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What makes Sisimiut special?
Nature beings. This phrase cut to the core of Sisimiut’s reputation as Greenland’s adventure travel hub. Its wide valleys and steep mountains entice hikers and cross-country skiers from around the world, drawing them to its spectacular backcountry with the promise of unrivaled views and freedom to roam through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Aasivissuit – Nipisat area.
Beyond the wilderness, Sisimiut is the second-largest city in Greenland and a contrast of modern culture and ancient traditions. Travel as the Inuit did and experience Greenland’s unique sled dog culture by day, then swap your sealskin outerwear and dress up in your best outfit to attend a modern artistic performance at the Taseralik Culture Centre in the evening.
How to get to Sisimiut
Sisimiut is located just above the Arctic Circle on the west coast of Greenland. There are no direct international flights, so you must first fly to Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq, and then onto Sisimiut from there. If you are already in Greenland, you may be able to find a flight from Ilulissat that touches down in Sisimiut en-route to elsewhere.
If you would prefer to travel by sea, you can catch the Sarfaq Ittuk passenger ferry that has a weekly round trip from South Greenland to Disko Bay along the west coast. Or, for an more all-inclusive experience, Sisimiut is one of the key cruise ship ports in Greenland.
With an enormous backcountry to explore, Sisimiut is a year-round destination – especially for outdoor adventurers. The best times to visit are: January – April (dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, skiing, northern lights), June – October (hiking, kayaking, boat tours, fishing), May and October – December for off-season conferences.
Sisimiut also hosts two big events each year. The Arctic Circle Race (March) is often regarded as the toughest ski race in the world, Arctic Sounds (April) celebrates music from Greenland and other countries in the world.
How to get around Sisimiut
The main areas of Sisimiut that are of interest to visitors are stretched out along a single road that climbs fairly steeply from the harbour. Walking is the most common way of getting around, but you can also rent bicycles, call a taxi, or catch the bus that loops through most of the town and calls past each stop every 20 minutes.
For excursions in the area, the most common way to get around is with a boat (all year) or on foot (summer). In winter, you can rent skis and snowshoes, or travel with dog sled or snowmobile if you want to explore further afield.
Useful phone numbers
- Police (+299) 86 42 22
- Hospital (+299) 86 42 11
- Taxi (+299) 86 55 33
What to do in Sisimiut
Gateway to an enormous backcountry of glacial valleys and mountains, it is not surprising that Sisimiut is a haven for hikers during the summer and cross-country skiers, snowmobilers and dog sledders during the winter. This reputation is further cemented with the town hosting both the Arctic Hiking Festival (July) and the Arctic Circle Race (March) – two of the largest outdoor sporting events in Greenland each year.
You don’t have to be an athlete, however, to enjoy the pristine wilderness. Sisimiut has several well-marked hiking trails that range from only a few hours (Palasip Qaqqaa – the mountain behind the airport – is the most popular) to the multi-day, 160km long Arctic Circle Trail that stretches all the way to Kangerlussuaq. You can also undertake this epic journey in winter on a dog sled, snowmobile, or even a fat bike (a bicycle with fat tires designed for snowy conditions).
If you prefer a shorter winter excursion in Sisimiut, there is a wide range of dog sled and snowmobile tours to choose from, including snowmobiling to the top of downhill ski runs on Alanngorsuaq Mountain for an amazing view over Sisimiut. Alternatively, you can strap on snowshoes and blaze your own trail through the powdery snow. This is a great way to reach the outskirts of town for the best views of the Northern Lights (though you can also see them from in town).
For those to prefer to be on the water, during summer there are boat excursions from Sisimiut to UNESCO sites and abandoned settlements (such as Assaqutaq), as well as specially designed whale watching tours. Alternatively, try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding or paddling a traditional Greenlandic kayak. You can even go kayaking during the winter in Sisimiut.
Fishing and big game hunting are both integral to life in Sisimiut and there are opportunities for visitors to join locals and learn about Greenlandic sustainable practices. Purchase a fishing license and take a boat trip to catch cod, wolffish, halibut, or snow crab. Discover one of Sisimiut’s untouched streams where Arctic Char and Salmon abound at the right time of year. Or join a registered hunting trip (permit included) to stalk caribou (reindeer) and musk ox during the allowed seasons.
Self-guided activities in Sisimiut
Although Sisimiut is a magnet for outdoor adventurers, there is plenty to keep you occupied if you are after a more relaxed experience or you are taking a rest day.
By far the best way to learn about Sisimiut and its surrounding area is to join one of the guided city walking or e-bike tours. Your guide will introduce you to interesting details that you would otherwise overlook, explain the importance of sites and objects, and answer all of your questions – including about Greenland in general.
However, if you are unable to join one of these tours, there are a couple of town walking tours available from the Hotel Sisimiut. These will lead you into areas that you probably wouldn’t explore for yourself, and they offer a 1 sentence summary of each point of interest.
Good to know
- The former prime minister of Greenland, Hans Enoksen, is from the nearby settlement of Itilleq
- Sisimiut lies just outside of the Aasivissuit – Nipisat UNESCO World Heritage-listed cultural area – the Inuit Hunting Ground between Ice and Sea
- There is a more southerly variant on the traditional route for the 160km long Arctic Circle trail. It is much less travelled, but offers different scenery with views over the Ikertoq Fjord and takes you very close to the small settlement of Sarfannguit.
- Sisimiut means “”the people living in a place where there are fox dens”” in the Greenlandic language. Its Danish name was “”Holsteinsborg””, which means “Holsteins’ castle/fort” for the Danish Count Johan Ludvig Holstein, when it was a colony.
- Sisimiut is the second biggest town in Greenland after Nuuk.
- Sisimiut has two large supermarkets (Brugseni, Pisiffik) in the main part of town, as well as several smaller convenience stores in other parts of the town.
- For a wide selection of souvenirs, your best options are the Hotel Sisimiut, Hotel Søma Sisimiut, and Mersortarfik Panigiit (which specialises in sealskin products and Greenlandic minerals). Alternatively, you can buy directly from the artisans at the Artisan workshop, or Savituut, in the harbour.
- Although Sisimiut has a range of camping and outdoor equipment available, it is best to bring as much as possible with you. The best places to shop are Sisimiut Outdoor and Sisimiut Sport, though limited and basic camping supplies can also be found in Sirius Greenland, Stark and the two large supermarkets.