Why You Should Visit Ilulissat, Greenland: The Iceberg Capital of the World
A childhood dream come true, looking at the mighty icebergs of Icefjord!
Icebergs that groan and crack like thunder. Midnight suns that never set. Sled dogs howling across the frozen fjord. Welcome to Ilulissat: Greenland’s jaw-dropping, iceberg-studded west coast town where nature doesn’t just whisper—it roars.
Nuuk might be Greenland’s capital. But Ilulissat? Ilulissat is the showstopper. The drama queen. The main event. It’s the number 1 tourist destination in Greenland, and there’s a good reason for that.
At a young age, I (Eli) saw a documentary about Disko Bay and always remembered. So, seeing these icy giants 3 decades later was a dream come true. And there’s no word to describe a feeling like that, but we will try our best.
So, where is Ilulissat?
You’ll find Ilulissat on Greenland’s western coast, about 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. It’s the third-largest town in Greenland, but don’t expect a metropolis. With around 4,500 residents and thousands of sled dogs, Ilulissat feels more like a frontier outpost than a city. And that’s precisely why it’s magic.
Ilulissat means “icebergs” in Kalaallisut, and it absolutely lives up to the name. The town sits right next to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site—and home to one of the fastest-moving glaciers in the world, Sermeq Kujalleq.
The result? A surreal seascape of icebergs the size of apartment buildings drifting silently through the bay. No filter necessary.
Did you know?
Ilulissat has a population of about 4,500 people — and over 5,000 sled dogs. That’s right: more paws than humans.
These aren’t your typical cuddle pups. They’re Greenlandic sled dogs, bred for strength, stamina, and serious Arctic survival skills. They don’t fetch or do tricks. But they will stare deep into your soul and remind you who really runs this town.
Respect the space and don’t pet without permission — so hard, we know, look at this little face!
What makes Ilulissat special?
Let’s start with the obvious: the ice. It’s everywhere. Floating by your hotel window. Groaning in the distance. Cracking into the sea like an avalanche in slow motion. And because Ilulissat sits right next to the calving face of a major glacier, you’re not just seeing ancient ice — you’re hearing it break, feeling it move, and smelling the cold.
But beyond the spectacle, Ilulissat is a town with deep Indigenous roots, rich traditions, and people who live close to the land and sea. It’s a place where kids play among sled dogs, the grocery store stocks seal meat next to Danish cookies, and the rhythms of life are dictated by weather, tides, and ice. And a place where locals smile at you in the street for no reason.
How to get to Ilulissat?
By air
Short answer: you fly. Long answer: you fly twice.
There are no roads connecting Greenland’s towns, and Ilulissat is no exception. You’ll need to catch a domestic flight from one of the main entry hubs — usually:
Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq or Nuuk, then Kangerlussuaq or Nuuk to Ilulissat
Or Reykjavík to Nuuk, then Nuuk to Ilulissat (seasonal and weather-dependent)
We booked a connecting flight from Copenhagen to Ilulissat via Nuuk with Air Greenland. Flights to Greenland are limited, pricey, and wildly dependent on weather, so flexibility is key. If your itinerary includes tight connections, you’re doing it wrong. Build in buffer days and lean into the unpredictability—it’s part of the adventure.
By ferry
The Arctic Umiaq Ferry Line stops in Ilulissat. It’s not just transport — it’s a voyage. Think: multi-day cruise meets slow-travel fever dream. The ferry winds its way up the west coast, weaving past fishing villages, iceberg fields, and fjords so still they look fake.
You’ll trade speed for soul: cozy bunks or cabins, local food, and the kind of conversations you only have when there’s no Wi-Fi and all you can do is stare out at the ice. Brushing your teeth while a cathedral-sized iceberg drifts by? Bucket list stuff. We traveled from Ilulissat to Nuuk and absolutely loved it.
What to do in Ilulissat
Most visitors arrive on a cruise ship and only stop for a day. And that’s a shame! We believe that you can’t really get a true feeling of a destination if you don’t spend a few days there and take it slow. No matter as small it is! And if you plan ahead of time and travel outside of the peak season, you won’t need to spend a fortune on accommodation.
There’s no such thing as “just one thing to do” in Ilulissat. This is a choose-your-own-epic kind of destination. Whether you’re here to hike, cruise, mush, or marvel — you won’t run out of jaw-dropping options.
Hike the Icefjord trails
The Ilulissat Icefjord hiking trails are just mind blowing and surprisingly accessible. In winter, you’ll need snowshoes and spikes.
You’ve got three main routes:
Yellow trail: The easiest, with mind blowing views. We could walk it even with snow.
Red trail: A moderate hike that loops along the coast with stunning views over the fjord.
Blue trail: The longest, with Arctic tundra and constant iceberg drama in the background. Unfortunately, there was too much ice on the trail when we attempted to walk it.
Pack snacks. Charge your phone. You’ll want to stop every five seconds to take photos — and then realize none of them do it justice.
Boat tour through a frozen maze
Ok, if you go to Ilulissat, you HAVE to do this. Boat tours here are unreal. You’ll glide through iceberg alleyways, sometimes between walls of ice taller than building. We booked a local operator and they had to reschedule due to too much ice breaking after a sunny day. And we were lucky enough to be the only passengers! (it was April, it’s unlikely in high season). The captain, born and raised in Ilulissat, told us a lot of cool stuff about ice and Greenland.
Options include:
Midnight sun cruises in summer (imagine golden light on electric-blue icebergs at 1 a.m.)
Sunset sailings in late fall or early spring (perfect for photographers or romantics)
Whale-watching trips in summer (humpbacks sometimes hang out here in season)
Icefjord tours that bring you right up to the glacier mouth on a boat or a kayak — within safe (ish) distance, of course.
