Ittoqqortoormiit
Embraced by the world's largest fjord system and the largest national park in the world, Ittoqqortoormiit is a haven for arctic wildlife and remotes adventurers. Ittoqqortoormiit will celebrate its 100-year jubilee in 2025.
Quick facts
Facts about Ittoqqortoormiit
Name (Greenlandic):
Ittoqqortoormiit
Name (danish):
Scoresbysund
Region in Greenland:
East Greenland
Coordinates:
70°29′07″N 21°58′00″W
Postcode:
3980
Airport code:
OBY
Population:
353 (2023)
Municipality:
Sermersooq
View map- Ittoqqortoormiit has its own time zone GMT-1. Most of the rest of Greenland uses GMT-3.
- Only the Danish Sirius patrol and a small number of hunters from Ittoqqortoormiit are allowed to enter the North-east national park without special permission
- Ittoqqortoormiit is the closest inhabited place to Greenland’s highest mountain – Gunnbjørn’s Mountain (3,694m). Located in the North-East National Park, this is also the highest peak above the Arctic Circle.
- The people of East Greenland speak a different dialect to those in other parts of the country, though most can also speak the official language of West Greenlandic
- Ittoqqortoormiit means “the place with the big houses” in the East Greenlandic dialect. Its Danish name was Scoresbysund (Scoresby Sound) when it was a colony, for Arctic explorer and whaler William Scoresby.
Useful information
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT WEATHER
Tips
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Ittoqqortoormiit has one Pilersuisoq supermarket that stocks a little of everything. You should aim to bring all your outdoor equipment with you, or you can rent equipment from the local tour operator.
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Souvenirs: Nanu Travel and the Majoriaq’s Artshop sell souvenirs
Closest ports of entry:
Tourist information:
Useful phone numbers:
Police
(+299) 70 12 25
Hospital
(+299) 99 10 11
Why Ittoqqortoormiit
The most isolated town in Greenland, Ittoqqortoormiit’s neighbours include the World’s largest national park to the north and the World’s largest fjord system to the south. Ittoqqortoormiit’s backyard is an unspoiled, pristine wilderness where wild animals thrive, millions of seabirds nest, enormous icebergs form a constantly changing sculpture gallery, and local hunters still follow the ancient traditions. Ittoqqortoormiit is the best place in Greenland to experience the traditional Inuit style of living and where you have the highest chance/risk of meeting a polar bear.
