What's the best time to visit Greenland?
The best time to visit Greenland is during the summer months of June to September, offering milder temperatures up to the low 50s Fahrenheit and longer daylight hours for outdoor activities.
This period is ideal for hiking, iceberg cruises, and experiencing cultural events like the National Day on June 21st. While it’s Greenland’s peak tourist season, the conditions are significantly more favorable than the extremely cold winter months.
For lovers of polar landscapes and adventure, Greenland is a bucket list travel destination. This stark Arctic island, a Danish territory, boasts landscapes like few other inhabited places on Earth.
The best things to do in Greenland are definitely connected to the island’s amazing nature. Visitors can check out the Ilulissat icefjord, a spectacular collection of icebergs, and the many imposing glaciers.
Adventurous activities such as hiking the ice cap, sledding under the aurora borealis, sea kayaking, and more abound. There are things to do on dry land, such as visiting the Viking ruins, or the museums dedicated to indigenous culture.
However, the biggest attractions are definitely outdoors, which is why it’s important to visit Greenland during a time when you can actually enjoy these outdoor activities.
Overall Best Time to Visit Greenland
Chris Christophersen/Shutterstock
The best time to visit Greenland is during the brief summer, between June and September, when it is warm enough for most outdoor activities and you can explore the waters around the island.
Make no mistake — Greenland never gets truly warm, not even during the summer. Even during the warmest month of the year, July, temperatures rarely get above freezing according to World Bank climatology data.
During the hottest days of the year, temperatures just reach the low 50s on the Fahrenheit scale. You can definitely leave your shorts at home when visiting Greenland in the summer!
However, temperatures are definitely more bearable than in the winter, when temperatures can go down to -15 degrees Fahrenheit (about -25 degrees Celsius), especially at night. If you visit during the winter, that means that you will need to invest in high-end protective winter gear.
Another factor is the changing length of the day. Since Greenland is in a polar region, that means that the length of the day varies drastically depending on the season.
During the summer, even the southern regions of Greenland that don’t experience the midnight sun have long hours of daylight and relative light even at night.
You’ll have plenty of hours to dedicate to spending outside. If you were planning to go hiking or trekking through Greenland, then summer is the best season to visit.
The temperatures will be easier, and you won’t have to worry about hiking in the dark. Plus, the terrain is somewhat more hospitable when you don’t have to worry about snowstorms.
Summer is also the best season to visit if your main goal was to take a cruise in Greenland or get up close to the icebergs. Navigating the waters around Greenland, whether by sea kayak or on a cruise ship of any size, is only possible during the summer when the pack ice melts.
Check the sites of cruise ship companies to look at their offerings, and most only offer excursions during June, July, and August, although some also have departures in early September.
Although whales are present all year round in Greenland, they are most common in the spring and summer. Another water-based activity you can do in the summer is join a whale-watching tour.
Summer is the high season for Greenland’s tourism, so you can expect more visitors, but also more activities and amenities geared towards tourists. This season is also home to many of Greenland’s cultural events as locals take advantage of the longer days and warmer weather.
The most popular holiday is National Day, which takes place on June 21st, the summer solstice. Expect a lively street festival with music, dancing, and barbecue.
Cheapest Time to Visit Greenland
Casper Zuidwijk/Shutterstock
The cheapest time to visit Greenland is during the long winter off-season, between October and April. During this time, there is less demand for travel to Greenland.
Lower demand means that tour operators and other companies in the travel space tend to charge less money for their services. One of the biggest areas where you can save by traveling to Greenland during the winter is on your flight.
Most people travel to Greenland by flying into the Nuuk airport. Flights tend to be drastically less expensive during the winter. Most flights during the off-season are operated by Air Greenland, so track their website or newsletter for sales or deals.
If you’re flexible with the timing of the trip, you can snag a deal on your flight. However, keep in mind that visiting Greenland will be expensive no matter when you visit.
There are not that many options for accommodation in Greenland, so hotel room prices don’t change much during the season (although some offer winter discounts). The cost of basic living expenses such as food is very high because most items have to be imported a long distance.
Least Busy Time to Visit Greenland
Shops and buildings in Sisimiut, Greenland on 16 July 2022/Nigel Jarvis/Shutterstock
The least busy time to visit Greenland is during the winter off-season, between October and April, when few other travelers are willing to brave the cold.
Greenland is not a very crowded destination even during the height of the tourist season, and the island actually has the lowest population density in the world.
The distance, cost, and inhospitable climate mean that only the bravest (and those that have saved up) can visit. Winter has even fewer visitors. If you want to avoid crowds but still catch some of the warm weather, then visit during September.
Many people think September is the best month to visit Greenland because winter has started in the north, so you can enjoy the best of winter activities such as seeing the aurora borealis and going dogsledding. However, the south is still warm enough for hiking and kayaking.
Worst Time to Visit Greenland
Vadim_N/Shutterstock
The worst time to visit Greenland is in the winter. This isn’t a popular time to visit for a reason — the harsh temperatures and storms between October and April make this a difficult time to visit the island.
Although temperatures are never warm in Greenland, they can get downright frigid in the winter. Temperatures are often below 0 on the Fahrenheit scale, and heavy snowstorms can disrupt plans and make getting around difficult.
There is some benefit to visiting during the winter as it’s the best season to have a typical Arctic experience. You can only see the northern lights during this time or hop on a dog sled to speed across the frozen expanse.
The most adventurous can go on all sorts of wild experiences, such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. When you visit during the winter, you get to see how the locals get through the long cold nights. Hop into a traditional Greenland sauna to warm up.
If you visit during January, you can also catch the ceremony as locals welcome the sun, greeting its first wan appearance after the winter solstice with traditional songs. In April (still part of winter), the town of Sisimiut even hosts a music festival.
Things to Consider
Parilov/Shutterstock
Here are some other tips that can help you when picking the best time to visit Greenland:
- Get travel insurance. No matter when you visit Greenland, unpredictable weather can disrupt your plans. You don’t want to lose money just because your flight was grounded during a storm.
- Pack warm layers. The weather is unpredictable, even in the summer, and you need layers to stay warm and prepare for sudden storms. Waterproof gear is also a must, including waterproof shoes.
- Prepare for mosquitoes. The summer may be the warmest time to visit, but the mosquitoes come out in droves. Wear long clothing and carry bug spray.
Frequently Asked Questions
7774ever/Shutterstock
Here are some other common questions people tend to ask about visiting Greenland:
What's the best month to see the northern lights in Greenland?
The best month to see the northern lights in Greenland is any month between late September to late March. In the far north, you can see them from early September until April.
Is Greenland more affordable than Iceland?
Iceland is more affordable than Greenland because it is less remote and has more choices. The cost of getting to Iceland is less than the cost of getting to Greenland.
So, What’s the Best Time to Visit Greenland?
The best time to visit Greenland is during its stunning yet short summer, between June and September. Then you can make the most of outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking.