Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit?
In May, spring starts to arrive and it gets markedly warmer, with an occasional cold day and scattered flurries. In June, the snow is finally gone and the mountainsides turn green and flowers begin to bloom. July and August are the most beautiful summer months, and you’ll see an amazing variety of flowers. In late August the nights start to get noticeably longer and the first northern lights appear in the night skies. August is mushroom and berry picking season. In September, the mountainsides are colored red and brown when the plants get their autumn leaves. In the fall, the weather starts to get more unstable, with rain and storms. In October, the temperature regularly falls below freezing again.
Does it get really warm during the summer?
Yes! This is the most commonly asked question and it’s very difficult to answer. In Northern Greenland the climate is much harsher than in the South, where we have a subarctic or boreal climate. The average summer temperature in most Greenlandic towns is 10 degrees Celsius. But that says very little about the actual conditions that you will experience here. Temperatures are measured in the shade – but you won’t find much of that because there are so few trees in Greenland. The sun shines with incredibly intensity during the day. So when it’s 15 degrees Celsius in the shade, it can be way over 30 degrees in the sun – and during the high summer, the sun shines for nearly 21 hours a day in the South. The air in Greenland is also extremely dry. So even on colder days it doesn’t feel as cold as in damper climates, such as Northern Europe. With such dry sunny conditions, it is important to use protective sun screen and wear sunglasses on your trip to Greenland.
Do I need my winter jacket?
No! When it starts to rain or the sky is overcast, the temperature can drop very rapidly, even in summer. You should definitely have a warm sweater and a good windproof rain jacket. But when the sun shines out of a cloudless sky on a summer day, sometimes it’s almost too hot to wear long pants. Wear layers and be prepared for a wide range of temperatures. And don’t forget to bring decent hiking shoes that give you good ankle support!
Are there icebergs during the summer?
We guarantee it! Narsaq is only roughly 30 km from the ice cap – and you can see it on a clear day. There are numerous glaciers in the area that calve enormous amounts of ice into the fjords. Strong currents sweep this ice through Narsaq Sound, into the adjoining fjords, and out to sea. The warmer the weather, the more active the glaciers become, and the more icebergs you will be able to see in the water. By contrast, during the winter months, large icebergs are rather seldom.
Is it possible to get close to a glacier?
Yes! In Narsarsuaq, you can walk directly to the edge of a glacier. From Narsaq you can take a boat trip to the ice cap. Bookings can be made with Blue Ice Explorer.
Can I rent a boat?
Unfortunately, no! In a country where neighboring towns and settlements can only be reached by air or by sea, it’s not surprising that a lot of people have speedboats and small motorboats. Most boats are used for commercial purposes, for hunting and fishing. Of course there are a lot of leisure boats, but no one would run the risk of renting their boat out to a stranger, especially someone from abroad who is unfamiliar with the local conditions: the large difference between high and low tide, dangerous reefs and currents, sudden strong winds, shifting icebergs, black ice, etc.
Are there a lot of mosquitoes?
No, there really aren’t! There are days when they can be a bit pesky, but in general they are not a problem. Around Narsaq there are a lot of sheep farms and the sheep run free through the mountains. Mosquitoes and sheep apparently do not mix (!). Directly on the coast, where there are frequent breezes, the mosquitoes don’t have much of a chance either.
Is it possible to go fishing?
Oh, yes! Greenland offers excellent opportunities to catch fish.
Does everyone speak English?
No, not everyone – in fact, far from it! Greenlandic is the main language on the island, a language that is closely related to what is spoken by the Inuit of North America, Alaska and Siberia. In Greenland, the second official language is Danish, and a few words of Danish will go a long ways toward making yourself understood. An increasing number of Greenlanders are also learning English. With a mixture of English, Danish, Greenlandic and lots of gestures, you can communicate with just about anyone.
Do I need my passport?
Yes, you do! Greenland officially belongs to Denmark, so if you are a European citizen, you should be able to enter the country with your identity card. But since Greenland is no longer a member of the EU, you officially need a passport. Most border checks are not especially strict, but it is recommended that you have a valid passport.