Ilulissat
Greenland's third-largest town sits 300 km north of the Arctic Circle at the mouth of the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord — where Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves 35 km³ of icebergs per year (more than any glacier outside Antarctica). Home to 4,700 people and roughly 3,500 Greenlandic sled dogs. Midnight sun May–July, polar night November–January, and one of the planet's most reliable Northern Lights viewing windows September through April.
Tours & Experiences
Browse bookable tours, activities, and day trips in Ilulissat
📍 Points of Interest
Loading map...
At a Glance
- Pop.
- 4,700
- Timezone
- Godthab
Ilulissat sits 300 km north of the Arctic Circle on Greenland's west coast and means "iceberg" in Greenlandic — a name that is literal, not poetic
The Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, is fed by the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier which calves 35 km³ of ice into the ocean every year — more than any glacier outside Antarctica
Population just over 4,700 makes Ilulissat Greenland's third-largest town, yet it has more sled dogs than people — roughly 3,500 working Greenlandic huskies in kennels around the outskirts
The midnight sun shines from late May to late July; the polar night runs from late November to mid-January, during which the northern lights peak and the sun never rises above the horizon
There are no roads connecting Ilulissat to any other town in Greenland — you arrive by air (via Nuuk, Iceland or Copenhagen) or by coastal ferry along the ice-choked fjords
The Jakobshavn Icefjord is where the iceberg that sank the Titanic is widely believed to have originated, carried south on the Labrador Current from this exact glacier
Top Sights
Ilulissat Icefjord (Sermermiut Trail)
🗼The headline sight in Greenland. A three-kilometre boardwalk trail from the town edge to the Sermermiut viewing plateau overlooks the mouth of the icefjord, where icebergs the size of city blocks grind against each other before drifting into Disko Bay. The yellow route takes 1 hour one-way; extending onto the blue route adds sweeping coastal panoramas. UNESCO-inscribed, free, and open 24 hours — plan a sunset visit.
Icefjord Boat Tour at Midnight
📌A 2–3 hour cruise from Ilulissat harbour out into the iceberg-choked mouth of the fjord. During the June–August midnight sun, the boat departs at 22:00 and returns at 01:00 — the low golden light turns the icebergs amber and pink, and the silence is broken only by distant calving cracks. Operators: Disko Line and World of Greenland. From ~1,100 DKK (~$160).
Northern Lights from the Fjord Edge
📌From September to April, Ilulissat sits within the aurora oval and experiences some of the most photographed Northern Lights displays on the planet. The Sermermiut boardwalk, free of streetlights and facing an ocean of icebergs, is the classic viewing spot — the lights reflect off the ice. Dress for −20°C and plan 2–3 nights to catch clear sky.
Dog Sled Tour
📌Traditional Greenlandic sled-dog trips run from February to April when the sea ice is stable. A two-hour tour across the frozen fjords behind a team of ten huskies is one of the most authentic Arctic experiences available anywhere. The same dogs are still used by local hunters. Book via Ilulissat Tourist Nature or local kennels. From 1,800 DKK (~$260) for a short ride; full-day expeditions 3,500+ DKK.
Disko Bay Whale Watching
📌Disko Bay hosts humpback, fin, and occasionally bowhead whales from June through September. Afternoon boat tours from Ilulissat harbour combine iceberg cruising with whale spotting — success rate above 90% in July and August. Tours run 3–4 hours. Operators: World of Greenland, Disko Line. From 850 DKK (~$125).
Ilulissat Kunstmuseum
🏛️A small art museum in a colourful 1924 timber building that once belonged to local merchant Jens Heilmann. The collection focuses on Greenlandic painters and sculptors, including Emanuel A. Petersen's luminous Arctic landscapes. Rainy-day option and context for the painted houses you will see everywhere. Entry 40 DKK (~$6).
Knud Rasmussens Hus
🏛️The preserved childhood home of polar explorer Knud Rasmussen (1879–1933), the Danish-Inuit "father of Eskimology" whose seven Thule Expeditions mapped the Arctic. Now a small museum of his diaries, photographs, and Inuit artefacts. Essential context for understanding Greenlandic culture and the history of Arctic exploration. Entry 50 DKK.
Off the Beaten Path
Holms Bakke — Icefjord at the Blue Hour
The hillside just behind the town cemetery offers an unusually high vantage over the icefjord mouth. Locals walk up here around 20:30 in winter for the blue-hour photographs, when the low Arctic light turns the ice cobalt against an orange horizon. Empty of tour groups even in peak season.
