Tourism in Greenland

Tourism in Greenland is a newer part of the country's economy. In 1992, the national tourist council, Greenland Tourism, was created. Since then, the government has worked to promote Greenland as a travel destination and support small tourist services. More foreign travel agencies now offer trips to Greenland, and many cruise ships have added routes that pass through or visit the country.

Greenland has amazing landscapes and a few historic places. Visitors can experience everyday life and culture, which is a big part of what makes travel there special. People who visit often enjoy activities like sailing among icebergs, riding in dog sleds, hiking, spotting wildlife such as whales, and exploring old ruins left by the Norse people.

Visit Greenland

Visit Greenland is the agency of the Greenland Self-Rule Government that takes care of tourism in Greenland. Its main office is in Nuuk, and it also has an office in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Visit Greenland started in 1992. Its job was to help grow tourism in a way that is good for the environment and to show people why Greenland is a great place to visit. Later, it also began helping small businesses in Greenland. The office in Nuuk helps make things easier, while the office in Copenhagen focuses on advertising. Visit Greenland works together with Greenland Travel, a big travel company in Denmark that helps people plan trips to Greenland.

Statistics

Most visitors who stayed overnight in Greenland in 2016 came from these countries:

Greenland Self-Rule Government

In 2002, Greenland set up five main areas to grow its tourism. These areas are centered around Disko Bay, Kangerlussuaq, the capital Nuuk, Qaqortoq, and Tasiilaq in East Greenland.

The most visited place is the Ilulissat Icefjord, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic

Tourism in Greenland grew a lot between 2015 and 2019, with the number of visitors going from 77,000 to 105,000 each year. In 2019, tourism brought in about 450 million kroner (US$67 million). However, in 2020 and 2021, tourism slowed down a lot because of restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the overall economy managed okay because of fishing and help from Copenhagen, tourism was hit very hard. People hope tourism will get better in 2021, and Greenland wants to grow it in a way that is good for the future.

Donald Trump's second presidency

Greenland saw more visitors after U.S. President Donald Trump talked about the island during his second term. In early 2025, Trump's comments and a visit by his son, Donald Trump Jr., to the new Nuuk international airport brought more attention to Greenland. Tour operators noticed many more people booking trips. This increase in visitors helps Greenland grow its economy, using its beautiful glaciers, fjords, and Inuit culture. During this time, Trump again said he was interested in Greenland because of its important minerals.

Points of interest

Ilulissat

• Ilulissat Icefjord - A beautiful fjord south of the city that became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004.
• Jakobshavn Glacier - One of the most active glaciers in the northern hemisphere.
• Sermermiut - An old Inuit village located in the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Ilimanaq - A small village that used to be a place where people hunted whales, south of the Icefjord.
• Oqaatsut - Another small village where people still hunt whales, north of Ilulissat.
• Knud Rasmussen's Museum - A museum about Knud Rasmussen, a famous explorer from Greenland and Denmark.
• Zions Church

Nuuk

• Greenland National Museum
• Kangeq: an old fishing village that is no longer lived in.
• Nuuk Art Museum
• Nuuk Cathedral

South Greenland

• Narsarsuaq Museum - Shows items about the Vikings, sheep farming, and how Americans lived in Southern Greenland.
• Iceview Plateau Hike - A long walk from Narsaruaq that takes you to a high flat area with a lake.
• Hvalsey Church, a old building made by the Vikings around the 12th century.
• Qaqortoq Museum - The main museum in Qaqortoq.