Iceland, Greenland or Spitsbergen: which Arctic destination should you choose?

Iceland, Greenland or Spitsbergen?

Immerse yourself in the warmth of a geothermal pool. Watch polar bears. Meet Inuit hunters. While all these experiences are offered by the Arctic world, each is rooted in a specific area of the region: Iceland and its volcanoes, Spitsbergen and its remarkable wildlife, or Greenland and its icebergs. Which one should you choose? Here are a few tips to help you choose the one that suits you best, with a single watchword: escape.

Iceland, land of fire and ice

Volcanoes, geysers, cliffs and lava fields: Iceland will captivate you if you are seeking encounters with nature in its raw state. The island also cultivates a strong cultural dynamism, as exemplified by its capital, Reykjavik.

Discover the charms of Reykjavik

Stroll along the capital’s colourful streets and discover its most iconic sites: the Protestant church of Hallgrímskirkja and its silhouette inspired by Icelandic geology, the Perlan museum dedicated to the island’s natural forces, and the Opera with its honeycomb glass façade. The Icelandic Punk Museum, housed in a former public toilet; the Icelandic Museum of Rock ‘n’ Roll, dedicated to the contemporary music scene; and the galleries of the Reykjavik Art Museum, spread across several buildings in the city, offer a glimpse into its vibrant cultural scene. Just thirty minutes from Reykjavik, immerse yourself in the azure waters of the iconic Blue Lagoon, a true fountain of youth.

Discover the Blue Lagoon

Admire the majesty of the Snæfellsjökull volcano

On the Snæfellsnes peninsula stands the solitary silhouette of Kirkjufell, a gigantic cone of rock that seems to defy the sea spray. Discover the stunning waterfalls nestled at its foot, then explore the peninsula’s rugged terrain and lava fields, a true microcosm of Iceland. In the distance, the legendary Snæfellsjökull appears: a volcano made famous by Jules Verne, who made it the gateway to the underworld in his Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Savour the beauty of the Northern Westfjords

Dizzying cliffs, deep blue sea and golden sandy beaches: the Northern Westfjords invite you to enjoy some privacy as you explore picturesque villages and outdoor thermal pools. To the far north lies Hornstrandir, a spectacular nature reserve rich in birds and Arctic foxes, accessible only by boat.

Listen to the water roaring at the Goðafoss waterfall

One of Iceland’s most spectacular isolated waterfalls, the Goðafoss waterfall is 12 metres high and 30 metres wide. Its name means “Waterfall of the Gods” in homage to a legend according to which Iceland’s first Christian lawmaker symbolically threw the statues of the Norse gods into the falls. Although this anecdote is now questioned, the dreamlike splendour of Godafoss remains very real.

Understand the power of Icelandic sagas

It is said that it was the untamed power of Iceland’s natural forces that inspired its famous sagas, legendary tales in which gods and humans confront their destiny. Collected in Snorri’s Edda, a 13th-century manuscript that forms the heart of the Viking culture , these myths continue to inspire today: many modern writers have drawn on this material, starting with JRR Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings.

Learn more about Viking culture

Travelling to Iceland means:

Experiencing the incomparable power of the geological phenomena that shape our planet: the extraordinary force of tectonic movements, the intense heat of volcanic activity, and the erosion of rock by wind and ice over thousands of years.
Discovering a colour palette of unexpected richness: the dreamlike azure of Grindavik’s Blue Lagoon, the delicate greens of lichens, the ochre of geothermal areas such as Geysir, and the deep black of lava.
Immersing yourself in a centuries-old culture shaped by Icelandic sagas, where founding myths, an intimate relationship with nature and the memory of the ancients continue to influence contemporary life.

Greenland, between pack ice and Inuit hospitality

The largest island in the world, covered by an ice cap swept by polar winds, Greenland is home to the last Arctic hunters. Here, the endless whiteness of the ice sheet contrasts with the warmth of the Inuit villages.

Admire the fields of icebergs at Ilulissat

On the west coast of Greenland, discover the colossal icebergs of the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some of these giants are no less than 1,000 metres high and drift at a speed of 40 metres per day, one of the fastest in the world. The site is also renowned for whale watching, with numerous humpback whales roaming the nutrient-rich waters of the region.

Visit Ilulissat

Step back in time in Kullorsuaq

It is here, in the heart of a mineral landscape that seems like the end of the world, that some of Greenland’s last traditional hunters live. Although life in Kullorsuaq is harsh, punctuated by the presence of ice for most of the year, human warmth is ever-present: you will be welcomed with hospitality and invited to discover polar traditions. Camping on the pack ice with the Inuit is a unique experience that allows you to feel the strength of the sacred bonds that unite humans with their environment, particularly wildlife, which is still considered a means of subsistence in this isolated region.

Welcome to Kullorsuaq

Admire the world’s largest network of fjords from Ittoqqortoormiit

Alpine scenery, eternal snow and colourful huts: in Ittoqqortoormiit, discover an authentic Inuit village. Here, there is little contact with the rest of the world: these few dwellings constitute one of the most remote inhabited places on the planet. It is also the gateway to the astonishing Scoresby Sound, the largest fjord system in the world. A true immersion in the heart of the Arctic.

