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: 2026-07-06
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 2.133707
AAVE 0.001731
ADA 0.814769
AED 0.561698
AFN 9.724209
AGIX 1.960363
AKT 0.243856
ALGO 1.708569
ALL 12.537299
AMD 56.279945
AMP 342.898987
ANG 0.275816
AOA 140.465663
APE 1.091048
APT 0.244558
AR 0.076621
ARB 1.912204
ARS 228.283228
ATOM 0.096723
ATS 1.840864
AUD 0.220788
AVAX 0.022153
AWG 0.273775
AXS 0.151467
AZM 1,300.049425
AZN 0.260010
BAKE 203.550395
BAM 0.261652
BAT 1.736661
BBD 0.305894
BCH 0.000634
BDT 18.854313
BEF 5.396703
BGN 0.261652
BHD 0.057508
BIF 455.324299
BMD 0.152947
BNB 0.000262
BND 0.197685
BOB 1.059488
BRL 0.790443
BSD 0.152947
BSV 0.010359
BSW 456.974520
BTC 0.000002
BTCB 2.886122
BTG 0.530044
BTN 14.572002
BTT 576,699.267831
BUSD 0.152817
BWP 2.064285
BYN 0.444146
BYR 2,998.051027
BZD 0.308045
CAD 0.217335
CAKE 0.105618
CDF 352.885912
CELO 2.276543
CFX 3.418638
CHF 0.123037
CHZ 8.471933
CLP 140.894746
CNH 1.038721
CNY 1.038309
COMP 0.009126
COP 511.230037
CRC 69.695925
CRO 2.558832
CRV 0.715449
CSPR 78.752483
CUC 0.152962
CUP 4.053487
CVE 14.752007
CVX 0.127168
CYP 0.078298
CZK 3.235655
DAI 0.153019
DASH 0.004348
DCR 0.013778
DEM 0.261652
DFI 184.093441
DJF 27.238774
DOGE 1.979173
DOP 9.064605
DOT 0.175330
DYDX 1.158132
DZD 20.341028
EEK 2.093220
EGLD 0.055338
EGP 7.513059
ENJ 5.284857
EOS 2.111595
ERN 2.294205
ESP 22.259249
ETB 24.464720
ETC 0.021535
ETH 0.000086
EUR 0.133781
EURC 0.133878
FEI 0.153001
FIL 0.193705
FIM 0.795424
FJD 0.343444
FKP 0.114630
FLOW 5.457665
FLR 22.003867
FRAX 0.154612
FRF 0.877544
FTT 0.642105
GALA 66.762386
GBP 0.114630
GEL 0.401722
GGP 0.114630
GHC 17,376.275248
GHS 1.737628
GIP 0.114630
GMD 11.278975
GMX 0.025809
GNF 1,340.968839
GNO 0.001455
GRD 45.585801
GRT 8.061496
GT 0.022560
GTQ 1.167452
GUSD 0.153149
GYD 32.014149
HBAR 2.025524
HKD 1.199570
HNL 4.094732
HNT 0.638240
HOT 423.838069
HRK 1.007971
HT 4.268829
HTG 20.019945
HUF 47.305294
ICP 0.069382
IDR 2,751.898655
IEP 0.105361
ILS 0.459401
IMP 0.114630
IMX 1.107001
INJ 0.031306
INR 14.572002
IQD 200.543186
IRR 210,467.770873
ISK 19.264639
ITL 259.035710
JEP 0.114630
JMD 24.230260
JOD 0.108439
JPY 24.754435
KAS 4.985990
KAVA 3.389870
KCS 0.021185
KDA 26.241482
KES 19.774647
KGS 13.377393
KHR 613.291726
KMF 65.815829
KNC 1.372104
KPW 137.665662
KRW 234.446330
KSM 0.043405
KWD 0.047459
KYD 0.127240
KZT 72.304635
LAK 3,457.986099
LBP 13,735.163635
LDO 0.566193
LEO 0.016341
LINK 0.019154
