Travel › Denmark › Greenland
Letsa Travel · Denmark

Greenland: icebergs, midnight sun and no roads between towns

The world's largest island, with towns linked by air and sea instead of roads.

Know before you go

Greenland at a glance

Local time…
Weather now · Nuuk…
Exchange rate…
CurrencyDanish krone (DKK)
LanguageGreenlandic and Danish
PlugsType C and K, 230 V
DrivingFew roads, towns are linked by boat and air
Emergency112
Best timeJune to August for midnight sun, September to March for northern lights

Facts last checked in November 2026. Entry rules, prices and conditions change, so confirm visas and safety details with the official government sources before you travel. Weather: MET Norway. Exchange rates: ExchangeRate-API.

The story

Bigger than it looks, emptier than you expect

Greenland is an autonomous territory of Denmark, outside the EU. Settlements are not connected by roads or railways, so people travel by air and boat.

Highlights include the Ilulissat Icefjord, wildlife such as whales and musk oxen, and long hikes like the 167 km Arctic Circle Trail.

167 kmArctic Circle Trail, Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut
112emergency number

From our Letsa Atlas Short · Watch on YouTube

Practical guide

Plan your Greenland trip

Check before you go: entry rules depend on your passport, and national park expeditions need a special permit. Confirm current requirements with the Danish and Greenlandic authorities.

Getting there

  • Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq are the main international airports, and Nuuk receives some summer flights from Iceland.
  • Air Greenland flies from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq. From June to September, Icelandair and Air Greenland fly from Keflavík, the easiest and cheapest route from North America.
  • Flights often leave in the morning, so an overnight in Iceland may be needed.

Entry

  • Greenland is outside the Schengen Area, and a Schengen visa for Denmark does not cover it.
  • Many visitors can stay up to 90 days without a visa, and a passport valid three months beyond departure is advised.
  • There is no border control, but airlines check documents at check-in.

Best time

  • Summer brings the midnight sun and the easiest access.
  • Winter is very cold. Kangerlussuaq is a good northern lights spot.

Getting around

  • There are no roads between settlements, so Air Greenland is the main option.
  • Arctic Umiaq Line runs summer passenger ships between Narsarsuaq and Uummannaq.

Money

  • The currency is the Danish krone. Greenland is largely a cash economy, so carry cash as a backup.
  • Every settlement has at least one ATM. Accommodation is expensive, and free camping is possible in open areas.

Safety

  • Crime is very rare. Cold is the main danger, so bring warm clothing.
  • Emergency healthcare is limited in small communities, and evacuation is expensive, so get travel insurance.
  • Tap water is drinkable.

Details come from Wikivoyage, whose currency rates date from January 2024. We checked on November 1, 2026. Entry rules, fees and prices change, so confirm them with official sources before you reserve.

Want the full picture? Read our complete Greenland travel guide: where to go, the Ilulissat Icefjord, flights, entry rules, money and safety.
Where to stay

Find a place to stay

Ilulissat is the easiest base for this trip. Compare prices and reviews, and check the cancellation terms before you reserve.

See stays in Ilulissat on Booking.com →

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, Letsa Atlas may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Before you go

Travel insurance. Medical care abroad can be expensive, so many travellers buy cover before they leave. One option is SafetyWing Nomad Insurance. Read the policy wording to see what it covers before you buy.

Sources checked November 1, 2026: Wikivoyage (Greenland) · Visit Greenland

← BackAll destinationsMore →Atlas Index
Subscribe on YouTubeInstagram