Greenland in winter belongs to dog sleds, northern lights and deep cold. Greenland in summer is a different country. From June to August the sea ice melts, boats replace snowmobiles, whales feed in the fjords, and the sun barely sets, or does not set at all in the north. If you go once, summer is the time to go.
The best destinations to visit in Greenland for the summer share one thing: water. This is the season of boat trips among icebergs, fjord cruises, coastal hikes and small towns that wake up after the long dark months. Almost every trip is built around the sea.
In this guide you will find the main summer stops, from Ilulissat and its famous icefjord to the capital Nuuk, the ice cap gateway at Kangerlussuaq, and the green valleys and hot springs of the south. You will also get the practical notes that matter here, because Greenland travel rewards early planning more than almost any trip I know.
One honest warning before we start: Greenland is expensive and the season is short. Hotels and boat tours in the best destinations to visit in Greenland for the summer can sell out months ahead. Read the guide, pick your route, and book early.
Contents
- 1. Why Summer Is the Season to Visit Greenland
- 2. Ilulissat and the Icefjord: Icebergs in Disko Bay
- 3. Nuuk: The Small Capital With Big Scenery
- 4. Kangerlussuaq: Ice Cap Trips and Musk Oxen
- 5. South Greenland: Qaqortoq, Hot Springs and Norse Ruins
- 6. East Greenland: Tasiilaq for the Adventurous
- 7. Practical Notes Before You Go
- 8. Booking Tips for a Greenland Summer Trip
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
1. Why Summer Is the Season to Visit Greenland
The Midnight Sun and Long, Light Days
North of the Arctic Circle, which covers most of Greenland’s coast, the sun does not set at all for part of the summer. In Ilulissat you can take a boat trip at 10 in the evening and watch icebergs glow pink in full daylight. Even in the south, nights stay bright and short.
This light changes how you travel. Tours run late, hikes can start after dinner, and nobody rushes. It is a strange and happy feeling, and for many visitors it becomes the memory of the trip.
Boats, Whales and Open Water
Summer is when Greenland moves by boat. Ferries and tour boats link the coastal towns, fishing boats work the fjords, and whales, including humpbacks, minkes and sometimes belugas, feed close to shore. Icebergs calve from the glaciers with a deep crack and a splash, and you can watch it happen from a boat deck.
If you are still comparing seasons and places, our roundup of where to travel in summer shows how Greenland stacks up against warmer options. Greenland is the pick for travelers who want cool air and wild scenery instead of beaches.
2. Ilulissat and the Icefjord: Icebergs in Disko Bay
The Ilulissat Icefjord
Ilulissat is the town almost every visitor puts first, and the reason is the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. One of the most active glaciers in the world pushes huge icebergs into the fjord, and they drift slowly out into Disko Bay. The scale is hard to take in: some bergs are the size of city blocks.
Wooden boardwalks lead from town to viewpoints over the fjord, and the walk is easy enough for most travelers. Go early in the morning or late in the evening light for the best photos and the fewest people.
Boat Trips Among the Icebergs
The classic Ilulissat experience is a boat trip among the icebergs, and the evening sailing under the midnight sun is the one to book if you can. Day trips also run to the small settlement of Ilimanaq and to glacier viewpoints. Dress warmly even in July: the air over the ice is cold, and boats move slowly.
Ilulissat is also a working Greenlandic town, with sled dogs resting through the summer, a small museum in the explorer Knud Rasmussen’s birth house, and good seafood restaurants. Give it at least three nights.
3. Nuuk: The Small Capital With Big Scenery
A Capital of 20,000 People
Nuuk is Greenland’s capital and largest town, and by any other country’s standards it is tiny. That is part of the charm. You can walk the old colonial harbor with its bright wooden houses, visit the Greenland National Museum to see the famous Qilakitsoq mummies, and be out on the fjord in a boat within the hour.
The Katuaq cultural center, the art museum and a growing cafe scene make Nuuk a comfortable first or last stop. It pairs well with Ilulissat on a one week trip.
Fjord Trips From the Capital
Nuuk sits at the mouth of one of the largest fjord systems in the world. Summer boat trips head out to abandoned settlements, old Norse farm ruins and fishing spots, with whales often spotted on the way. A fjord safari is the easiest day trip in Greenland: no flights, no long transfers, just big scenery from the harbor.
4. Kangerlussuaq: Ice Cap Trips and Musk Oxen
The Airport Town With a Wild Backyard
Kangerlussuaq is where most international flights land, and many travelers pass straight through. That is a small mistake. The town sits at the head of a long fjord, surrounded by tundra hills, and it is the easiest place in Greenland to reach the ice cap itself.
A bumpy road built for research traffic leads to the edge of the Greenland ice sheet, where guided trips walk on the ice with crampons. Standing on a sheet of ice that stretches to the horizon is one of the great travel moments in the north.
Musk Oxen and Tundra Wildlife
The hills around Kangerlussuaq are home to musk oxen, introduced here decades ago and now common on guided wildlife tours. Reindeer and arctic foxes also appear, and the dry inland climate makes this one of the sunniest spots in the country. One or two nights here fit naturally at the start or end of a trip.
5. South Greenland: Qaqortoq, Hot Springs and Norse Ruins
Qaqortoq and the Green South
The south of Greenland is why the country got its hopeful name. Around Qaqortoq, the largest town in the south, green hills, sheep farms and deep fjords make a softer landscape than the icy north. The town itself is pretty, with a small fountain square, stone carvings in the rock around town, and a busy little harbor.
Sheep farmers of Inuit and Norse descent still work this land, and farm stays and small guesthouses give the south a gentle, rural feel that balances the drama of Ilulissat.
