Weather in Greenland

The best time to visit Greenland depends entirely on which experiences you are seeking. Summer — from late June through August — offers the midnight sun, which bathe the ice and tundra in golden light around the clock. Hiking trails are accessible, boat tours to icebergs and glacier fronts operate regularly, and the occasional short-sleeved afternoon is possible along the west coast. This is the peak tourism season and the time when most visitor infrastructure is at full capacity. July is particularly magical in Ilulissat, when the Ice Fjord is at its most dramatic and accessible.

Winter and spring — from November through May — offer the aurora borealis in all its spectacular forms, as the dark Arctic sky provides the perfect canvas. Dog sledding expeditions across frozen fjords operate during this period in settlements like Sisimiut and Ilulissat. March and April are particularly rewarding, offering both extended daylight hours for activities and reliable snow cover for sledding. The shoulder period of May sees the sea ice beginning to break up, creating dramatic ice landscape scenery along the coast. Pack extremely warm and windproof clothing for any visit between October and April, when temperatures can plunge to -30°C.