Greenland might surprise you when it comes to shopping. If you think it’s all just cold and remote, think again. There’s a lot more than stunning landscapes. Here, local markets and artisan shops offer unique, handmade goods that reflect both Greenland’s traditions and environment. Walking through Greenlandic towns, you’ll find shops filled with crafts, textiles, and other local products. The best part: they make fantastic souvenirs!
If you’re planning to take home a special piece from Greenland, you’re in luck. Let’s go over the top things you can buy and the best places to get them.
1. Inuit Handicrafts
One of the best things to bring home is authentic Inuit handicrafts. These items are not just souvenirs but pieces of history. Inuit people have been crafting tools, clothing, and art for centuries. Look out for items made from bone, stone, and soapstone, as well as handcrafted wooden objects.
Often, you’ll see tupilak statues on sale. Tupilaks are mythical figures carved from reindeer antlers, bones, or walrus tusks. They represent spirits for protection. Different craftsmen have their own unique spin on these figures, so no two are completely alike.
Where to Buy Inuit Handicrafts
One good shop for high-quality handicrafts is “Skindhuset” in Nuuk. They focus on traditional pieces, both large and small. You can also find similar items at smaller craft stores in Ilulissat and Sisimiut, which often feature the work of local artisans.
2. Seal Skin Items
Seal hunting is a big part of the Greenlandic culture. It’s both a way of life and a tradition. In markets and shops, you’ll come across seal skin items ranging from mittens to handbags. They’re durable, warm, and have unique textures that you won’t find in mass-produced goods.
The sale of seal skin in Greenland is ethically regulated. These aren’t commercial seal hunts like you may have heard elsewhere—Greenland’s products are the result of subsistence hunting, which is deeply rooted in Inuit tradition.
Best Shops for Seal Skin Goods
Check out “Great Greenland” in Qaqortoq. This brand is famous for its seal skin products, and their items are beautifully made. Everything is produced on the island itself. You can also find smaller shops in Nuuk offering locally sourced products, where the owners take pride in supporting this unique craft.
3. Greenlandic Jewelry
Jewelry in Greenland often has a personal and natural touch. Many pieces are inspired by Inuit culture and the harsh Arctic landscape. You’ll see beautiful necklaces, rings, and earrings crafted from materials like narwhal tusks, reindeer antlers, and stones like soapstone or Icelandic spar.
What’s special is that a lot of these aren’t your usual designs—they have a raw, organic feel. Some jewelers even incorporate pieces of glacier ice or small fossils, which makes these items unlike anything you’ll find back home.
Best Places for Jewelry
Nuuk offers several jewelry stores that create Greenlandic jewelry. One standout is “Zikaza.” It’s run by a local artist who uses Greenlandic materials to make unique, handcrafted items. If you’re in Ilulissat, try “Kunst og Håndværk,” where you’ll find a mix of jewelry and artistic crafts from local designers.
4. Wool and Knitwear
Greenland may not be known for its wool products like Iceland, but you’ll still find gorgeous knitwear here. Woolen goods such as hats, scarves, and mittens are perfect for keeping warm in the Arctic cold. These items are hand-knit, often patterned with traditional designs. They’re practical and stylish, too!
It’s worth mentioning that most of the yarn used is imported, but the craftsmanship—the knitting patterns and designs—remain Greenlandic. These make for cozy, thoughtful gifts, especially if you’re shopping during the colder months.
Where to Buy Woolen Goods
“Qiviut” in Sisimiut is one of the best places to look for Greenlandic wool and knit products. They use “qiviut,” which is a wool made from the inner fur of musk oxen—softer than sheep wool. Nuuk also has several knitwear shops run by locals selling beanies, socks, and mittens made with love and care.
5. Greenlandic Coffee Beans
Surprised to see “coffee” in Greenland? Yes, Greenland has its own coffee tradition! Imported beans are generally used, but what’s unique is how Greenlandic coffee is served. It includes strong coffee mixed with a shot of whiskey, Kahlua, and whipped cream—a perfect way to warm up.
While you can’t bring back the entire experience, you can certainly pick up local roasts to recreate it at home. The beans offered in Greenlandic roasteries are perfect for reminding you of that cozy coffee shop in Nuuk or Sisimiut where you first tried it.
