Get Off-Path in the Arctic on a Family Vacation to Greenland

Iceland has long been a bucket-list destination for families seeking dramatic landscapes, Northern Lights and adventure-filled itineraries. But what if I told you there’s an even wilder, more untouched alternative?

After learning that United Airlines will begin flying direct to Nuuk, Greenland, in the summer of 2025, I decided to jet off ahead of what may be a rush of travel and discovered that Greenland offers everything Iceland has — glaciers, fjords, Northern Lights — but with fewer crowds, deeper cultural experiences and a sense of true exploration.

If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path Arctic adventure that’s just as family-friendly, here’s why Greenland should be on your radar.

Why a Vacation to Greenland Should Be on Your List

Wild Landscapes Without a Bus in Sight

Iceland’s tourism boom (more than 2 million people visited in 2024) means you’ll often share its famous waterfalls and geysers with busloads of travelers. Greenland, on the other hand, remains one of the least-visited places on earth. And because the ice sheet covers more than 80 percent of the land, its villages are all situated on bays with no roads to connect them. This means travel around the island requires small planes, helicopters or boats.

The effort is worth it. Picture your family standing at the edge of a glacier with no one else around but a guide or the occasional reindeer. Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to some of the most jaw-dropping ice formations in the world, and families can witness icebergs calving into the sea on intimate boat tours or even from the town’s serene mountainside boardwalk.

Best for Families: A Disko Bay Tours boat trip among Ilulissat’s icebergs is a must, offering an up-close look at towering frozen sculptures. Kids will love spotting seals and, if you’re lucky, whales weaving between the ice.

Northern Lights Without the Competition

Both Iceland and Greenland offer breathtaking views of the Aurora Borealis on clear nights, but in Greenland, you’ll be so isolated you won’t have to jostle with crowds for the best photo op. From September to April, the skies over Greenland dance with vibrant hues of green and purple, and thanks to minimal light pollution, nearly any town or remote lodge provides an incredible viewing experience — we even spotted them while in staying in the capital city, Nuuk!

Best for Families: One of our best views of the Northern Lights was while staying in an igloo at the Igloo Lodge. The visit requires an hour-and-a-half snow cat ride from Ilulissat across rocky terrain and frozen lakes to the isolated lodge featuring eight real igloos. (Don’t worry, there are also rustic bunks you can sleep in should you decide it’s too cold.) The lodge doesn’t have any power or Wi-Fi but will keep things warm and bright with fire and candlelight before your icy slumber party in sleeping bags capable of handling the Arctic temps. Note, it’s only open from late January through mid-April as its location on the ice melts back into the ocean in warmer months.

Untamed Arctic Cascades

Iceland’s waterfalls are famous for their accessibility, with well-paved roads leading directly to attractions like Gullfoss and Skógafoss. But that means busloads of tourists. In Greenland, waterfalls exist in raw, untamed landscapes, where the only sounds are rushing water and the occasional call of an Arctic bird. In East Greenland’s remote fjords, some of the country’s most dramatic waterfalls tumble straight into the sea, a sight you won’t find in Iceland. Others, like Kuannit Waterfall on Disko Island, a boat ride or helicopter ride from Ilulissat, carve through rugged volcanic rock and can only be reached via a scenic hike.

Best for Families: A boat tour through the fjords near Tasiilaq offers a chance to see waterfalls that drop dramatically into the sea, with the added bonus of spotting whales along the way.

A Deeper Connection to Inuit Culture

While Iceland acknowledges its small Inuit population through museum exhibits and cultural programs, Greenland offers a fully immersive experience where Inuit traditions are part of everyday life. With more than 90 percent of Greenland’s population identifying as Inuit, the island remains one of the few places where Indigenous Arctic culture continues to thrive. Visitors can gain insight into this heritage through dog sled rides, which remain a critical form of transportation in the winter; traditional foods like mattak (whale skin) and dried fish; and artisan handicrafts, where intricate beadwork, carvings and prints reflect centuries-old traditions passed down through generations.

Best for Families: A guided walk through Sermermiut in Ilulissat provides kids with a hands-on history lesson. This ancient Inuit settlement dates back 4,000-plus years. Families can walk along a scenic boardwalk to see remnants of dwellings and learn about the three main tribes of people who found a way to thrive in Greenland’s harsh climate.

Traces of Vikings in the Arctic

Iceland puts its Viking heritage on full display, but Greenland holds a more mysterious chapter of Norse history. When Erik the Red named it “Greenland” more than 1,000 years ago, it was partly to entice settlers in contrast to Iceland’s more forbidding name. And while Iceland’s Viking history is well-documented in museums and sagas, Greenland’s past lingers in largely untouched ruins.

