ILULISSAT

Greenland is an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. It is the largest island in the world, but at the same time very sparsely populated. More than 85 percent of its territory is permanently covered by ice, which is equivalent to 1.8 million square kilometres (to give you an idea, the Czech Republic is less than 80 000 square kilometres). The ice reaches 3 000 m in places and is the second largest glacier in the world after the Antarctic Ice Sheet.

Greenland has a total of 56 villages with populations ranging from 2 to 439 and a total of 17 towns with populations ranging from 533 to 17 798. The capital and largest town is Nuuk. One of the three largest towns in Greenland is Ilulissat. It has a permanent population of 4603 and is called Jakobshavn in Danish, which translates as Jakob's Harbour. It is named after Jakub Severin, a descendant of Czech emigrants who founded the town on a former Inuit village in 1741. The town is located in the west of Greenland, 300 km above the Arctic Circle.

More than 85 percent of Greenland is permanently covered by ice.

Ilulissat is one of the most interesting and most visited places in Greenland. More than 20,000 tourists come here every year. The biggest attraction is the Ilulissat Glacier Fjord, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. Popular activities include whale watching and dog sledding.

Thanks to the number of tourists that come here every year, you will find a variety of hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes in Ilulissat. In some you can taste typical Greenlandic specialties such as black halibut, reindeer and several types of whale meat.

HOW TO GET TO ILULISSAT?

Travelling to Ilulissat is a bit of an adventure in itself, as Greenland is not accessible by road or train. Only planes or cruise ships connect to the world, but these usually include multiple destinations. There is no regular inter-country ferry.

BY PLANE

Currently there are only two main countries from where flights to Greenland are regularly operated (Denmark, Iceland). However, United Airlines has announced direct flights from the USA after upgrading the airport in the capital Nuuk. The airline will provide service from John F. Kennedy International Airport to the capital city of Nuuk from June to August 2025.

DENMARK

• Description: Main gateway to Greenland
• Airport: Copenhagen (CPH)
• Carrier: Air Greenland - Nuuk (GOH), Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), Narsarsuaq (UAK) https://www.airgreenland.com/
• Carrier: SAS - Nuuk (GOH) https://www.flysas.com/

ICELAND

• Description: Flexible connections to several destinations in Greenland, including a direct flight to Ilulissat
• Airport: Reykjavík / Keflavík (KEF)
• Carrier: Icelandair - Nuuk (GOH), Ilulissat (JAV), Kulusuk (KUS), Narsarsuaq (UAK) https://www.icelandair.com/
• Carrier: Air Greenland - Nuuk (GOH) https://www.airgreenland.com/

USA

• Description: Seasonal connections from June to August
• Airport: New York (JFK)
• Carrier: United Airlines - Nuuk (GOH) https://www.united.com/

GREENLAND

• Description: Domestic flights to 40 destinations throughout Greenland
• Airport: Nuuk (GOH)
• Carrier: Air Greenland - Nuuk (GOH) https://www.airgreenland.com/

CRUISE SHIP

Cruises are offered by a number of cruise companies (Hurtigruten, Royal Caribbean Cruises, MSC Cruises, etc.) with departures from various European and North American cities such as Copenhagen (Denmark), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Reykjavik, Akureyri (Iceland), Boston (USA), Halifax (Canada) and others.

Arrival by cruise ship is possible, but it is not year-round (only in summer, about June - September). These are expedition cruises (not regular service), which depend on weather and ice thickness.

Hurtigruten https://www.hurtigruten.com/en-us/expeditions/destinations/greenland-cruises/

Royal Caribbean Cruises https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-to/nuuk-greenland?&country=USA

MSC Cruises https://www.msccruises.com/int/our-cruises/destinations/northern-europe/greenland

It is also possible to use the price comparison tool of the companies that provide cruises to Greenland.

Seascanner https://www.seascanner.com/greenland-cruises?sortierung=6A,0A

HOW DO I GET FROM ILULISSAT AIRPORT?

MINIBUS / SHUTTLE BUS

In most cases, travel from the airport will be arranged directly by your hotel. Transportation for the most famous Ilulissat hotels is provided by a shared minibus. If you are staying at a private accommodation, you will need to arrange transport with them in advance.

