Major city · Greenland
Qaanaaq
Spend 2 days in Qaanaaq to see the museum and experience the remote Arctic; flights from Upernavik take about 2 h round‑trip.
Qaanaaq is one of the world’s northernmost civilian settlements. With a single hotel, a small museum and limited flights from Upernavik, a short 2‑day stay lets you explore on foot and absorb the Arctic atmosphere without rushing.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- DKK
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- avoid Nov–Feb (extreme cold, limited flights)
- Airport
- NAQ
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Greenland ↗Greenland is outside the Schengen area even though it is part of the Kingdom of Denmark; check entry rules for your passport with Danish authorities or official Greenland sources before booking.
- Greenland ↗Keep at least one spare day before any international connection; flights and boats are often delayed by weather.
- Greenland ↗Hikes away from towns need preparation, local advice and in some areas a permit; the National Park in the northeast requires a permit.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Qaanaaq112 ▾
- Police / Ambulance / Fire112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Qaanaaq, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Danish krone (DKK, kr).Greenland-wide
- SIM or eSIMTusass is the only operator; prepaid SIMs in Tusass shops and some kiosks.Greenland-wide
- Tap watercheckTap water is clean and drinkable; in settlements, check with your host.Greenland-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; round up if pleased.Greenland-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E/F/K. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greenland-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for visitors; isolation means limited medical facilities—carry a basic first‑aid kit and inform your lodge of travel plans.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsNormal in hotels and towns; very basic in small settlements and camps.Greenland-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / ambulance / fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close early on Saturdays and most of Sunday; tours run by weather.Greenland-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNAQ Qaanaaq Airport (Air Greenland flights twice per week from Upernavik).
- Getting aroundThe settlement is compact; walk everywhere.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at hotelDKK 30–45 (≈ US$5–8)
- Street or quick mealSupermarket sandwichDKK 20–35 (≈ US$4–6)
- Budget bedHotel Qaanaaq room, a night, per roomDKK 1,200 (≈ US$190)
- Mid-range bedHotel Qaanaaq room, a night, per roomDKK 1,800 (≈ US$300)
- High-end bedHotel Qaanaaq room, a night, per roomDKK 2,500 (≈ US$400)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget DKK 300 (≈ US$50) · Mid DKK 800 (≈ US$130) · High DKK 1,200 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- NAQ Qaanaaq Airport (Air Greenland flights twice per week from Upernavik)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C)
Feb
Avoid
−28°C (−18°F)−18°F (−28°C)
Mar
not flagged
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
Apr
not flagged
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
May
not flagged
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Jun
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Jul
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Aug
Best
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Sep
not flagged
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Oct
not flagged
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Nov
Avoid
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
Dec
Avoid
−25°C (−13°F)−13°F (−25°C)
Best: Jun–Aug. Avoid: Nov–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)), coolest Jan (−40°C (−40°F)−40°F (−40°C) low). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Qaanaaq: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C)
−40°C (−40°F)−40°F (−40°C)
0 rd
Feb
−28°C (−18°F)−18°F (−28°C)
−38°C (−36°F)−36°F (−38°C)
0 rd
Mar
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
−30°C (−22°F)−22°F (−30°C)
0 rd
Apr
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
−20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
0 rd
May
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
0 rd
Jun
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
0 rd
Jul
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
0 rd
Aug
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
0 rd
Sep
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
0 rd
Oct
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
0 rd
Nov
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
−25°C (−13°F)−13°F (−25°C)
0 rd
Dec
−25°C (−13°F)−13°F (−25°C)
−35°C (−31°F)−31°F (−35°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The settlement is compact; walk everywhere. No public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Upernavik
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Air Greenland flight twice weekly, about 1 h each way
Connects to Ilulissat; check flight schedule.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Qaanaaq
Only hotel in town; basic rooms, shared bathroom, restaurant on site.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- DKK 300–500 (≈ US$50–80) (hostel‑style, meals at supermarket)
- Mid
- DKK 800–1 (≈ under US$1) 200 (Hotel Qaanaaq, restaurant meals)
Trip budget
| Hotel Qaanaaq room1 × 2 nights × DKK 1,800 | DKK 3,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × DKK 800 | DKK 1,600 |
| Air Greenland round‑trip Upernavik–Qaanaaq1 × DKK 3,000 · flight cost, varies by season | DKK 3,000 |
| Permit application processing1 × DKK 500 · administrative fee, approximate | DKK 500 |
| Trip total≈ DKK 4,350 per person per day, bed included | DKK 8,700≈ US$1,400 |
2026 estimate in DKK; flights and permits excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at hotel | DKK 30–45 (≈ US$5–8) |
| Supermarket sandwich | DKK 20–35 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Hotel night (basic room) | DKK 1 (≈ under US$1) 200–1 800 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Entry may require a permit for Thule Air Base; apply via Danish Foreign Ministry.
- Flights are infrequent and expensive; plan for possible delays.
Emergency numbers
- Police / Ambulance / Fire
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
QaanaaqQaanaaq
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Upernavik → Qaanaaq (Air Greenland): about DKK 2 (≈ under US$1) 500–3 500 round‑trip, twice weekly
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Qaanaaq. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Aug · avoid Nov–Feb (extreme cold, limited flights) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Qaanaaq
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