Americas · North America

Greenland

Flag of Greenland
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-04:00
🏛️ Capital
Nuuk
👥 Population
56,542
📐 Area
2,166,086 km²
💱 Currency
krone (kr.)
🗣️ Languages
Greenlandic
📞 Calling Code
+299
🕐 Time Zones
UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-01:00, UTC+00:00
🌐 Region
Americas / North America

About Greenland

Greenland is the last great frontier of Arctic travel — a land of superlatives so extreme they border on the unbelievable. As the world's largest island, it stretches across an area larger than Western Europe, yet its population of just 56,000 people clings almost entirely to a narrow coastal strip around a landmass buried under up to 3 kilometres of ice. Visiting Greenland means entering a world of raw, elemental beauty on a scale that makes human presence feel genuinely small — and that is precisely the point.

The Greenlandic ice sheet, the second largest body of ice on Earth after Antarctica, is not merely a landscape feature but a living, dynamic force that shapes everything. From the observation point above the Ilulissat Icefjord on the west coast, you watch continent-sized bergs that have calved from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier drift in slow procession toward the open sea. The sound — deep grinding groans, rifle-crack splinterings, and the occasional explosive collapse that sends spray hundreds of metres into the air — is unlike anything you will hear anywhere else. This is the planet's geology happening in real time.

Beyond the ice, Greenland reveals an extraordinary human story. The Inuit people who have lived here for over 4,500 years developed one of the most sophisticated survival cultures in human history, adapted to conditions that seem incompatible with human life. Their traditions of dog sledding, kayaking, hunting, and the spiritual practice of drum dancing are not museum pieces here but living parts of contemporary Greenlandic identity. The settlement of Nuuk, the world's smallest national capital, balances modern infrastructure with traditional culture in a way that feels entirely authentic rather than staged.

History & Background

Greenland's human story begins with the migration of the Saqqaq culture across the Arctic from North America around 2500 BC, the first of several Paleo-Eskimo cultures that inhabited the island over millennia. The Thule culture — direct ancestors of today's Greenlandic Inuit — arrived from the north around 1000 AD, simultaneously with Norse explorers. Erik the Red, exiled from Iceland for manslaughter, famously gave the island its optimistic name in approximately 985 AD when establishing the first Norse settlement — a deliberate marketing exercise to attract settlers from Iceland. Norse colonies on Greenland's southwest tip survived for nearly 500 years before mysteriously disappearing around 1400, possibly due to climate deterioration and conflict with the expanding Inuit population.

Danish-Norwegian colonial activity began in earnest with the missionary Hans Egede's arrival in 1721, establishing a permanent European presence that would shape modern Greenland. The island's strategic importance was highlighted dramatically during World War II when the United States occupied Greenland with Denmark's permission to prevent German control, establishing military bases including the still-operating Thule Air Base in the northwest. Greenland voted in a 1979 referendum for home rule from Denmark, becoming the Faroe Islands' model for Scandinavian autonomy. Further self-governance was granted in 2009, with Greenland controlling its own domestic affairs while Denmark retains responsibility for foreign policy and defence — an arrangement the Greenlandic government is increasingly seeking to renegotiate.

Culture & People

Greenlandic culture is rooted in the Kalaallit Inuit tradition — one of the world's most distinctive and resilient cultural expressions, developed over thousands of years of life in the Arctic. Hunting and fishing remain not just economic activities but cultural practices imbued with deep spiritual significance. The Inuit relationship with the natural world is one of profound interdependence rather than dominance, shaped by the understanding that survival in this environment depends entirely on reading ice, weather, and animal behavior with unfailing precision. Dog sledding, still practiced in northern and eastern settlements, is both a transport method and an art form requiring years of skill development.

Danish colonial influence arrived in the 18th century and left lasting marks on governance, religion, and language, but a powerful cultural renaissance since the 1970s has revitalized Greenlandic language, arts, and political self-determination. Greenland gained home rule from Denmark in 1979 and extended autonomy in 2009. The Greenlandic language — Kalaallisut — is now the official language, and the national museum system, traditional craft production, and drum dance performances reflect a culture actively engaged in its own preservation and evolution. The contemporary Greenlandic art scene in Nuuk, particularly in painting and sculpture, combines Arctic imagery with modern sensibilities in ways that attract international attention.

