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Ilulissat
Nature, dog sledding, and cultural exploration await you in this iceberg paradise.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG
Every town has a claim to fame, and in Ilulissat it is the icebergs, without a doubt. But you need more than a few helping hands to count all the reasons why Ilulissat is more than just icebergs. Nature lovers will be drawn to hiking in the hills by the call of the wilderness. We dare you to try to find a camping spot that doesn’t impress. In town and in nearby villages, city museums and local cuisine will whet even the most discerning palates.
ICEBERG PARADISE
In Ilulissat, not one moment passes that you forget your proximity to the dynamic sculpture gallery of icebergs just outside town. Even when you close your eyes, the icebergs’ soundtrack of cracking and rumbling echoes from one end of Ilulissat to the other.
There is no wrong way to experience icebergs, but just as one needs two eyes for accurate perception, you need multiple adventures to understand the icebergs in Ilulissat. It is only after you have marveled at their chiseled shapes from the air, felt tiny while sailing past them on boat tours, and smelled their sweet scent while hiking along the UNESCO World Heritage Site that you can grasp the full character of Ilulissat’s icebergs.
DOG SLEDDING IN ILULISSAT
Winter in Ilulissat means dog sledding – a favorite amongst all residents, human and canine. When the mercury rises too high, locals often make jokes by sniffling and sneezing as though they are sick. Ask them what ails them, and they will cheekily respond that they are allergic to summer! Just as the sled dogs are pulling at the chains at the first whiff of snow, the mushers also greatly anticipate the start of dog sledding season.
The sled dogs energize the whole space, and you get a jolt of power as you sit on the sled for your personal Iditarod adventure. Sled dogs are just happy to run, and they pay no attention to whether their precious cargo is eager tourist or a stack of Greenlandic halibut. Centuries of pacing over thick sea ice and powdery terrain course through their blood so just hold on tight and let them carry you like they were born to do.
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Ilulissat was founded in 1741 as Jakobshavn. With approximately 4530 residents, it is the third largest town in Greenland.
Ilulissat has 4 surrounding villages and 3500 sled dogs.
Knud Rasmussen was born in Ilulissat, and his house is now a museum dedicated to his life and expeditions.
Ilulissat means ‘icebergs’.
Icebergs in Disko Bay come from the Ilulissat glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, the world’s fastest glacier. It advances 40 meters daily and creates 46 cubic kilometers of icebergs annually.
The iceberg that sank Titanic was probably born in Ilulissat.
There are 3- and 4-star hotels in Ilulissat, and 5-star conference facilities. There are also hostel and apartment accommodations.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
The phone number to the Hospital in Ilulissat is: (+299) 94 71 70
The phone number to the local police is: (+299) 94 32 22
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.
There is so much more to Ilulissat than its name reveals. One of its many runner-up nicknames is the Gastronome’s Getaway as there is a different cuisine for every night. Down at the harbor, next to the Ilulissat glacier, and out in the villages, barbecues wait for a feast of fresh ingredients to land on their flaming grills.
Today Ilulissat welcomes adventurers from every corner of the world, but Humpback whales were the very first summer visitors. Whale watching boat tours let you see the whales while they play hide-and-seek in their natural playground.
But don’t forget the players on land, too. Greenlanders have a competitive spirit and cheering voices roar from the sports hall and football field on many a Saturday morning. The community support runs deep in Ilulissat as family members and friends stand on the sidelines cloaked in team colors. Good music and a lively polka dance is the perfect end to the day.
“Ilulissat is really lively and the people seem to be happy. I thought I would be impressed by the nature and the scenery, but I did not expect to be impressed by the town itself!”
Plan your trip
How to get there
Commercial airlines are the only way for travelers to get to Greenland, served by airports in Denmark and Iceland unless you arrive with a cruise ship.
How to get around
Read about boats, helicopters and planes that tie the country together in a web of sea and air connections operated by both large and small scale operators.
Where to sleep
Read about accommodation possibilities in Greenland - where is it possible to stay for longer or shorter period of time.
When to go
Summer is a season of the midnight sun, while winter is for dog sledding, northern lights, ski trips, and star gazing. Read more.
Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island
Greenland’s on your bucket list for the new year - or perhaps even the year after - but when is the best time to visit Greenland and what are useful things to know before going? What are things to do in Greenland in winter as opposed to summer?