The secret to visiting the most enigmatic region on Earth
That they penetrated so far in five-star luxury, a far cry from the hardships endured by explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Sir John Franklin, might diminish the Arctic's chiselled aura of remoteness. As do rising sea temperatures, which are reshaping its geography and accessibility. By 2024 the Arctic Ocean's sea-ice coverage had reached a historic low by extent.
Yet this evolution of the icescapes and wild tundra above the Arctic Circle – outside of out-of-bounds Russia, which encompasses half the region – have opened new doors to opportunities to explore it. Just a few decades ago, the centre of attention was Sweden's Icehotel, first conceived in 1989, and a Christmas wishlist to visit Santa in Lapland.
Now, there are wildlife cruises to see polar bears in the increasingly popular Svalbard archipelago and Astro-tourism is booming, driven by the sunspot phenomena Solar Cycle 25, which will yield wondrous northern lights sightings well into winter 2025/26. You can dogsled with the Inuit and learn their secrets of survival – ' coolcations ' also offer ever more unique and remote accommodation immersed in the wilderness.
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The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
The eerie ghost town on world's largest island, abandoned for 20 years & visitors have to arrive by dog sled or boat
ON the edge of the Earth lies a village frozen in time – quite literally. Itterajivit, is the hauntingly deserted Arctic outpost that's been abandoned for nearly 20 years. 7 Once a bustling community in eastern Greenland's Scoresby Sound, Itterajivit is now a ghost town, crumbling quietly in one of the most remote spots on the planet. The village, also known by its Danish name - Kap Hope - was first inhabited in 1925 as part of a trio of small communities surrounding Ittoqqortoormiit. By the 1960s, its population had peaked at around 112 people, complete with a school‑chapel, workshop, youth club, and recreational spaces. But life on the edge proved tough. Isolation, limited job prospects, and government policies favouring larger hubs meant families gradually drifted away. By 2005, just nine residents remained – and then, none. A scattering of wooden houses still stands – some sagging, snow-filled, and forgotten. Others are clung to by local Inuit hunters, used as seasonal shelters when braving the region's punishing conditions. According to one traveller on BirdForum: 'Of the two dozen houses, only a couple are maintained. The rest are in decay, a broken window soon means a house full of snow.' Most visitors arrive the hard way – either by dog sled or boat – depending on the whims of Greenland's brutal weather. In winter, sea ice cuts off access altogether. And getting to nearby Ittoqqortoormiit requires flying to Reykjavik, chartering a plane to Constable Point, then boarding a helicopter or boat. So why go? Because what remains of Itterajivit is nothing short of breathtaking. Backed by jagged black hills and overlooking frozen shorelines, the village's stark beauty is pure Arctic drama. Polar bears, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and seals roam the surrounding wilderness – a wildlife haven untouched by time. The village featured in Canadian travel series Departures, and in Expedition with Steve Backshall on the BBC, where the adventurer and his team kayaked through the world's largest fjord, passing Itterajivit's haunting ruins. Greenland, officially the world's largest island that isn't a continent, is home to just 56,000 people – and this spot is one of its loneliest. Governed by its own local parliament but still part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland sits so far north it experiences both Polar Night and Midnight Sun – meaning endless darkness in winter, and 24-hour daylight come summer. For those craving extreme isolation, ghost-town intrigue, and jaw-dropping scenery, Itterajivit delivers. 7 7 7 7 7 7
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
The eerie ghost town on world's largest island, abandoned for 20 years & visitors have to arrive by dog sled or boat
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ON the edge of the Earth lies a village frozen in time – quite literally. Itterajivit, is the hauntingly deserted Arctic outpost that's been abandoned for nearly 20 years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 The village, also known as Kap Hope, was first inhabited in 1925 Credit: Tripadvisor Once a bustling community in eastern Greenland's Scoresby Sound, Itterajivit is now a ghost town, crumbling quietly in one of the most remote spots on the planet. The village, also known by its Danish name - Kap Hope - was first inhabited in 1925 as part of a trio of small communities surrounding Ittoqqortoormiit. By the 1960s, its population had peaked at around 112 people, complete with a school‑chapel, workshop, youth club, and recreational spaces. But life on the edge proved tough. Isolation, limited job prospects, and government policies favouring larger hubs meant families gradually drifted away. By 2005, just nine residents remained – and then, none. A scattering of wooden houses still stands – some sagging, snow-filled, and forgotten. Others are clung to by local Inuit hunters, used as seasonal shelters when braving the region's punishing conditions. According to one traveller on BirdForum: 'Of the two dozen houses, only a couple are maintained. The rest are in decay, a broken window soon means a house full of snow.' Most visitors arrive the hard way – either by dog sled or boat – depending on the whims of Greenland's brutal weather. In winter, sea ice cuts off access altogether. And getting to nearby Ittoqqortoormiit requires flying to Reykjavik, chartering a plane to Constable Point, then boarding a