Get to know the sled dogs
Ilulissat has thousands of sled dogs, and they’re not pets — they’re working animals. But several local kennels offer dog-sledding experiences in winter and meet-the-dogs visits in summer.
In colder months, you can ride out over the frozen fjord behind a pack of howling huskies. It’s loud, wild, a little bumpy, and absolutely unforgettable. It was already too hot and part of the snow had melted when we were there, so dog-sledding was not an option. But this is always our favorite activity every time we go to Lapland!
In warmer seasons, you can still visit the dogs, learn how they’re trained, and hear what it’s like to live and work with them.
Penguin Trampoline tip:
Before you put on your hiking boots or hop on your sled, remember to book a travel insurance! In the Arctic, a simple injury like a twisted ankle can escalate into a costly rescue operation. Our travel partner, Heymondo, offers insurance that covers adventurous activities like snowmobiling and dog sledding. By booking through our link, you’ll receive a 5% discount.
Discover ancient Inuit history
A short walk from town takes you to Sermermiut Valley, an old Inuit settlement site with ruins dating back over 2,000 years. The area was home to several different Arctic cultures over the centuries, and today, you can wander through the valley on a raised boardwalk to panoramic views of the Icefjord.
Go with a guide if you can. They’ll help you read the landscape — and give you all the best stories.
Visit the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre
If the glacier is the star of the show, the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre is your backstage pass. This sleek, glass-and-wood building just outside town is part museum, part architectural marvel, and part immersive experience.
Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits on climate, culture, ice science, and how the glacier has shaped life in Greenland for thousands of years. There’s even a suspended, whale-shaped viewing platform for soaking in the real thing outside. Greet the sled dogs on your way up!
Eat like a Greenlander
We love Arctic food, and Greenlandic cuisine is no exception: simple, local, and fiercely seasonal. In Ilulissat, you’ll find fresh fish, wild-caught game, and some surprisingly good restaurants for such a small town. Some hotels have Greenlandic buffet a couple of times of month, so walk around and check the dates!
Sustainable for 4500 years
You’re likely to see seal and whale on the menu. In Greenland, these aren’t trophies. They’re tradition. Food, clothing, fuel. Hunting here isn’t about sport; it’s about survival. It’s community-led, tightly regulated, and extremely sustainable. Nothing gets wasted. Meat feeds families, fat becomes oil, fur turns into winter gear, and bones are carved into tools or art. It’s a cycle of respect, necessity, and skill.
We had awesome Smørrebrød with reindeer, smoked halibut and fresh fish, as well as a musk ox burger, at Hotel Hvide Falk, and they let us visit the upper floors showcasing the amazing work of Greenlandic painters. For a quick bite and a lovely chat with the owner and team, head to Ilulissat Coffeeshop.
Walk around
Who has the best view in Ilulissat?
Ilulissat is a town best explored on foot. Wander through its colorful streets, where each turn offers a new perspective of the vibrant houses set against the icy backdrop. Pop into local shops like the Glaciershop, where you can find handcrafted items and unique souvenirs. Don't miss the iconic Zion Church, a historic wooden structure that stands as a testament to the town's rich heritage. As you stroll, you'll likely encounter friendly locals who are always up for a chat, offering insights into daily life in this Arctic town. And with the ever-present views of Disko Bay and its majestic icebergs, every walk feels like a scenic adventure!
When to go?
Every season has its own magic — and yes, the weather is a little bonkers. But that’s part of the fun. Wondering what to pack for each season? Check our Ultimate Arctic Travel Guide.
Summer (June–August): Midnight sun, warmer temps (think 8–15°C), best hiking, iceberg boat tours in full swing.
Fall (September–October): Fewer tourists, golden tundra, fresh air, and a high chance of Northern Lights starting mid-September.
Winter (November–March): Dog sledding, snowshoeing, and the real Arctic experience. It’s cold (well below freezing) and mostly dark — but absolutely magical.
Spring (April–May): Longer days, still snowy, perfect for catching the last of the winter wonderland while having a taste of the crazy midnight sun without going insane. And before mid-May, flights and ferries are cheaper, and there are more accommodation options.
Where to stay?
You won’t find any skyscrapers or all-inclusive resorts in Ilulissat—and thank Greenland for that. Accommodations are charming, intimate, and often come with iceberg views straight from your pillow. There are a couple of upscale hotels, but the rest is relatively affordable, especially if you don’t travel in summer.
If you’ve been reading us for a while, you know we are obsessed by accommodations with a view. So, we booked a cabin right by the fjord, with an insane view over the icebergs and a terrace to enjoy northern lights or sunny days!Also, eating out is not cheap in Greenland (and in the Arctic in general), so we always book an accommodation with a kitchen. It’s actually one of our travel saving tips! Wake up with icebergs (and sled dog playing in front of your window), eat with icebergs, shower with icebergs, sleep with icebergs, repeat.
Get in the Ilulissat mood with some Kalaallisut music:
You’ll never forget Ilulissat. Because where else in the world can you drink coffee on a balcony while watching 10,000-year-old icebergs float by? Walk among thousands of howling sled dogs?
Ilulissat isn’t just a destination. It’s a feeling. A reminder that we’re so, so small, the Earth is wild, and the best moments are the ones that shake you awake.
We came for the views. We stayed for the silence and the people. We left with a little piece of Greenland lodged somewhere deep in our souls.
Go now — before the ice melts and more flights open up.
Ready to dig deeper? We’ve got dedicated guides (some coming soon):
🧭 Greenland Travel Guide
🏘️ Nuuk Travel Guide
⛴ [Greenland by Ferry]
🧳 [Packing for Greenland]
💸 [How much does Greenland cost? Saving Guide]