Food & Cuisine

Greenlandic food is shaped by the Arctic environment with a directness that can be confronting for visitors accustomed to supermarket-mediated diets. The traditional Inuit diet — centered on marine mammals, Arctic caribou (reindeer), musk ox, and fish — reflects centuries of subsistence necessity and nutritional wisdom adapted to an environment almost entirely lacking in plant agriculture. Mattak — raw strips of whale skin with attached blubber — is a traditional delicacy eaten at celebrations and considered a nutritional powerhouse by those who grew up with it. Dried and fermented meats and fish are preserved by wind and cold in traditional methods still practiced in smaller settlements.

In Nuuk and the larger towns, restaurants have developed a sophisticated approach to Greenlandic ingredients. Reindeer prepared as steak or slow-braised stew, Arctic char grilled with Nordic herbs, and musk ox burgers appear on modern menus alongside more international dishes. The growing eco-tourism sector has encouraged a farm-to-fjord approach that showcases truly wild, sustainably harvested ingredients. Danish pastry and bread culture has also embedded itself deeply, and a good "kaffemik" — the traditional Greenlandic open house celebration where guests are welcomed with coffee and homemade cakes — is one of the warmest social rituals you can participate in. Locally caught shrimp are exported worldwide as a Greenlandic delicacy, but eating them fresh near the source is incomparably better.

Top Attractions

  • Ilulissat Icefjord — A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most active glaciers, where titanic icebergs calve from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and drift through a fjord in extraordinary concentration.
  • Northern Lights, West Greenland — The aurora borealis above the dark Arctic sky, visible from October through April across the country, is among nature's most overwhelming spectacles.
  • Nuuk & Greenland National Museum — The charming capital contains the world's finest collection of Greenlandic and Inuit heritage including mummified remains from Qilakitsoq.
  • Dog Sledding, Sisimiut or Ilulissat — Multi-day dog sled expeditions across frozen fjords and tundra offer one of the most authentically Arctic travel experiences available anywhere.
  • Russell Glacier Hike — A relatively accessible day hike from Kangerlussuaq to the face of the Greenland ice sheet, one of the few places where visitors can walk to the continental ice edge.
  • East Greenland Fjords, Tasiilaq — The remote east coast, accessible by helicopter or summer boat, offers the most dramatic Arctic scenery and the most isolated and traditional Inuit communities.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Flights into Greenland operate primarily through Copenhagen; book well in advance as capacity is extremely limited and prices spike on popular summer dates.
  • Greenland has no road network connecting settlements — all inter-town travel requires domestic flights, helicopter transfers, or boat, so build extra time and budget for connections.
  • Layer clothing in a system: a moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid-layer, and fully waterproof and windproof outer shell are essential for any outdoor activity.
  • Always hire a licensed local guide for any expedition onto the ice sheet, glacier, or into the backcountry — conditions can change lethally fast.
  • Respect traditional hunting and fishing activities; these are legal, culturally significant, and not subject to outside protest — observe with respect and without interference.
  • The Danish krone is the currency; card payments are accepted in Nuuk and larger towns, but bring cash for smaller settlements.
  • Altitude, extreme cold, and physical exertion make comprehensive travel and medical insurance with evacuation coverage absolutely essential.

Visa Overview

Greenland is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the European Union and the Schengen Area. Citizens of Denmark and the Nordic countries may enter freely. Most other nationalities, including citizens of the EU, United States, Canada, and United Kingdom, can visit without a visa for tourism purposes. Entry is via Denmark, and Danish immigration rules apply at Copenhagen airport for international arrivals connecting to Greenland. A valid passport is required. Check current entry requirements with the Danish embassy relevant to your nationality before travel.

Getting Around

All international flights to Greenland connect through Copenhagen Kastrup Airport. Air Greenland operates domestic flights and the sole international route to Greenland, landing primarily at Kangerlussuaq (which serves as the main hub), Nuuk, and Ilulissat. Helicopter services connect many smaller settlements. Between May and October, the Arctic Umiaq Line ferry service connects west coast settlements seasonally. There are no roads between towns. Within Nuuk, minibuses and taxis operate. In smaller settlements, walking is the primary transport. Dog sledding is a legitimate transport option in northern and eastern regions during winter.

Safety Notes

Greenland is an extremely safe destination in terms of human threat, with very low crime rates. The primary risks are environmental: extreme cold, rapidly changing weather, crevassed glaciers, polar bears (in eastern and northern regions), and the genuine remoteness that makes evacuation in an emergency extremely difficult and expensive. Always travel with a local guide outside of towns. Register your itinerary with the local police or tourism office before backcountry expeditions. Carry emergency signalling equipment. Comprehensive travel insurance with helicopter evacuation cover is not optional — it is essential.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Greenland.

krone (DKK) kr.
Updated: 2026-10-07
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 1.512215
AAVE 0.000859
ADA 0.586385
AED 0.551777
AFN 9.688930
AKT 0.207502
ALGO 1.259166
ALL 12.283046
AMD 54.373590
AMP 254.963243
ANG 0.270556
AOA 137.816939
APE 0.998579
APT 0.195838
AR 0.034992
ARB 0.808331
ARS 228.415469
ATOM 0.088136
ATS 1.840874
AUD 0.215585
AVAX 0.013567
AWG 0.268940
AXS 0.124130
AZM 1,277.088090
AZN 0.255418
BAKE 634.082636
BAM 0.261654
BAT 1.425784
BBD 0.300491
BCH 0.000490
BDT 18.470278
BEF 5.396734
BGN 0.261654
BHD 0.056492
BIF 451.243254
BMD 0.150246
BNB 0.000196
BND 0.192208
BOB 1.801421
BRL 0.748666
BSD 0.150246
BSV 0.007842
BSW 370.555260
BTC 0.000002
BTCB 2.209143
BTG 0.234617
BTN 14.504086
BTT 411,147.315240
BUSD 0.150298
BWP 2.065381
BYN 0.461421
BYR 2,945.374655
BZD 0.302357
CAD 0.213725
CAKE 0.065080
CDF 347.292709
CELO 1.547325
CFX 2.899624
CHF 0.125240
CHZ 9.451175
CLP 146.314382
CNH 1.007392
CNY 1.007451
COMP 0.006518
COP 486.392087
CRC 68.650756
CRO 2.333006
CRV 0.426971
CSPR 60.835557
CUC 0.150274
CUP 3.604743
CVE 14.752092
CVX 0.070525
CYP 0.078299
CZK 3.265340
DAI 0.150290
DASH 0.002797
DCR 0.008392
DEM 0.261654
DFI 187.212407
DJF 26.746275
DOGE 1.668018
DOP 9.053218
DOT 0.133884
DYDX 1.127354
DZD 20.229798
EEK 2.093232
EGLD 0.036224
EGP 7.860155
ENJ 4.844392
EOS 1.507738
ERN 2.253685
ESP 22.259377
ETB 24.203459
ETC 0.017724
ETH 0.000057
EUR 0.133782
EURC 0.133787
FEI 0.150853
FIL 0.138147
FIM 0.795429
FJD 0.338004
FKP 0.113409
FLOW 4.762301
FLR 20.977378
FRAX 0.151549
FRF 0.877549
FTT 0.610016
GALA 64.929743
GBP 0.113409
GEL 0.389609
GGP 0.113409
GHC 17,679.559749
GHS 1.767956
GIP 0.113409
GMD 11.148502
GMX 0.017906
GNF 1,322.930405
GNO 0.001256
GRD 45.586064
GRT 5.432046
GT 0.013545
GTQ 1.146968
GUSD 0.150547
GYD 31.418532
HBAR 1.563545
HKD 1.179114
HNL 4.033038
HNT 0.298222
HOT 348.057954
HRK 1.007977
HT 4.118274
HTG 19.664275
HUF 48.917179
ICP 0.046958
IDR 2,687.395310
IEP 0.105362
ILS 0.458570
IMP 0.113409
IMX 0.856500
INJ 0.019949
INR 14.504086
IQD 196.856245
IRR 260,297.485202
ISK 18.359801
ITL 259.037208
JEP 0.113409
JMD 23.856856
JOD 0.106524
JPY 23.804843
KAS 3.627823
KAVA 2.252159
KCS 0.019611
KDA 16.620328
KES 19.517777
KGS 13.140191
KHR 608.592306
KLAY 3.898646
KMF 65.816210
KNC 1.078701
KPW 135.246843
KRW 201.122005
KSM 0.030994
KWD 0.046528
KYD 0.124854
KZT 67.725818
LAK 3,372.433962
LBP 13,483.234553
LDO 0.345770
LEO 0.016909
LINK 0.011037
LKR 49.668773
LRC 15.210132
LRD 25.678391
LSL 2.492399
LTC 0.002227
LTL 0.461921
LUF 5.396734
LUNA 3.174089
LUNC 2,961.051466
LVL 0.094022
LYD 0.965313
MAD 1.497670
MANA 1.463132
MBX 5.172357
MDL 2.678521
MGA 664.654877
MGF 3,323.274387
MINA 1.449557
MKD 8.224231
MKR 0.000075
MMK 315.457848
MNT 540.404031
MOP 1.214487
MRO 60.121270
MRU 6.012127
MTL 0.057432
MUR 7.117030
MVR 2.322452
MWK 260.374238
MXN 2.707728
MXV 0.306350
MYR 0.614030
MZM 9,595.718962
