In the ice of the Arctic, from Greenland to Svalbard

Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital, distils the entire improbable beauty of Iceland into one compact, creatively charged city. The soaring basalt columns of Hallgrímskirkja dominate a skyline of primary-coloured rooftops, while the Harpa Concert Hall shimmers beside the harbour like a captured aurora. Day trips from the city unlock the Golden Circle's geysers and Geysir hot spring, the black sand beaches of Vík, and the ethereal glacier lagoon at Jökulsárlón. Geothermal pools — from the legendary Blue Lagoon to intimate neighbourhood hot pots — offer warmth year-round. June and July bring the bewitching midnight sun.

Tasiilaq is the largest settlement in East Greenland with just 2,000 residents, one of the most remote inhabited communities on Earth, surrounded by the spectacular Sermilik Icefjord, massive glaciers, and tundra that blooms intensely during the brief Arctic summer. Must-dos include a boat trip through the iceberg-filled Sermilik Icefjord, hiking the Valley of Flowers, and watching traditional tupilak carving and drum dancing. Visit August for the warmest weather and best icefjord access.

Blosseville Coast in Greenland offers dramatic Nordic landscapes where fjords, glaciers, and pristine wilderness create scenes of remarkable natural grandeur. The essential experience is immersion in the outdoor environment—hiking, wildlife watching, and savoring the region's exceptional seafood in settings of extraordinary beauty. Best visited June through August, when the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light for nearly twenty-four hours. Cruise lines including Ponant feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Ittoqqortoormiit is one of Earth's most isolated settlements, a 350-person Inuit community at the mouth of the world's longest fjord system on Greenland's remote east coast. Must-dos include Zodiac exploration of the monumental Scoresby Sund fjords, watching for musk oxen on the tundra, and visiting the colorful Arctic community. Mid-July through September offers the narrow window when sea ice permits access.

Northeast Greenland encompasses the world's largest national park — nearly one million square kilometres of uninhabited Arctic wilderness where musk oxen, polar bears, and the planet's largest fjord system create one of Earth's last true frontiers. Must-dos include cruising Scoresby Sund's iceberg-filled waters, observing musk ox herds on ancient tundra, and witnessing glaciers calving into turquoise fjords. Visit August or early September for the best ice-free fjord access.

Northeast Greenland encompasses the world's largest national park — nearly one million square kilometres of uninhabited Arctic wilderness where musk oxen, polar bears, and the planet's largest fjord system create one of Earth's last true frontiers. Must-dos include cruising Scoresby Sund's iceberg-filled waters, observing musk ox herds on ancient tundra, and witnessing glaciers calving into turquoise fjords. Visit August or early September for the best ice-free fjord access.

Nordaustlandet is Svalbard's second-largest island, dominated by Europe's greatest ice caps and the Northern Hemisphere's longest glacier front stretching over 200 kilometers. Must-dos include Zodiac cruising along the Austfonna ice face, observing walrus haul-outs, and watching for polar bears along the coast. July and August offer the navigable window, with ice conditions varying significantly year to year.

Hinlopen Strait in Svalbard and Jan Mayen offers dramatic Nordic landscapes where fjords, glaciers, and pristine wilderness create scenes of remarkable natural grandeur. The essential experience is immersion in the outdoor environment—hiking, wildlife watching, and savoring the region's exceptional seafood in settings of extraordinary beauty. Best visited June through August, when the midnight sun bathes the landscape in golden light for nearly twenty-four hours. Cruise lines including Hapag-Lloyd Cruises feature this port on their most compelling itineraries. Whether you have a few hours or a full day, the port rewards exploration at every pace and in every direction.

Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve is a vast, ice-bound wilderness in the southeastern Svalbard archipelago, home to one of the Arctic's highest concentrations of polar bears and massive walrus haul-outs. Must-dos include searching for polar bears on the pack ice edge, observing walrus colonies on Edgeøya's beaches, and experiencing the profound silence of the High Arctic tundra. The expedition season runs July–September, with access dependent on annual ice conditions.

Longyearbyen, the northernmost permanent settlement in the world, is a unique port in the Svalbard archipelago, rich in history and breathtaking Arctic landscapes. Must-do experiences include savoring local delicacies like reindeer stew and exploring the stunning fjords of Raudfjord and Liefdefjorden. The best time to visit is during the summer months, when the midnight sun illuminates the stunning scenery.