Greenland: Ice fjords, hot springs, flights from US airports.

Greenland’s Allure as an Arctic Destination

With President Donald Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland for national defense and security purposes, the island nation also serves as an enticing arctic getaway for tourists of all ages. Approximately 80% of its land is ice-covered, yet Greenland is renowned for its stunning ice fjords, soothing hot springs, diverse outdoor activities, abundant wildlife, and fascinating museums. As described by Frommers, it’s a land of stark beauty and contrasts that feels like a world apart.

Exploring Nuuk, Greenland’s Vibrant Capital

Nuuk, Greenland’s capital and largest city with under 20,000 residents, offers a mix of restaurants, fashion boutiques, unique architecture, and multiple museums, according to Visit Greenland. Travelers can fly to Nuuk from several U.S. airports, including Newark Liberty International in New Jersey, as well as those in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Houston, Seattle, and San Francisco. United Airlines introduced the first direct seasonal flights from Newark to Nuuk last summer. Key attractions in Nuuk include the Greenland National Museum and Archives, the Nuuk Art Museum, and the Katuaq Cultural Center.

Adventures in West Greenland’s Icefjord and Beyond

In West Greenland, the town of Ilulissat is home to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the world’s fastest and most active glaciers, as noted by UNESCO. Visitors can embark on boat trips and hikes to witness massive icebergs. Nearby Disko Bay, with its iceberg-strewn waters, is a prime spot for summer whale watching.

South Greenland’s Cultural and Natural Wonders

South Greenland boasts greener landscapes and includes Kujataa, a UNESCO cultural landscape known for its Norse and Inuit heritage in farming, hunting, and fishing. Led by Erik the Red, Norse settlers from Iceland established medieval colonies around 985–986 CE, with sheep farming remaining central to the region’s economy, producing essential wool and meat. The area is also famous for its 38-degree hot springs, such as the popular Uunartoq Hot Springs surrounded by mountains and icebergs, discovered over 1,000 years ago. Tourism in Greenland reached about 116,000 visitors in 2023, with projections for 120,000–140,000 annually in 2024–2025. Fox News Digital contacted Visit Greenland and the Greenland Representation in Washington, D.C., for further comments.