Every cruise guide sends you to Sermermiut. Almost nobody walks the opposite direction up Holms Bakke, where the perspective is actually superior and you often have the view entirely to yourself.
Café Iluliaq for Musk Ox Burger
A small cafe and kitchen on Kaaleeraq Poulsensvej that serves the best musk ox burger in Greenland — thin-sliced, grilled medium-rare, on rye with wild blueberry jam. The lichen fries are a Greenlandic touch that sounds novelty but is genuinely good. A single burger and a beer runs about 220 DKK (~$32).
Most restaurants in Ilulissat lean toward hotel buffets aimed at cruise passengers. Café Iluliaq actually cooks — musk ox, reindeer carpaccio, seal stew, and some of the finest halibut in the Arctic.
Watching Sled Dogs at Feeding Time
The kennels on the southeastern edge of town hold more than 3,500 Greenlandic sled dogs. Arrive around 17:00 in winter and you will hear the collective howl as feeding begins — an astonishing chorus that carries for miles across the fjord. Respect signage; do not approach the dogs without the owner.
The Greenlandic sled dog is a genetically distinct breed unchanged for 1,000 years. Ilulissat has one of the largest working populations anywhere, and the howl at feeding time is a sound you will never hear elsewhere.
Hotel Arctic Ice Bar
The bar on the top floor of Hotel Arctic has full-length windows facing directly onto Disko Bay — order a Greenlandic gin cocktail made with local herbs and a floating chunk of 1,000-year-old iceberg ice, harvested that morning from the fjord. The ice crackles audibly as the old compressed air escapes.
The "bergie bits" used for ice in the cocktails are genuinely tens of thousands of years old. Tasting millennia-old ice with no tour-bus queue is quietly spectacular.
Zion Church at Sunset
The small red wooden Zion Kirke, built in 1779 and among the oldest churches in Greenland, sits on the south harbour overlooking the icefjord. The interior is simple, the exterior photogenic, and the adjacent headland is an underrated sunset spot, especially in late summer when the midnight sun creates an hours-long golden hour.
Most visitors photograph the church from the front. The real view is from the ocean side — walk around the back of the church down to the rocks where the icebergs drift past within 100 metres.
Insider Tips
Climate & Best Time to Go
Monthly climate & crowd levels
Ilulissat has a polar tundra climate with short cool summers and long dark winters. The town sits north of the Arctic Circle but is warmed slightly by the coastal position — summer highs touch 10°C, winter lows commonly −20°C. What defines the year, however, is daylight: from late May to late July the sun never sets; from late November to mid-January it never rises. Plan visits around the light you want.
Midnight Sun (Summer)
June - August39 to 50°F
4 to 10°C
Peak season. 24-hour daylight from late May to late July. Iceberg boat tours run at midnight under a golden sun. Sea ice has cleared, whales arrive in Disko Bay. Most visitors come in these months and prices are highest. Short nights do make sleeping a challenge without blackout curtains.
Shoulder Summer
May / September28 to 45°F
-2 to 7°C
Daylight returns in May and tapers in September. Ice still prominent on the fjord edges early season; first snowfall and aurora returns from mid-September. Cheapest flights of the operating year, and September is a sweet spot for both icebergs and early northern lights.
Aurora Season
October - March5 to 23°F
-15 to -5°C
Northern Lights peak. Sea ice forms from November, enabling dog sledding from February onward. Polar night runs roughly late-November through mid-January — the sun does not rise, but twilight glows blue for several hours a day. Warm gear essential; limited ferry service.
Deep Winter
January / February-4 to 14°F
-20 to -10°C
The coldest months. Sea ice locked solid — sled dogs run daily. Polar night easing; blue twilight gives way to low sun returning in mid-January. Aurora conditions are excellent. For those who can handle the cold, it is the most extraordinary light period of the year.
Best Time to Visit
Depends entirely on what you want to see. June through early August for the midnight sun and whale watching. Late September through March for aurora borealis. February through April if dog sledding is the trip. Avoid the shoulder weeks around freeze-up (October) and break-up (May) when sea travel is unreliable and neither summer nor winter activities are running.
Midnight Sun (June - early August)
Crowds: High (for Greenland)Peak season. 24-hour daylight, boat tours at midnight, whales in Disko Bay, icebergs dense in the fjord. Most tourists, highest prices, book 3–6 months ahead. The classic postcard Greenland experience.
