When to go
The best time to visit Greenland is the
summer, from June to August.
In June, temperatures are a bit lower, and this could be a disadvantage for the coldest areas, but in return, it's possible to see the midnight sun in a wider area; moreover, rain and snow are a bit rarer.
July is the mildest month, but rainfall starts to become a bit more frequent, at least on the south-west coast, and even more so in August. In the regions having an arctic climate, and in particular, along the northern coast, where what matters most is the temperature, you may prefer July and August, and especially July because it's the least cold.
If you plan to visit
the inland plateau and the mountains, you must be equipped for the freezing cold even in midsummer. On the northern coast, the temperature is around freezing, so you will need to wear winter clothes.
Otherwise, for the
central and southern coastal towns, some heavy clothes are also recommended, a sweater and a jacket for the evening and for excursions (eg boat trips where you will be exposed to cold winds), and a raincoat for rainy days. Hiking boots with non-slip soles are also recommended because paved roads are a rarity, and you can easily end up in snow-covered areas. During the day, it can sometimes get warm, and therefore you must be ready to take off the heaviest clothes.
What to pack
In
winter: it is necessary to bring clothing for extreme cold conditions, especially in the interior and the north, such as synthetic, thermal long underwear, a fleece, a down-filled parka with insulated hood, a wind jacket in Goretex, gloves, warm boots, a scarf, and fleece socks.
In
summer: in the major cities, bring warm clothes, a jacket, a sweater, a shirt and a T-shirt for mild days; boots or hiking shoes, and a raincoat or umbrella. For the interior plateau region and the mountains, but also for offshore excursions: bring a fleece, a down jacket, a wind jacket, a hat, and gloves.
Back to the climate of
Greenland