All you need to know about Scoresby Sund

Pay tribute to French explorers from the Blosseville Coast to Ammassalik

It was in 1823 that Jules Poret de Blosseville, a French explorer and navigator, landed on this difficult-to-reach part of Greenland’s east coast. Two centuries later, although human life remains impossible there, nature has lost none of its splendour: from bay to fjord, from pack ice to iceberg fields, the scenery of the Blosseville Coast is adorned with an infinite array of shades of blue and white. An encounter with eternity. Further south, just below the Arctic Circle, the Ammassalik region unfolds a landscape of majestic mountains and fjords, where Paul-Emile Victor landed in 1934 to conduct important ethnographic research.

Portrait of Paul-Emile Victor

Hold your breath when the northern lights appear

It all begins with a luminous arc whose intense green eclipses the stars. And then this arabesque grows, spreads out, adorns itself with pink and gold reflections that dance like gauze veils until they fill the night sky. One of the most spectacular astronomical phenomena in the world, the northern lights are caused by the reaction of particles emitted by the sun when they reach the Earth’s atmosphere. With its long polar nights and often clear skies, Greenland is one of the best places to observe them between September and April: a spectacle of intensely spiritual beauty.

Find out more about the northern lights

Travelling to Greenland means:

Experiencing the thrill of breathtaking natural surroundings, from the monumental icebergs of Disko Bay and Savissivik to the world’s largest network of fjords in Scoresby Sund and the vastness of the coastal pack ice, a vital environment for wildlife and local communities.
Immersing yourself in Inuit traditions shaped by the cold, which encourage sharing and pushing your limits: dog sledding, ice fishing, camping on the pack ice, and so much more.
Going hunting for the northern lights from September to April

Spitsbergen: a sanctuary for iconic Arctic wildlife

Visiting Spitsbergen, the main island in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, is first and foremost a chance to observe the exceptional diversity of Arctic wildlife. Mostly classified as a nature reserve, it offers a perfectly preserved setting for wildlife viewing.

Set off in search of polar bears

Spitsbergen island and the Svalbard archipelago are home to around 3,000 polar bears, one of the largest populations in the world. The inhabitants of Spitsbergen are all trained in self-defence in case of unexpected encounters! If you want to catch a glimpse of them on the pack ice or along the rocky shores, it is best to rely on the expertise of local guides – and bring a good pair of binoculars.

Find out more about the polar bear

Encounter unparalleled Arctic wildlife

A magnificent inlet framed by colour-changing cliffs, Liefdefjorden is home to large colonies of birds, including guillemots, terns and many others. A short hike to higher ground will give you a superb view of the Monacobreen Glacier further south – and perhaps a glimpse of the Arctic fox and its changing coat: brown in summer and perfectly white in winter. On the pack ice, seals and walruses live in tune with the Arctic drift. In summer, many cetaceans frequent these nutrient-rich waters, particularly humpback whales and blue whales. A rare and magical experience.

Encounter with the wildlife of Spitsbergen

Sail in the heart of the pack ice

A realm of subtly coloured ice, the pack ice offers constantly changing landscapes. Setting out by boat is a unique sailing experience, between smooth expanses and chaotic icebergs. Around the fjords of northern Spitsbergen, moving slowly along the drifting ice allows you to get close to vast glacier fronts and access areas that would otherwise be difficult to reach.

Explore the most beautiful fjords of the Spitsbergen

Discover Arctic science in Longyearbyen

Although the year-round population of Longyearbyen does not exceed 2,400 (not counting the reindeer that roam freely in the streets), this northernmost territorial capital on the planet is first and foremost a major centre for polar science research. The Svalbard Science Centre houses UNIS (University Centre in Svalbard) as well as numerous institutions dedicated to the study of Arctic biology, glaciology and the atmosphere. A visit to the Svalbard Museum offers a fascinating insight into the history of this territory and its iconic wildlife.

Living in Spitsbergen

Travelling to Spitsbergen means:

Following in the footsteps of polar bears and other iconic Arctic wildlife, including cetaceans, Arctic foxes, Svalbard reindeer, guillemots, terns and more.
Exploring majestic fjords and glaciers: Magdalenefjord, Liefdefjord, Hornsund fjord, the Cross Bay, Isfjorden, Kongsfjorden
In Longyearbyen, discovering a northern capital at the forefront of Arctic scientific research with the Svalbard Science Centre
In the north of the Svalbard archipelago, experiencing the power of the ice at the heart of the pack ice

Photo credits: ©StudioPONANT/ Glenn Le Bras; Olivier Blaud; Morgane Monneret; Guillaume Robin; Ophelie Bleunven; Servane Roy-Berton; Laurence Fischer; Nathalie Michel; Doriane Letexier; ©PONANT/Nicolas Dubreuil; Julien Fabro; iStock

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