Best Coffee Shops and Roasteries
Look out for Greenlandic coffee at the “Kaffemik” shop in Nuuk. They specialize in premium roasts that carry some unique flavor notes. You can ask the staff for their recommendations. There are also small, family-owned shops in Ilulissat that sell coffee alongside traditional desserts.
6. Local Artwork and Paintings
A trip to Greenland isn’t complete without appreciating the local art. Many artists are inspired by the landscapes and wildlife around them, and their talent shows up in vibrant paintings and hand-painted prints. These works make for an amazing gift or a colorful addition to your walls back home.
Some artists also work with natural materials like Stone Age artifacts, giving their pieces a deep cultural meaning. Paintings, drawings, and even prints often depict scenes of icebergs, sled dogs, and Arctic animals, telling the Greenlandic story through art.
Best Places for Art
The “Katuaq” cultural center in Nuuk is a must-visit for art lovers. It regularly hosts exhibitions from national artists, and their shop sells some beautiful pieces. “Arctic Art” in Ilulissat is another great gallery, where you can find paintings and prints from local creatives.
7. Musk Ox Products
Musk oxen are some of the coolest animals you’ll encounter in Greenland. Besides seeing these furry creatures walking in the wild, you can also bring home musk ox wool products called “qiviut.” Warmer and lighter than sheep wool, qiviut scarves, mittens, and sweaters are both luxurious and perfect for cold weather.
Musk ox leather goods, like belts and wallets, are popular too. The leather has a rustic, durable feel, making every item stand out as something special and genuinely Greenlandic.
Where to Shop for Musk Ox Goods
If you’re looking for high-quality musk ox products, check out “Qiviut” in Sisimiut. You can also find beautiful muscox accessories at Nuuk’s local wool shops like “Ittu,” where they focus on using natural products from Greenland.
8. Traditional Greenlandic Clothing
Another unique Greenlandic souvenir is traditional clothing. You’ll find items like anoraks, which are traditional hooded jackets. These coats are great for cold weather and are still worn by hunters in remote parts of Greenland. They’re comfortable, warm, and have a rustic, outdoor look.
Besides anoraks, look out for handmade gloves, boots, and hats. Kayak boots, in particular, are a fascinating find. Made from waterproofed seal skin, they were designed to keep hunters dry while paddling through icy waters.
Best Places for Traditional Clothing
Visit the “Seal Shop” in Nuuk, where you can find handcrafted clothing made in the traditional Greenlandic style. You can also find some outdoor gear in the market stalls along the harbor in Ilulissat, where some local artisans sell directly to visitors.
9. Greenlandic Music and Cultural Recordings
If you want to take home the sound of Greenland, pick up some traditional music or cultural recordings. Greenland has a rich Inuit drum and throat-singing tradition, and there’s nothing quite like hearing these unique sounds.
Many stores sell CDs featuring traditional songs, as well as documentaries and books on Greenlandic history and folklore. You can explore music that mixes traditional Inuit sound with modern styles too, giving you a taste of both the past and future of Greenlandic music.
Best Places to Find Music
Nuuk’s “Atlantic Music” store is a great place to find local CDs and cultural recordings. They have a wide selection, including recordings of throat singing and drumming performances. In Ilulissat, look for music shops around the town center that offer local tunes and recordings.
When and Where to Shop in Greenland
Greenland’s capital, Nuuk, is the top spot for shopping if you want a wider selection. Most of the souvenirs you’ll want to bring home are available in the main shops here. However, other towns also have solid options, especially for locally made goods.
Best Time to Shop
Most stores in Greenland are open year-round, but you may find some closing in the deep winter months. For the best variety, visit in the summer, when everything is bustling, and more craft markets are available. Summer also means there’s plenty of outdoor pop-up markets, where small business owners set up stalls with handmade goods.
Conclusion: Authentic Greenlandic Souvenirs
Souvenir shopping in Greenland offers more than fridge magnets and postcards. Whether it’s hand-carved Inuit statues, cozy woolen mittens, or a bottle of seal oil, the items you take home will tell Greenland’s story. Each souvenir is a part of the culture, history, and life of its people.
So, as you’re roaming through the streets of Nuuk, Ilulissat, or any of the smaller towns, don’t forget to stop by the craft markets and artisan shops. Not only will you take home a unique gift, but you’ll also support local artisans who keep Greenland’s culture alive in every stitch, carving, and note.
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