Overview
These three destinations share a Danish cultural and political thread yet could hardly feel more different from one another. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic, defined by steep basalt cliffs, open moorland, turf-roofed villages, and a rapidly evolving food scene rooted in preservation and fermentation traditions.
Greenland is the world's largest island and an autonomous Danish territory, home to the Greenlandic Inuit people, the second-largest ice sheet on Earth, and some of the most remote wilderness accessible to travelers. Towns are small and connected primarily by helicopter, boat, and small aircraft rather than roads.
Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is a compact, walkable city on the island of Zealand. It is internationally recognized for its cycling culture, New Nordic cuisine, maritime history, and high standard of urban design. It serves as the main transit hub for travelers heading to both Greenland and the Faroe Islands, and is a destination well worth exploring in its own right.
Before You Go
Visas and Entry
Entry requirements differ meaningfully across these three destinations despite their Danish political connection. Greenland and the Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen Area, though Denmark (mainland) is. This means a Schengen visa alone may not cover travel to Tórshavn or Nuuk. Always verify your specific requirements before booking. Check TravelerPulse's Visas section and the official immigration authority of whichever territory you are entering.
Health and Vaccinations
No specific vaccinations are generally required for any of these destinations for most travelers, but confirm with your healthcare provider well in advance, particularly for remote Greenland travel where medical facilities are extremely limited outside major towns. Travel insurance with emergency medical evacuation coverage is strongly advisable for Greenland.
Practical Preparation
- Faroe Islands: Weather is highly changeable. Waterproof layers, sturdy hiking boots, and an expectation of wind and mist are essential year-round.
- Greenland: Extreme cold is possible even in summer at altitude or inland. Bring thermal base layers, quality waterproofs, and sun protection — UV exposure can be intense at high latitudes.
- Copenhagen: A comfortable city requiring little special preparation. A transit card or contactless payment method makes getting around straightforward.
- Booking accommodation and transport well ahead is advised for Faroe Islands and Greenland, as capacity is limited and demand exceeds supply in peak season.
Getting There
Faroe Islands
Á Vágar Airport (FAE) on Vágar Island is the sole international airport. Atlantic Airways operates routes from several European cities including Copenhagen, London, and Reykjavík. Flight time from Copenhagen is approximately 2 hours. Smyril Line operates a weekly car ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark (via Bergen, Norway), which takes roughly 2–3 days and is a popular option for travelers who want to bring their own vehicle.
Greenland
All international flights to Greenland pass through Copenhagen (Kastrup, CPH), from which Air Greenland operates flights to several Greenlandic airports including Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), Nuuk (GOH), and Ilulissat (JAV). Kangerlussuaq historically served as the main international hub, though Greenland's airport infrastructure is undergoing significant development — verify current routing before booking. There are no road connections between towns in Greenland; internal travel relies on domestic flights, helicopters, and coastal ferries.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen Airport (Kastrup, CPH) is one of the busiest in Scandinavia with extensive direct connections across Europe, North America, and beyond. A direct metro line connects the airport to the city centre in approximately 15 minutes. The city is also accessible by rail from Sweden via the Øresund Bridge and by ferry from Oslo and Bornholm.
Getting Around
Faroe Islands
A rental car is the most practical way to explore the islands. An extensive tunnel and bridge network — including several subsea tunnels — connects most of the main islands, making driving more straightforward than the terrain might suggest. Buses serve main routes but schedules can be infrequent, particularly on smaller islands. Ferries connect islands not linked by tunnel. Verify current tunnel tolls and booking requirements locally or through the official Faroese transport authority.
Greenland
There are no roads between settlements. Air Greenland's domestic network of small aircraft and helicopters is the primary means of inter-town travel, and these flights can be subject to weather delays and cancellations. Coastal ferry services operate seasonally and are a slower but scenic option between some communities. Within individual towns, distances are typically short enough to walk.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is widely regarded as one of the world's most cycle-friendly cities; rental bikes and the city's cycle-share scheme are practical and popular. An integrated public transport system (metro, S-train, bus, and harbour bus) covers the city comprehensively. The metro is clean, frequent, and runs around the clock. Taxis and ride-hailing services are available. Walking is feasible across central areas.
Things to See & Do
Faroe Islands
- Sørvágsvatn (Leitisvatn): The lake above the ocean — one of the archipelago's most photographed perspectives. Access involves a guided hike; verify guided tour requirements as access has been regulated in recent years.
- Vestmanna Bird Cliffs: Dramatic sea cliffs accessible by boat, home to large seabird colonies including guillemots, razorbills, and kittiwakes.
- Gásadalur and Múlafossur Waterfall: A turf-roofed village with a waterfall that drops directly to the sea below, now accessible by tunnel.
- Kirkjubøur: One of the oldest inhabited villages in the Faroe Islands, with a ruined medieval cathedral and a farm that has been in the same family for generations.
- Hiking: Trails across the islands range from accessible coastal walks to challenging ridgeline routes. The hike to Slættaratindur, the archipelago's highest point, is popular with experienced walkers.
Greenland
- Ilulissat Icefjord (Sermeq Kujalleq): A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most active glaciers on Earth. Boat tours and walking trails around the fjord are widely available.
- Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): Visible from many parts of Greenland from late August through April, away from light pollution.
- Dog-sledding: A traditional Greenlandic mode of transport, available as a guided activity in winter, particularly around Ilulissat, Sisimiut, and Aasiaat. Verify season and availability locally.
- Whale-watching: Humpback, minke, and fin whales are frequently spotted in Greenlandic waters in summer. Guided boat tours operate from several towns.
- Hiking in the Disko Bay region: Multi-day routes and day hikes through tundra, past icebergs, and alongside fjords.
Copenhagen
- Nyhavn: The historic canal district with colourful 17th-century townhouses, most associated with Hans Christian Andersen. More a visual and social anchor than a quiet escape — expect crowds in summer.
- Tivoli Gardens: One of the world's oldest amusement parks, opened in 1843. Operates seasonally; verify current opening periods.
- National Museum of Denmark (Nationalmuseet): Extensive collections covering Danish prehistory, the Viking Age, and ethnographic material from Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
- Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK): Denmark's national gallery, covering Danish Golden Age painting through contemporary art.
- Rosenborg Castle: A 17th-century royal castle in the city centre, housing the Danish crown jewels.
- Cycling the city: Simply renting a bike and riding along the harbour, through the Nørrebro district, or to Frederiksberg is itself a worthwhile Copenhagen experience.
Food & Drink
Faroe Islands
Faroese cuisine is rooted in necessity and tradition — preservation methods such as wind-drying (ræst), salting, and fermenting define local flavour. Ræst lamb and skerpikjøt (dried mutton) are characteristic specialities that some visitors find intensely pungent and others find compelling. Fresh seafood — cod, haddock, salmon, and shellfish — is excellent throughout the islands. Tórshavn has developed a small but genuine fine-dining scene in recent years, with restaurants working closely with local producers. Verify current restaurant recommendations on arrival, as the dining scene changes quickly.
Greenland
Traditional Greenlandic food centres on marine mammals, fish, and caribou. Mattak (raw whale skin and blubber) and suaasat (a traditional soup of seal, whale, or caribou) appear on menus in some restaurants. Arctic char, Greenlandic shrimp, and musk ox are more accessible options for visitors unfamiliar with traditional fare. Restaurant options are limited outside Nuuk and Ilulissat; budget accommodation and self-catering facilities are advisable for longer stays. Alcohol is regulated in some towns — verify locally.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of Europe's most celebrated food cities. It is home to a concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants (including Noma, which has had an outsized influence on global dining culture). The city also offers exceptional smørrebrød (open-faced rye-bread sandwiches) at traditional lunch restaurants, excellent bakeries (especially for pastries), and a thriving street food and market scene. Torvehallerne, the covered market halls near Nørreport Station, is a reliable destination for quality produce, coffee, and light meals across a wide price range.
Practical Information
Money
All three destinations use the Danish Krone (DKK). Card payments are accepted almost universally in Copenhagen and in most Faroese businesses. In smaller Greenlandic towns, cash may still be necessary in some situations — verify locally before traveling to remote areas. Both the Faroe Islands and Greenland are significantly more expensive than most of Europe; Greenland in particular has high costs driven by the logistics of supply to remote communities.
Connectivity
Copenhagen has excellent mobile coverage and free Wi-Fi is common. The Faroe Islands have solid 4G coverage across most inhabited areas. Greenland's connectivity varies considerably — Nuuk and larger towns have broadband and mobile data, but coverage drops sharply in remote or rural areas. Download offline maps before traveling.
Emergency Services
For emergency numbers, verify the current official number for each territory before you travel, as Denmark (112), the Faroe Islands, and Greenland may direct calls differently. Save numbers locally and share your itinerary with someone at home, particularly for Greenland travel.
Accessibility
Copenhagen is one of Europe's more accessible cities, with substantial infrastructure for travelers with mobility needs. The Faroe Islands present significant terrain challenges — many viewpoints and trails involve uneven ground and steep paths. Greenland's remote nature and infrastructure limitations make it challenging for travelers with significant mobility requirements; assess your itinerary carefully and contact operators directly.
Safety
All three destinations are generally safe for travelers, with low rates of violent crime.
Faroe Islands: The primary risks are weather-related. Sudden fog, strong winds, and wet terrain make hiking safety important — stay on marked trails, wear appropriate footwear, and check forecasts before setting out. Cliff edges can be unfenced and unstable.
Greenland: Remote travel carries serious logistical risks. Weather can change rapidly and medical facilities are extremely limited outside main towns. Helicopter and small aircraft travel is common but subject to cancellation. Always carry adequate supplies, inform others of your plans, and purchase comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation. Polar bear encounters are a risk in very remote areas of East Greenland — follow local guidance.
Copenhagen: Exercise standard urban awareness. Pickpocketing can occur in tourist-heavy areas and on public transport. The city is considered very safe by international standards, but the usual precautions apply.
Local Culture & Etiquette
The Faroe Islands have a strong Norse cultural identity, distinct from but historically related to Icelandic and Norwegian traditions. Faroese, a North Germanic language, is spoken by approximately 50,000 people and is considered central to national identity. Traditional chain dancing (Faroese dance) and ballads remain culturally active. Sunday church services are well-attended in many communities. Visitors are welcomed warmly but should be respectful of private property, particularly when accessing viewpoints on farmland.
Greenlandic culture is primarily Inuit in character, with strong traditions around hunting, fishing, and community. The language, Kalaallisut, is widely spoken and holds official status alongside Danish. Relations between Greenlandic and Danish communities have complex historical dimensions that visitors should approach with awareness rather than assumption. Local customs and sensitivities around photography — particularly of people — should be observed; ask before taking photos of individuals.
Copenhagen and Denmark broadly have a reputation for informality, directness, and the cultural concept of hygge — a difficult-to-translate notion of comfort, conviviality, and well-being. Danish society values equality, punctuality, and understatement. Tipping is not obligatory and is less expected than in many other countries, though rounding up or leaving a modest tip for good service is appreciated.
