AbstractGreenland's coastal zone encompasses a large number of fjords, many of which are impacted by glacial meltwater runoff from land‐terminating glaciers. This type of fjord has received limited research attention, yet may represent the future of other fjords currently impacted by marine‐terminating glaciers that are retreating. In this study we describe the seasonal hydrography of Ameralik, a fjord on the southwest coast of Greenland impacted by a land‐terminating glacier. To complement this analysis we compare our results with observations from the neighbouring Godthåbsfjord, which receives meltwater from both land‐ and marine‐terminating glaciers. We find that the absence of subglacial discharge and glacial ice in Ameralik has a strong impact on the inner fjord density profiles and on circulation. The mean temperature of the upper 50 m layer was lower in Ameralik than Godthåbsfjord in May, but by September was 2°C higher in Ameralik. Dense coastal inflows occur in the late winter months in Ameralik, flushing the fjord and contributing to the return to a weakly stratified state. During the runoff period the surface waters are subject to estuarine circulation and wind forcing, while at intermediate depths a density gradient between the inner and outer fjord regions produces an intermediate baroclinic circulation, resulting in the exchange of water in this layer and the deepening of isopycnals. During summer a large fraction of the meltwater runoff is retained within the fjord rather than being exported. A substantial export of this summer accumulated freshwater occurs in connection with coastal inflows during winter.