The 8 Best Things to Do in Ilulissat, Greenland

The 8 Best Things to Do in Ilulissat, Greenland

Our selection of the best things to do in Ilulissat will help you make the most of your time in this stunning part of the world

Ilulissat is the Greenland of glossy brochures. Scattered colorful houses, iceberg-studded waters, majestic sled dogs and gigantic, glittering glaciers all contribute to the region's rugged, photogenic appeal. It is quite simply one of the most spectacular environments on earth.

The colorful city is bordered by some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth. It is this unfenced wilderness that provides the perfect backdrop for the countless outdoor activities in Ilulissat.

After my adventures on the Arctic Circle Trail, I spent four days in Ilulissat, visiting the Eqi Glacier, viewing icebergs, and exploring the city's network of hiking trails.

Below I list the best things to do in Ilulissat, each offering a unique perspective on one of the most magical places on the planet.

The best things to do in Ilulissat

1. Iceberg viewing

Ilulissat is a Greenlandic word for “icebergs” and sees an astronomical 35 billion tons (46 km3) of ice making its way through Disko Bay every year. The combination of a huge ice sheet and fast-moving glacier calving into an iceberg-covered fjord is a phenomenon unique to Greenland and Antarctica.

Unsurprisingly, the most popular activity in Ilulissat is iceberg viewing, usually on one of the many boats that ply Disko Bay. The best option is to take a midnight sun iceberg sightseeing tour.

The midnight sun is a natural phenomenon that only occurs in the summer months in places north of the Arctic Circle or south of the Arctic Circle. During these periods the Sun remains visible at local midnight.

For more information, see our iceberg viewing guide at Midnight Sun.

2. Boat tour to Eqi Glacier

The gigantic Eqi Glacier in Greenland is located 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.

Known as the calving glacier, Eqi is five kilometers wide where it meets the sea and can be up to 250 m high at 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 Eqi Glacier Cruise Guide for more information.

3. Hiking around the Icefjord

Hiking around Ilulissat is the quickest and easiest way to get close to the huge ice fjord that surrounds the town. There are four main hiking trails in Ilulissat, each showing a different side of the Icefjord.

The trails all converge at the Old Heliport, where there is an information board and a map. It is 15-20 minutes walk from the center of Ilulissat. Read our detailed guide to hiking around Ilulissat for more information.

4. Whale watching

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

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I saw humpback whales while hiking around Ilulissat

If you haven't had the pleasure yet or just want a longer, closer look at the magnificent creatures, then a whale watching boat trip is a great option. Sightings in the summer months are very likely as skippers remain in contact with fishing vessels at sea who share information about sightings.

Fifteen species of whale 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. Minke and fin whales also appear regularly.

5. Kayaking

The Inuit have used kayaks in the waters of Ilulissat for thousands of years, but without the luxury of modern ships. Iceberg viewing from water level offers a unique approach to exploring the Icefjord and Disko Bay. Whale sightings are a real possibility.

old=““>Atlas & BootsKayakers in Disko Bay under the midnight sun

Tours run throughout the day and late evening to combine a kayak ride with a midnight sun experience. Drysuits are provided to all kayakers and trips last approximately two hours.

6. Meet the sled dogs

Around 1,800 sled dogs live in Ilulissat. During the summer months when there is no snow around, they have little to do except laze around in their kennels. During the long winter they are used by fishermen who drag their catch, mostly green halibut, from the icefjord back to the city.

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Sled dogs are easy to spot around Ilulissat

Sled dogs are easy to spot and even easier to hear in Ilulissat, but adult dogs should never be approached. They are secured for a reason; They are working dogs and are not necessarily friendly to strangers.

However, it is possible to meet selected sled dogs and participate in their feeding and care, as well as observe and participate in short sled demonstrations. Experienced handlers will let you know which ones can be approached for a cuddle!

In winter, extended dog sledding trips are also offered.

7. Oqaatsut Village

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

old=““>Vadim Petrakov/ShutterstockThe picturesque village of Oqaatsut

The village is home to a small grocery store, a restaurant, a hotel and a church that also serves as a schoolhouse. There are several ways to visit. One option is to follow the marked trail between Ilulissat and Oqaatsut for a half-day hike combined with a water taxi home.

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

8. Sightseeing by air

Finally, for those seeking a bird's eye view, there are helicopter and five-seater airplane flights. The flights last between one and two hours and take you over the Icefjord and the Jacobshavn Glacier.

old=““>Murattellioglu/ShutterstockThe Icefjord seen from a helicopter

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

Things to do in Ilulissat: the essentials

What: Discover the best things to do in Ilulissat, Greenland.

Where: Ilulissat is slowly starting to meet the demand for accommodation with a growing range of options. My visit in the peak month of July was a last minute decision, so most hotels were fully booked. With few options left, I stayed at Ilulissat Apartment, a basic self-catering apartment 10 minutes' walk from the city center.

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

    Booking.com

When: The best time to visit 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 watching the famous midnight sun. It's also the busiest time of the season with hotels and lodges selling out quickly, so it's best to book in advance.

How: All of the above excursions can be booked at World of Greenland at the main office in the center of Ilulissat. Tours meet outside the main office, where minibuses take customers either to the dock where the boats depart or directly to the excursion. After a tour, minibuses can return customers to the office or to the main hotels in the city.

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

I flew from London to Kangerlussuaq via Copenhagen, Denmark. From there I booked a domestic flight to Ilulissat with Air Greenland, who essentially have a monopoly on domestic flights in Greenland. Book via Skyscanner.

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Guides for Greenland are hard to come by, but if you're planning on trekking beyond Ilulissat, we recommend the Cicerone Guide to Trekking in Greenland

Mission statement: Atlas & Boots

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