Itinerary for 3 Days to Greenland: The Unspoiled Wilderness

Greenland, a stunning island within the Arctic Circle, is a wild and unspoiled place that can rival even the most spectacular wilderness on earth. The breathtaking scenery of Greenland, with its immense ice sheets, towering fjords and distant settlements, is captivating, even more so during the summer months when the sun barely leaves the horizon. Through this itinerary (described below), you have the opportunity to experience some of Greenland’s most charming sights to visit: from Ilulissat’s amazing Icefjord, Nuuk’s vibrant cultural activities to East Greenland’s unrivaled, untouched beauty.

Greenland’s Best Features:

Ilulissat:

• Ilulissat Icefjord: A UNESCO World Heritage Site dominated by beautiful icebergs and some of the most spectacular Arctic landscapes on the planet.
• Midnight Sun: Get lost in the ethereal beauty of the midnight sunlight that barely sets over the horizon, transforming the landscapes into a warm golden hue.

Nuuk:

• National Museum: Enlightens you about Greenlandic culture and historical information by housing well-preserved Inuit mummies.
• Katuaq Cultural Center: An avant-garde venue that symbolizes and functions as the epicenter of Greenland’s contemporary arts and cultural events.

East Greenland:

• Tasiilaq: This picture-perfect town, surrounded by towering mountains and fjords, which serves as the perfect backdrop for mountain and fjord exploration.
• Ammassalik Fjord: Boat tours to witness natural phenomena such as whales, seals, and seabirds in their original habitat.

Travelogue

Day 1: Ilulissat — Icebergs and Midnight Sun

This travelogue details the first day of your Greenlandic journey, which kicks off in breathtaking Ilulissat and ends here, with your book ending at precisely this port. The city is home to the wonderful Ilulissat icefjord, a UNESCO site. You can choose either a boat tour or trek into the ice-fjord, and be in awe as the immense icebergs calve from the nearby Jakobshavn Glacier, the most productive glacier in the world.

For a magical end to the day, find a favorite spot and experience the Midnight Sun. This solar event at times allows the bottom of the sun to barely touch the horizon when it should be fully set in other parts of our day. Only the most fortunate will witness true magic, as the tranquility of being engulfed in the warm golden light of pristine, untamed Greenland is too much for the average observer to bear alone. Head back to Ilulissat and spend the evening exploring the bright, colorful buildings of Ilulissat town center and local restaurants, offering traditional Greenlandic food.

Day 2: Nuuk — Connecting with Greenlandic Culture

Enjoy the classic and colorful architecture of the Greenland journey and finish the day in the city of Nuuk, the capital city of Greenland with a strong cultural heritage. The first stop is the National Museum, a treasure trove of history, Inuit artifacts and ancient mummies. This is the ideal place to admire these preserved mummies and all other trade skills to learn more about Greenlandic identity.

You’re interested in viewing music and art in a central setting. Swing by Katuaq cultural center, your fix when it comes to music, art, and local happenings. This cultural center, home to a restaurant, café, outdoor area, conference center, post office, and six-story atrium, presents music, art, and other local talents. Take time after the performance or visit and interact with the local Greenlandic people. Spend the afternoon leisurely walking through the bright, colorful buildings and the fantastic position of the city on the fjord at Nuuk.

Day 3: East Greenland — Wilderness and Exploration

For your morning, jump through on your third day to East Greenland, including Tasiilaq and float over the stunning mountains and fjords, surfacing with this gem in the high arctic wild.

The morning takes you further into the untouched and mesmerizing mountain and fjord landscapes in the outstanding, yet rarely visited, East Greenland to reach the fishing town of Tasiilaq.

Spend this day hiking up and down and taking in the breathtaking surroundings that accentuate the ultimate beauty of East Greenland. If you’re up for it, take the boat tour of the Ammassalik Fjord and gaze wildlife such as whales or seals that are at their finest.