Pros
- + Unbeatable light for photography
- + Longest operating season for boat tours
- + Best chance of whale sightings
- + Warmest temperatures
Cons
- − Accommodation fills early
- − Prices at annual peak
- − Short nights disrupt sleep without blackout
Shoulder — Late Summer / Early Autumn (September)
Crowds: Low to moderateAurora returns from mid-September, boats still running, whales still present early month. A genuine sweet spot — you can experience midnight-lit icebergs AND the first Northern Lights in the same week.
Pros
- + Aurora season starts
- + Cheaper flights and accommodation
- + Fewer tourists
- + Long enough daylight for walking tours
Cons
- − Weather unpredictable
- − Whales start leaving Disko Bay late month
- − Some operators wind down service
Aurora Season (October - March)
Crowds: LowThe Northern Lights period, with the polar night (late-Nov to mid-Jan) giving absolute darkness. Sea ice forms from November, enabling dog sledding from February. Temperatures routinely −15 to −25°C. The most dramatic and photographic Arctic experience, for those prepared for it.
Pros
- + Aurora viewing at its peak
- + Dog sled tours (Feb–April)
- + Empty landscapes and restaurants
- + Cheapest flights of the year
Cons
- − Extreme cold requires serious gear
- − Short or zero daylight
- − Some restaurants and tours close in deep winter
- − Weather-related flight delays common
Shoulder — Spring / Late Winter (April - May)
Crowds: LowDaylight returning rapidly, sea ice still stable early in the period, dog sledding running through April. Aurora continues until late March. By May, sea ice breaks up and operations transition — activities constrained for a few weeks before summer resumes.
Pros
- + Longer days than deep winter
- + Still dog sledding in April
- + Lower prices than summer
- + Dramatic light with sun over snow
Cons
- − Unpredictable ice conditions in May
- − Limited whale/boat tours until late May
- − Weather variable between winter and summer regimes
🎉 Festivals & Events
National Day of Greenland (Ullortuneq)
June 21Greenland's national day on the summer solstice. Ilulissat celebrates with flag-raising at Zion Church, traditional drum dancing, kaffemik open houses in private homes, and a public gathering at the town square. One of the most authentic cultural experiences in Greenland.
Ice Golf Tournament
March (biennial)Sometimes called the world's most absurd golf event. Held on the frozen sea ice of Disko Bay with bright orange golf balls against the white. Mostly attended by Danish and Greenlandic regulars but open to spectators.
Arctic Circle Race
March/AprilA three-day 160 km cross-country ski race, one of the toughest in the world, run out of Sisimiut (1 hr flight south of Ilulissat). Ilulissat sometimes hosts spectator events and feeder races.
Safety Breakdown
Very Safe
out of 100
Greenland is one of the safest travel destinations in the world by crime statistics — violent crime toward tourists is essentially unheard of. The genuine risks are environmental: extreme cold, fast-changing weather, iceberg calving, thin sea ice, and the isolation of the medical system. Any injury that would be minor elsewhere becomes serious when the nearest advanced hospital is an hour-plus flight away. Travel with comprehensive insurance that explicitly covers Arctic evacuation.
Things to Know
- •Do not walk on the sea ice without a local guide — what looks solid near shore can be fractured and drift out under a person
- •Keep a safe distance from iceberg calving zones; waves from a calving event can surge inland 50+ metres without warning
- •Dress in layers with a windproof outer shell year-round; hypothermia is possible even in summer when wet and windy
- •Carry a fully-charged phone and tell your hotel where you are going before any solo walk — even the marked trails are in genuine wilderness
- •Respect sled dogs: they are working animals, not pets, and bites can be serious. Do not approach tied dogs without the owner present
- •Alcohol is available but expensive and tightly regulated — bars close early, no alcohol sales on Sundays
- •Medical evacuation from Ilulissat to Nuuk or Reykjavik is by air only and may be delayed by weather; insurance must cover this explicitly
- •Polar bears are rare this far south on Greenland's west coast but not impossible — any sighting should be reported to police (344-222)
Natural Hazards
Emergency Numbers
Police / Emergency
112
Ilulissat Police
344-222
Ilulissat Health Centre
34-42-11
Air Rescue (Arktisk Kommando)
(+299) 363-000
Costs & Currency
Where the money goes
USD per dayQuick cost estimate
Customize per category →Estimates based on regional averages. Flight prices vary by season and airline.
budget
$120-180
Youth hostel or guesthouse dorm, self-catering from Brugseni supermarket, walking-only, one budget boat tour
mid-range
$250-400
Hotel Hvide Falk or similar mid-range, restaurant dinners, one guided tour per day, airport taxi transfers
luxury
$600+
Hotel Arctic or full-board lodge, multiple premium tours (helicopter flight over icefjord, private dog sled), fine dining
Typical Costs
| Item | Local | USD |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationHostel dorm bed (Ilulissat Vandrerhjem) | 450–650 DKK | $65–95 |
| AccommodationMid-range hotel double (Hotel Hvide Falk) | 1,400–2,200 DKK | $200–320 |
| AccommodationLuxury hotel double (Hotel Arctic) | 2,800–4,500 DKK | $400–650 |
| FoodCafé lunch (burger/sandwich) | 120–200 DKK | $17–29 |
| FoodRestaurant dinner (2 courses, no drinks) | 350–550 DKK | $50–80 |
| FoodBeer in a bar | 65–85 DKK | $9–12 |
| TransportAirport taxi | 100–140 DKK | $14–20 |
| TransportIcefjord boat tour | 850–1,100 DKK | $125–160 |
| TransportWhale watching tour | 900–1,200 DKK | $130–175 |
| TransportDog sled tour (2 hr) | 1,800–2,500 DKK | $260–360 |
| AttractionSermermiut UNESCO trail | Free | $0 |
| AttractionKunstmuseum entry | 40 DKK | $6 |
💡 Money-Saving Tips
- •Travel in May or September for 20–30% cheaper flights and the same icefjord views; May still has sea ice, September has early aurora
- •Self-cater from Brugseni supermarket — restaurant meals are 3–4x the cost of cooking for yourself and hostels have kitchens
- •Walk the Sermermiut UNESCO trail (free) at 22:00 in summer under the midnight sun — same views as the premium boat tour at zero cost
- •Book flights and hotels together as a package via Nordic Visitor or Hurtigruten — often 15% cheaper than separate
- •The Ilulissat Card (250 DKK, from the Tourism Office) gives discounts on museum entry, some tours, and some restaurants — worth it if staying 3+ nights
- •Bring your own thermal layers — renting Arctic gear from tour operators costs 300–500 DKK per day
- •Hostels at Ilulissat Vandrerhjem are the only sub-1,000-DKK option in town and fill 2–3 months ahead in peak season
Danish Krone
Code: DKK
1 USD ≈ 6.9 DKK (early 2026). Greenland uses the Danish Krone exclusively — no local currency. ATMs are available at Bank of Greenland in Ilulissat town centre and at the airport. Cards are widely accepted for tours, hotels, and meals; carry some cash for the small craft shops and local markets. Note that Greenland is outside the Schengen Area — a Schengen visa does not cover entry; specific Danish/Greenland permissions apply.
Payment Methods
Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) accepted at hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and the supermarket. Smaller craft shops and some taxis are cash-preferred. Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) work at chain establishments. Greenland is not on the Euro or on the mainland Danish direct-debit system — bring enough DKK or a low-foreign-fee card.
Tipping Guide
Service charge is typically included. Rounding up to the nearest 50 DKK (~$7) for excellent service is appreciated but not expected.
Not customary. 50–100 DKK for exceptional concierge help or a porter handling heavy luggage is generous.
100–200 DKK per person per day for a multi-day dog-sled or expedition guide is appropriate. Short boat tour operators do not typically expect a tip.
Round up to the nearest 10 DKK. No structured tip expected.
How to Get There
✈️ Airports
Ilulissat Airport(JAV)
4 km east of townTaxi from the airport to hotels in town takes 10 minutes and costs 100–140 DKK (~$14–20). Some hotels run a complimentary shuttle bus for booked guests — confirm when reserving. There is no public bus. The airport itself is small (two gates, no jet bridges) and you step directly from plane to tarmac.
✈️ Search flights to JAVKeflavík International (Reykjavik, Iceland)(KEF)
2,200 km eastIcelandair and Air Greenland offer flights from Keflavik to Nuuk (GOH), with onward connection to Ilulissat (JAV). Total flight time ~4 hours plus layover. Keflavik is the most common gateway for North American travellers — direct flights from Boston, NYC, Seattle, Toronto connect seamlessly.
✈️ Search flights to KEFCopenhagen Airport (Denmark)(CPH)
3,400 km southeastAir Greenland operates direct seasonal flights from Copenhagen to Nuuk (GOH) year-round, with onward connection to Ilulissat. The classic European gateway to Greenland. Book well ahead — capacity is limited and summer flights sell out months in advance.
✈️ Search flights to CPHGetting Around
Ilulissat is small enough to walk end-to-end in 25 minutes. There is no public bus system; the only motorised options inside town are taxis (few, expensive) and private hotel shuttles. Outside town, movement is by boat in summer (to the icefjord, whale watching, Disko Island) and by dog sled or snowmobile in winter. There are no roads leading out of Ilulissat — every onward destination requires a flight or ship.
Walking
FreeThe most practical option within town. Main sights — museums, church, harbour, Sermermiut trailhead — are all within a 15–20 minute walk of central hotels. The town rises sharply uphill from the harbour; shoes with grip are essential in winter when sidewalks ice over.
Best for: Town exploration, museums, restaurants
Taxi
80–200 DKK per trip (~$12–29)A handful of taxis operate in Ilulissat (Ilulissat Taxi: +299 944-944). Useful for airport runs, late-night moves between hotel and harbour, or in heavy winter weather. No ride-share apps. Fares are high by Arctic standards — ~120 DKK (~$17) for an airport transfer.
Best for: Airport transfers, late winter nights, heavy luggage
Boat Tours & Ferries
850–2,000 DKK per tour (~$125–285)From Ilulissat harbour, scheduled boat tours run to the icefjord, Disko Bay whale grounds, and out to Disko Island in summer. The Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry links Ilulissat with Nuuk and other west-coast towns seasonally. Private charter boats available for custom trips. Operators: Disko Line, World of Greenland.
Best for: Icefjord, whale watching, Disko Island, inter-town travel
Dog Sled
1,800–5,000 DKK per person (~$260–720)From February through April (sea ice season), dog sleds run from kennels on the town edge across the frozen fjords. Not just transport — an experience. Day trips and multi-day expeditions available. Book ahead; dog sledding is the headline Arctic experience and fills early.
Best for: Winter fjord crossings, traditional Greenlandic experience
Snowmobile
1,500–3,500 DKK per person (~$215–500)Winter-only guided snowmobile tours across the fjord ice and surrounding tundra. Faster than dogs; covers more ground. Tours run 2–8 hours. Not self-drive unless you are an experienced Arctic traveller with local endorsement.
Best for: Covering long winter distances, reaching remote viewpoints
🚶 Walkability
Town itself is highly walkable — flat-to-rolling streets and everything within 1.5 km. Once outside town, walking is limited to marked trails (yellow/red/blue route to Sermermiut). No paths link Ilulissat to any other settlement.
Travel Connections
Nuuk
Greenland's capital and only real city — a small but cosmopolitan outpost with the National Museum of Greenland, Nordic-cool design hotels, and Greenland's best restaurant scene. A 1–2 night stop on the way in or out pairs well with Ilulissat.
Reykjavik
Iceland's capital is the only Keflavik-connected gateway to Greenland for most international travellers. Pair a Greenland trip with 2–3 nights exploring Reykjavik, the Blue Lagoon, and the Golden Circle. Icelandair offers the main connection.
Disko Island (Qeqertarsuaq)
A black basalt island rising from Disko Bay, reached by the Disko Line ferry from Ilulissat in summer. Home to hot springs, basalt columns, and the small town of Qeqertarsuaq. A full-day or overnight extension for the adventurous.
Copenhagen
The traditional European gateway to Greenland — Air Greenland runs a direct summer service from Copenhagen to Nuuk, with onward connection to Ilulissat. Worth 2–3 days to explore Nyhavn, Tivoli, and Nordic design before or after your Arctic trip.
Entry Requirements
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the Schengen Area and the European Union. Most western travellers enter visa-free for short stays, but the Schengen visa does NOT grant entry to Greenland — a separate arrangement applies. Check requirements carefully; the wrong paperwork has caused travellers to be turned back at Nuuk immigration.
Entry Requirements by Nationality
| Nationality | Visa Required | Max Stay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days in any 180-day period | No visa needed. Valid US passport required. Immigration officer will stamp passport at Nuuk or direct-flight arrival point. Insurance with Arctic evacuation cover strongly recommended. |
| UK Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days in any 180-day period | No visa needed post-Brexit. Standard UK passport required; check 6-month validity rule on your return date. |
| EU Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days in any 180-day period | Schengen rules do NOT apply to Greenland. EU passport entitles visa-free stays but your Schengen time does not pool with Greenland time — a 90-day Schengen stay does not prevent a further 90-day Greenland stay. |
| Australian Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days in any 180-day period | No visa needed for tourism. Comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation is strongly advised. |
| Japanese Citizens | Visa-free | 90 days | No visa needed for short stays. Note that flights to Greenland from Japan generally connect via Copenhagen or Reykjavik. |
Visa-Free Entry
Tips
- •Your Schengen visa does NOT cover Greenland — check entry rules separately if you need a visa for Denmark, you will also need one for Greenland
- •Carry proof of onward travel and accommodation — immigration occasionally asks at Nuuk for Ilulissat-bound passengers
- •Travel insurance is not legally required but you should have comprehensive Arctic evacuation cover — the nearest hospital with advanced care is in Reykjavik or Copenhagen
- •Passport must have 3 months validity beyond your departure date; some airlines require 6 months
- •No visa-on-arrival option exists — if you are from a country requiring a visa, apply well ahead at a Danish consulate
Shopping
Shopping in Ilulissat is modest — a handful of craft shops, one supermarket chain (Brugseni), and a few artists who sell directly from studios. What you want to come home with is Greenlandic craft: tupilak bone carvings, sealskin mittens, musk ox knit goods. Prices are high but authentic pieces support Inuit artisans directly. Avoid buying anything made from endangered species (narwhal tusk, polar bear) — illegal to import most countries.
Ilulissat Town Centre
craft shopsThe main street running from the harbour up past Hotel Hvide Falk has several small craft shops — Ivalo Art, Pele Tupilak, and the Hotel Arctic gift shop. Quality varies; look for pieces signed by the artist and ask about origin.
Known for: Tupilak carvings, sealskin crafts, Greenlandic jewellery, art prints
Brugseni Supermarket
supermarketThe only real supermarket in town, part of Greenland's co-op chain. Stock up on basics, local coffee, and unusual Greenlandic groceries — reindeer jerky, musk ox pâté, Arctic berry jams. Prices reflect the remoteness (everything shipped or flown in).
Known for: Greenlandic specialty foods, reindeer jerky, Arctic berry preserves
Artist Studio Visits
studioSeveral local carvers and artists welcome visitors by appointment. The Tourism Office can arrange a visit; Pele Lynge is the best-known tupilak carver in town. Buying direct supports artists and gives you provenance on your piece.
Known for: Custom tupilak carvings, signed prints, sealskin garments
🎁 Unique Souvenirs to Look For
- •Tupilak carving — small figurines carved from reindeer antler or sperm whale tooth depicting spirits from Inuit shamanic tradition
- •Sealskin mittens (kamik) — hand-sewn from seal hide, the warmest gloves on earth and ethically sustainable in Greenland
- •Musk ox wool scarf (qiviut) — eight times warmer than sheep's wool, exceedingly expensive but unmatched
- •Greenlandic tea blends — dried Arctic thyme, crowberry leaf, and Labrador tea gathered from the tundra
- •Art prints by Emanuel A. Petersen or contemporary Inuit painters
- •A shard of 1,000-year-old iceberg ice in a vacuum flask (sold as a novelty at Hotel Arctic)
Language & Phrases
Greenlandic (Kalaallisut) is the official language, spoken natively by most residents. Danish is universally understood and used in business, government, and signage. English is widely spoken in the tourism sector but less so in everyday contexts. Greenlandic is a polysynthetic language — words can be extraordinarily long. A simple greeting in Greenlandic is genuinely appreciated and few visitors attempt it.
| English | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Aluu / Kutaa | ah-LOO / KOO-tah |
| Good evening | Unnuk tikilluarit | OO-nook tee-kee-LOO-ah-reet |
| Thank you | Qujanaq | KOO-yah-nahk |
| Yes | Aap | AHP |
| No | Naamik | NAH-meek |
| How much? | Qasseeqarpa? | KAH-say-KAR-pah |
| Ice / Iceberg | Iluliaq | ee-LOO-lee-ahk |
| Cold | Nillersoq | NEEL-ler-sohk |
| Northern Lights | Arsarnerit | ar-SAR-nay-reet |
| Beautiful | Pinnersoq | PEEN-ner-sohk |
| Goodbye | Baaj / Inuulluarit | BYE / ee-NOOL-loo-ah-reet |
| Cheers! | Kasuutta! | KAH-soot-tah |
If you like Ilulissat, you'll love…
4 cities with a similar vibe, outside of the same country.
Faroe Islands · OVR 75
landscapes that steal the show · remarkably safe
Norway · OVR 74
landscapes that steal the show · low-anxiety streets
Canada · OVR 76
jaw-dropping scenery · low-anxiety streets
French Polynesia · OVR 71
unforgettable natural beauty · remarkably safe