Skip to main content

Why You Should Make Plans to Visit Greenland Now

Ittoqqortoormiit Scoresbysund Greenland
Arctic-Images/Getty Images

As a child learning geography for the first time, I remember pointing to the large upside-down triangle near the top of the map and asking a teacher about it. “That’s Greenland,” she explained and went on to declare that there was nothing green about it. The name came from a trick played by Viking explorer Eric the Red. After being exiled there from Iceland, he gave the island its market-friendly name in hopes of attracting some new neighbors.

Recommended Videos

I remember thinking, “Wow, that’s an awful lot of land for nobody to ever visit it.”

President Donald Trump recently felt something similar and ponied up an offer to buy Greenland. The territory astutely pivoted this proposal into a pitch for tourism … and the internet bit. Intrepid Travel, an Australian tour operator that offers one of the few expeditions to the island, reported a 237% spike in web traffic to its Greenland pages over the weekend.

Denmark is a very special country with incredible people, but based on Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s comments, that she would have no interest in discussing the purchase of Greenland, I will be postponing our meeting scheduled in two weeks for another time….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2019

In a way, it’s surprising that this hasn’t happened already. Given the boom of tourism a decade or so back to Greenland’s neighboring nation of Iceland, and the constant heat around Scandinavian travel generally, it was only a matter of time before intrepid travelers ventured to explore this wild, forbidding outpost of the far north.

While not quite entirely in the Arctic Circle, Greenland comes close. Icebergs tower instead of skyscrapers, and tiny settlements on the coast still rely on subsistence fishing to survive. From its stunning landscape and coastline to the breathtaking ice fjords where monolithic icebergs float like sleeping monsters in the frigid sea, Greenland is one of the few places left on Earth that can be described as truly remote and wild.

Ready to book your own Greenland adventure? One of the best ways to explore Greenland is to book Intrepid Travel’s new Greenland Expedition. This holistic itinerary includes:

  • Visiting a local home to enjoy kaffeemik, a unique Greenlandic traditional custom where a resident opens their doors for their neighbors to pop in for coffee, cake, and conversation. It’s a unique way that Greenlanders turn the long cold days into a casual celebration.
  • Cruising through broken icebergs to the tiny fishing community of Oqaatsut.
  • Embarking on an unforgettable hike through archaeological sites, gorges, and craggy hillside.
  • Exploring Greenland’s capital of Nuuk, where ancient tradition meets modernity: colorful Nordic houses are joined by alternative architecture, artisan clothing boutiques, and gourmet restaurants.
  • Ride a Zodiac out to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO world heritage site.
  • Dig deep into prerecorded history while visiting the ruins of ancient Inuit settlements as well as Arctic ghost towns abandoned by Norse explorers.
  • Cruise between the mountains of Skjoldungen to view glaciers deep within the fjords, while keeping an eye out for polar bears, puffins, and other rare wildlife.

Perhaps best of all, you’ll be at the forefront of this fledgling burst in Greenland tourism. It’s the rare opportunity that adventurers dream of: to get somewhere first. Intrepid Travel’s Steph Millington adds, “Tourism is in its infancy here in contrast to more popular destinations, so with demand for Greenland increasing, it’s really down to the trailblazers to set a precedent to visit the country in a responsible and sustainable manner for those who may follow in their footsteps.”

From snow-capped mountains to variegated Arctic tundra to the twinkling Northern lights, you’ll be amazed at how colorful and warm Greenland proves to be.

The Greenland Expedition trip is not cheap — the eight-day tour will cost your nearly $5,000 per person. You can read more about it here.

Chelsea Batten
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Chelsea Batten is a writer, photographer, and Kerouac groupie. One of the original digital nomads, she was seduced from life…
Should you visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park? The latest on its hurricane damage
Great Smoky Mountains National Park recovers from Hurricane Helene
Road damage at Great Smoky Mountains after Hurricane Helene

Following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, officials at Great Smoky Mountains National Park are working to assess and repair substantial damage. Hard-hit sections of the park include Balsam Mountain, Big Creek, and the Cataloochee Valley, which experienced some of the worst damage from the storm.
Hurricane Helene recovery efforts at Great Smoky Mountains National Park

According to park officials, Cataloochee Valley is currently closed until further notice as crews work to address the destruction caused by the storm. Floodwaters from Rough Fork Creek washed out several roads like the Upper Catalooche Valley Road to the point where they are impassible. Trails in the area suffered significant erosion and flooding, and nearly all of the valley’s log bridges were swept away. Officials also report that numerous trees were knocked down, campsites were flooded, and power lines were damaged. Staff are also stabilizing many historical structures like the Caldwell Barn.

Read more
Looking to visit Acadia National Park? Here’s when you should go
You won't regret visiting this national park during these times of year
Jorden Pond at Acadia National Park

Located along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park spans much of Mount Desert Island and covers over 47,000 acres of shorelines, forests, meadows, and mountains. When you visit this national treasure, you'll encounter granite peaks with sweeping views of the Atlantic, which is sure to make your heart soar.

Acadia is open year-round and it's a popular place for all kinds of seasonal activities. The best time to visit Acadia National Park depends on your goals and preferences, so let's run through the options to see what best fits you and your fellow adventurers.
Acadia National Park in the fall

Read more
Great Smoky Mountains opens US 441 after Hurricane Helene (but here’s why you shouldn’t visit)
US 441 opens, but you might still want to reschedule your fall foliage trips.
Great Smoky Mountains in October

Fall is one of the most popular times of year to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park. However, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, you may want to reconsider your trip. The Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding areas are seeing record-breaking flooding and devastation. While the last of the storm might have fizzled on Monday, it will take time and resources to rebuild.

The National Park Service (NPS) is doing everything possible to open up roadways, including US 441, which is set to reopen on the morning of Wednesday, October 2. Even though some of the park is beginning to open up, outdoor recreation at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is discouraged. Most roads remain closed without an estimated reopen date, and trails are in terrible shape. The NPS reports a high potential for limited resources, downed trees, damaged power lines, flooded creeks, and hazardous trail conditions.

Read more