Best for Families: Explore this history at sites like the ruined Hvalsey Church near Qaqortoq in South Greenland, the best-preserved Norse ruin in the country, where kids can wander through the stone remains of a Viking settlement that mysteriously disappeared. The surrounding fjords and valleys, once home to Norse farmers and traders, haven’t changed much since medieval days.

Remote Villages Frozen in Time

Iceland’s villages, while picturesque, are well-connected by the country’s Ring Road, making them easily accessible to visitors. Towns like Vik and Seyoisfhorour offer charming Nordic aesthetics but have adapted to the influx of tourists with cafes, hotels and souvenir shops catering to visitors year-round. Greenland’s villages, by contrast, remain far more isolated and traditional due to the lack of roads connecting them. Some settlements are only accessible by dog sled or snowmobile in the winter. Instead of souvenir shops and cafes, visitors will find drying fish racks, sled dogs resting in the snow and colorful wooden houses standing against dramatic Arctic backdrops.

Best for Families: A visit to Uummannaq offers an authentic look at Greenlandic village life, where kids can see working sled dogs, visit a local fish market and explore the heart-shaped mountain that gives the town its name. Tour groups like Arctic Excursions offer dog sled rides in the winter and excursions to the nearby Qarajaq Glacier in the summer.

Where to Stay in Greenland

Hotel options are limited in Greenland, and the country does not feature sprawling 5-star resorts. Expect 3- to questionable 4-stars at best. With so few hotels and a growing number of visitors, summers can sell out and should be booked well in advance.

Hotel Hans Egede

Located in the heart of Nuuk, Hotel Hans Egede is the capital’s largest hotel, with family suites that make it a great choice for parents and kids wanting modern comforts. The hotel features multiple dining options, including a high-end top-floor restaurant, Sarafalik, with fjord and mountain views. It’s located within steps of restaurants, shops, museums and attractions. Consider booking the Clinton Suite (where Hillary Clinton stayed), a two-room suite with space for two single beds to be set up in the living area.

Hotel Arctic

For those in search of a breathtaking Arctic experience, Hotel Arctic in Ilulissat offers stunning views of Disko Bay and the Ilulissat Icefjord. The high-end hotel (one of the nicest we saw during our trip) also features igloo cabins with glass ceilings and three-sided glass walls to keep the views front and center. However, these rooms do not accommodate families; if you’re booking multiple rooms, they are better suited for teens and young adult kids who can handle the isolated cabins and their stairs.

Hotel Sisimiut

With easy access to dog sledding, snowmobiling and hiking trails, Hotel Sisimiut is a great place for families with cozy family rooms and onsite dining that features Greenlandic cuisine. The family rooms aren’t anything fancy, but offer two connected spaces, one with a double bed for parents and the other equipped with bunk beds and a seating area.

Getting to Greenland

Reaching Greenland requires some planning, even with the new direct commercial route from Newark to Nuuk. Summertime makes it easier to visit with better weather, but Greenland’s extreme Arctic weather, especially in the winter, often leads to strong winds, dense fog and sudden storms that frequently delay or cancel flights. Unlike major airports with alternative routes, Greenland’s small airstrips and limited infrastructure mean that delays can last hours or even days. Direct flights aren’t available in the winter, with most flights connecting through Copenhagen or Reykjavik, so a cancellation could have your family stuck in one of those towns.

Additionally, once you arrive in Nuuk, there are no roads connecting towns and you’ll need to take a small Air Greenland plane (which the locals refer to as “Maybe Airlines”) or a helicopter to reach smaller cities. These may only fly on specific days, and you’ll have to plan the trip accordingly. Still, when planning activities that require pre-booking, it’s best to keep flight days schedule-free to account for any delays or issues.

The good news is that if your flight cannot get out, others cannot get in, which means hotels may still be able to accommodate you. It’s not uncommon for a hotel to welcome you back with a knowing smile.

Relevant Links: 

Browse all ideas for polar expeditions and Northern Lights trips on Ciao Bambino

5 incredible places to see the Northern Lights

10 unexpected winter travel ideas for families

72 hours in Reykjavik with kids

Our 10 essential tips for Iceland family travel

20 things to love about Iceland with kids

Photos by Lissa Poirot except where noted.

Editor’s note: This post was accurate when published. We advise checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino does not accept responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in, or for any actions taken based on, the information presented.