{"id":1802,"date":"2025-05-01T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/?p=1802"},"modified":"2025-05-06T13:06:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T13:06:11","slug":"the-magical-summer-holiday-destination-with-no-mcdonalds-and-hardly-any-tourists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/01\/the-magical-summer-holiday-destination-with-no-mcdonalds-and-hardly-any-tourists\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u2018magical\u2019 summer holiday destination with no McDonald\u2019s and hardly any tourists"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\"A\t<\/div>
The world\u2019s largest island is slowly connecting with the rest of the planet (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Few places on the planet are as \u2018bowl you over\u2019 beautiful as Greenland<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With breathtaking sunsets and some of Earth\u2019s most impressive raw natural beauty, this is a country of magnificent extremes.<\/p>\n

The world\u2019s largest island, which sits between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, remained largely isolated from the rest of the world until recently.<\/p>\n

But now, Greenland\u2019s capital has big plans to attract adventure-seeking tourists, with the opening of Nuuk international airport<\/a> in November heralding a new era of travel for the remote Arctic territory.<\/p>\n

And travellers are taking note. On TikTok<\/a>, hundreds of videos linked to the Greenland hashtag showcase genuinely jaw-dropping scenery across the country.<\/p>\n

One viral clip, titled \u2018POV: you skip summer in Italy and go to Greenland instead\u2019, captures bright turquoise ocean, thundering waterfalls and yellow houses surrounded by immense glaciers.<\/p>\n

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@meganstarrtravel<\/a> <\/p>\n

If you are looking for an alternative summer vacation this year- consider traveling to Greenland! It was one of my highlights last year and I am already booking a trip back. #greenland<\/a> #nuuk<\/a> #fyp<\/a> #nordics<\/a> #greenland\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddf1<\/a> #travel<\/a> #traveltiktok<\/a> #traveltok<\/a> #traveldiaries<\/a> #travellife<\/a> #travelblogger<\/a> #summervibes<\/a> #summertime<\/a> #summer2024<\/a> <\/p>\n

\u266c Dreams \u2013 shawty \ud83c\udf19<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Spanning an almost unfathomable two million square kilometres, the island is so vast it\u2019s hard to imagine. <\/p>\n

Only 11 countries are bigger, and it covers a land mass bigger than Texas<\/a> \u2014 but it\u2019s home to just 57,000 people.<\/p>\n

Perhaps its gargantuan size is fuelling Trump\u2019s designs to \u2018make Greenland great again\u2019<\/a> by turning it into US territory<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Summer in Greenland<\/h2>\n

Across Europe, traditional holiday hotspots such as Barcelona and Santorini have been pushing back against tourists<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Recent months have also seen the rise \u2018coolcations<\/a>\u2019, where holidaymakers opt for destinations with lower temperatures and less mass appeal.<\/p>\n

Places like Greenland are set to benefit. Not only is it essentially a massive ice sheet (80% of its land mass is frozen), the country is actively welcoming visitors.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"METRO\t<\/div>
New flight routes will soon connect Greenland\u2019s capital Nuuk with New York (Picture: Metro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Variously described as spectacular, magical and \u2018so beautiful it\u2019s humbling\u2019, Greenlandic summers are something special.<\/p>\n

Midnight sun gives you light all day and all night. Running from June to August, temperatures aren\u2019t exactly warm; you\u2019ll get anywhere from 5\u00b0C up north, to a balmy 20\u00b0C in the south.<\/p>\n

During these months, the frozen island transforms into a giant adventure playground.<\/p>\n

Ice sheets melt to expose green fields embroidered with buttercups, and fjords shimmer in the sun. Rivers run thick with trout and strawberries shade the landscape ruby red. <\/p>\n

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https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DAprH7kIX8Z\/?hl=en&img_index=1<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The island offers a host of adventure sports including diving, hiking, kayaking, and climbing, as well as unique experiences like paddleboarding between icebergs.<\/p>\n

Nature lovers can cruise to see the fjords, which are home to an extraordinary range of marine wildlife including humpback whales, dolphins, puffins and polar bears.<\/p>\n

Hot springs are a common natural phenomenon in Greenland, with dozens of spots hidden across the country. A popular choice is the Uunartoq Hot Springs, on an uninhabited island in the south. It is easily accessible by boats from the two neighbouring towns of Qaqortoq and Nanortalik.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Summer\t<\/div>
Kulusuk and Tasiilaq transforms into an adventurer\u2019s playground in summer (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Greenland is also home to ancient history; you can see everything from Viking ruins to Inuit settlements dating back to 600-200 BC.<\/p>\n

But perhaps the main draw is the Northern Lights<\/a>, which are visible in Greenland for most of the year (though not in summer). The best chance of seeing them is between September and April, so you\u2019ll have to come back during winter for that.<\/p>\n

Astrotourism<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Auroras are set to be extra impressive in 2025<\/a> thanks to the current solar maximum, the period of peak solar activity during the sun\u2019s 11-year cycle.<\/p>\n

Get a front-row seat by dog sledding tour further north to Kangerlussuaq or Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/a> where you can see the auroras reflected on the still water of the iceberg-smattered fjord.<\/p>\n

Minimal light pollution in Greenland means it\u2019s even possible to see the Northern Lights even in the centre of Nuuk.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\"Arctic\t<\/div>
Greenland is one of the world\u2019s best places to see the Northern Lights (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Alternatively, make like Metro<\/strong>\u2018s Alice Murphy<\/a> and take to the high seas. <\/p>\n

Alice spent five nights on an Arctic cruise ship, before eventually coming face to face with the Lights in the icy climes of the Norway<\/a>\u2013Russia<\/a> border. You can read more about that here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Culture and food<\/h2>\n

Dotted around the countryside are picturesque villages with rich cultural history, while modern life meets traditional practices in the capital.<\/p>\n

After working up an appetite trekking through ice, sample Suasaat<\/em>, the national dish of seal meat soup. A sold place to dine is Nuuk\u2019s top-rated restaurant Sarfalik Seafood, followed by drinks at the Godthaab microbrewery.<\/p>\n

