Greenland is suddenly on everyone’s radar, thanks to President-elect Donald Trump’s brief musings about America’s interest in acquiring the island. Known for its remote, icy landscapes and indigenous Inuit culture, Greenland had quietly settled into the darkness of its Arctic winter. However, Trump’s remarks about the island, combined with a recent visit from Donald Trump Jr. on January 7, have thrust the icy land into the global spotlight.

While Denmark, Greenland’s governing body, has firmly rejected the notion of selling the island, Greenland’s local officials have been asserting their right to independence. For travelers, this newfound attention has only sparked greater curiosity about what it’s like to visit this vast, frozen land.

The Allure of Greenland’s Rugged Wilderness

Greenland is home to just 56,000 inhabitants, primarily Inuit people, living along the island’s coastline. Its massive icecap, which covers 80% of the island, is inhospitable, forcing most of the population to live in small, brightly-colored coastal villages. Here, life is shaped by brutal winters where hunting seals under the northern lights is a way of life, although local stores now offer more convenient supplies.

Traditionally, Greenland has been a difficult destination to access, with indirect flights making travel time-consuming. However, this is rapidly changing. Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, opened a long-awaited international airport in late 2024. United Airlines will offer a direct flight from Newark to Nuuk starting in June 2025. By 2026, two more international airports will open in Qaqortoq and Ilulissat, expanding accessibility to Greenland’s incredible landscapes.

Ilulissat: Greenland’s Vibrant Gateway for Tourists

Ilulissat, located on the west coast, is the island’s prime tourism destination. Known for its picturesque harbor and bright fishing villages, it’s a place where travelers can sip craft beers filtered through 100,000-year-old glacial ice while gazing out at a truly spectacular sight: the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Icefjord. Towering icebergs, as large as Manhattan skyscrapers, break free from Greenland’s icecap and drift into the surrounding Disko Bay.

Small boats offer close-up views of the floating icebergs, though caution is advised. “I once saw an iceberg split in two, and the resulting wave was massive,” said David Karlsen, a local boat captain. “I didn’t stick around to see what happened next.”

During summer, visitors can also enjoy world-class whale-watching. From June to September, humpback, fin, and minke whales feed in the bay, and visitors can often catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures breaching the surface.

Greenland’s Cuisine and Culture

For adventurous eaters, Greenland offers unique culinary experiences, including mattak—a traditional dish made from whale skin and blubber. It has a rubbery texture but is deeply rooted in the Inuit culture. In addition to hunting seals and whales, Inuit communities also hunt polar bears, musk oxen, and caribou, and these animals often appear on the local menu.

Cruise tourism is on the rise, with many travelers arriving on ships from North America or Iceland. These cruises offer an excellent way to explore Greenland’s coastline, stopping at colorful villages and breathtaking landscapes like the blue waters of Eternity Fjord and the ancient Viking longhouses of South Greenland.

For a more personal and authentic experience, travelers can opt for the Sarfaq Ittuk, a ferry service that operates along Greenland’s west coast. This less corporate option allows for interactions with local Inuit commuters, offering a unique glimpse into life in Greenland without the commercialized feel of large cruise ships.

The Untouched East Coast and Remote Villages

For those seeking even greater adventure, Greenland’s east coast, which faces Europe, offers a raw, dramatic landscape far less populated by tourists. This rugged coast is home to the world’s largest fjord system, Scoresby Sound, where jagged mountains, glaciers, and pristine wildlife abound. Expedition vessels frequently explore this area, and visitors can experience the wild beauty of the tundra, where polar bears, musk oxen, and migrating geese roam.

One of the most intriguing and remote destinations is Ittoqqortoormiit, a village of just 345 people, located 500 miles north of any other settlement. Isolated for much of the year by ice, this community retains many of its traditional practices, including hunting and preserving food in the old ways. Visitors can also experience dog-sledding expeditions in the winter, which often include building igloos and learning about survival skills in the frozen landscape.

Northern Lights and Adventure Tourism

Perhaps the biggest draw for winter visitors is the stunning display of the aurora borealis, visible throughout Greenland’s long, dark winters. With minimal light pollution, Greenland provides a perfect canvas for this natural spectacle, and more and more travelers are coming to witness it.