As you watch the sun drop back towards the granite ridges, enjoy a moment of stillness to appreciate the experiences you’ve had in Greenland — the vast, boundless landscape, the traditional culture that touches the vital thoughts and emotions of the Inuit, and the almost other-worldly seamlessness of life in this wonderful Arctic land.

To cut a long story short, here is a summary of what the journey entails:

Day 1: Arrival in Ilulissat: On the western coast of Greenland lies the picture-postcard township

• Today, you will allow yourself to marvel the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a dramatic landscape with massive icebergs in its stunning iceberg-dotted surroundings from the Glacier.
• Take a boat tour to get a close look at and around the icebergs with a towering attitude.
• See the Midnight Sun: The sun barely goes down below the horizon, and it takes on a sort of surreal, magical, everlasting daylight look.

Day 2: Nuuk

• Fly to Nuuk, the capital city.
• You will travel to the National Museum, which showcases diverse elements of the Greenlandic outfits and the skills of making amulets, among other aspects. 
• Explore a Katuaq Cultural Center in Nuuk—a place to hear music, see art, go to local events, etc. It clearly shows what kind of cultural scene there is.  Behind every corner, you can see examples of its cultural identity, which can be approached in many ways—exploration, discovery, and adventure! 
• Stroll around the city of Nuuk to discover pretty wooden houses painted in different colors. As you walk along the colorful streets, you will discover local shops and cafés.
• Prehistoric landfill rationalization sites like Qajaa in Greenland.

Day 3: East Greenland

• Flying to the prominent town of Tasiilaq, near the edge of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by mountains and fjords in East Greenland.
• Hike through pristine landscapes, learning the geology of the area.
• Boat trips through the Ammassalik Fjord, where you’ll find whale species, harbor porpoises, and seals.
• Better yet, find and enjoy peaceful, remote spots far away from the sounds, sights, and signs of city life.

FAQ’s for visiting Greenland:

• When is the best time to visit Greenland?

Greenland is best suited for travel between the summer months of July and August. During this period, the sun is up (light) for very long, with mild weather conditions prevailing in Greenland.

• How do I get around Greenland?

Transport of all kinds is extremely necessary and the most luxurious way to get around in Greenland. Coordinated flights between several popular destinations come into place, and so do boat tours to navigate the fjords and coastline. Because there are few paved roads on the island, most travel is done by water, which is vast and provides the perfect setting for a polar voyage. You most probably won’t see every part of the island, you have to decide whether you would like to visit the south, east, or west.

• What do I pack for my Greenland trip?

For your Greenland excavation, bring comfortable pajamas, a good camera, and warm and waterproof attire. In addition to this, carry a water bottle with a filter, as it’s uncertain whether the water’s viable to drink.

• Is Greenland an expensive place?

Due to its isolated existence, living in Greenland could become expensive. To mitigate this stand, one could always think of camping or finding a hostel to avoid expensive stays.

• Can I see the Northern Lights in Greenland?

Good question! The best time to view the Northern Lights is during the winter, which is from September to April. Greenland is one of the best locations for Northern Lights hunting.

Embark on a transformational journey through the unspoiled wilderness of Greenland, where you’ll be surrounded by a world of ice, fjords, and rich cultural heritage. This 3-day adventure itinerary to Greenland will take you from the enchanting Ilulissat Icefjord and the Midnight Sun, to Nuuk’s cultural center. Finally, venture to unspoiled East Greenland. This trip will ensure that you have a deep love for this Arctic paradise and understand its resilience and beauty one notch more fully.

Be prepared to fall in love with the unmatched landscapes you will see in Greenland—let’s face it, this place is obviously at another level. I’d love to go all in and pay homage to true pioneers who explored this icy wonderland—people who pulled, pushed, dragged, and portaged those cumbersome pack rafts across a mountain range. They sailed rapidly down the Gunnbjörn Fjord, surviving near hypothermia. They all discovered their wildest dreams up there.