One Week in Greenland

What You Should Know Before Going On A Greenland Tour

What to Pack for Traveling in Greenland

How best to answer this perennial question - how cold will I be in Greenland? - while encouraging travel to this pristine natural region? While it’s true that the average temperatures do not normally exceed 10° C (50° F) - this being an Arctic climate, after all - let’s focus on the fact that the air quality up there is some of the best in the world.

Take a few deep breaths and drink in those far-reaching views, thanks to the fine air quality and low moisture. If you’re visiting the southern part of Greenland, you can expect slightly higher temperatures - more than 20° C (68° F) during the months of June, July and August.

Pack well, according to the tips below for what to pack for your Greenland tour, and you’ll be ready for anything Mother Nature throws at you.

What to Pack for the Summer in Greenland

• Bug repellent and a mosquito head net
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle or CamelBak
• Warm jacket
• Rain jacket and rain pants
• Hat
• Gloves
• Wool socks
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Tennis shoes or other comfortable footwear
• Long underwear
• Fleece jacket
• Warm pants
• Sunglasses
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Daypack

What to Pack for the Winter in Greenland

• Wool socks
• Long underwear (top and bottom)
• Waterproof mittens
• Thin wool gloves to wear inside mittens
• Hat
• Fleece pants
• Fleece jacket
• Goretex (or similar material) pants and jacket
• Winter boots
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Thermos
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Daypack

Is It Always Cold in Greenland?

This depends on your interpretation of “cold.” The average temperatures in Greenland do not typically exceed 10° C (50° F), yet June through August, you might feel temps into the mid-60s.

While your Greenland tour certainly isn’t going to boast any balmy days, take advantage of the low moisture and excellent air quality to enjoy some of the most far-reaching views you’ll have in any destination on Earth.

Do Only Cruises Visit Greenland?

Cruises to Greenland are a great way to embrace the country’s rugged shoreline and sail in and out of various cities along the coast. Typically, the best time to cruise Greenland is between June and October - the shoreline is more navigable at this time and the temperatures are warmer.

However, cruising is not the only way to visit Greenland. There are several land tours that bring visitors ashore to experience Greenland’s glaciers (including Sermeq Kujalleq, the largest glacier in the world outside of Antarctica), charming cities, UNESCO World Heritage Site, enormous national park, polar bear hunting grounds and more.

What Is the Population of Greenland?

Greenland is the world’s largest island and houses the massive Greenland Ice Sheet, so as you might expect, the population of Greenland is widely dispersed. There are 18 municipalities on the island and this is where the majority of residents live.

Those who don’t choose to live in one of these larger towns  live in villages in outlying areas. Among the residents, you’ll hear the official languages of Greenlandic and Danish, as well as quite a bit of English.

When Is the Best Time to Travel to Greenland?

So, in a country where cold is always expected and the biggest physical characteristic is an enormous ice sheet, when is the best time for a Greenland tour? This depends a bit on what you’re hoping to get out of your Arctic exploration.

Summertime breathes new life into Greenland’s towns and villages, bringing residents out of hibernation for hiking, kayaking and simply sitting with friends to enjoy the midnight sun - from the end of May until the end of July, you will rarely see the sun set.

Hoping to dog sled and catch the best views of the Northern Lights in Greenland? Come between December and March. The days are short, the temperatures are dropping, but usually, the sun is shining bright (even though its for a brief period of time each day).

It’s also possible to start seeing the Aurora Borealis in the autumn, October and November, and this shoulder season also brings with it smaller crowds and lower prices.

Who Are Greenland Tours Good For?

It’s obvious that visiting Greenland is a different animal than, say, a tropical South Pacific vacation, a sensory smorgasbord in Morocco or a culture-packed trip through the capitals of Europe. So, who will enjoy a Greenland tour? We think visiting the world’s largest island is an excellent choice for travelers who:

1. Are flexible. If you’re open minded and aren’t tied down to a particular schedule or must-see list on your Greenland tour, you’re in the right place. The weather can be a little frenetic and may decide for you whether it’s a day for dog sledding or a day to cozy up with a hot buttered rum and a novel.
2. Happy to unplug. Here in one of the most remote areas of the world, you’re not always going to have reliable WiFi. When it is available, it may come at a higher cost that you’re used to. So, take advantage of your Greenland exploration to disconnect and instead, reconnect with your travel companions and the incredible world around you.
3. Like to travel by foot, air or water. Believe it or not, there aren’t many miles of roads in Greenland and none of the towns are connected by road. Be prepared to travel either under your own power (hiking) or by boat or airplane.