TAXI

There are a few taxi services in the city that can be called or arranged in advance. Prices are fixed according to distance, e.g. airport → centre comes out to about 100-150 DKK.

BY FOOT

You can also walk to the nearest hotel in 35 minutes, while the centre can be reached in 1 hour. Ilulissat is compact - most hotels, restaurants, shops and hiking starting points are within walking distance.

WHERE TO STAY IN ILULISSAT?

Accommodation in Ilulissat varies from standard hotels to cosy guesthouses and simple hostels. Glacier views, tranquillity and direct contact with nature are almost guaranteed everywhere.

TOP HOTELS

HOTEL ARCTIC

• The most famous and most luxurious hotel in Greenland
• Located on the periphery of the city
• It offers igloo suites, a top restaurant and excellent service
• For more information, please visit the website https://hotelarctic.com/en/

HOTEL ILULISSAT (BEST WESTERN)

• Modern hotel in the city centre
• Beautiful roof terrace overlooking Disko Bay
• Close to shops, cafes and the harbour
• For more information, please visit the website https://www.bestwestern.com/

MIDDLE CLASS AND PENSIONS

HOTEL ICEFIORD

• Popular hotel overlooking the sea and glaciers
• Great restaurant and terrace right by the water
• It also offers organized trips
• For more information, please visit the website https://hotelicefiord.com/

HOTEL HVIDE FALK

• Traditional hotel with a great location by the harbour
• Comfortable rooms and restaurant with a view
• Often used for expeditions and tours
• For more information, please visit the website https://hotelhvidefalk.gl/

CHEAPER OPTIONS / HOSTELS

ILULISSAT GUESTHOUSE

• Simple apartments or shared rooms
• A great option for travellers on a budget
• Shared kitchen, cook-your-own option
• For more information, please visit the website https://ilulissatguesthouse.com/

WHAT TO DO IN ILULISSAT?

Ilulissat is literally a paradise for lovers of nature, adventure and the silence of the Arctic. Whether you want to hike, sail, sledge or just enjoy the Greenlandic nature, you will find something to do here.

ILULISSAT ICEFJORD (UNESCO)

Kangia Fjord is home to the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, one of the most active glaciers in the world. It moves up to 40 metres a day and is the largest producer of ice floes in the northern hemisphere (up to 20 million tonnes of ice break off every day). Ice floes from this glacier flow into the Atlantic Ocean as far as the 45th parallel to New York City. The chunk of ice that the Titanic collided with in 1912 most likely came from this glacier.

The chunk of ice that the Titanic collided with in 1912 most likely came from this glacier.

Glaciers play a key role in climate change research. It is here that NASA and scientists are studying the impact of melting Greenland ice on ocean levels.

You can travel here by boat, helicopter or on foot along the trails to the old settlement of Sermermiut.

WHALE WATCHING

Boat trips to see whales last a few hours and are usually very successful. In summer (June-September), humpback and fin whales often appear in Disko Bay.

DOG SLEDDING (WINTER SEASON)

This traditional Inuit mode of transport offers an authentic experience. You can choose a shorter ride around the area or a full day guided tour. It usually runs from January to April.

NORTHERN LIGHTS

In winter, when it's dark and clear, you have the chance to see a breathtaking light show in the form of the Northern Lights. It's best seen outside the city or from vantage points over the fjord.

KNUD RASMUSSEN MUSEUM

The famous polar explorer's birthplace, where you will find exhibits from his Arctic expeditions, old maps, Inuit objects and photos from his expeditions.

BOAT TRIP TO THE SURROUNDING VILLAGES

Excursions are organized, for example, to the nearby village of Oqaatsut (Rodebay). This small fishing village can be reached by boat in 45 minutes. You can also stay overnight, taste the local food and experience life outside the city.

ILULISSAT ICEFJORD CENTRE

A state-of-the-art visitor centre opening in 2021. It serves as a museum and exhibition about glaciers, climate and the Inuit. It is located on the outskirts of Ilulissat, right at the entrance to the hikes towards Kangia Fjord and the settlement of Sermermiut. For more information, please visit the website https://isfjordscentret.gl/en/ilulissat-icefjord-centre/

KAYAKING

The tours take place around Ilulissat, but never directly in the Kangia glacial fjord - it is too dangerous because of the falling ice. Paddling is done between the smaller glaciers in the bay, often in very calm weather.