Greenland is also attracting adventure enthusiasts. From skiing expeditions on the icecap to hiking the Arctic Circle Trail, a 100-mile route between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, there’s no shortage of ways to explore this vast and wild territory. Adventurers must be prepared for the harsh conditions and potential encounters with polar bears, which still roam the region.

A Changing Landscape and Global Attention

As the climate crisis continues to impact Greenland, with its icecap rapidly melting, the island’s future remains uncertain. Greenland’s geopolitical importance is growing, with international attention focusing on the potential economic and strategic value of the region. But for now, Greenland remains one of the world’s most unspoiled and rugged travel destinations, offering unparalleled natural beauty and a glimpse into a disappearing way of life. Whether you’re seeking breathtaking landscapes, thrilling adventures, or a chance to connect with ancient cultures, Greenland promises to be one of the most extraordinary places on Earth to visit.

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In Churchill, a remote Arctic town often called the “polar bear capital of the world,” the relationship between humans and polar bears is deeply intertwined with the challenges of climate change. Residents live alongside the planet’s largest land predator, where bear safety is part of daily life.

Living with Polar Bears

Tee, a confident 13-year-old student, shares practical advice on dealing with close encounters. “If a polar bear is this close to you,” she says, measuring about 30 cm with her hands, “make a fist and punch it in the nose.” The sensitive noses of polar bears could prompt them to retreat, though Tee has never needed to test her advice.

Signs throughout the town remind residents and visitors to stay “bear aware.” Key rules include never walking alone at night and staying vigilant, as polar bears can run up to 25 mph (40 km/h).

Churchill sees hundreds of polar bears annually when the Hudson Bay thaws in summer, forcing the bears onto land. As the autumn freeze begins, the bears gather, waiting for the sea ice—a critical platform for hunting seals—to return.

“For polar bears, sea ice is like a dinner plate,” explains Alyssa McCall of Polar Bears International (PBI). “It gives them access to seals, their main prey.” However, the ice-free period in the bay is growing longer due to climate change, leaving polar bears on land for extended periods, with reduced access to food.

A Declining Population

The polar bear population in Churchill has dropped drastically—from 1,200 in the 1980s to almost half that today. Longer ice-free periods strain bear mothers, making it harder to sustain pregnancies and raise cubs.

“They’re our fat, white, hairy canaries in the coal mine,” says McCall, emphasizing how polar bears reflect the effects of climate change in the Arctic.

Tourism, Technology, and Conservation

Despite their precarious future, polar bears draw tourists and researchers to Churchill. Groups venture onto the tundra in specialized “buggy” vehicles to observe the bears. During one such trip, a curious young bear approached a buggy, sniffed and licked the vehicle, leaving observers awestruck by the animal’s blend of charm and danger.

Conservation efforts are underway to manage the increasing interactions between people and bears. PBI is testing an innovative radar system nicknamed “bear-dar.” This AI-powered technology scans the tundra for bears, operating 24/7 to detect them even in poor visibility.

The polar bear alert team patrols the town daily to manage bear activity. Stubborn bears are sometimes trapped using baited containers, held for 30 days to discourage them from seeking food in town, and then released far from populated areas.

Climate Change and a Changing Future

The warming Arctic is reshaping life for Churchill’s residents and polar bears alike. The town’s new Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO) is studying how the environment is responding to climate change. Research includes experiments on sea ice forecasting and oil spill responses, essential for the potential expansion of the town’s port.

Mike Spence, Churchill’s mayor, is optimistic about adapting to the changes. “We’re already looking into extending the shipping season,” he says, envisioning a bustling port in the future. Summer tourism is also growing, with visitors flocking to see beluga whales in the bay.

But while Churchill is adapting, the outlook for polar bears remains uncertain. Extended ice-free seasons and declining populations pose long-term threats.

A Town United by Challenge

For Churchill’s children, growing up with polar bears is a unique experience. Tee and her classmates watch as the polar bear alert team works to move a bear away from town. They’re reminded to have someone pick them up from school, ensuring no one walks home alone.

“If climate change continues,” says Charlie, one of Tee’s classmates, “the polar bears might just stop coming here.”

Churchill is a town of resilience and adaptation, striving to balance the needs of its community with the survival of its most famous inhabitants—the polar bears.

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