had broken off from the most productive glacier in the northern hemisphere. The glacier flows about 30 metres per day producing approximately 20 billion tons of ice every yaer. Form the icefjord the icebergs get to open sea just in front of the city of Ilulissat and they start traveling north before turning south and running into the Atlantic Ocean. The Ilulissat Icefjord was declared a UNESCO Word Heritage Site in 2004 and it is a unique experience to have a closer look at these huge mountains of ice. Source: touristnature

Tasiilaq

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Tasiilaq, formerly Ammassalik and Angmagssalik, is a village with a harbor surrounded by high mountains in the center of the east coast of Greenland. With 2,000 inhabitants as of 2013, it is the most populous community on the eastern coast. Most of the local people are still fisherman and hunters by trade and the town consist of a hotel, restaurant, post office, bakery, book shop, hospital, museum and the helicopter station. Sea kayaking, whale watching, fishing, helicopter rides or hiking the Flower Valley behind the town, are just a few examples of the available activities during the summer, while popular winter activities are skiing trips and dog-sled tours.

Sermermiut

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Take a day tour from the city of Ilulissat and see the beautiful icebergs of Ilulissat create the wing for the abandoned Eskimo settlement Sermermiut, which is situated 1.5 km (0.9 miles) south of the city. The different Inuit cultures have lived here during the last 4,000 years, and today you can still find artifacts, which witness their presence.

Nuuk

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Nuuk is the capital and administrative center of Greenland  It is the seat of government and the country’s largest cultural and economic center. You’ll find a great mix of tradition and modernity, not to mention the astonishingly beautiful scenery. You’ll be surprised by the varieties this relatively small city can offer. Make sure to visit: The redwood Nuuk Cathedral and shop at Brugsen Market and Pisiffik Market.

Blue River

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The Blue River in Petermann Glacier, the largest floating glacier in the Northern Hemisphere, is kayaking heaven. The melting Petermann Glacier fills in the lower areas of the glacier and creates a clear blue water river. The filling pattern changes seasonally causing the river to change its shape. The vibrant blue color comes from glacial silt.

Just So You Know…

• Greenland is the least densely populated country in the world.
• The official languages of Greenland are Greenlandic and Danish, but English is also widely understood.
• Every March in Uummannaq, golf enthusiasts can join or watch the Ice Golf World Championships. The Ice Golf Championship takes place on the edge of the Arctic Circle and gives a whole new meaning to the term “winter golf”.
• On many World Maps, Greenland is often shown to be larger than Australia when in fact the truth is Australia is three times the size of Greenland.
• Greenland is thought to have been inhabited since prehistoric times by various Paleo-Eskimo groups; however, specific archaeological research does show the Inuit entering Greenland around 2500 B.C.E. The Norwegian Vikings later arrived around 1000 AD.
• Greenland has no roads connecting its towns, so you must use a plane, helicopter or boat in order to travel.
• Traveling between towns and villages is done by.
• The cuisine in Greenland can be called a mixture of Danish and Canadian influences. The national dish is Suaasat, which is a soup or stew with onions, potatoes, salt, pepper, and a type of meat with rice. Seafood includes shrimp, halibut, redfish, cod, and Arctic char.
• For beverages, you’ll find Greenlandic coffee, similar to an Irish coffee, as well as Ice beer.

Get Some Culture:

• Greenland National Museum – With large collections of archaeology, recent history, art, and handicrafts.
• Ammassalik Museum – local historical anthropological museum, located in an old church.
• Nuuk Art Museum – Contains a notable collection of paintings, watercolors, drawings, graphics, figures in soapstone, wood and ivory.