Picture this: You’re finally ready to tick “stand on an actual glacier” off your bucket list. Thanks to Greenland’s shiny new international airport in Nuuk, this dream is now closer to reality—if “closer” still involves connecting flights, weather delays, and a willingness to pay top dollar for subzero thrills. Greenland, the world’s largest island with a population that wouldn’t fill a football stadium, has officially joined the global tourism race. Whether it’s ready—or even interested—is another question entirely.

For decades, Greenland has been synonymous with isolation. Sure, you’ve seen its jaw-dropping landscapes in nature documentaries, but unless you were a climate scientist or a particularly determined adventurer, it remained just out of reach. Now, with Nuuk International Airport promising to bridge that icy gap, Greenland is poised to become the next must-visit destination for people who think Iceland is “too mainstream.”

Nuuk: Greenland’s Capital of Contradictions

Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, is the beating heart of the country’s modest ambitions. Modest because, with just under 19,000 residents, Nuuk is more like a cosy village playing dress-up as a capital city. But what it lacks in population, it makes up for in charm—and, more importantly, practicality. As the base for most flights, Nuuk is your gateway to Greenland’s icy wonders. Here, you’ll find colourful houses perched on the edge of fjords, a museum showcasing Inuit culture, and coffee shops that somehow thrive despite having fewer customers than your average Starbucks queue. The Greenland National Museum, located in Nuuk, offers a fascinating look into Inuit history and the island’s evolving culture.

Nuuk isn’t trying to be Reykjavik, nor should it. It’s delightfully compact, the sort of place where your tour guide might also be your barista and the mayor waves hello on their way to the post office. And while its nightlife may consist largely of staring at the Northern Lights in bone-chilling silence, there’s an authenticity to Nuuk that big cities just can’t replicate.

Travelling to Greenland: Easier Said Than Done

So, what does Greenland’s shiny new airport actually mean for travellers? For starters, it’s a definite upgrade from the old setup, which relied on tiny prop planes and sporadic connections out of Iceland and Denmark. But let’s not get carried away. Direct flights are still rare, ticket prices remain stratospheric, and once you land, you’ll quickly realize that Greenland’s infrastructure is about as reliable as sunshine in Scotland.

The “international” in Nuuk International Airport might feel a bit generous. While the airport opens up possibilities, it’s not exactly Heathrow. Flights are few, and weather delays are practically a rite of passage. But if you do manage to land without incident, you’ll certainly have a story to tell.

Greenland’s Draw: Glaciers, Fjords, and Frostbite

Let’s talk attractions. Greenland isn’t for everyone, and that’s precisely its charm. If your idea of a good time involves lounging on a beach, this is definitely not the destination for you. But if you’ve ever dreamed of hiking across a glacier, sailing through fjords, or spotting polar bears in their natural habitat, Greenland delivers in spades.

Its landscapes are breathtaking, in part because you’ll literally lose your breath standing in the Arctic wind. The silence here is almost unsettling—a stark reminder of just how far you are from civilisation. It’s the kind of place that Instagrammers love, though how they manage to take selfies without freezing their fingers off remains a mystery. For adventurous travellers, resources like Lonely Planet’s guide to Greenland can help plan trips to the fjords, glaciers, and polar bear spotting tours.

Greenlandic Cuisine: Come to See the Whales, Stay to Eat Them

Of course, after a day of braving Greenland’s icy wilderness, you’ll want to refuel. Enter Greenlandic cuisine, a culinary adventure that’s every bit as bold as the landscapes.

Traditional dishes like muktuk (whale skin and blubber) and smoked seal reflect the island’s Arctic survival roots. Whale may not be for everyone, but it’s a staple here, rich in nutrients and history. For the slightly less daring, musk ox offers a tender, gamey alternative that pairs beautifully with the rugged scenery.

Of course, if blubber and seal don’t tempt your palate, Greenland offers more familiar options like reindeer and Arctic char. But let’s not embarrass ourselves by ordering pizza while perched on the edge of a fjord. Greenlandic food isn’t just sustenance—it’s a window into the island’s culture and resilience.

Tourism in the Time of Climate Change

There’s an irony to Greenland’s tourism boom that’s hard to ignore. Climate change, the very phenomenon threatening its ice caps, is also making the island more accessible. Melting glaciers have opened up previously impassable routes, and the new airport is perfectly positioned to capitalise on this bittersweet reality.

Of course, tourism brings its own set of environmental challenges. Nothing says “eco-conscious” like jetting thousands of miles to marvel at a rapidly disappearing glacier. Greenland’s delicate ecosystem is under pressure, and balancing economic growth with sustainability will be no small feat. For now, though, the island seems willing to welcome intrepid travellers—provided they come with a healthy respect for its unique environment.

Is Greenland the Next Iceland?

Some have suggested that Greenland could follow in Iceland’s footsteps, transforming into a trendy destination for adventure seekers and Instagram influencers. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Iceland has volcanoes, hot springs, and a tourism industry that knows how to milk its natural wonders. Greenland, by contrast, has tundra and a lot of enthusiasm about its tundra. It’s not trying to compete, nor should it.

Where Iceland is polished and primed for mass tourism, Greenland remains rugged and unspoiled. It’s the anti-Iceland, a place where you’ll find fewer tourists, fewer amenities, and, ironically, a more authentic experience. Whether that’s enough to draw the crowds remains to be seen.

Final Thoughts: Should You Travel to Greenland?

So, should you pack your parka and head to Greenland? If you’re an adventurer at heart, a climate scientist, or someone with an inexplicable desire to visit the world’s least populated places, the answer is yes. For everyone else, it’s worth asking if Greenland is ready for you—or if you’re ready for Greenland.

The new airport is a promising step, but Greenland’s charm lies in its remoteness. It’s not for everyone, and that’s the point. So if you do decide to visit, be prepared to embrace the cold, the quiet, and the kind of adventure that Instagram filters just can’t capture.