Greenland Travel: Nuuk vs Ilulissat — Where to Stay, What to Book & How to Choose
Nuuk and Ilulissat are relatively easy to get to. But which one is the best base for you?
Nuuk offers great hiking possibilities… but so does Ilulissat!
If you’re planning a trip to Greenland, one of the first real decisions you’ll face is this:
Do you base yourself in Nuuk, or Ilulissat?
They’re both spectacular.
They’re both pretty expensive.
They feel completely different.
And your choice will shape the entire rhythm of your trip.
Spoiler alert: the best answer is usually to combine both.
But let’s break it down properly.
In a hurry?
Here’s the quick breakdown between Nuuk and Ilulissat before we dive into the full comparison.
Your Greenland planning starts here: Explore places to stay and things to do
🌇 Why choose Nuuk?
Old Nuuk is so picturesque!
Nuuk surprised us.
It’s not just “the capital of Greenland.” It’s a real, lived-in Arctic city — colorful houses, cafés, modern architecture, fishing boats, fjords stretching into the horizon.
On our trip, Nuuk felt like an introduction to Greenlandic life. You get culture, history, and nature without leaving town.
You can:
Visit the Greenland National Museum
Walk along the harbor
Hike to Sermitsiaq viewpoints
Take fjord boat tours
Go whale watching in season
Chat with locals while eating Greenlandic food at the Katuaq Cultural Center
Explore local shops and discover fabulous designers
It’s a place where Arctic life feels contemporary, not just remote.
Best hotels in Nuuk
You can read our full Nuuk hotels guide, but here’s the quick version:
Hotel Hans Egede — central, upscale, easiest option
Hotel Nordbo — apartment-style comfort
Eagle View — budget-friendly with… great views
👉 If you're traveling June–August, book very early. Nuuk doesn’t have infinite rooms.
Use the map below to check availability:
Tours in Nuuk
Boat tours into the fjord system are a highlight. In summer, whale watching is common. Cultural walking tours are also available and surprisingly engaging.
Nuuk works best if:
It’s your first Arctic trip
You want culture + comfort
You prefer easier logistics
You’re flying in internationally
Explore tours in Nuuk below:
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🐾 Use our link for 20% off your bracelet: Track a polar bear with Fahlo
🧊 Why Choose Ilulissat?
Our Icefjord tour was a childhood dream come true
Ilulissat
Ilulissat is Greenland’s postcard.
This is where you see the UNESCO-listed Icefjord — giant icebergs drifting silently toward the sea.
It’s smaller than Nuuk. Quieter (except in summer, when tour groups are in town). More elemental.
On our trip, Ilulissat felt like stepping into the Arctic imagination. Midnight sun reflecting off floating ice. Hiking trails overlooking the fjord. Boats weaving between enormous chunks of ancient glacier.
You can:
Walk the Icefjord boardwalk
Take a boat tour among icebergs
Go whale watching
Sleep with iceberg views
Hike coastal trails
Visit the Icefjord Centre
It feels more remote — even though it’s one of Greenland’s most visited towns.
Best hotels in Ilulissat
Accommodation is limited and often books out months ahead in peak season.
Expect:
Boutique hotels with fjord views
Guesthouses
Apartment-style or cabin stays with iceberg views
👉 If Ilulissat is your main goal, secure accommodation first, then flights.
Zoom in and out on the map below to see available hotel and apartment options in Ilulissat:
Tours in Ilulissat
Boat tours among icebergs are the must-do. Helicopter tours are also available, though expensive. Summer whale watching is strong here too.
Ilulissat works best if:
You want dramatic Arctic landscapes
Icebergs are your main priority
You’re okay paying premium prices
You’re planning around peak summer
Find things to do in Ilulissat
✈️ ⛴️ Flights vs Ferry — How to travel between Nuuk and Ilulissat
Honestly, with views like this, the ferry ride becomes part of the adventure (and an included sightseeing tour!)
This is where planning gets interesting. Nuuk is the main international gateway. Ilulissat typically requires a domestic flight from Nuuk.
But there’s another option.
The Arctic Umiaq Line ferry connects towns along the west coast, including Nuuk and Ilulissat.
Flights:
Fast
Expensive
Best for shorter trips
Ferry:
Slower
Scenic
A full Arctic experience in itself
Requires cabin booking, which can end up being cheaper than a flight since accommodation is included
We took the ferry — and it completely changed the rhythm of the trip. Instead of jumping between towns, you glide along Greenland’s coastline. And it was honestly the best part of your trip.
If you're curious how that works in practice, we break it down fully in our Greenland ferry guide.
💸 Cost comparison: Nuuk vs Ilulissat
Katuaq Cultural Center in Nuuk offers delicious local food for a good price
Ok, you’re not learning anthing here: Greenland isn’t cheap. That being said, it’s more affordable and accessible than ever for visitors, as there are more accommodation and flight options (Nuuk’s international airport opening was a game changer).
Expect roughly:
Accommodation:
€120–€450+ per night depending on season
Boat tours:
€70–€150+
Meals:
€15–€40 casual dining
Domestic flights:
Variable, but not low-cost
Ilulissat can be slightly more expensive in peak season due to demand.
