This Arctic coastal town sits 350km north of the Arctic Circle. The UNESCO-listed icefjord, Inuit ruins at Sermermiut, and local museum draw visitors to western Greenland.
Ilulissat, a town of 4,670 people in western Greenland, lies 350 km north of the Arctic Circle beside the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord. From the wooden boardwalk at Sermermiut, you'll see massive icebergs floating in the fjord. Walk to Holms Bakke hill to photograph the midnight sun in summer or hunt for the Northern Lights in winter. At the harbor, you can board boats for whale watching or join local mushers for dog sledding adventures across the snow-covered terrain.
Hiking Routes Along Ilulissat Icefjord
The Ilulissat Icefjord extends 40 kilometers from the Greenland ice sheet to Disko Bay. At its head, the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier moves 40 meters daily, creating the massive icebergs that fill the fjord. Walk the yellow trail's 2.7 km path through the valley to see the 4,000-year-old Sermermiut settlement ruins. The blue trail forms a 7 km loop with viewing platforms overlooking the glacier, while the red trail follows the coast with views of both the town and ice-filled fjord.
Summer Wildlife and Ice Formations
Between June and September, humpback whales swim among the icebergs in Disko Bay. Join a boat tour to watch these marine giants or paddle between ice formations in a kayak. From late May until late July, the midnight sun never sets, creating constant daylight for photography and exploration. Local guides lead coastal hikes, explaining the geological forces that shaped the landscape and pointing out Arctic wildlife.
Dog Sledding and Northern Lights
In winter, you can join local mushers for dog sled journeys across the frozen landscape. The town's 2,500 sled dogs almost equal its human population. From December to January, the sun remains below the horizon. Watch the Northern Lights from Holms Bakke hill or the elevated sections of the Icefjord boardwalk. Take snowmobile tours through the surrounding hills or learn traditional ice fishing techniques from local guides.
Transportation to Ilulissat
Air Greenland flies year-round from Copenhagen via Kangerlussuaq, while Air Iceland Connect operates seasonal flights from Reykjavik. The airport lies 2.8 kilometers from town center, with hotel shuttles and taxis available. In summer, the Arctic Umiaq ferry connects Ilulissat with other western Greenland settlements.
Museums and Markets
Visit the Knud Rasmussen Museum in the explorer's childhood home to see artifacts from early Greenlandic expeditions and traditional hunting tools. Each morning, local fishermen sell fresh halibut, cod, and smoked meats at the Brættet fish market. The red wooden Zion Church, built in the late 18th century, was once Greenland's largest building and remains an active place of worship.