Uunartoq Hot Springs and Norse History
The treat of the south is Uunartoq, a natural hot spring on an island where you can soak in warm water while icebergs drift past in the fjord. Reaching it takes a boat ride, which is exactly why it stays special.
The south also holds the best Norse ruins in Greenland. At Hvalsey you can stand inside the stone walls of a Viking era church, the site of the last written record of the Norse settlements. Boat tours from Qaqortoq combine the ruins, the springs and small settlements in one long summer day.
6. East Greenland: Tasiilaq for the Adventurous
A Short Flight, a Different World
East Greenland is reached by a short flight from Iceland to Kulusuk, then a helicopter or boat ride to Tasiilaq. The east coast is rougher and less visited: sharp peaks, huge fjords, drifting pack ice well into summer, and small hunting communities where Greenlandic traditions run strong.
Tasiilaq itself is a colorful town on Ammassalik Island, with a flower filled valley behind it that makes a fine day hike. Boat trips visit the Knud Rasmussen Glacier and the abandoned and living settlements scattered along the fjord.
Who Should Add the East
Add East Greenland if you have ten days or more and want the wilder side of the country. Keep plans flexible: weather and ice decide the schedule here, and a spare day in the plan is wise. Many travelers combine the east coast with Iceland, since the flights connect through Reykjavik.
7. Practical Notes Before You Go
Getting There: Via Iceland or Denmark
There are no direct flights from North America or Asia. Most visitors arrive with Air Greenland or Icelandair connections, either through Copenhagen in Denmark or through Keflavik and Reykjavik in Iceland for the east coast and Nuuk routes. Our guide to booking cheap flights to Europe covers the connection planning that gets you to those gateways for less.
Inside Greenland there are no roads between towns. You move by plane, helicopter, ferry and boat, and every leg costs money. Build your route around one or two bases instead of trying to see everything.
Mosquitoes, Light and Weather
Two honest summer warnings. First, mosquitoes: in July, still inland areas can have clouds of them, especially near Kangerlussuaq and on hikes. Bring repellent and a head net. The coast and the boats are usually fine. Second, the light: June and July mean midnight sun in the north, which can disturb sleep, so pack an eye mask. By late August the north gets real sunsets again, the light turns golden, and the first northern lights can appear at the end of the month.
Temperatures sit roughly between 5 and 15 degrees Celsius on the coast. Pack layers, a waterproof shell and good walking shoes rather than heavy winter gear.
8. Booking Tips for a Greenland Summer Trip
Book Further Ahead Than You Think
The summer season lasts about ten good weeks, the towns are small, and the best destinations to visit in Greenland for the summer have limited hotel rooms and small tour boats. For Ilulissat especially, book flights, hotels and the key boat tours three to six months ahead. When you are ready to compare options, check flights and hotels for this trip in one search, then confirm the small local tours directly with operators in Greenland.
Plan the Route Simply
A simple first route works best: Nuuk plus Ilulissat, with Kangerlussuaq on the way in or out. Add the south or the east only if you have a second week. Every extra flight adds cost and a weather risk, so fewer bases and more days in each place usually make the happier trip.
Budget Honestly
Greenland is one of the more expensive trips in the north. Food is imported, flights inside the country add up, and guided tours are priced for small groups. Set a realistic budget, choose two or three paid tours that matter most, and fill the rest of your days with the free things: boardwalk walks, viewpoints, museum days and long light evenings. Our step by step guide on how to book a hotel helps with comparing rates and cancellation terms for the nights you do book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best month to visit Greenland in summer?
July is the warmest and most reliable month, with open water, working boat tours and the midnight sun in the north. June has fewer visitors and brighter nights, while late August brings golden light, fewer mosquitoes and the first chance of northern lights. Any of the three works well.
How many days do I need in Greenland?
Seven to ten days is a good first trip. That allows three or four nights in Ilulissat, two in Nuuk and a night or two in Kangerlussuaq without rushing. Add the south or East Greenland only if you have two weeks.
How do I get to Greenland?
Fly via Denmark or Iceland. Air Greenland connects Copenhagen with Kangerlussuaq and Nuuk, and routes through Iceland serve Nuuk and the east coast town of Kulusuk. From those hubs, domestic flights, helicopters and ferries reach the smaller towns, since no roads link them.
Is Greenland expensive to visit?
Yes, it is one of the pricier destinations in the north. Imported food, domestic flights and small group tours push costs up. Booking early, traveling in June or late August, and mixing paid tours with free hikes and viewpoints keeps the trip manageable.
Will I see the midnight sun and icebergs in summer?
Yes to both. North of the Arctic Circle, including Ilulissat, the sun does not set for part of June and July, and icebergs fill Disko Bay all summer. Whales are also common on boat trips from June to September.
Final Thoughts
Greenland in summer is not an easy trip, and that is exactly why it stays with you. The best destinations to visit in Greenland for the summer, Ilulissat’s icefjord, calm Nuuk, the ice cap at Kangerlussuaq and the green south, offer a kind of travel that barely exists elsewhere: tiny towns, huge ice, bright nights and silence you can hear.
Pick two or three bases, book early, and leave space in the plan for weather and wonder. When your route is set, search summer flights and stays and lock in the key pieces first: the international flight, the Ilulissat hotel and the boat tours.
- Travel between June and August, with July the most reliable month.
- Base in Ilulissat for the icefjord and add Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq.
- Book flights, hotels and boat tours three to six months ahead.
- Fly in via Copenhagen or Iceland, and expect to move by boat and plane inside Greenland.
- Pack repellent and a head net for July, plus an eye mask for the midnight sun.
- Bring layers and a waterproof shell, not heavy winter gear.
- Leave a spare day for weather delays, especially in East Greenland.