Getting Around

Greenland is a rugged, demanding landscape. Consequently, apart from a few settlements and sheep farms in South Greenland, there are no roads between any towns or communities. Instead, Greenland’s transport network is comprised of passenger-approved boats, helicopters and planes. Greenland’s national airline, Air Greenland, services all major towns and a number of settlements with domestic flights and helicopter connections all year round.

For ferry services, Arctic Umiaq Line runs between Qaqortoq in South Greenland and Sisimiut on the Arctic Circle from April until early January, with the service extending to Ilulissat in the Disko Bay from late April until Christmas.

Disko Line ferries passengers between towns and settlements in the Disko Bay area, and Maniitsoq Tour Boat connects Maniitsoq with the capital Nuuk, both on a seasonal basis. Finally, in South Greenland, Blue Ice Explorer connects a number of towns and settlements while a range of smaller charter boats are available throughout the country.

What to wear

Regardless of when you are travelling to Greenland, we recommend that you dress according to the layer-to-layer principle. The outermost layer should be wind and waterproof, and underneath you should wear items such as synthetic fibre fur and/or wool. Even in the middle of summer, when it can be warm on land, sailing trips can be cold as the temperature of the water is not far above freezing point. So bring a hat, scarf and gloves with you on a sailing trip.

During the summer it can occasionally be so warm that shorts and t-shirts are suitable, although mosquitoes can be a problem in July and August, so bring a mosquito net, insect repellent and antihistamine if you are allergic to insect bites.

Bring suitable footwear

For any visit to Greenland, you will often have to travel a lot on foot, and frequently in hilly and uneven terrain. Therefore it is vital to bring good, waterproof walking boots or walking shoes with a sturdy moulded sole. If it’s the first time you’re using this type of footwear, make sure you break the boots in before departure so as to avoid blisters.

If you are coming to Greenland in spring to drive a dogsled, you can hire leather clothing and boots at the local tourist office or from the sled tour company. This is highly recommended as even light winds at sub-zero temperatures can feel bitterly cold.

Shopping in the towns

You’ll be surprised at the wide range of goods to be found in a supermarket in Greenland – in many ways similar to what you would find in a European supermarket. However, since almost everything except fish and certain meat products is imported either by ship or by aircraft, price levels are a little higher than in Europe. Alcohol, tobacco, fresh fruit and vegetables and dairy products are considerably more expensive in Greenland, however.

Shopping in the settlements

In the settlements, the fewer the number of inhabitants, the more limited is the choice of goods in the shops. On the other hand, it is often possible to buy fresh fish, lamb and seal meat at reasonable prices. Souvenirs are also occasionally sold in shops in towns and settlements, but depending on the type of article in question, the quality is not always as good as the types of souvenirs that are sold at tourist offices and in souvenir shops.

Opening hours

In the major towns supermarkets are typically open on weekdays from 10:00 – 17:30, on Fridays until 18:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 – 13:00. In many towns, however, there are corner shops and grocer’s shops that have longer opening hours and which are also open on Sundays.

Shopping for hikers

If you are on a hike lasting for several days, you should take your dry provisions with you from home as you cannot expect to be able to buy specialised products in the shops. However, in general the population in Greenland is used to being out in the great outdoors, and therefore in the vast majority of towns it is possible to buy outdoor clothing and equipment, including the small gas cartridges used for cooking food when out hiking. Gear for hunting and fishing is also usually available.

Fishing

In order to fish, you must have a licence. These can be bought at post offices and tourist offices. The fishing licence gives the holder the right to fish with a rod or hand line. The Arctic environment is vulnerable, so please only catch what you can eat. Ask at the tourist office for details of any local conservation rules. Visitors may only go hunting if they are on a trophy hunt organised by a certified operator.

Medicine

There is a hospital in all towns, and in the settlements there is usually a nursing clinic. It is recommended that visitors bring their own medicine and any other medication that is used regularly, as special products are not always available. In the event of acute illness, treatment is free of charge in Greenland.

Title Image Credit: Thomas Leth-Olsen (Image Cropped)