helicopter or boat. So why go? Because what remains of Itterajivit is nothing short of breathtaking. Backed by jagged black hills and overlooking frozen shorelines, the village's stark beauty is pure Arctic drama. Polar bears, musk oxen, Arctic foxes, and seals roam the surrounding wilderness – a wildlife haven untouched by time. The village featured in Canadian travel series Departures, and in Expedition with Steve Backshall on the BBC, where the adventurer and his team kayaked through the world's largest fjord, passing Itterajivit's haunting ruins. Greenland, officially the world's largest island that isn't a continent, is home to just 56,000 people – and this spot is one of its loneliest. Governed by its own local parliament but still part of the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland sits so far north it experiences both Polar Night and Midnight Sun – meaning endless darkness in winter, and 24-hour daylight come summer. For those craving extreme isolation, ghost-town intrigue, and jaw-dropping scenery, Itterajivit delivers. 7 It is only accessible by dog sled or boat Credit: Tripadvisor 7 The village once had just over 100 inhabitants in the 1960s Credit: Alamy 7 The village is in one of the most remote places on earth Credit: Tripadvisor 7 The view from Itterajivit in February Credit: Alamy 7 Hunters still roam the land Credit: Alamy
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
One of world's most beautiful countries is begging tourists to come
The mineral-rich Arctic island is open for tourism. Whale-watching tours, excursions to the iconic puffin island and guided charters through remote settlements are just the beginning of what Greenland has to offer visitors. One of the world's most striking and least visited countries is bucking the anti-tourism trend. Greenland is extending an open invitation to globetrotters and sharing a warm message with eager adventurers across the globe: We're all set for your arrival. "Come visit Greenland," invites Nukartaa Andreassen, an employee at a water taxi service in Nuuk. "Learn about it, learn about us. We love to have you. We love to tell our stories and our culture." This island, rich in minerals and nestled in the Arctic, is embracing tourism with open arms. From whale-spotting odysseys to treks to the famed puffin island and guided tours of distant hamlets, Greenland is eager to exhibit its charms, hoping to shift focus away from past political squabbles, notably with Donald Trump. "Our goal and mission is to present and be the ambassadors of Greenland," declares Casper Frank Møller, CEO of Raw Arctic, a Nuuk-based tour operation. "and to show what beauty you can experience while you're here." Following the initiation of a newfangled flight path between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey, expectations are high for a surge in tourist interest this year. The first-ever direct link from the United States to Greenland via an American carrier launched with fanfare on June 14. Previously, U.S. voyagers had to stopover in Iceland or Denmark before continuing their journey to Greenland. This development has simplified travel significantly, much to the delight of travellers like Doug Jenzen, who was among the inaugural passengers on the United Airlines flight departing from New Jersey. "I arrived with the intention of exploring some of the natural wonders on the world's largest island, aiming to promote ecotourism and sustainable travel while bolstering the local economy," stated Jenzen. Cruise ships are already able to dock on the island, but they contribute less to businesses catering to tourists as passengers typically eat and sleep onboard. In 2024, Greenland welcomed around 150,000 tourists, according to Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland's business minister. "We're keen to expand the tourism sector. It's a great fit for many in Greenland," added Nathanielsen. "Tourism is about good vibes. It's about sharing culture, history. It's about storytelling. And as Inuit, that's very much part of our heritage." Earlier this year, Greenland found itself in the global spotlight when Trump announced his desire to gain control of the semi-autonomous Danish territory, either through purchase or potentially by force. Denmark, a NATO ally, along with Greenland, have firmly stated that the island is not for sale and have condemned reports of the U.S. gathering intelligence there. Despite the diplomatic strain, Frank Møller of Raw Arctic sees a silver lining. "It has kind of put Greenland on the world map. And it's definitely a situation that Raw Arctic has used to our advantage," he said. However, he emphasised that any expansion of the tourism industry should occur at a pace that respects the voices and comfort levels of the approximately 56,000 residents on the island. Andreassen, from Nuuk Water Taxi, agreed. "It's very important for me to tell my own story. Because I always feel like when I meet new people, I always introduce a whole Greenland," she remarked. "It's important for me to show our own culture, our own nature. Not by television, not by other people from other countries." During a boat trip in June, Pinar Saatci, a 59-year-old holidaymaker from Turkey, was thrilled to observe several whales leaping out of the sea. "It's very exciting to be here, at the other part of the world, so far away from home," she exclaimed. "It's a very exciting and unforgettable moment." Risskov Rejser has been organising jaunts to Greenland for Danish globetrotters via her travel agency. Nevertheless, she harbours concerns over the effects of a deluge of tourists. "For me, the worst thing would be if mass tourism starts and people come here, and sort of look upon the Greenland people as if they were a living museum," she stated. "It has to be done in a respectful way and you have to consider what the consequences are."
