When you think about taking a trip to another country, you possibly remember France, the United States, even Russia. But what about Greenland, has it ever crossed your mind? The exotic activities and natural beauties make this territory belonging to Denmark a very popular country, especially for adventure lovers and Northern Lights hunters. Still not convinced that this trip is worth it? Want to know what else you can do in this beautiful North American destination? Come with us!
We have separated 20 photographs that will make you put on your list this very different destination, which has spectacles in the skies and maintains simplicity on all sides. The coolest thing is that behind each record there is always some interesting information, whether from a different tradition, from some ancient people, or from an incredible attraction to discover. Check it out below:
Scoresby Sund
The largest fjord in the world — a sea inlet between rocky mountains — has an enchanting view of its surroundings. The colorful houses of the small village contrast with the gigantic icebergs that are there. Even the least impressionable tourist will be delighted with everything. The name Scoresby Sund comes from William Scoresby, responsible for mapping the region in 1822.
North East Greenland National Park
Believe it or not, the biggest national park in the world is far away: in Greenland. With an area of 972 thousand km² (more than France and Spain combined!), the park brings together a vast array of wildlife, such as walruses and polar bears. Another highlight are the huge glaciers, leaving anyone’s mouth open. For visits, a special authorization from the government of the country is required.
Knud Rasmussen’s Museum
The museum, located in the city of Ilulissat, is dedicated to the Danish explorer Knud Rasmussen, considered the “father of Eskimology”. It is also suitable for those who want to know a little more about the region’s history. It is open from Monday to Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Hans Egedes Hus
Hans Egede is a very important name in Greenland. He is the founder of Nuuk, the country’s capital. He even names a 4-star hotel in the locality. Hans Egedes Hus is actually the house where the founder lived. It is possible to see it from the outside, and visits are not open to tourists.
Nuuk Cathedral
Annaassisitta Oqaluffia, name in Greenlandic, was established long ago, in 1849. The church’s red color stands out in the midst of the surrounding landscape, a feast for the eyes. The statue of Hans Egede is located on a hill just above the church.
Nuuk Art Museum
In Danish Nuuk Kunstmuseum, the museum is in the Kissarneqqortuunnguaq neighborhood (can you pronounce that?) and is open Tuesday to Sunday from 1pm to 5pm (until 7pm on Thursdays). Opened in the 1960s, the place presents some of the art and history of Greenland. The highlight is the variety of paintings, watercolors, drawings, figures in soapstone, ivory and wood.
Nuuk Tourist Office
More than just providing information for visitors, the Nuuk tourist office is practically a tourist spot in its own right. Right in front of the place there is a giant and red mailbox, the kind that leaves letters for Santa Claus. Impossible to resist and not take at least one photograph… The National Tourism Council of Greenland is located in the same building.
Ittoqqortoormiit
Isolated and uneven terrain. We could describe the east coast of Greenland in this way, were it not for the existence of this nice little town. With a complicated name for us Brazilians, Ittoqqortoormiit has colorful little houses and just over 500 inhabitants. Polar bears and whales also live in the region.
Hvalsey Church Ruins
Hvalsey Church was a church, and today it is a pile of stones in the midst of a sheep farm. However, in addition to the beautiful Anglo-Norwegian architecture, there are different legends about the place. In other words, it’s one of those trips that become more interesting with the presence of a guide — or some previous research, of course.
Sermermiut
Sermermiut is the main settlement founded by Eskimo peoples, who inhabited the region over 3000 years ago! It’s one of those places where you sit and simply enjoy the surroundings, thinking about the grandeur of nature and how small some problems seem. The detail is that the temperatures there tend to be quite low. Can you handle minus 20 degrees?
Old Cemetery
Unlike some sumptuous cemeteries scattered around the world, this one stands out for its simplicity. Simple white wooden crosses mark each grave. There are no names or dates. Some stories say the names are eternal, while other versions claim that this is so as not to harm the dead for the remainder of their afterlife journey.
Thule Air Base
An American Air Force airport in Greenland? That’s right. And this is one of the most different airports you may have seen. After all, taking off in a landscape surrounded by icebergs isn’t exactly routine, right? Thule Air Base was very important in World War II and now has Air Greenland flights.
Sisimiu Museum
The Sisimiut Museum was founded in the 1980s in the oldest house in the Sisimiut region, the so-called Old House. Today it consists of an open-air museum that brings together some of the local culture and history in a total of nine small houses. The museum also has an interesting archaeological exhibition, where finds from the settlements of the Saqqaq culture are displayed.
Cape Farewell
When we speak the expression “Oiapoque ao Chuí”, we are referring to the extremes of Brazil. So. Cape Farewell is the Greenlandic representative of this southern area, being the southernmost point of Egger Island and the entire territory of the country. The coast is surrounded by an extremely cold and potentially dangerous sea.
Jakobshavn Glacier and Sermeq Kujalleq
Close to the city of Ilulissat is this glacier, which also bears the name Jakobshavn Isbræ. It is from this area that about 10% of Greenland’s icebergs come out. Speaking of which, did you know that the Jakobshavn glacier came from the iceberg responsible for the sinking of the Titanic? Now you know!
Greenland National Museum and Archives
More than 4,000 years of history in one place. Not awesome enough for you? Okay. What if we say that in the National Museum of Greenland there are mummies? Now yes! There you can also see ancient garments, weapons, boats, sleds and much more. The museum is free of charge and does not open on Mondays.
Fredens Kirke
Located in Paamiut, this wooden church is beautiful inside. The place is very well maintained and a source of pride for those who live in the region — they even say it is the most beautiful prayer space in Greenland. With its vibrant colors, Danish architect Helge Bojsen-Møller’s design really catches the eye.
Ukkusissat
More names with many repeated letters gathered? We have. This time it’s Ukkusissat, a settlement in Qaasuitsup. The place, which survives mainly on fishing, is usually visited by some cruise ships. In winter it is not possible to get there either by boat or by helicopter. The solution is transport using dog sleds.
Jameson Land
No, we are not talking about whiskey. Jameson Land is actually a peninsula in eastern Greenland. The erosion caused by the wind has caused several forms to appear in the sandstone that is there.
Stone & Man – Lithographs
The project called “Stone & Man” is the work of 18 Nordic artists who visited, in 1993 and 1994, the city of Qaqortoq, the fourth largest on the island. Local artist Aka Høegh was one of the leaders of this project, a dynamic piece with the participation of people from Sweden, Finland, Norway and the Faroe Islands (Denmark territory).