The Arctic Circle is on the radar of many adventurous travelers thanks in part to its vast landscapes, isolated villages, and rare wildlife. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most delicate, affected regions of the world when it comes to climate change. Glaciers and sea ice are melting rapidly, and many of the endangered species that make the Arctic so special are under increasing threat of extinction every year.
That of course means that tourism to this region is complicated — while there is value in people getting to experience the stunning nature firsthand, visitors must be willing to make as little environmental impact as possible, even if that means their once-in-a-lifetime trip doesn’t go exactly as planned.
Today, there are a handful of ways to reach the Arctic Circle, though that likely won’t be the case forever. Each route has its own drawbacks and environmental impacts, and the decision of how to visit should be weighed carefully by travelers before they depart. Below are five of the most common routes, along with tips on how to visit as sustainably as possible — before it’s too late and the entire Arctic is closed off to visitors entirely.
Expedition Cruises from Svalbard
The Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, which is closer to the North Pole than to Oslo, has become the unofficial launchpad for Arctic Circle travel. Expedition cruises leave from the biggest town, Longyearbyen, traveling further north through icy fjords and providing views of walruses, puffins, and, if the passengers are lucky, polar bears.
Most cruises last between 7 and 10 days, with a part adventure, part classroom experience — guided shore landings, lectures on Arctic ecology, and wildlife watching from the deck are just some of the activities that are usually packed into the itineraries. The ships double as both transport and accommodation, and for many travelers, it’s the most practical way to experience this remote part of the world that would otherwise be inaccessible.
While many of these cruises do put an emphasis on sustainability, even small ships burn fuel and negatively impact the environment. Choosing a tour operator with a strong reputation of environment-friendly practices and treading lightly during excursions on land can make a big difference, as does using companies that contribute to Arctic research and those which employ local guides.
Exploring Greenland
Greenland is another popular Arctic destination, mostly thanks to its dramatic views. Many travelers begin their trips in Ilulissat, a coastal town in western Greenland where you can watch massive icebergs break off into the Disko Bay. Another common arrival point is Nuuk, a bit further south, but which offers access to fjords, waterfalls and brightly colored cabins. It’s not cheap, but you can fly directly to Nuuk from Denmark and Iceland, and once there, hop aboard a local ferry to continue exploring the coastline.
Many itineraries offer a mix of seeing Greenland’s nature with visits to nearby towns. Stops at cultural centers, local museums, and homestays offer travelers the chance to learn about Inuit traditions and how daily life operates — which is important context you won’t get if you only visit the region on an expedition ship.
However, these sort of trips come with trade-offs, too. Flights leave a heavy carbon footprint, with ferries only adding to that impact. But by choosing routes that focus on one smaller region, booking with sustainable operators, and supporting companies that work directly with local communities, you can make the journey more responsible — while still getting to witness stunning glaciers and nature that Greenland has to offer.
A Lapland Adventure
Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian Lapland have built an industry around the picturesque image of dog-sledding through the woods, reindeer safaris, and glass-topped igloos designed for watching the northern lights. This version of arctic travel is far more accessible and affordable than trekking to other remote islands or hopping on a North Pole-bound cruise, which makes it appealing to a wider range of travelers.
You can fly directly into Rovaniemi in Finland, Kiruna in Sweden, or Tromsø in Norway from many major European cities. Once there, the infrastructure is well-developed, with options ranging from family-friendly resorts to small guesthouses. Unlike much of the rest of the Arctic, Lapland is actually a year-round destination, with summer hiking and midnight sun festivals offering an unexpected but equally fun experience as the classic winter activities.
The main challenge with Lapland tourism is simply its popularity. Massive resorts, large group tours, and overbuilt attractions have caused the region’s fragile environment to feel more like a theme park in recent years. Responsible travel to Lapland means choosing eco-friendly accommodations, seeking out experiences led by local Sámi guides, and knowing when to skip activities that treat local culture like a prop for tourism dollars. You might as well come during the winter to see some of the Northern Lights too.
Canadian Arctic Journeys
Stretching from Nunavut to the Yukon, the Canadian Arctic covers a staggering amount of land. Still, getting there is not easy — most trips require taking multiple flights, often including chartered connections. But once you do arrive, the payoff is the chance to experience some of the most remote corners of the Arctic.
Baffin Island and the Northwest Passage offer the opportunity to see narwhals surfacing along the coast and polar bears scampering across the ice without many other visitors in sight. Local-led tourism is also slowly expanding, including guided hikes, cultural festivals, and wildlife excursions that provide income directly to Inuit communities in the area.
But because of the distances involved, carbon costs here are especially high. The Canadian Arctic may not draw the same visitor numbers as Svalbard or Lapland, but the signs of climate change are just as obvious — shrinking ice, evolving migration patterns, and unpredictable hunting seasons show exactly how climate change not only affects the environment, but its impact on daily life for those who live there.
Iceland’s Northern Coast
The majority of Iceland sits just below the Arctic Circle, but its northern towns do reach just above the line. In the small town of Akureyri, you can sign up for whale-watching trips, while Grimsey Island has dozens of marked trails and monuments that indicate exactly when you’ve crossed into the Arctic Circle line on foot.
Domestic flights from Reykjavik can get you there quickly, and the tourism infrastructure in this remote area is surprisingly well established. For many people taking a trip to Iceland, a pit stop on this side of the island is an easy way to add an Arctic experience without the cost of a longer, more complicated expedition further north.
However, Iceland already receives millions of visitors each year — several times more than the population of the country itself. So even these isolated northern regions have been feeling the impact of overtourism. That’s why it’s worth considering a trip during the less busy shoulder season, making sure to always support sustainable tour operators, and avoiding tourist trap activities that don’t contribute anything to the local community.
Final Thoughts:
Imagine yourself standing at the North Pole, on the very top of the world, surrounded by shifting pack ice. It may sound like the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience, and while it’s technically possible, it’s neither simple nor sustainable. Arctic travel is also astronomically expensive, and it risks irreparable damage to the otherwise untouched environment. Icebreaker ships and long-haul flights consume an enormous amount of fuel, and once you consider the irony of burning fuel to witness melting ice, you might decide you’re better off keeping a trip to the Arctic Circle as a daydream, rather than turning it into an actual itinerary.
Emily is a freelance writer who has been traveling full-time for over five years She has visited dozens of countries but can often be found in Spain and Mexico. In her Substack, Extracurricular Pursuits, she shares personal essays and travel stories that document the quirks, chaos and realities of living abroad.