MZN 9.595719
NAD 2.492399
NEAR 0.030255
NEO 0.062488
NEXO 0.178615
NFT 635,324.941904
NGN 199.214938
NIO 5.525273
NLG 0.294816
NOK 1.437734
NPR 23.217416
NZD 0.268078
OKB 0.001120
OMR 0.057827
ONE 1.068103
OP 1.236269
ORDI 0.035152
PAB 0.150246
PAXG 0.000036
PEN 0.517136
PEPE 36,600.019499
PGK 0.680287
PHP 9.426962
PI 1.796741
PKR 41.603901
PLN 0.585246
POL 1.454456
PTE 26.820793
PYG 879.713403
QAR 0.546894
QNT 0.000600
QTUM 0.161729
ROL 7,156.282269
RON 0.715628
RPL 0.083125
RSD 15.709313
RUB 12.736020
RUNE 0.205224
RVN 67.180947
RWF 221.722357
SAND 2.012894
SAR 0.563421
SBD 1.212261
SCR 2.155706
SDD 9,017.452826
SDG 90.174528
SEK 1.505911
SGD 0.192208
SHIB 27,112.723386
SHP 0.113409
SIT 32.059411
SKK 4.030303
SLE 3.707450
SLL 3,707.449753
SNX 0.618460
SOL 0.001269
SOS 85.737867
SPL 0.025041
SRD 5.658994
SRG 5,658.993687
SSP 864.140190
STD 3,298.908150
STN 3.298908
STX 0.376508
SUI 0.132218
SVC 1.314649
SYP 1,953.865409
SZL 2.492399
THB 5.060587
THETA 0.683379
TJS 1.385146
TMM 2,626.467100
TMT 0.525293
TND 0.450015
TOP 0.361851
TRL 7,391,139.569554
TRX 0.451739
TRY 7.391140
TTD 1.018432
TUSD 0.150358
TVD 0.215585
TWD 4.787990
TWT 0.272069
TZS 397.815298
UAH 6.737625
UGX 607.580986
UNI 0.018492
USD 0.150246
USDC 0.150287
USDD 0.150295
USDP 0.151239
USDT 0.150305
UYU 6.060180
UZS 1,768.917952
VAL 259.037208
VEB 13,077,402,416.6745
VED 130.774024
VEF 13,077,402.416675
VES 130.774024
VET 18.256348
VND 3,908.064121
VUV 18.048327
WAVES 0.536217
WEMIX 0.785423
WOO 11.697522
WST 0.417787
XAF 87.754946
XAG 0.002476
XAU 0.000036
XAUT 0.000036
XBT 0.000002
XCD 0.406736
XCG 0.270556
XCH 0.099316
XDC 4.466273
XDR 0.110916
XEC 19,557.391663
XEM 263.627573
XLM 0.728759
XMR 0.000270
XOF 87.754946
XPD 0.000130
XPF 15.964386
XPT 0.000089
XRP 0.102389
XTZ 0.478865
YER 35.493807
ZAR 2.492399
ZEC 0.000114
ZIL 44.579666
ZMK 2,982.312662
ZMW 2.982313
ZWD 54.373900
ZWG 4.021207
ZWL 10,047.887848

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Other Time Zones in Greenland

Detailed local time across various regions of the country.

Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-03:00
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC-01:00
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+00:00

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Greenland needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Greenland?
The capital of Greenland is Nuuk.
What currency does Greenland use?
Greenland uses the krone (kr.) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Greenland?
The official language(s) of Greenland include Greenlandic.
What is the population of Greenland?
Greenland has a population of approximately 56,542 people.
What region is Greenland in?
Greenland is located in Americas, specifically in the North America subregion.
What is the international calling code for Greenland?
The international dialing code for Greenland is +299.
What time zones does Greenland observe?
Greenland observes the following time zone(s): UTC-04:00, UTC-03:00, UTC-01:00, UTC+00:00.
What is the current time in Greenland?
The local time in Greenland is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Greenland?
Greenland covers a total area of 2,166,086 km².
How many states or provinces does Greenland have?
Greenland is divided into 19 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Greenland in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Greenland in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Greenland?
Visa requirements for citizens of Greenland vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.