Greenland
Greenland is the world's largest island, a vast white expanse of ice sheet and tundra edged by fjords, where the northern lights illuminate winter skies and summer brings perpetual daylight to communities scattered along a coastline longer than Earth's circumference.
Overview
Located between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic, Greenland covers roughly 2.17 million km² but holds a population of only around 57,000, making it one of the least densely populated territories on Earth. An autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, it has Nuuk as its capital. Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) and Danish are the official languages, and the Danish krone serves as currency. Inuit heritage runs deeply through daily life, from hunting traditions to community governance.
Visa Requirements
Greenland falls under Danish and Schengen jurisdiction for entry purposes, meaning travellers who are visa-free for the Schengen Area can generally enter without a separate visa. Those who require a Schengen visa should apply through Danish diplomatic missions. As entry rules can shift with Greenland's evolving autonomous status, checking the official Greenlandic or Danish immigration authority before travel is advisable.
Airports in Greenland
13 airportsAirlines based in Greenland
1 airline
Famous Attractions in Greenland
The Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, discharges some of the Northern Hemisphere's most productive glaciers into Disko Bay. The capital Nuuk offers the Greenland National Museum, housing well-preserved Qilakitsoq mummies. The Scoresby Sound fjord system in East Greenland is the world's largest, flanked by dramatic cliffs. The Aurora Borealis is reliably visible from dark-sky sites between September and March, and the ice sheet itself can be accessed on guided excursions from Kangerlussuaq.
Weather & Climate
Greenland's climate ranges from Arctic in the north to subarctic along southern coastal areas. Summers along the west coast see temperatures of roughly 5–15°C, while winters drop to −20°C or colder inland and in the north. The interior ice sheet maintains sub-zero temperatures year-round. Late spring through early autumn — May to September — offers the most accessible travel conditions. Layering is essential; conditions can shift from calm to severe within hours.
Interesting Facts About Greenland
- World's largest island, covering 2.17 million km².
- Over 80 percent is permanently covered by ice sheet.
- Greenland sharks can live over 400 years.
- Home to the world's oldest rocks, around 3.8 billion years old.
- Despite its name, Iceland is generally greener than Greenland.
Official Resources
- naalakkersuisut.gl — official government of Greenland portal
- greenland.com — Greenland's national tourism authority
- bdo.gl — Greenlandic airport and aviation authority (Mittarfeqarfiit)
- dmi.dk — Danish Meteorological Institute covering Greenland weather