Ilulissat

During summer, watch and listen carefully for whale blows as you hike, sail, or kayak on a day tour or multi-day tour, you can even experience this as you relax at your hotel in Ilulissat or eat your dinner. The giants of the sea are as common as international visitors during the warmer months and announce their location loudly! For the best and closest views (while still maintaining a respectful distance), join a specific whale watching tour that takes you to where they were last seen and where your guide will explain the different types of whales that frequent Disko Bay.

A whale safari near Ilulissat. Photo by Mads Pihl

The eternal summer days that culminate in the Midnight Sun are also perfect for fishing (cod and redfish – make sure you purchase a fishing license first) and exploring the Ilulissat backcountry on foot. The most popular hike is to the Ilulissat Icefjord along the boardwalk that passes through the Valley. This location has sheltered countless generations of Inuit over thousands of years, and remnants from those times can be seen on a guided tour. There are also two other well-marked loop trails that allow you to explore different aspects of the Ilulissat Icefjord, and you can even sign up to go hiking with Greenlandic sled dogs.

Two hikers on the boardwalk in Sermermiut by the Ilulissat Icefjord. Photo by Mads Pihl

The Ilulissat Icefjord takes on a different character as the snow falls and the sea freezes. Although the Sun never makes it above the horizon for 6 weeks of the year, the days are characterised by a perpetual twilight that adds an air of mystery to the landscape. Join an expert musher for an unforgettable dog sledding experience as powerful Greenlandic sled dogs pull you across the landscape around Ilulissat in this most ancient of traditions. This mode of transportation is still favoured by hunters and local families and is one of the Big Arctic 5 adventures for visitors.
If you are keen to range further afield and explore other backcountry areas on a day tour around Ilulissat then snowmobiling excursions are also a possibility. While snowmobiles are not allowed near the Icefjord due to its protection by UNESCO, they are a great way to get the adrenaline pumping in the hills around Ilulissat. Other winter adventures include scenic flights, ice fishing and snowshoeing, and excursions out to the darkest sites near Ilulissat for the best views of the magical Northern Lights.

Tourists taking photos on a dogsledding trip in Ilulissat. Photo by Rebecca Gustafsson

Finally, although it is difficult to tear yourself away from the natural highlights of Ilulissat, don’t forget that the city and its people are interesting in their own right. Sign up for a city walk around Ilulissat as soon as possible after you arrive to get your bearings and learn a little about the area. And join a local Greenlandic family for a Kaffemik – a traditional get-together – where you can enjoy their hospitality over coffee, cake, and stories of life in Greenland.

An icon of Ilulissat is the beautiful wooden Zion’s Church (more typically thought of as the Ilulissat Church). Although it is not generally open except for mass, its waterfront views of the enormous icebergs floating in Disko Bay make it one of the most photographed buildings in all of Greenland.

The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre. Photo by Adam Mork

Just up from this landmark is the Ilulissat Museum. Housed within the old seminary, it features exhibitions on polar exploration (especially by its favourite son – Knud Rasmussen) and local history, including the importance of the Sermermiut Valley. An extension of this is the Ilulissat Art Museum, which is located just above the harbour in the old colony manager’s residence. Here you will find a permanent collection of works by Emanuel A. Petersen (one of the most prolific painters of Greenland), as well as local and international temporary exhibitions.

The Ilulissat Art Museum. Photo – Filip Gielda

Of course, there is always the Icefjord. Visit the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre to learn about the history of ice and the icefjord and how climate change is affecting the locals living off and along the world-famous icefjord. Follow the boardwalk for the quickest and easiest access, hike the yellow trail with its views over Disko Bay, or follow the blue trail that takes you further along the Icefjord and returns to Ilulissat via hilltop lakes and an impressive rock cutting.