Greenland
An undiscovered giant of the Arctic
Despite the name, Greenland isn’t really green – a name chosen by Viking Erik the Red, who knew optimism sells better than ice. Today, monumental icebergs drift past colourful villages where boats outnumber cars, and Inuit culture shapes daily life. Some Inuit words you may already know: qajaq and Iglu. Home to just 56,000 people on the world’s largest island that isn’t a continent, Greenland offers space in its purest form. And now is a rare moment to experience it before the world catches up.
Where it is
Northern Europe
When to go
June to September
Why go there
Monumental ice
Wildlife encounters
Extraordinary light
What to see
Northeast Greenland National Park
Ilulissat Icefjord
Icefjord Centre
Northern lights
Nuuk
Icy education in Ilulissat
The UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord offers front-row views of calving glaciers at its most impressive while the nearby Icefjord Centre reveals the story behind the ice.
Thinking big up north
Bold design, Arctic flavours and living Inuit culture define Nuuk, a Nordic capital where small scale meets an unexpectedly cosmopolitan spirit.
Northern lights
Visit in the darker season and the sky puts on a neon show. Aurora borealis are most common from the end of September to early April.
Polar bear safari
In Northeast Greenland National Park, spotting a polar bear is rare, humbling and entirely on Arctic terms in one of the world’s most remote regions.
Travel in Greenland
Greenland is gloriously simple on the map and gloriously not-simple on the ground. Many places connect by boat or small aircraft, and weather gets a vote in every plan. Allow Cosa to choreograph the logistics, guides and timing, leaving you free to focus on the experience. Pack layers (yes, even in summer), embrace flexible timing, drink some of the world’s cleanest tap water and accept invitations to a kaffemik (coffee, cake and conversation). Here, nature – not the clock – sets the schedule.
Greenland facts
Situated high in the Arctic, Greenland has been shaped for thousands of years by Inuit culture and life with ice, sea and extreme seasons. While Greenlandic society today is modern and outward-looking, everyday life remains closely connected to nature through fishing, hunting and shared traditions. Language, storytelling and craftsmanship reflect this deep relationship with the environment. At the same time, contemporary Greenland embraces art, music and design, creating a culture that balances long-established knowledge with modern Arctic life.
Time zone
UTC −2
(Nuuk; summer time UTC −1)
Flight time
Approx. 9 – 16 hours from Switzerland
Local currency
Danish krone (DKK)
Dialling code
+299
