Best time to go to Greenland for a perfect weather and where to go?
Julie Parment and Tony Samson last update: 14/11/2024When is the best time to go to Greenland?
From a weather perspective, there isn't really a better time to go to Greenland; it is always quite cold and the climate is unfavorable 12 months of the year! The only time that stands out a bit is July, when it is light and the temperatures are slightly milder than at other times.
A little geography point: Greenland is a territory that belongs to Denmark, but it is actually very far from Europe. Indeed, it stretches on either side of the Arctic Circle and is not far from Canada. This island has the distinction of being the second largest in the world, just after Australia.
If the cold doesn't scare you, discovering Greenland is an unforgettable experience and one thing is for sure: you won't be bothered by crowds of tourists! The destination is quite expensive, so it's better to plan a substantial budget to make the most of it.
That said, Greenland is a land where nature escape fans will be in paradise. To fill up on outdoor activities, the ideal time to go is between June and August:
- This will be the right time to go hiking. On the southern coast, it is quite possible to walk along spectacular marked trails. In the plains, the landscapes are green and dotted with colorful flowers, while in the mountains, the paths are accessible. However, further inland or to the north, there is a good chance that you will need to put on snowshoes or skis, as snow is present all year round.
- The summer season is also suitable for cruises. Indeed, it is the best way to explore the fjords, these arms of the sea that snake through the land. Greenland has the largest fjord system in the world at Scoresby Sund, as well as the majestic Ice Canyon, which, at 750 km long, is the longest discovered on Earth.
- It is also in the heart of summer that you can admire the midnight sun. Greenland being very close to the North Pole, the sun hardly sets for 3 months! Around the summer solstice, on June 21, it is daylight 24/7. In August, the sun barely hides for a few hours, but the brightness remains very present.
- If you dream of seeing whales in their natural habitat, the good period is a bit longer: between April and August. Again, the best option is to go on a cruise with a specialized and animal-respecting company.
- To warm up after a day of wandering, nothing beats diving into the hot springs of Uunartoq Island. The temperature ranges from 34 to 38 degrees, pure bliss!
When to go to Greenland to see the northern lights? The best time extends from September to April, but you will have even more chances between December and March, when it is polar night. While in summer, the sun never sets, in winter it never rises! In the middle of the day, only a twilight glow can light your way, but at night, the spectacle of the auroras is worth its weight in gold.
Annual weather in Greenland
For information about the climate and the weather city by city in Greenland for a specific month, click on the corresponding line below:
| Month | Our opinion | View Details | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°F to 31°F | very bad weather | |||
| February | -4°F to 29°F | very bad weather | |||
| March | -4°F to 31°F | very bad weather | |||
| April | 9°F to 34°F | very bad weather | |||
| May | 25°F to 41°F | very bad weather | |||
| June | 34°F to 49°F | very bad weather | |||
| July | 38°F to 54°F | bad weather* | |||
| August | 38°F to 52°F | very bad weather* | |||
| September | 31°F to 45°F | very bad weather | |||
| October | 22°F to 40°F | very bad weather | |||
| November | 11°F to 34°F | very bad weather | |||
| December | 7°F to 32°F | very bad weather |
Best time to travel to Greenland by cities
Climate and Weather in Greenland
The climate of Greenland is of the polar tundra type. This results in low, even extreme temperatures: winters are harsh and very long, summers are cool or mild depending on where you are and your own perception, while the interseasons are short and barely noticeable.
Due to the size of the island, the weather in Greenland varies by region:
- The southwest benefits from the Gulf Stream, this warm ocean current that comes from the Caribbean. Thus, the climate in this region of the island is milder compared to the rest of the territory.
- The southeast is colder, especially in winter, and it suffers more from the harshness of nature with abundant snowfall.
- The central region, also called the Inlandsis, is occupied by the ice cap which represents a large part of the total surface area of Greenland. The climatic conditions there are extreme, with temperatures well below zero, even in summer.
Climate of Greenland in Winter
As we have seen, winter is very long as it generally lasts from November to April. But it is from January to March, during the polar night, that the climate is the most extreme.
During this period, snowfall is very abundant across the territory and temperatures are very low:
- In November and December, the average temperature is 0-1°C at its warmest and between -12 and -14°C at its coldest.
- From January to March, expect maximum temperatures around -1 to -2°C and minimums that always hover around -20°C, or even much lower in case of a storm. This is the time of year when it snows the most.
- In April, the atmosphere begins to warm up slowly, but the weather conditions are still wintry with an average temperature of 1°C (34°F) at the warmest part of the day and -13°C at night.
