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  • Massive iceberg grounded at the mouth of Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo by Samuel Letecheur, Visit Greenland

A day in Ilulissat and how it earned the nickname I-luv-lissat

It’s not hard to understand why Ilulissat is the most popular travelers’ destination in Greenland. The name of the town literally translates to ‘Icebergs’, but adventurers at heart long time ago have nicknamed it Iluvlissat!

The warm feelings and sentiments towards this Arctic paradise’s ice cold, immense and iconic icebergs is something most people experience during the course of typically four to five days’ of stay – enough time to get in sync with the slow pace with which the icebergs flow from the Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But travel patterns change and some prefer to stay less time at one place to be able to visit more places during their vacation. If you are that person, we bring you a clear-cut top 3 of what to see and do even if you only have one single day for your adventures.

The Icefjord Hike

Look out of the window of your aircraft minutes before you land, and you will know which direction to go after touchdown. Take a cab to save you time – just tell the driver “to Sermermiut”. Literally 10 minutes after you will find yourself walking towards the Icefjord and the old settlement place of Sermermiut, where the only man-made structures are the wooden pathway there and a couple of ’kissing benches’ facing the icebergs.

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Package Tours

Greenland by Topas – Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Greenland by Topas

Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Experience Disko Island’s glaciers, Disko Bay’s huge icebergs and legendary whales, then further north, Eqi Glacier's deafening calving events.

FROM €3,615
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A Taste of Fjords and Fells

You don’t want to miss out on sensing what Ilulissat tastes like, and by that we’re not referring to the crisp and clean icebergs, but the closest restaurant to the Icefjord area, i.e. Mamartut, which by the way means ’Tasty Goods’. Don’t take Tripadvisor’s or the chef’s word for it, but go have lunch there and savor their local dishes and delicacies.

Get Ice Cool Perspective

In the afternoon or evening, it’s time to get some perspective, and what better way is there than the waterway! So hop onboard that boat and join one of the most iconic ways of getting much closer to the icebergs: An evening boat and iceberg sightseeing trip.  If there ever was an evergreen excursion in Greenland, this is one. It will make you understand why this place earned its nickname in the first place!

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • Hiking
  • Icebergs
  • Ilulissat
  • Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Natural Experiences
  • North Greenland
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Malik Milfeldt

Malik has traveled extensively in Greenland and visited many towns and settlements, from Siorapaluk in the high North to Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland. He grew up in the dogsled district - the scenic iceberg capital of Ilulissat, and coined the town's nickname 'Ilovelissat'. He believes that the real reason the country is called Greenland is due to the aurora borealis that dances over the sky from September to April.

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Walk on path along coastline of Nuuk. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

Greenland’s modern path to independence

Many people ask if Greenland is considered a country. Others question, Why does Denmark own Greenland? Read on to get a snapshot of Greenland’s political status and the historical background of Greenland’s road to independence.

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Whale Art by Aka Høegh, Qaqortoq. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

The Greenlandic hunting culture and the Bowhead Whale – a portrait

The Bowhead Whale can boast not only of its appearance in Season 4 of Borgen, but also of its status as the world's most padded baleen whale, and its history of coming close to extinction.

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Nukissiorfiit worker is moving ice with poclain in Qaanaaq. Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland

When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

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Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

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