Greenland

Why Greenland

There are destinations that change the way we see the world, and Greenland is one of them. The world's largest island, 80 percent covered by a 110,000-year-old ice cap, unfolds a landscape thought was reserved for wildlife documentaries: cathedral-sized icebergs drift in absolute silence, the Northern Lights tint the sky green and purple, and humpback whales emerge just metres from the boat.

What sets Greenland apart from Iceland or Norway is its almost total lack of tourist infrastructure. No roads between towns, no crowds, no kitsch-themed hotels. The country's 57,000 inhabitants live in colorful villages clinging to the rocks, connected only by plane or boat. Each journey is an expedition in itself, and each panorama seems to come from another geological age.

The Danish autonomous territory carries within it two superimposed cultures: the Inuit civilization, heir to 4,500 years of adaptation to the Arctic, and a discreet Scandinavian modernity that can be read in the painted facades of Nuuk. It is this dialogue between the end of the world and ordinary life that makes Greenland so unique.

When to go

Greenland offers two very different tourist windows, and the choice depends entirely on what you are looking for.

Arctic Summer (June-August)is the season of icebergs, light and wildlife. The midnight sun illuminates the fjords without ever setting in July, allowing you to hike or paddle at any time. Temperatures remain cool (6 to 10°C in Nuuk), but the sky is clear and life is exploding: humpback whales hunt in Ilulissat Bay, reindeer graze on the tundra around Kangerlussuaq, and the trails of the Arctic Circle Trail are finally passable. July and August concentrate the majority of visitors and the highest prices.

Arctic Winter (December-March)is the season for the Northern Lights and dog sledding. Kangerlussuaq, with its exceptionally clear skies, offers unbeatable viewing conditions. Temperatures drop below -10°C in Nuuk, and well below in the interior. It's not a destination for comfort, but an adventure: you need serious polar gear, waterproof shoes, and total flexibility in the face of the weather.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are less interesting transitional seasons: the aurora disappears with the sleepless nights, and summer activities are not yet open.

How much does it cost

Greenland is one of the most expensive destinations in Europe and North America. Everything is imported, the distances are immense, and the tourist infrastructure remains limited: these three factors explain the prices that are much higher than in Iceland or Scandinavia.

Count between€150 and €300 per dayAll-inclusive for a self-sufficient traveler (accommodation in a guesthouse or simple hotel, restaurant meals, domestic transport). A meal in a restaurant costs €25-40 per person. Whale watching cruises or iceberg boat trips cost between €80 and €200 per person. An 8-10 day organized tour (transport, accommodation, activities) starts at €3,500 per person excluding flights.

Flights are the main expense: Paris-Nuuk (via Copenhagen) costs €900-1,800 round trip depending on the season. Domestic connections (Air Greenland) between Greenlandic cities add €80 to €200 per way. Booking very early (6-12 months) is essential for the high summer season.

Where to go

Greenland is not a country that you travel through by car: there are no roads connecting the cities. Each destination is an island within the island, accessible only by plane or boat. It is this constraint that structures the tours and creates the adventure.

Nuuk, the capital, surprises with its Nordic modernity and its exceptional national museum. This is where Inuit culture is best told, between the mummies of Qilakitsoq and the collections of contemporary Greenlandic art. The city is also the main entry point for flights from Europe.

Ilulissatis the heart of the trip for the vast majority of visitors. The UNESCO fjord is an absolute experience: the coastal walk runs along motionless icebergs in cathedral-like silence, and cruises allow you to get up close and personal with these giants. It's also one of the best places in the world to watch humpback whales in July.

Kangerlussuaqplays a role as an air hub but deserves a real stay: it is the only place where you can walk to the edge of the ice sheet, and the best observation post for the Northern Lights in winter. The fauna is spectacular: reindeer, muskoxen, arctic foxes.

Sisimiutseduces hikers and lovers of authentic adventure. Greenland's second largest city, it is the starting point of the Arctic Circle Trail, a 160 km crossing of absolutely wild tundra. In winter, it is an ideal base for dog sledding expeditions.

Qaqortoq, in South Greenland, reveals an unexpected face: green meadows, Viking ruins and quieter fjords that are ideal for kayaking. It was here that the two cultures first crossed paths a thousand years ago.

Disko Islandand accessible by ferry or plane from Ilulissat, it offers a backdrop of black basalt cliffs contrasting with the bay's turquoise icebergs, with geothermal springs and walrus colonies as a bonus.

Our itineraries

Three ways to structure your trip, according to the season and your desires. The constraint of inter-city air transport means that you have to plan the stages in advance and not to multiply the stopovers too much.

In pictures

Practical advice

Formalities

No visa for French people: the national identity card is sufficient, as Greenland belongs to the Schengen area (autonomous territory of Denmark). No vaccinations are mandatory. The currency is the Danish krone (DKK), with €1 for about DKK 7.46. Credit cards are accepted in town, but bring cash for activity providers and isolated villages.

Travel insurance is an absolute mustand must cover helicopter repatriation: in the event of an accident in a remote area, evacuation by helicopter can cost several tens of thousands of euros. Check that your policy includes this guarantee before leaving.

Getting around

There are no roads connecting Greenland's cities. Inter-city transport is exclusively by plane (Air Greenland, dense domestic network) or by boat (ferries and coastal cruises in summer). Book your domestic flights as soon as your trip is confirmed: places are limited and prices increase as the date approaches.

In the city, walking is the universal means of transport. Nuuk and Sisimiut have a few taxis. For trips on the ice sheet or in remote areas, always use a certified local guide: the glacial crevasses and arctic weather conditions are not forgiving of improvisation.

Culture and uses

Greenland is a modern Inuit society, proud of its culture and its recent political autonomy (2009). Kalaallisut (Greenlandic) is the official language, but Danish and English are spoken by almost the entire working population. A few words of Greenlandic are always appreciated.

Greenlanders are discreet and direct: no haggling, no tourist performances. Hunting and fishing remain essential cultural practices, respect them without judgment. The rules are strict regarding waste in natural areas: leave the environment exactly in the state you found it. Photographing people without their consent is frowned upon, as it is everywhere.

Frequently asked questions