Climate of Greenland in Summer
Summer, which corresponds to the months of July and August, is quite short, but it enjoys long days that are mostly sunny.
Showers are possible near Nuuk, the capital, or towards Qaqortoq, but good weather quickly makes a comeback.
It is therefore the warmest period of the year, with high averages ranging from 11 to 12°C (54°F) and minimum temperatures around 3°C (38°F) .
Climate of Greenland in Spring and Autumn
The interseasons are particularly short and not very pronounced:
- Spring corresponds to the months of May and June. At the beginning of the season, grayness, snow, and cold temperatures are still present with maximums around 5°C (41°F) and minimums hovering around -4°C. In June, the weather improves rapidly. The sun returns and the thermometer rises above zero, showing values between 1 and 9°C (49°F) , depending on the time of day.
- Autumn extends from early September to late October. The sun is present most of the time, but snow becomes increasingly abundant. In terms of temperatures, expect maximums between 4 and 7°C (45°F) and minimums between -1 and -6°C.
Temperatures and rainfall in Greenland
On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Greenland and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Nuuk, Aasiaat, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq and Sisimiut, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Greenland
Find out when Greenland has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Greenland
The months with low numbers of tourists are: January, February, March, April, May, September, October, November and December. The number of visitors to Greenland is high in: June, July and August.
- Very low season in Greenland: January, February, May, September, October, November and December.
- Low season in Greenland: March and April.
- High season in Greenland: June.
- Peak season in Greenland: July and August.
Figure: Visitor index for Greenland month by month
Average price for flights to Greenland
A return flight between London and Nuuk is generally cheaper if you go in november ($ 1132 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 276 more for your airline ticket to Nuuk if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Greenland
Where to go in Greenland?
This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).
| Cities | jan. | feb. | mar. | apr. | may | jun. | jul. | aug. | sep. | oct. | nov. | dec. |
| Nuuk | 23°F | 20°F | 22°F | 31°F | 38°F | 45°F | 50°F | 50°F | 43°F | 36°F | 29°F | 25°F |
| Aasiaat | 13°F | 7°F | 11°F | 23°F | 34°F | 43°F | 47°F | 47°F | 38°F | 29°F | 20°F | 18°F |
| Ilulissat | 11°F | 7°F | 11°F | 23°F | 34°F | 43°F | 49°F | 45°F | 38°F | 27°F | 18°F | 14°F |
| Qaqortoq | 31°F | 29°F | 31°F | 34°F | 38°F | 43°F | 47°F | 47°F | 43°F | 40°F | 34°F | 32°F |
| Sisimiut | 16°F | 13°F | 16°F | 25°F | 38°F | 47°F | 52°F | 52°F | 41°F | 32°F | 25°F | 20°F |
| Maniitsoq | 20°F | 18°F | 20°F | 29°F | 38°F | 47°F | 50°F | 50°F | 43°F | 34°F | 27°F | 23°F |
| Narsaq | 23°F | 23°F | 27°F | 34°F | 40°F | 47°F | 50°F | 50°F | 43°F | 36°F | 27°F | 23°F |
| Paamiut | 25°F | 23°F | 27°F | 34°F | 41°F | 49°F | 54°F | 52°F | 45°F | 38°F | 29°F | 27°F |
| Qasigiannguit | 11°F | 7°F | 11°F | 23°F | 34°F | 43°F | 49°F | 45°F | 38°F | 27°F | 18°F | 14°F |
| Upernavik | 7°F | 2°F | 2°F | 16°F | 31°F | 38°F | 43°F | 45°F | 38°F | 31°F | 22°F | 16°F |
| Illoqortormiut | 13°F | 11°F | 11°F | 22°F | 32°F | 40°F | 43°F | 43°F | 36°F | 27°F | 16°F | 13°F |
| Tasiilaq | 23°F | 23°F | 23°F | 31°F | 36°F | 40°F | 41°F | 41°F | 38°F | 32°F | 27°F | 23°F |
Legend:
bad weather
very bad weather
About Greenland
What can I do in Greenland?
Beaches / swimming
Nature and countryside
Culture and heritage
Sports
Family travel
Crafts / shopping
Gastronomy
Nightlife
Is this weather information for Greenland reliable?
Climate data for Greenland has been gathered every day since January 2009. The analysis of these meteorological data for Greenland allows us to determine the average for each month in Nuuk, Aasiaat, Ilulissat, Qaqortoq, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq, Narsaq, Paamiut, and 4 other cities.
So yes: this data is reliable except in cases of temporary climate disruption in the region.