The 8 best activities in Ilulissat, Greenland

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Our selection of the best activities in Ilulissat helps you to optimally use your time in this breathtaking part of the world

ilulissat is the Greenland of the glossy brochures. Occasionally colorful houses, water covered with icebergs, majestic sled dogs and gigantic, glittering glaciers all contribute to the rough, photogenic attraction of the region. It is simply one of the most spectacular environments on earth.

The colorful city is lined with some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. It is this not fenced wilderness that offers the perfect backdrop for the countless outdoor activities in Ilulissat.

After my adventures on the Arctic Circle Trail, I spent four days in Ilulissat, visited the EQI glacier, visited icebergs and explored the network of hiking trails in the city.

In the following I list the best activities in ilulissat, each of which offers a unique perspective on one of the most magical places in the planet.

The best activities in ilulissat

1. Ice mountain tour

ilulissat is a Greenland word for "icebergs" and sees astronomical 35 billion tons (46 km3) every year on his way through the disco. The combination of a huge ice cream ceiling and a rapidly moving glacier scaling in a fjord covered by icebergs is a phenomenon that only occurs in Greenland and Antarctic.

It is not surprising that the most popular activity in Ilulisat is the tour of icebergs, usually on one of the many boats that run in disco bay. The best option is to take part in a midnight sunshill-sightseeing tour.

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that only occurs in the summer months at places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Arctic Circle. During this period, the sun remains visible around local midnight.

Further information can be found in our guidelines for the iceberg tour under midnight sun.

2. Boat tour to the EQI glacier

The gigantic EQI glacier in Greenland is about 430 km north of the Arctic Circle and about 1,600 km south of the North Pole. Located about 80 km north of Ilulissat, it takes at least three hours to reach EQI by boat.

The EQI, known as a calf gods, is five kilometers wide where it meets the sea and can be up to 250 m high in its highest point. It may not be the largest in the area, but the glacier is one of the most active in Greenland.

Read our guidelines for the EQI glacier boat tour for more information.

3. Hiking around the Eisfjord

hiking around Ilulissat is the fastest and easiest way to get close to the huge ice fjord that surrounds the city. In Ilulissat there are four main hiking trails, all of which show another side of the ice fjord.

The paths all run together at the old heliport, where there is an information board and a card. It is 15-20 minutes' walk from the center of Ilulissat. Read our detailed guide to hiking around Ilulissat for more information.

4. Wal observation

The chances are good that you have already seen whales on one of the above excursions. I was lucky enough to see three humpback whales in a small bay for over an hour during one of my hikes near Sermermiut.

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When hiking around Ilulissat I saw humpback whales

If you have not yet had the pleasure or just want to take a longer and closer look at the magnificent creatures, a boat trip for whale watching is a good option. Sightings in the summer months are very likely because the skipper stay in contact with the fishing vehicles at sea that exchange information about sightings.

Fifteen whale species visit the waters around Greenland and humpback whales (up to 18 m long and weighing up to 30 tons) are by far the most popular whale species. Dwarf and fin whales also occur regularly.

5. Kayaking

The inuit has been using kayaks in the waters of Ilulisat for thousands of years, but without the luxury of modern ships. Eisberg visits from the water level offer a unique approach to exploring the ice fjord and discounting. Walks are a real possibility.

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tours take place all day and late in the evening to combine a kayak trip with a midnight sun experience. Dry suits are made available to all kayakers and the excursions last about two hours.

6. Get to know the sled dogs

In Ilulissat, around 1,800 sled dogs live. During the summer months in which there is no snow lying around, they have little to do, except to laze around in their kennels. During the long winter, they are used by fishermen who are catching their catch, mostly black halibut, from ice fjord back to the city.

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sled dogs are easy to discover in the vicinity of Ilulissat

sled dogs are easy to recognize in ilulissat and hear even better, but adult dogs should never be addressed. They are secured for a good reason; They are working dogs and not necessarily friendly to strangers.

However, it is possible to meet selected sled dogs and to take part in their feeding and care as well as to observe and take short sled demonstrations. Experienced handler will let you know which can be addressed for cuddling!

In winter, extensive dog sled trips are also offered.

7. Oqaatsut village

On a small peninsula around 21 km north of Ilulissat, the traffic -free and picturesque village of Oqaatsut is located, which has been inhabited since the 18th century. Today only 42 people live there, which makes it the eight -smallest village of Greenland.

alt = “”> Wadim Petrakow/Shutterstock The picturesque village Oqaatsut

The village houses a small grocery store, a restaurant, a hotel and a church that also serves as a school building. There are several ways to visit. One possibility is to follow the marked hiking trail between Ilulissat and Oqaatsut for a half -day hike in combination with a water taxi.

Most choose a boat trip in both directions to the village, stay for lunch and take a walk through the village. Visits can also be combined with kayak and/or overnight trips.

8. Sightseeing on the air path

Finally, there are helicopter and five-seater aircraft flights for those who are looking for a bird's eye view. The flights last between one and two hours and lead over the ice fjord and the Jacobshavn glacier.

alt = “”> Murattellioglu/Shutterstock The ice fjord seen from a helicopter

Longer flights also include routes over the mountains east of Ilulissat, the domestic cap and the striking blue lakes that have formed within the ice cover. Helicopter flights in Ilulissat are offered by Air Greenland and Air Zafari's aircraft flights. Both can be booked via World of Greenland.

activities in ilulissat: The essentials

What: Discover the best activities in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Where: Ilulissat is slowly beginning to satisfy the demand for accommodation with a growing selection of options. My visit to the main month of July was a decision at the last minute, so most hotels were fully booked. Since there were only a few options left, I stayed in the Ilulissat apartment, a simple self-catering apartment, 10 minutes walk from the city center.

other popular but more expensive hotels are the Hotel Hvide Falk, the Hotel Arctic and the Hotel Icefiord. There are also a growing number of Airbnb options in the whole city. Click here to get a discount on your first stay. 

  Booking.com
 

 When: The best time for a visit to Ilulissat is from mid -June to mid -September, when the weather is ideal for most activities, including all boat tours, whale watching, hiking, kayaking and observing the famous midnight sun.  It is also the most busy time of the season with hotels and lodges that are quickly sold out, so it is best to book in advance. 


 How: All the above excursions can be booked at World of Greenland in the main office in the center of Ilulissat.  The tours meet in front of the main office, where minibuses either bring customers to the quay where the boats run or directly to the trip.  After a tour, minibuses can bring customers back to the office or the most important hotels in the city. 


 For more information and bookings, visit the World of Greenland website, send an email to info@wog.gl, call +299 94 43 00 or come in the office between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

 I flew from London via Copenhagen in Denmark to Kangerisuaq.  From there I booked a domestic flight to Ilulissat near Air Greenland, which essentially have the monopoly on domestic flights in Greenland.  Book via Skyscanner. 


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 Travel guides for Greenland are difficult to get, but if you plan trekking beyond Ilulissat, we recommend the Cicerone Guide to Trekking in Greenland 


 Mission statement: Atlas & Boots 


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