Here we present a small ABC about traveling in Greenland. We strive on this page to come up with short and relevant factual information for travelers in the country. For more in-depth general information about the country's geography, climate, culture and nature, etc, we refer to Greenland's national website www.nanoq.gl

Accommodation
Almost all cities in Greenland have an hotel in a good standard. Besides hotels you will find a number of youth hostels in both cities and settlements in a various standard. Some built only for hikers and offer a bed, bath and kitchenette, while others can be described as guest homes with café, possible to rent bed linen etc. Furthermore there is Seamen's homes in Aasiaat, Sisimiut, Nuuk and Qaqortoq.

Arrival
One can, as a passenger, only get to Greenland by air or by cruise ship. The country has three international airports: Kangerlussuaq on the west coast, Narsarsuaq in southern Greenland and Kulusuk in East Greenland. The vast majority arrives from Denmark via Kangerlussuaq, but there are also connections from Iceland.

Camping
In Greenland several camping sites (for tents) are established with bath and toilet facilities. It is however allowed to tent everywhere in Greenland except nearby ruins and water reservoirs, and on areas layed out as fields. The nature is vulnerable so please avoid pollution and leaving garbage behind.

Climate
In the arctic area you may expect frequent and rapidly changes in the weather, and you should be prepared for all kinds of weather when taking on excursions. In the winter the temperatures varies from minus 5 to minus 30 degrees Celsius and in the summer from plus 5 to plus 15 degrees Celsius. As the air in Greenland is very dry the temperatures don't feel as cold as in the rest of Europe. The weather forecast for Greenland can be seen at a Danish spoken site here and at a German spoken site here.

Currency
In Greenland Danish kroner (DKK) is used. In bigger stores, tourist offices, hotels and restaurants you can also use Visa/Dankort, Diners Club and some international credit cards, but in the smaller communities and settlements you are recommended always to bring cash.

Delays and irregularities at Air Greenland
There are several things which can influence the air traffic in Greenland, especially the extreme arctic weather conditions, which can give delays and irregularities when traveling to and in Greenland. In that case some of the expenses due to a cancellation or delay are covered by Air Greenland. See the following rules:

Natural catastrophes (as for instance the Icelandic ash cloud)
Air Greenland covers only the extra expenses for passengers on their way from Denmark or Iceland to Greenland. Passengers traveling domestic in Greenland as well as passengers on their way to Denmark are not covered.

Bad weather
Air Greenland covers overnight stay and breakfast and rebooks the ticket to first available departure until reaching the final destination. This applies for all Air Greenland departures. (At departures FROM Kastrup to Keflavik lunch and dinner are covered as well).

Technical problems
Air Greenland covers overnight stay, breakfast, lunch and dinner and rebooks the ticket to first available departure until reaching the final destination. This applies for all Air Greenland departures.

Dog sledding
On the west coast it is possible to join dog sledge tours from Kangerlussuaq and northwards, and on the east coast in Tasiilaq and Ittoqqoortoormiit including their settlements. The best season for dog sledge tours is February to April. As the only place in Greenland you can, even in the summer, join a dog sledge tour in Qeqertarsuaq on the Disco Island, on the 8-900 metres high glacier.

Duty free
Greenland is not a member of the EU. You may, when returning to Denmark, bring 200 cigarettes, 1 liter alcohol, 2 liters of wine and 50 grammes parfume. It is NOT allowed to bring duty free goods into Greenland.

Fishing licence
As a guest in Greenland you need a fishing licence to be allowed to fish. The easiest way is to buy the licence at the local post office, when arriving. (It's also possible to purchase it from home before departure – contact us for further information). The price is DKK75 for 24 hours, DKK200 for a week and DKK500 for a month. But be aware of the local protection stipulations and close seasons - ask the local tourist office.

Greenlandic products
Some tourists ask, whether it is properly to eat meat from the different Greenlandic animals. But many spieces have quota as well as for the most part of the animals there are hunting seasons. The quota assures the animals not to be threatened by extermination and the hunting season assures the population and that the animals are not disturbed during breeding time. You can with good conscience enjoy eating the Greenlandic products.

Health Authorities
In most of the cities the Greenlandic health authorities are modern with well educated personal. In especially complicated cases the patient will be transferred to Nuuk or Copenhagen. We recommend that you bring along your own regular medicine and drugs as special products cannot be obtained.

Language
Greenland has its own language - Greenlandic. In the bigger cities almost everybody speaks Danish since many Danes work and live here. English is a minor language in Greenland, but most places you will meet English speaking people although it can be difficult in some places.

Maps
The maps needed might be bought at the destinations in Greenland, but if you need something particularly or want to make sure to get an updated map, we recommend to buy it before leaving. We refer to Nordisk Korthandel, where you can buy trekking guides and maps, historical maps etc. The address is:

Nordisk Korthandel
Studiestræde 26
1455 Copenhagen OE
Denmark
Phone +45 33 38 26 38
www.scanmaps.dk

Midnight sun
Midnight sun can be experienced north of the polar circle, where the sun in shorter or longer periods of time is shown in the sky all 24 hours. In the period from 25th May to 25th July it is midnight sun in the Disco Bay, where Ilulissat will be the absolute perfect spot for this unique experience.

Mosquitos
In the summertime it's extremely many mosquitos in Greenland - and they live on tourists! So be prepared to be surrounded by these small animals and bring mosquito repellant and net especially when wandering in the mountains.

Northern ligths
Northern lights appear all year round, but is best seen on a dark, clear sky at night. It is a fascinating phenomenon, caused by the interaction between the electrical discharges from the sun and the special magnetic conditions existing at the poles. The northern lights can appear in different colours across the sky as a flame or as a dancing light. It's particularly good chances to witness northern lights in spring and in autumn, and especially in the area of Kangerlussuaq, where it's most likely clear weather.

Photography
Photography is generally permitted everywhere, and many locals also like to have their photo taken. But ask if you want to go close, and you will in most cases get a yes with a big smile. In winter you should be aware that the cold is hard on batteries, which therefore not last that long. Hold the camera inside as many clothes as possible and be ready with extra batteries. We recommend you bring batteries from home if they are of a special type.

Power
In Greenland the electrical switches are like in Denmark - with 230V

Prices
The rate of freight is quite high to Greenland, so the prices at a supermarket is about 20% higher than in Denmark. Especially tobacco, alcohol and vegetables, which you will find quite expensive.

Souvenirs
Be aware that some Greenlandic souvenirs are made of parts from threatened species or for spieces under the quota systems and therefore requires a special allowance to bring out of Greenland, A list of what may be exported changes all the time so ask on the local tourist office for the actual restrictions. The local tourist office can in most cases issue the necessary papers (a so called CITES-licence).

The sun
The sun can be extremely keen in Greenland. And from the snow in the winter and the water in the summer you can easily be dazzled, so remember sun glasses and a good sun lotion. In the winter the sun lotion may not contain water.

Time
The time in Greenland is at the west coast GMT - 3

Travel Insurance
Remember to check your travel insurance before departure. There might be some special rules for Greenland

Vaccination
No vaccination required or recommended for travels to Greenland.

Visa
A visa is required to Greenland, if you are a citizen in a country, where a visa is required to enter Denmark. On this particularly point Greenland belongs to Denmark and has same rules regarding visa. If a visa is needed, the information that you are travelling to Greenland via Denmark should be stated in the visa.

Whales
Whales are seen many places along the Greenlandic coast. There are especially good chances in the Disco Bay and outside Nuuk, where whale safaries are arranged, giving good opportunities to see the big animals on close range.