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Here’s the best time to visit Ilulissat

The insider tips about summer, winter and a few alternative locations!

When most people consider visiting Greenland for real, a quick trawl of the internet points them to Ilulissat in Disko Bay. Practically, it is one of the easiest destinations to visit as it is where tourism is most developed. In town, there is a wide array of accommodation, restaurants, shopping and tour opportunities to choose from. It also has all of the magical nature the country has to offer in the contrasting seasons – dog sledding, northern lights, the midnight sun, whales, and of course, icebergs. Its drawcard is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ilulissat Icefjord.

Summer in Ilulissat

For anyone who does further research about this place, it is clear that there are two main seasons to visit – summer and winter. Summer is by default what beckons most tourists. The lure of spouting whales, hiking and kayaking under the midnight sun are rather tantalising and, as some say, otherworldly. And it is relatively easier these days to fly in via Denmark and Iceland.

While it does not quite host the masses of Iceland, Ilulissat has its own version of a peak season during June to September. Hotel rooms book out like hotcakes when the midnight sun shines. Ilulissat in summer also means more tourists, peak season prices and maybe most surprisingly, mosquitoes in July. So if you would like to experience Greenland when the calendar is clear of mosquitoes and there are less tourists, try any other time.

Winter is calling

Here is a secret for you – Ilulissat might be even better in the winter. For one, there are less tourists. For another, there are definitely no mosquitoes or other tiny critters. The stunning silence of a thick snowy terrain, speckled by a few howls of the Greenlandic dog, is an experience everyone should try at least once in their lives. In the earlier centuries, too much ice in the sea made it risky to sail near Greenland when temperatures dropped. Planes have enabled travel during this formerly inaccessible time.

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Package Tours

Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,812
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Greenland Tours: Northern Lights & Icebergs

Greenland Tours

Northern Lights & Icebergs

4 days in Ilulissat incl. dog sledding & Northern Lights tour

FROM €830
Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
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Don’t miss Hotel Arctic’s spectacular food

During summer, Hotel Arctic offers the full tasting experience that Greenland has to offer from fresh seafood to land animals like reindeer and musk ox.

• On Monday there is a Greenlandic buffet in Restaurant Ulo
• On Thursday there is a Greenlandic bbq on the terrace

No time?

Try the Express Tour and see 3 highlights of Greenland in 4 days, including the Ilulissat Icefjord. Or consider a long weekend during winter with Greenland Travel.

  • The high season to visit is in summer from June to September.

  • The most popular time to visit in winter is from February to late April.

  • For the sake of simplicity, Greenland has two main tourist seasons. Summer in Greenland is the period when there is no thick layer of snow on the ground. This is usually from June to September. The rest of the year is defined as winter. However, there are always nuances to the seasons, and the amount of light changes constantly.

Get to Ilulissat

You can reach the Disko Bay area by plane and cruise. Air Greenland flies to Ilulissat via Copenhagen and Keflavik Airports. Cruising during summertime is also a popular method of exploring the bay!

Celebrations in Deep Winter

For those seeking something even more unique, try visiting Ilulissat in December and January. This is the darkest time of the year, but you will probably be surprised that there is still light and how everyday life can be. These events are worth experiencing:

• Celebrate the New Year overlooking the ice fjord. Greenland Travel offers a New Year package where one celebrates new beginnings overlooking the icefjord.

• The Return of the Sun in early January is also a cultural event where the locals gather to watch the first peep of the sun in many months. There is no specific tour created for this event but it is a special occasion for the locals.

The most popular time to visit Ilulissat in winter is during February to late April. Daylight returns to what most of the world would consider ‘normal’ hours, and the northern lights still brighten the night sky. After a few months of thick snowfall, the white terrain is also ideal for dog sledding and ice fishing.

Visit Disko Bay

Spread your wings in Disko Bay! Consider diversifying your trip and spending a few days in the following places:

• Ilimanaq offers a settlement experience with a touch of luxury. While you can try and live life like a local in this small community, you can also retreat to the Ilimanaq lodge.

• Oqaatsut is a typical settlement in Greenland within easy reach of Ilulissat. One can either hike 22 kilometres from town or take alternative transportation to reach this charming place.

• Eqi glacier – this huge iceberg producing glacier is worth in the very least a visit, if not an overnight stay!

• Aasiaat is a historical town that can be reached via the coastal ferry Sarfaq Ittuk, Disko Line boat transfer and Air Greenland flights. Pods of whales have been seen from the coast, and there are many sailing adventures to be had. Aasiaat becomes a cross-country skiing haven in the winter.

• Qeqertarsuaq is full of natural wonders and the only place where there is a chance of dog sledding in the summer.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Boat Tours
  • Dog Sledding
  • Icebergs
  • Ilulissat
  • Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Midnight Sun
  • North Greenland
  • Northern Lights
  • Summer
  • The Ice Sheet
  • Whale Watching
  • Winter

By Tanny Por

Tanny is a world citizen who helps to share the outside - inside perspective of travelling in Greenland. She also works with strategic initiatives in the areas of content marketing and destination development for Visit Greenland.

https://thefourthcontinent.com/

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