\n
Comment now<\/title><span class=\"metro-comment-cta__text\">Have you been to Greenland? Tell us about your experience<\/span><\/span><a class=\"metro-comment-cta__button\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\">Comment Now<\/a><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p>Greenland\u2019s small population and limited transport systems mean it lacks food and drink offerings from brands that other countries consider staples.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/mcdonalds\/\">McDonald\u2019s<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/starbucks\/\">Starbucks<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/burger-king\/\">Burger King<\/a> are just a few of the companies that don\u2019t have a single site in Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>But while the harsh climate means much of the food on the island has to be imported, traditional Greenlandic cuisine relies on local marine life.<\/p>\n<p>Expect to find dishes made with whale meat, cod, shrimp and lumpfish roe (the Greenlandic equivalent of caviar) on the menu in restaurants.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"431\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-22326544 lazyload\" alt=\"Aerial view to the fjord and snow streets of Greenlandic capital Nuuk city, Greenland\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_235441584-8913.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>The infrastructure in Greenland means much of the food is imported (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Elsewhere, The Greenland National Museum and Nuuk Art Museum offer a window into local history and traditions.<\/p>\n<p>It is possible to visit some of Greenland\u2019s remote settlements to learn more about Inuit culture, but bear in mind that getting around Greenland isn\u2019t easy.<\/p>\n<p>The vast and largely uninhabited country has only a few roads, so it\u2019s best to choose one region to explore and spend most of your time there.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where should I stay in Greenland?<\/h2>\n<p>Greenland is vast, and there\u2019s no way you can do it all on one trip. Transport can be tough \u2014 you can\u2019t just drive across the country like you can in the UK. <\/p>\n<p>Communities cluster around the coast, with no roads connecting them, which means you\u2019re reliant on boats, helicopters and internal flights. <\/p>\n<p>Instead, it\u2019s best to choose a base and explore the surrounding region.<\/p>\n<p>Greenland\u2019s tourist capital Ilulisaat is the place for thrill-seekers. A hive of activity, here you can do everything from kayaking to midnight sun iceberg cruises. The town is home to more dogs than people and there are a surprising number of high-end restaurants.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"646\" height=\"386\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" class=\"article-image wp-image-23005964 lazyload\" alt=\"A fog bank covers the far shore and mountains as ice floes float past the colorful buildings and homes in Nuuk, Greenland\" loading=\"lazy\" data-src=\"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_249522731-f61c.jpg\">\t<\/div><figcaption>Nuuk, Greenland\u2019s capital, is dotted with red and yellow houses (Picture: Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Ilulisaat is a good base for travellers who want to see Disko Bay, a former whaling village known for its bright chocolate box houses (you\u2019ve probably seen them on Instagram).<\/p>\n<p>Expect to pay upwards of \u00a3140 a night for a standard double room.<\/p>\n<p>If history and green fields are more your thing, head south to Qaqortoq, an artsy town surrounded by mountains with plenty for culture vultures and adventure tourists alike.<\/p>\n<p>From here you can catch the boat to Uunartoq Hot Springs, or book on to one of the camping tours that takes you foraging in Tasermiut fjord.<\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tThe top 10 things to do in Greenland, according to Tripadvisor\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ilulissat Icefjord<\/li>\n<li>Greenland National Museum and Archives<\/li>\n<li>Nuuk Water Taxi<\/li>\n<li>World of Greenland<\/li>\n<li>Prince Christian Sound<\/li>\n<li>Nanortalik Open Air Museum<\/li>\n<li>Eqip Sermia Glacier<\/li>\n<li>Nuuk Cathedral<\/li>\n<li>Sermermiut<\/li>\n<li>Disko Island<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to Greenland<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the recent unveiling of a revamped Nuuk Airport, there is no direct route between the UK and Greenland.<\/p>\n<p>Direct flights run from <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/copenhagen\/\">Copenhagen<\/a>, and in June, twice-weekly connections will soon launch from New York.<\/p>\n<p>Flying via Iceland or Denmark remains the best route for British travellers, with direct flights available from across the UK to Keflavik Airport, which connects to Nuuk.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@65degreesnorth\/video\/7469936932311534881\" data-video-id=\"7469936932311534881\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px;min-width:325px\">\n<section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@65degreesnorth\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@65degreesnorth?refer=embed\">@65degreesnorth<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>On the south west coast of Greenland is Nuuk, one of the world\u2019s smallest and most remote capital cities \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\uddf1 It\u2019s home to around 20,000 people, roughly 35% of Greenland\u2019s total population, and offers a wonderful mix of cultural attractions and adventures in nature. And, thanks to its new international airport which opened in November 2024, getting there is easier than ever before, with direct flights from Copenhagen, Reykjavik and, from this summer, New York \ud83d\udeeb \u2022 \u2022 \u2022 <a title=\"nuuk\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/nuuk?refer=embed\">#nuuk<\/a> <a title=\"greenland\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/greenland?refer=embed\">#greenland<\/a> <a title=\"visitgreenland\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/visitgreenland?refer=embed\">#visitgreenland<\/a> <a title=\"greenlandtravel\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/greenlandtravel?refer=embed\">#greenlandtravel<\/a> <a title=\"nuukgreenland\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/nuukgreenland?refer=embed\">#nuukgreenland<\/a> <a title=\"traveltips\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/traveltips?refer=embed\">#traveltips<\/a> <a title=\"scandinavia\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/scandinavia?refer=embed\">#scandinavia<\/a> <a title=\"nordic\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/nordic?refer=embed\">#nordic<\/a> <a title=\"gr\u00f8nland\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/gr%C3%B8nland?refer=embed\">#gr\u00f8nland<\/a> <a title=\"kalaallitnunaat\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/kalaallitnunaat?refer=embed\">#kalaallitnunaat<\/a> <\/p>\n<p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"\u266c Emmylou - First Aid Kit\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/Emmylou-6764181717881194497?refer=embed\">\u266c Emmylou \u2013 First Aid Kit<\/a> <\/section>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Direct routes from Billund and Aalborg, both in Denmark, are expected to begin in March 2025.