Greenland may be home to less than 60,000 permanent residents, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some amazing places to visit. With the glaciers and icebergs melting a little bit more every year, more eco-tourists are packing their bags for Greenland to explore this remote wilderness and all its natural beauty. The average temperatures in Greenland range from about -4 degrees Fahrenheit in February to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit in July and August, so it’s a good idea to book a warm and cozy hotel if you’re looking to come back to something comfortable after long adventurous days. These are some of the top hotels and resorts in Greenland to consider for your visit.
Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat
For several years now, Hotel Arctic has been consistently ranked the best place to stay at in Greenland. It’s located at the base of an ice fjord (a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site) and offers amazing views of the Northern Lights between the months of September and April. Try to book a room that faces the sea and the icebergs for the best experience. One highly recommended room is the two-person aluminum igloo cabin that’s as quirky as it is cozy. There’s a restaurant and café on site, and free coffee, tea and pastries for guests each afternoon. Ilulissat is about 300 kilometers north of the polar circle, and there are some great boat trips that you can book to explore the area more fully.
Hotel Kangerlussuaq, Kangerlussuaq
The settlement of Kangerlussuaq is situated at the head of the Kangerlussuaq fjord (also known as Søndre Strømfjord), and there are spacious guest rooms in Hotel Kangerlussuaq. Onsite dining options are the Green Bar/Naapifik and the new Café Isikkivik, and there’s also a bar on the first floor to grab a drink with a view of the airstrip. In addition to viewing the Aurora Borealis, some of the most popular things to do in the area include a musk safari, glacier hiking, kayaking, and dog sledding.
Hotel Hans Egede, Nuuk
Hotel Hans Egede offers suites, budget rooms and hotel apartments in the capital city of Nuuk. This is a great place to stay if you’re looking to venture out on some hiking or boating trips, going whale watching, or want to learn about local culture in the museum. The room rates include a morning breakfast buffet that is served in the fifth-floor restaurant. Like many of Greenland’s top hotels, this one also has meeting rooms and conference facilities that can accommodate up to 350 guests. Some of the other top activities to do in this area include kayaking, dog sledding, and sipping coffee at a traditional kaffemik.
Hotel Angmagssalik, Tasiilaq
Hotel Angmagssalik is located in a beautiful part of Greenland overlooking Tasiilaq with lovely views of the mountains and icebergs. The hotel has recently been refurbished and updated, and it offers single, double, and triple rooms for guests. There is also an on-site restaurant, as well as a souvenir shop that sells local arts and crafts. This is a great place to pick up a tupilak, which is a traditional small figure carved into tooth, bone or stone to represent ancestral spirits. Some popular activities to do in the area are boat trips, hiking tours to Blomsterdalen, and helicopter trips to see the vast landscape from above.
Hotel Narsarsuaq, Narsarsuaq
Located in South Greenland, Hotel Narsarsuaq is near small towns worth visiting to learn about local culture. There are spacious rooms in this hotel, a restaurant, bar, and a meeting room that can accommodate up to 45 people. You can dine in the on-site restaurant to see stunning views of the mountains and fjords and try some local Greenlandic favorites. Greenlandic coffee is also especially popular. But keep in mind that this is mostly a summertime destination and the restaurant is only open during summer months. During your stay in Narsarsuaq, make sure to visit the Viking ruins, visit a sheepherding farm, go river fishing, visit the Narsarsuaq Museum, and take a walk on the ice cap.
Hotel Sisimiut, Sisimiut
Another great place to stay in Greenland is Hotel Sisimiut, which is a top winter destination famous for snowmobiling and whale watching excursions. The hotel’s Arctic Spa, conference facilities, a restaurant and brasserie that serves fresh local and international cuisine, and outdoor facilities and experiences are what makes this hotel stand apart. It’s also at the footstep to the wilderness and the legendary Arctic Circle Trail, where outdoorsy folks explore the backcountry all year round.
Glacier Lodge Eqi
One of the best eco-lodges in Greenland is the Glacier Lodge Eqi, which is incredibly remote and requires a five-hour boat trip to get there. It’s about 40 miles north of Ilulissat. Part of that boat trip includes a glacier tour, so it’s an experience in itself! You can choose between accommodations that are more rustic or more comfortable, depending on whether you want running water in your hut and a balcony. This is a great place to get away from it all without your technological devices. Definitely consider booking a guided hike on the inland ice or to the lagoon, moraine, and glacier.
Hotel Maniitsoq Aps, Maniitsoq
Hotel Maniitsoq offers visitors a unique view of the Davis Strait along the southwest region of the country. There are just 21 rooms here – both single and double rooms and all non-smoking. A breakfast buffet at the restaurant is included. You’ll enjoy views of the Davis Strait, the mountains, and the harbor from the on-site restaurant. Maniitsoq is best known for being the center for heli-skiing in Greenland; however it’s also a great place for sailing and angling in the summer months. You can catch a flight almost any day to Maniitsoq from Europe – most likely on a connection flight from Copenhagen.
