Exploring the Frozen Frontier: A Comprehensive Guide to Vacationing in the Arctic's Greenland
Greenland, the world's largest island, is opening its doors to travellers seeking a unique and sustainable adventure. With the recent opening of Nuuk International Airport, travelling to this Arctic paradise is now more accessible than ever.
For those looking for a responsible and eco-friendly accommodation experience, Greenland offers a variety of boutique hotels, eco-lodges, and community-run hostels that blend sustainability, local culture, and respect for the Arctic environment.
In Ilulissat, Hotel Icefiord and Hotel Arctic Ilulissat Paa & Jannik Bed & Breakfast are highly recommended. Hotel Arctic, an eco-certified luxury establishment, offers breathtaking views of the famed Icefjord and prides itself on combining comfort with sustainability. Meanwhile, Ilulissat Icefjord, home to one of the world's fastest-moving glaciers, provides opportunities for hiking and boat tours.
In Nuuk, the capital, Hotel Hans Egede, Hotel Aurora, and Hotel Soma Nuuk are popular choices. For a more community-focused experience, Inuk Hostels, a community-run and sustainable hostel, promotes responsible travel and cultural respect.
Tasiilaq, an east coast adventure hub, boasts Hotel Angmagssalik, Hotel Kulusuk, and The Red House. For a more remote wilderness experience, Camp Kiattua, located near Nuuk, offers a low-impact comfort retreat with a firelight ambiance and fjord serenity.
Kangerlussuaq, a gateway to Greenland's wilderness, recommends Hotel Kangerlussuaq, Old Camp, and Polar Lodge. These accommodations provide a gateway to Greenland's untouched beauty, while reinforcing environmental stewardship.
Goway's Greenland tours work exclusively with local guides and eco-conscious accommodations, ensuring a responsible travel experience. Emerging initiatives like ECO Escape Hospitality, a forward-thinking company established in 2024, manage properties with sustainable architecture, biophilic design, and carbon sink features.
Greenland is home to various wildlife such as humpback whales, reindeer, seals, and musk oxen. The winter months (November-March) provide a magical landscape and prime Northern Lights viewing, but require preparation for cold, dark days. The summer (June-August) offers milder temperatures, long daylight hours, and easy access to hiking and boat tours.
Travellers can also experience Greenlandic Inuit culture through local art, music, and community interactions, including traditional kaffemik events. Greenland's festivals, like the Greenland National Day on June 21st, offer opportunities to see traditional folk dancing, taste local foods, and experience the Inuit culture up close.
Travel insurance can help navigate the unexpected during your Greenland adventure. Direct flights are available from major cities like Copenhagen, Reykjavik, and New York to Nuuk. The shoulder seasons (April-May, September-October) are less busy and still beautiful, though weather can be unpredictable.
Greenland's clear skies offer prime aurora spotting from November to March, particularly in Kangerlussuaq and Tasiilaq. To travel to Greenland responsibly, consider offsetting your travel, respecting wildlife, supporting local businesses, leaving no trace, and embracing the culture.
[1] Hotel Arctic, Inuk Hostels, and Camp Kiattua [2] Goway's Greenland tours [3] ECO Escape Hospitality (established in 2024)
- Hotel Arctic, Inuk Hostels, and Camp Kiattua are recommended accommodation options in Greenland, providing a blend of sustainability, local culture, and respect for the Arctic environment.
- Goway's Greenland tours partner with local guides and eco-conscious accommodations, ensuring a responsible travel experience.
- ECO Escape Hospitality, established in 2024, is a forward-thinking company that manages properties with sustainable architecture, biophilic design, and carbon sink features.
- Experiencing Greenland's outdoor-living opportunities, such as hiking and boat tours, is possible in destinations like Ilulissat, Tasiilaq, and Kangerlussuaq.
- For those interested in home-and-garden or sustainable-living inspiration, Greenland's emerging eco-conscious accommodations might spark ideas for a lifelong-learning journey in this area.
- Greenland's unique lifestyle, adventure-travel experiences, and education-and-self-development opportunities, like learning about traditional Inuit culture, make it an excellent destination for travelers seeking a complete lifestyle transformation.
- Travelers who prioritize sports and adventure can engage in various activities, such as whale watching, reindeer herding, and kayaking during their Greenland trip.