<\/p>\n<p>Two more\u00a0airports are set to open in the south of Greenland (Ilulissat and Qaqortoq) in 2026, the final phase of an expansion project costing \u00a3615m.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is Greenland important to the United States?<\/h2>\n<p>Earlier this year, US President <a data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> reiterated his interest in buying Greenland from <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/denmark\/\">Denmark<\/a>, claiming the US \u2018need[s] Greenland for national security purposes.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s not entirely clear why Trump thinks this, Greenland is home to a large American space facility and is also rich in mineral resources including coal, copper, diamonds, iron ore, oil and zinc.<\/p>\n<p>In response to Trump\u2019s ambitions, Greenland\u2019s head of government Mute Bourup Egede said: \u2018Greenland is ours. We are not for sale and will never be for sale. We must not lose our years-long fight for freedom.\u2019<\/p>\n<p>He also expressed his desire to pursue independence from Denmark and to strengthen Greenland\u2019s cooperation with other countries.<\/p>\n<p>Donald Trump has elsewhere suggested that the US could take control of the Panama Canal and that Canada could become the 51st US state.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who controls Greenland?<\/h2>\n<p>Greenland is one of three territories that make up the Danish kingdom, alongside the Faroe Islands and Denmark itself.<\/p>\n<p>Greenland has been autonomous since 2009, when the Danish parliament recognised the Greenlandic people as a nation in their own right. The law gave the country the right to become fully independent at any time.<\/p>\n<p>As it stands, Greenland has its own flag, language and institutions, but the judiciary, defence, monetary policy and foreign affairs are all controlled by Denmark.<\/p>\n<p>This sovereignty was declared in 1921 with support and recognition by the United States, who had a say due to Greenland\u2019s proximity. Why did the US agree to Denmark taking control? <\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s all down to the selling of a former Danish colony in the Caribbean. <\/p>\n<p>In 1917, Denmark sold a group of islands then known as the Danish West Indies to the US, who quickly set about renaming them the US Virgin Islands.<\/p>\n<p>Denmark got sovereignty of Greenland as part of that deal. <\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tAt a glance: Everything you need to know about Greenland\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Weather<\/strong>: Greenland has a tundra climate, meaning it has cold winters and short, cool summers. Weather in Greenland varies between regions and changes dramatically over the seasons, plunging down to a mean of -18\u00b0C in the north in the winter, while summers in the south can reach temperatures of more than 20\u00b0C.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>When to visit:<\/strong> Travel to Greenland in the months of June, July and August, to <a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2018\/09\/25\/ice-under-the-midnight-sun-how-to-see-greenlands-glaciers-and-frozen-ocean-7904563\/\">experience the midnight sun<\/a>. National Day,\u00a0on the 21st of June, sees Greenland celebrate summer solstice. March, April and September are the best months to see the Northern Lights, while between November and April temperatures across the island are below freezing. <\/li>\n<li><strong>Where to stay:<\/strong> Hotels in Nuuk cost between \u00a3100 to \u00a3200 per night. Expect to spend around \u00a325 for an evening meal in a restaurant \u2014 Greenland\u2019s food is expensive because much of it has to be flown in. A pint costs around \u00a38, while a coffee costs around \u00a36.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What to pack:<\/strong> Essential packing items for Greenland include lots of layers and waterproof jackets and trousers. You should also bring active, comfortable footwear, and you\u2019ll need sunscreen and bug repellent in the summer months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Adaptors:<\/strong> Greenland has four associated plug types: type C, type E, type F and type K. The UK uses G-type plugs, so you will need to take an adapter.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Currency:<\/strong> The\u00a0currency\u00a0used in\u00a0Greenland\u00a0is the Danish Krone (DKK). 1 DKK converts to roughly 0.11 GBP.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Visas: <\/strong>Citizens of the United Kingdom don\u2019t need to apply for a visa to enter Greenland.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Time: <\/strong>Greenland is two hours behind the UK (BST-2).<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Do you have a story to share?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"\"><strong>Get in touch by emailing <a href=\"mailto:MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk\">MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The world\u2019s largest island is slowly connecting with the rest of the planet (Picture: Getty Images\/iStockphoto) Few places on the planet are as \u2018bowl you over\u2019 beautiful as Greenland. With breathtaking sunsets and some of Earth\u2019s most impressive raw natural beauty, this is a country of magnificent extremes. The world\u2019s largest island, which sits between […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1804,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1802"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1811,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1802\/revisions\/1811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1804"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.mugfoundry.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}