——Global warming is having a profound effect on Greenland, which is prompting both a surge in so-called “last chance” tourism to the remote Arctic nation and a warning about possible dangers facing visitors.
As with Iceland, natural beauty is the main attraction in Greenland, which boasts icebergs, glaciers and polar bears in abundance—at least for now. Top attractions include the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Uunartoq Hot Springs, activities like dog sledding and snowmobile tours, and the opportunity to view the northern lights.
Greenland Off-the-Beaten-Track—For Now
The 836,300-square-mile Danish island is lightly visited, but that could change as awareness grows of its fragile environment. A new runway at Greenland’s Nuuk Airport offers greater access to international flights. The runway at a second airport, Ilulissat, will also be expanded in 2026.
United Airlines announced in October that twice-weekly flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Nuuk, the Greenland capital, will commence in the summer of 2025.
The rarely seen landscapes of Greenland are accompanied by some hazards, however, the U.S. State Department warns in a recently updated travel advisory.
“Greenland’s landscape includes vast stretches of territory remote from cities and settlements,” according to the advisory. “The weather can be harsh, and resources to provide emergency services in areas distant from cities and large settlements, including search and rescue, are scarce. In some areas, search and rescue efforts could take several days to reach the site of an incident.”
The State Department also notes that Greenland experiences extended daylight and darkness, extreme cold, strong winds, and rapidly changing weather. Common threats to travelers include frostbite, dehydration, keratitis (eye damage from reflected sunlight), sunburn and accidents.
The advisory recommends that Americans exercise increased caution while visiting Greenland and suggests traveling with a tour company, such as one that is a member of the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators.