LKR 51.221211
LRC 12.448310
LRD 27.778843
LSL 2.485968
LTC 0.003388
LTL 0.461918
LUF 5.396703
LUNA 3.114446
LUNC 2,491.189721
LVL 0.094021
LYD 0.981058
MAD 1.432141
MANA 2.198057
MBX 6.081490
MDL 2.692040
MGA 649.034810
MGF 3,245.174052
MINA 3.226136
MKD 8.241129
MKR 0.000107
MMK 321.085733
MNT 548.183279
MOP 1.235557
MRO 61.082497
MRU 6.108250
MTL 0.057432
MUR 7.189531
MVR 2.364467
MWK 265.307440
MXN 2.673410
MXV 0.303140
MYR 0.623605
MZM 9,768.190985
MZN 9.768191
NAD 2.485968
NEAR 0.076762
NEO 0.077324
NEXO 0.198813
NFT 577,114.398257
NGN 209.580114
NIO 5.630112
NLG 0.294814
NOK 1.504452
NPR 23.326133
NZD 0.268828
OKB 0.001918
OMR 0.058866
ONE 122.365556
OP 1.422666
ORDI 0.047116
PAB 0.152947
PAXG 0.000037
PEN 0.520828
PEPE 56,074.723871
PGK 0.672858
PHP 9.408215
PI 1.352035
PKR 42.551348
PLN 0.574276
POL 2.079715
PTE 26.820638
PYG 930.319691
QAR 0.556727
QNT 0.002284
QTUM 0.215162
ROL 6,991.396351
RON 0.699140
RPL 0.075541
RSD 15.691412
RUB 11.785740
RUNE 0.369829
RVN 40.131877
RWF 224.200577
SAND 3.065475
SAR 0.573551
SBD 1.237656
SCR 2.185581
SDD 9,180.571227
SDG 91.805712
SEK 1.476372
SGD 0.197685
SHIB 34,933.118805
SHP 0.114630
SIT 32.059226
SKK 4.030280
SLE 3.493302
SLL 3,493.302163
SNX 0.667930
SOL 0.001896
SOS 87.338974
SPL 0.025491
SRD 5.757632
SRG 5,757.631806
SSP 726.373799
STD 3,301.950669
STN 3.301951
STX 0.894449
SUI 0.204723
SVC 1.338286
SYP 16.907187
SZL 2.485968
THB 5.084001
THETA 1.090257
TJS 1.417709
TMM 2,683.600875
TMT 0.536720
TND 0.450878
TOP 0.368343
TRL 7,160,282.693080
TRX 0.465730
TRY 7.160283
TTD 1.036367
TUSD 0.153267
TVD 0.220788
TWD 4.908106
TWT 0.444910
TZS 401.884941
UAH 6.816174
UGX 558.947230
UNI 0.048394
USD 0.152947
USDC 0.152994
USDD 0.153102
USDP 0.153410
USDT 0.153112
UYU 6.155974
UZS 1,830.438854
VAL 259.035710
VEB 9,856,494,781.423157
VED 98.556173
VEF 9,855,617.260082
VES 98.556173
VET 32.421445
VND 4,022.538650
VUV 18.382996
WAVES 0.575574
WEMIX 0.590764
WOO 12.917178
WST 0.423023
XAF 87.754439
XAG 0.002477
XAU 0.000037
XAUT 0.000037
XBT 0.000002
XCD 0.414008
XCG 0.275816
XCH 0.097048
XDC 5.443249
XDR 0.112812
XEC 28,793.229944
XEM 357.276159
XLM 0.766120
XMR 0.000473
XOF 87.754439
XPD 0.000120
XPF 15.964293
XPT 0.000093
XRP 0.133605
XTZ 0.614676
YER 36.247438
ZAR 2.485968
ZEC 0.000336
ZIL 49.580840
ZMK 2,806.472063
ZMW 2.806472
ZWD 55.351524
ZWG 4.102586
ZWL 10,251.231241

No currencies match your search.

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.