One Day in Upernavik: How to Make the Most of a Remote Greenland Port Call

Upernavik is one of the most remote and dramatically beautiful ports any cruise ship will ever call — a cluster of vividly painted wooden houses clinging to a rocky island at 72°N, surrounded by sea ice, icebergs, and silence. Most ships visit as part of an Arctic expedition itinerary, and your most important planning tip is this: because tendering depends entirely on ice and weather conditions, shore time can be shortened or cancelled without warning, so have a flexible plan with walk-to priorities first.

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Port & Terminal Information

There is no dedicated cruise terminal in Upernavik. Ships anchor in the harbour and tender passengers ashore to a small public quay near the town center. The tender landing is informal — essentially a working fishing dock — so watch your step on slippery surfaces, especially after rain.

Terminal facilities: Essentially none at the dock itself. There are no ATMs at the pier, no luggage storage, no Wi-Fi, and no tourist information desk. The town’s small infrastructure means you’ll need to come prepared.
Town center is roughly a 5-minute walk from the tender dock. Find your bearings using Google Maps.
Your ship’s daily program will specify tender window times — treat the last tender back as a hard deadline, not a guideline.

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Getting to the City

Upernavik is tiny (population ~1,100), occupying a small island with no roads to anywhere else. Transport options are radically simpler than almost any other port.

On Foot — The entire town is walkable within 20–30 minutes. The museum, church, supermarket, and viewpoints are all reachable on foot from the tender dock. Paths are unpaved and rocky in places; wear sturdy shoes.
Bus/Metro — None exists. There is no public bus system.
Taxi — No taxis operate in Upernavik. If you need a local guide to drive you, it must be arranged in advance through your ship or a tour operator.
Hop-On Hop-Off — Not available.
Rental Car/Scooter — Not practical. There are no rental agencies, and there are no roads connecting to other parts of the island.
Ship Shore Excursion — Highly recommended here, particularly for boat-based activities like iceberg tours and kayaking. The ship’s excursions handle logistics that are genuinely difficult to arrange independently, including safety equipment and ice-aware guides. Browse guided tours on Viator or on GetYourGuide before sailing.

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Top Things to Do in Upernavik, Greenland

Don’t expect museums with long queues or organised tourist strips — Upernavik rewards slow walkers, curious minds, and people who are genuinely moved by wild places. Here’s how to spend every hour well.

Must-See

Upernavik Museum (Free/small donation suggested) — One of Greenland’s oldest and most atmospheric local museums, housed in a restored peat-and-wood colonial-era building complex dating to the 18th century. The collection covers Inuit hunting culture, kayaking traditions, and the history of the Danish trading post. The turf-house replica alone is worth the visit. Allow 45–60 minutes.

Upernavik Church (Free) — The iconic red wooden church, perched above the harbour, is one of the most-photographed buildings in Arctic Greenland. Dating to 1864, it’s still an active parish church. Step inside for the simple wooden interior and staggering views from the churchyard. Allow 20 minutes.

Harbour viewpoint above town (Free) — Walk uphill from the church for a panoramic view of the harbour, the surrounding icefjord, and the sea ice archipelago stretching toward Baffin Bay. Bring your best camera lens — this is the shot you came for. Allow 30 minutes.

Beaches & Nature

Iceberg viewing from shore (Free) — Walk to the northern edge of the island for unobstructed views of drifting icebergs calved from the Greenland Ice Sheet. These aren’t small bergs — some are the size of apartment buildings. Early morning light is extraordinary. Allow 30–60 minutes.

Guided iceberg boat tour (~$80–150 USD) — Getting out among the icebergs by Zodiac or small motorboat is an experience that simply cannot be replicated anywhere outside the high Arctic. Local operators can take you to within metres of multi-story ice formations. Book in advance through Viator or GetYourGuide. Allow 2–3 hours.

Arctic sea kayaking (~$100–180 USD) — Paddling among icebergs in a traditional-style kayak in the shadow of the Greenland coast is as bucket-list as it gets. Guides provide all equipment and safety briefings. Check Viator for available departures matching your ship’s schedule. Allow 2–3 hours.

Day Trips

Boat excursion to nearby settlement islands (~$120–200 USD) — Several tiny communities dot the islands around Upernavik, accessible only by boat or helicopter. A guided day trip lets you visit near-abandoned or very small Greenlandic settlements and interact with local hunters and fishers. Check GetYourGuide for operators. Allow 4–5 hours.

Family Picks

Upernavik Supermarket (Brugseni) (Free to browse) — This will surprise you. The town’s single supermarket sells a fascinating mix of imported Danish goods, local dried fish, Greenlandic coffee, and handmade items. Kids find it genuinely interesting, and it’s a great place to grab snacks. Allow 20 minutes.

Watching the sled dogs (Free) — Upernavik is one of the few remaining places in Greenland where sled dog teams are kept as working animals. Chained teams are visible on the outskirts of town. Look but don’t approach — these are working dogs, not pets. Allow 15–20 minutes.

Off the Beaten Track

Cemetery walk (Free) — Upernavik’s hillside cemetery, with its painted wooden crosses and sweeping Arctic views, is genuinely moving. The inscriptions reflect both Danish colonial history and deep Greenlandic roots. Rarely visited by cruise passengers. Allow 20–30 minutes.

Local artist studios (Free to browse, art for sale) — A handful of local artists and craftspeople work in town, producing sealskin goods, soapstone carvings, and prints. Ask at the museum for who currently has work available. Allow 30–45 minutes.

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What to Eat & Drink

Upernavik is not a culinary destination — there are no restaurants in the conventional sense, and eating ashore means thinking ahead. Local food culture revolves around mattak (raw or dried whale skin with blubber), dried halibut, and Arctic char, all of which are staple foods rather than restaurant dishes.

Mattak — Raw narwhal or beluga skin with blubber; offered occasionally at community gatherings or by locals; a genuinely traditional Greenlandic food. Free if offered, priceless as an experience.
Dried Arctic char — Available in the Brugseni supermarket; DKK 30–60 for a small pack; excellent onboard snack.
Greenlandic coffee — Strong filtered coffee with whisky, Kahlúa, Grand Marnier, and whipped cream; occasionally served at community events.
Packed lunch from ship — Honestly recommended. Most expedition ships offer a packed lunch specifically for Upernavik days. Take it.
Brugseni supermarket snacks — Chocolate, Danish rye bread, tinned fish, bottled water; central town location; DKK 10–50 per item.

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Shopping

Upernavik’s shopping is limited but meaningful. Skip anything mass-produced or labelled “Made in China” at souvenir markets — the real finds are handcrafted soapstone carvings, sealskin wallets and mittens, and locally produced prints, all made by people you may actually meet. The museum sometimes sells or can direct you to local craft producers.

Avoid buying items made from protected species (narwhal ivory, certain marine mammal products) — Greenlandic residents may legally possess these, but you may not be able to import them into your home country. Check your customs regulations before buying anything animal-derived.

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How to Plan Your Day

4 hours ashore: Tender in → walk to Upernavik Museum (1 hour) → Upernavik Church and churchyard viewpoint (30 min) → iceberg walk on the northern shore (45 min) → Brugseni for snacks and browsing (20 min) → harbour photography and sled dogs (30 min) → tender back.
6–7 hours ashore: All of the above, plus a 2–3 hour guided iceberg boat tour booked in advance via Viator, cemetery walk, and time with a local artist or crafter.
Full day (8+ hours): All of the above, plus a half-day boat excursion to a neighbouring island settlement, sea kayaking among icebergs, and a slow return walk with maximum photography time. Book all activities well before the port call via [GetYourGuide](https://www.getyour