Greenland in Depth

Reykjavík, despite its small size, is the capital of Iceland. At the top of the town stands the distinctive Hallgrímskirkja church, designed by renowned Icelandic architect Guðjón Samúelsson. The revitalised harbour area features the futuristic Harpa Concert Hall and the Maritime Museum, showcasing the city's cultural heritage A trip to Reykjavík would be incomplete without a visit to the Blue Lagoon, famous for its therapeutic geothermal waters.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers.

On the craggy east coast of Greenland, the stunningly scenic, U-shaped Skjoldungen Fjord is surrounded by lofty snow-capped mountains, dwarf birch, Arctic wildflowers and willow forests ending with the Thrym Glacier. High rock walls, serpentine rivers and large crevasses of ice pillars known as seracs give way to carved icebergs in the fjord that gleam in a white to blue spectrum. You might also have the opportunity to see whales.

The remote and beautiful Prins Christian Sund fjord carves a dramatic path between magnificent granite cliffs and glaciers, offering a stunning panorama of icebergs, rugged peaks and crystal-clear waters. Stretching 100 km at the southernmost tip of Greenland,this long and winding passage separates the mainland from Sammisoq and the Cape Farewell Archipelago, creating a breathtaking waterway that captivates adventurers and nature lovers alike.

Colourful Nordic houses stand against dramatic mountain ridges encircling Aappilattoq, a remote Inuit village in Greenland’s Prins Christian Sund. Accessible only by boat or helicopter, Aappilattoq is home to around 100 rugged individuals who make a living through fishing and hunting. Often called the southernmost inhabited area in Greenland, Aappilattoq is in fact at the midpoint of the east and west coasts.

The deserted mining town of Ivittuut (formerly Ivigtut) was once vital for WWII aircraft production with the world's largest reserve of cryolite, a mineral used in aluminium production. Abandoned houses, the enormous mine pit and above-ground cemetery reveal the history of this settlement. Scattered cryolite chunks on the rocky shore mix with relics like old engines from when Inuit used cryolite for snuff. Now only muskoxen roam this eerie place.

Home to more than a third of Greenlanders, the capital of Nuuk has a thriving cultural scene including the Greenland National Museum, home to the world-renowned Qilakitsoq mummies. Also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), Nuuk's bustling harbour features Nuuk Cathedral and colourful wooden houses, alongside modern architecture. Nuuk also serves as a gateway to Inuit experiences and adventures in the surrounding fjords and mountains.

The northernmost city in Greenland, just above the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut remains remarkably ice free in winter and is known as an adventure sports hub all year round. Inhabited for more than 4,500 years by the Dorset, Thule and eventually the Inuit people, dog sledding remains a vital form of transportation. The area is home to humpback whales and Arctic foxes in their summer coat.

Sailing through the iceberg capital of the world to Disko Bay, the Ilulissat Icefjord is one of the cruise highlights. Given UNESCO World Heritage Site status, the Ilulissat Icefjord is a popular tourist destination, and thanks to the productive Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, thousands of gargantuan icebergs calve from the Greenland ice cap into the sea. The city of Ilulissat is home to many sled-dogs.

Known for its Inuit culture, whales and icebergs, Disko Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Western Greenland. The bay is also home to the Ilulissat Icefjord, one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world. First visited by Europeans in 1596, in search of a Northwest Passage to Asia, it has been an Inuit home for millennia. The village of Qeqertarsuaq embodies thriving Inuit traditions, preserving the cultural legacy.

Once a WWII airbase at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, Kangerlussuaq's history is told at the airport’s museum, showcasing Inuit artefacts. This ice-filled glacial area and tundra is a haven for wildlife, including reindeer, arctic foxes, arctic hare, gyrfalcons and around 10,000 muskoxen.