If budget is tight, traveling shoulder season helps — but availability still matters.
Check our best tips to travel cheaper in Greenland and everywhere else here.
🗓 How to structure your Greenland trip
It’s worth spending a few days in Ilulissat to enjoy the Icefjord both from the sea and from land — Personally, we couldn’t get enough of it!
Here’s our advice:
4–6 days total
Choose one base.
If this is your first Greenland trip, Nuuk is easier logistically.
If you’re chasing icebergs, choose Ilulissat.
7–12 days
Combine both.
Fly into Nuuk. Spend 2–3 nights.
Then either fly or ferry to Ilulissat for 3–4 nights.
This gives you a fuller picture of Greenland:
Culture
Fjord landscapes
Icebergs
Hiking
Boat tours
More than 12 days
Add additional coastal stops via ferry. Greenland rewards slower travel.
Kalaalllit people
The Inuit people of Greenland — known locally as Kalaallit — aren’t just welcoming; they carry a quiet resilience. There’s a steady, grounded confidence in the way they navigate daily life, shaped by generations of adapting to one of the planet’s most demanding environments.
Pic: Mural art in Nuuk
🇬🇱 So… Nuuk or Ilulissat?
Taking the ferry between Nuuk and Ilulissat offers the best of both worlds, and an unforgettable journey in between
Choose Nuuk if:
You want culture + Arctic city life
You prefer smoother logistics
It’s your first time in Greenland
Choose Ilulissat if:
You want iconic iceberg scenery
You don’t mind limited accommodation
You’re chasing that classic Arctic image
But honestly? The best experience is combining both. They don’t compete. They complement each other.
Nuuk shows you how Greenland lives. Ilulissat shows you why Greenland feels otherworldly.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Getting rescued in Greenland, and in the Arctic in general, can cost a lot. Our travel partner HeyMondo offers insurance that covers adventurous activities, and if you book through our link, you’ll get 5% off (up to 15% with seasonal offers).
If you’re serious about planning the full route — including ferry timing, accommodation sequencing, and realistic pacing — start with our complete Greenland travel guide where we map out exactly how we structured the trip.
🌍 Plan Your Greenland Adventure
✈️ Find flights to Greenland — fly into Nuuk, Ilulissat, or Kangerlussuaq from Iceland or Denmark.
🚢 Book your Arctic Umiaq Line ferry — the most unforgettable way to see the coast.
🏨 Find hotels in Greenland — from iceberg-view lodges to colorful harbors.
🧭 Heymondo Travel Insurance (5–15% off) — reliable coverage for the world’s wildest weather.
🧳 Arctic gear— check our travel essentials on Amazon.
🐾 Fahlo Wildlife Bracelets (20% off) — track a real Arctic animal and stay connected to the north.
💬 FAQ — Nuuk or Ilulissat
Is Nuuk or Ilulissat better for first-time visitors?
For first-time visitors, Nuuk is often easier logistically because it’s the main international gateway and offers more infrastructure. Ilulissat is better if your main goal is seeing icebergs and dramatic Arctic landscapes. Many travelers combine both.
Can you travel between Nuuk and Ilulissat?
Yes. You can travel between Nuuk and Ilulissat by domestic flight or by the Arctic Umiaq Line ferry along the west coast. Flights are faster; the ferry is slower but scenic and part of the experience.
How many days do you need in Nuuk?
Most travelers spend 2–4 nights in Nuuk. This allows time for a fjord boat tour, cultural visits, and hiking without rushing.
How many days do you need in Ilulissat?
Plan 3–4 nights in Ilulissat. This gives you time for the Icefjord hike, at least one boat tour among icebergs, and flexibility for weather.
Is Ilulissat more expensive than Nuuk?
Both towns are expensive, especially in summer. Ilulissat can feel slightly more expensive due to limited accommodation and high demand during peak season.
Is it worth combining Nuuk and Ilulissat?
Yes. Combining both offers a fuller experience of Greenland — culture and city life in Nuuk, and iconic iceberg scenery in Ilulissat. If time allows, this is the most rewarding option.
Choosing between Nuuk and Ilulissat isn’t really about which one is “better.”
It’s about what kind of Greenland you want to experience.
Nuuk shows you how Greenland lives today — creative, evolving, deeply rooted in culture yet looking outward. It’s fjords, museums, cafés, and modern Arctic identity.
Ilulissat is the Greenland of imagination — towering icebergs, silent glaciers, hiking trails overlooking drifting giants.
If you’re short on time, choose based on your priority: culture or ice.
But if you can, combine both. Start in Nuuk, then continue north to Ilulissat — ideally by ferry if you want the full coastal experience. That combination gives you context and drama, daily life and raw landscape.
Greenland rewards thoughtful planning. Accommodation is limited, transport requires coordination, and peak summer books out months ahead.
Ready to dig deeper? We’ve got dedicated guides:
🧭 Nuuk Travel Guide
🇬🇱 Greenland Travel Guide
🧊 Ilulissat Travel Guide
⛴ Greenland by Ferry
🏨 Best Hotels in Nuuk
🧳 Packing for Greenland
💸 How to travel cheaper in Greenland and anywhere else
And while you’re planning, get in the Greenlandic mood with some Kalaallisut music:
