Around 300 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle on the west coast of Greenland is Ilulissat, a town of around 4,800 people spread across a series of rocky hillsides that slope down towards the icy waters of Disko Bay. In the West Greenlandic language, Kalaallisut, Ilulissat means ‘icebergs’ – a rather appropriate name, given the perpetual stream of gigantic icebergs that drift past the town all year round. These majestic natural sculptures calve from edge of the Greenland ice sheet at the Jakobshavn Glacier (Sermeq Kujalleq), one of the most productive glaciers on Earth, before floating steadily down the 45-kilometre long Ilulissat Icefjord and, eventually, out to sea. As spectacular as they are, the icebergs are by no means the only reason to plan a trip to Ilulissat; it’s an extraordinary place that offers a unique range of adventures no matter when you decide to visit. Below, you’ll find all the information you need to point you in the right direction if you’re considering a trip to Ilulissat.
How to get there
At present, there are two main options for travelling from the UK to Ilulissat. The first requires flying to Copenhagen, spending a night there before flying out the following morning to Nuuk with Air Greenland – a journey of just under five hours. This is a relatively new route which launched following the opening of Nuuk’s new international airport in November 2024, replacing Kangerlussuaq as Greenland’s primary hub for international travel. Once you’re in Nuuk, it’s usually possible to arrive in Ilulissat on the same day, taking an internal Air Greenland flight of around one hour and 20 minutes on a smaller Dash-8 aircraft. Or, you could opt to spend a night in Nuuk and fly up to Ilulissat the next day.
An alternative route involves flying to Keflavik International Airport in Iceland and from there, taking a Icelandair flight of three hours and 20 minutes straight to Ilulissat. This is a faster and more direct option than travelling via Copenhagen, making it possible to go all the way from the UK to Ilulissat on the same day, but it’s not always possible; the Keflavik – Ilulissat flights mostly operate during the peak summer period of June, July and August, along with a less frequent service at certain times in winter.
Arriving in Ilulissat (Photo by Thrainn Kolbeinsson - Visit Greenland)
A new international airport is currently under construction in Ilulissat, which will be significantly larger than the rather tiny existing one, and equipped with a longer runway to receive larger aircraft from a wider range of international routes. It’s scheduled to be completed by the end of 2026, and it’s anticipated that this will bring about long-awaited direct flights between Copenhagen and Ilulissat.
It’s important to bear in mind that travelling in Greenland often involves flight delays and cancellations, such is the unpredictable nature of weather conditions in the Arctic – particularly in winter. For locals, this is nothing unusual; it’s simply an accepted part of life when living in this remote part of the world, where nature dictates where and when one can travel. As such, it’s always sensible to factor in ‘buffer day’ or two into your trip, so that any plans can be easily adjusted if necessary.
When to go
Ilulissat, much like the rest of Greenland, is a place of extreme seasonal contrasts, both in terms of temperature and daylight hours. On a typical winter’s day, you could expect temperatures between -10°C and -20°C, but during the coldest periods, temperatures can drop below -30°C. From the end of November through to around 13 January, the sun doesn’t rise at all, as Ilulissat is plunged into Polar Night (though it isn’t completely dark throughout this period). In summer, meanwhile, temperatures tend to hover within a few degrees either side of 10°C and can occasionally even exceed 20°C. From around 20 May to 23 July, the sun never dips below the horizon and there is relatively little difference between night and day.
Ilulissat in winter (Photo by Siggi Anton - Visit Greenland)
Choosing when to visit Ilulissat all comes down to what activities you’d like to prioritise, and what kind of temperatures you’re prepared to tolerate. For snow-based adventures such as dog sledding and snowmobiling, February, March and the first half of April tend to offer the best conditions, while the Northern Lights can be seen between mid-September and early April. Typically, snow cover dissipates throughout April and May, and in the summer months, there are many excellent hiking opportunities around Ilulissat. Although the icebergs can be seen throughout the year, they tend to drift out into Disko Bay in greater numbers in summer, whereas in winter, many of them become locked in frozen sea ice in the ice fjord.
It’s worth noting that summer is the peak travel season in Ilulissat, and this increased demand is generally reflected in higher prices for flights and hotel accommodation, which tend to become fully booked far in advance. Cruise ships frequently come and go at this time of year, too. If you’d prefer to visit Ilulissat during a quieter period, then May, late September or early October are worth considering, while early February is also an ideal window of opportunity to visit, just as the winter travel season gets going.
What to pack
Packing for a summer trip to Ilulissat is fairly straightforward, as temperatures are broadly similar to what you might expect in the UK in autumn. A lightweight waterproof jacket, a jumper and a t-shirt should suffice for upper body wear, which, along with, jeans or hiking trousers will generally keep you plenty warm enough. Sturdy hiking boots are important, too, and it’s always a smart idea to bring some light gloves and a hat, as it can get noticeably cooler in the evenings and when you’re out at sea on a boat trip. Insect repellent is also essential, as mosquitoes are prevalent in Ilulissat in June, July and August.
Hiking along the ice fjord (Photo by Alex Savu - Visit Greenland)
Winter, by contrast, requires some more detailed planning (and a larger suitcase). A good quality, highly insulating jacket is a must-have, along with ski pants or fleece-lined trousers, robust winter gloves, a warm hat, thick socks, a snood, waterproof and insulated winter boots, and lots of thermal base layers and sweaters. On milder winter days, when temperatures might be anywhere between 0°C and -10°C, you might find you’ll be comfortable with fewer layers, especially while moving around. When it gets significantly colder than this, however, you’ll quickly begin to notice the difference, and it’s crucial to be adequately prepared. Once temperatures drop below -25°C, it’s cold enough to throw a cup of boiling water into the air and it will freeze before touching the ground, and ice crystals will form on any exposed extremities such as eyebrows and facial hair. Taking your gloves off, even for a few seconds to capture a photograph, is not a pleasant experience in such conditions. But, if you dress well and act with the appropriate caution, the cold is generally no barrier to having a fantastic time.
Many tour operators in Ilulissat provide specialist thermal suits and boots for you to wear when embarking on excursions such as dog sledding and snowmobiling, which will offer additional protection from the cold on top of your own gear. This is especially important when you’re sitting stationary for a prolonged period. It’s also worth bringing a spare charging bank in winter, as phone batteries can quickly become depleted when exposed to extreme cold.
Trip review: Just back from Ilulissat, Greenland
How long to go for
Zion's Church (Photo by Filip Gielda - Visit Greenland)
Ilulissat is not a big town and, in theory, you could get a good feel for it and fit in a handful of the must-do activities in the space of three days or so. But, considering the time and effort it takes to get there, you certainly wouldn’t regret staying a little longer. Four nights is doable if everything goes perfectly to plan, but five or six nights is the sweet spot, affording you ample time to fully explore Ilulissat, enjoy numerous excursions and still have space to move things around should any activities need to be adjusted according to the weather conditions, or if you encounter any delays in getting there. And, of course, you’ll need to factor in overnight stays in Denmark or Iceland on either side of your time in Ilulissat, depending on which route you take to get to Greenland.
Where to stay
Aurora Cabins at Hotel Arctic
As Greenland’s most popular destination for international travellers, Ilulissat offers a fairly extensive choice of accommodation to suit different tastes and budgets, ranging from basic hostels and guesthouses to modern hotels with magnificent views of the iceberg-dotted waters of Disko Bay. The standout choice, which is featured in all of our Greenland itineraries, is Hotel Arctic – a four-star property that stands atop a rocky outcrop just beyond the harbour. It’s around a 20-25 minute walk from the town centre, which is easy enough going downhill into town, but a little more demanding coming back. For this reason, a shuttle bus transfer is available. As well as comfortable, Nordic-themed rooms and fully-equipped apartments, it’s home to seven stunning, glass-walled Aurora Cabins, from which you might be fortunate enough to watch the Northern Lights while lying in bed.
Hotel Arctic also prides itself on offering some of the finest culinary experiences in Ilulissat across its two venues, Brasserie Ulo and Restaurant Ulo, both of which showcase seasonal Greenlandic cuisine in collaboration with local producers. The former is more casual, while the latter offers a gourmet experience that begins with a cocktail made using ice from the Greenland ice sheet, followed by a tasting menu of 12 to 15 exquisite dishes inspired by the flavours and traditions of the Arctic.
Ilimanaq Lodge (Photo by Chris Tonnesen - Visit Greenland)
To take your trip to another level, you might also consider spending a night or two in one of the off-grid wilderness lodges operated by World of Greenland, dotted throughout the surrounding region. In summer, Ilimanaq Lodge (15 kilometres south of Ilulissat) and Eqi Glacier Lodge (80 kilometres north of Ilulissat) are accessed by boat and offer a rare opportunity to completely disconnect from daily life and immerse yourself in the unspoilt beauty of the Greenlandic nature. In winter, meanwhile, Igloo Lodge (15 kilometres east of Ilulissat) invites guests to spend a night in a real igloo, go snowmobiling or dog sledding, and enjoy delicious food served by candlelight in a cosy timber lodge. With no light pollution at all, it’s also an ideal place to see the Northern Lights at their scintillating best.
Things to do
Year-round
Ice fjord boat cruise (Photo by Norris Niman - Visit Greenland)
At any time of year, a boat cruise on the Ilulissat Icefjord is an essential experience when visiting Ilulissat, offering you the chance to sail right up close to the icebergs and appreciate them from a unique vantage point. Many local tour companies operate these cruises, which typically last between two and two-and-a-half hours, with transport to and from the harbour included. Hiking is also possible all year round, though more routes are easily accessible in the summer. An ideal starting point is the Icefjord Centre, from which you can follow any one of three well-marked trails that wind through the rugged backcountry just outside Ilulissat, all of which offer wonderful views of the icebergs. The red trail (1km) is the shortest, followed by the yellow trail (3km) and the blue trail (7km). Part of the blue trail will take you to Sermermiut, the site of an abandoned Inuit settlement on the shore of the ice fjord, while the yellow trail passes a mountainside peat hut cafe overlooking Disko Bay, Asimut Cafe, which makes a delightful pit stop at the start or at the end of the hike.
In winter
In winter, the most in-demand activities in Ilulissat are snowmobiling and dog sledding. These are very different experiences and certainly both worth experiencing in this part of the world. Snowmobiling is a genuine thrill, allowing you to travel fairly long distances at speed, all while taking in the epic views and reaching areas far beyond those that can be accessed by car or on foot. The terrain around Ilulissat consists of lots of small mountains, rocky valleys and lakes that freeze over in winter; as such, snowmobiling here is full of variety and contrasting scenery at every turn. Some companies also take snowmobiling tours to Oqaatsut, a tiny settlement around 20 kilometres north of Ilulissat.
Dog sledding with Greenland dogs (Photo by David Trood - Visit Greenland)
Dog sledding, by contrast, is far slower and more about embracing an ancient form of transport which has been used by the Inuit for thousands of years. Unlike in Scandinavia, the dogs here are Greenland dogs, one of the purest dog breeds in the world, owing to the fact that no other dog breeds are allowed to be kept north of the Arctic Circle on Greenland’s west coast, or indeed anywhere on the east coast. They are working animals, not pets, and although you will no doubt see plenty of them while walking around the town, they shouldn’t be approached without the permission and company of their owner. Dog sledding tours are a lot of fun, but sitting still for a prolonged period (most tours range from two to four hours) means you’ll really feel the cold – so wearing an adequate amount of layers, and preferably a thermal suit and boots, is especially important on such adventures. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are also popular winter pastimes that can be experienced at a lower cost than dog sledding or snowmobiling.
Northern Lights over Ilulissat (Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland)
It’s also possible to book Northern Lights tours in Ilulissat, either on land or by boat, but if the sky is clear at night, it's always worth taking a short walk to escape the light pollution of the town centre in order to see them more clearly. Indeed, the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, around a 15-20 minute walk from the town centre, is a good place for this. As Ilulissat is located at 69°N, right beneath the auroral oval, the Northern Lights can be seen even with relatively low levels of auroral activity. They often appear towards the southern horizon and sometimes even directly overhead. Although active all year round, a lack of darkness makes it impossible to see auroras in Greenland in the summer months, so aim for late September to early April if this is high on your agenda.
In summer
Humpback whale (Photo by Julie Skotte - Visit Greenland)
In summer, not only can you take a boat cruise on the ice fjord; you can also go kayaking or paddle boarding among the icebergs. This is also the prime time of year to see whales swimming in the icy waters of Disko Bay – mainly humpbacks, minke whales and fin whales, but occasionally also rarer species such as bowhead whales, narwhals and belugas. You may well be fortunate enough to see them from land, too, but a dedicated whale watching safari offers the best chances to spot them up close. A boat trip to Eqi Glacier is another thoroughly worthwhile summer excursion, enabling you to get right up close to this immense glacier as it calves icebergs into the sea. To see the awe-inspiring scenery of Ilulissat and the surrounding region from above, consider taking a helicopter flightseeing tour, which will fly right over the ice fjord and all the way to the edge of the Greenland ice sheet.
What to eat
For an island dominated by mostly barren landscapes and harsh climatic conditions, Greenland boasts a remarkably vibrant, burgeoning culinary scene. The existence of these remote communities is underpinned by a deep connection with nature and an ability to harness its resources efficiently and sustainably throughout the seasons. This is reflected in the flavours of traditions of Greenlandic cuisine, which heavily revolves around fish and seafood. Cod, halibut, salmon, Arctic char, red fish, shrimp and crab are especially prominent, as are seal meat and mattak (whale skin and blubber). Game meats such as musk ox, reindeer and ptarmigan also form an important part of the Greenlandic diet. The national dish, suaasat, is a hearty stew made of mixed meats, potatoes, onions and rice. Only the hardiest of plants can survive in Greenland, such as crowberries, juniper berries, Alpine bearberries, which find their way into plenty of dishes as well as locally made beers and spirits.
Fishing on the frozen sea ice (Photo by Aningaaq R Carlsen - Visit Greenland)
You’ll find many of the aforementioned staples on menus in restaurants in Ilulissat, most of which are found in hotels. As well as standard à la carte menus, some of these restaurants also offer a ‘catch of the day’ and a weekly Greenlandic buffet – a great way to try as many traditional delicacies as you like for a set price. Besides Brasserie Ulo and Restaurant Ulo at Hotel Arctic, the restaurants at Hotel Hvide Falk and Hotel Icefiord are both highly regarded. You might also be surprised to find a number of cafes throughout town serving Thai and Chinese dishes, which are generally reliable, reasonably priced and generously portioned. You’ll also find plenty of well-stocked supermarkets in Ilulissat where you can pick up any groceries you might need. The two largest ones, Brugseni and Pisiffik, are conveniently right opposite each other at the top of the hilly road that runs through the centre of town, close to the main cluster of cafes and meeting points for excursions. And, for an evening drink, hotel bars are a dependable option – or you might fancy stopping by Naleraq, the local evening hangout of choice.
