Ilulissat Greenland
Country: Greenland · Region: Greenland
Ilulissat is Greenland's third-largest city located at the mouth of the UNESCO World Heritage Ilulissat Ice Fjord, famous for its icebergs from the world's most active glacier. The town offers a spectacular Arctic setting with nearly 3,500 sled dogs and is an excellent base for glacier viewing, boat tours, and experiencing Greenlandic culture.
Top sights
Ilulissat Ice Fjord, Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, Icebergs in Disko Bay, Ilulissat Museum, Inuit Art Museum, Icefjord Centre
Things to do
- Ilulissat Ice Fjord
- UNESCO World Heritage Site 35 km from town featuring icebergs from Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, reachable by a 1-2 km walk or 3-4 hour boat trip.
- Ilulissat Museum
- Local historical museum featuring exhibitions on explorer Knud Rasmussen, open Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00.
- Inuit Art Museum
- Features paintings from Greenland, the Faroes and Denmark, with notable works by Emanuel A. Petersen, open Sun-Thu 13:00-16:00.
- Icefjord Centre
- Museum and visitor centre with exhibits on ice, wildlife and human history with marked hiking trails outside, open Wed-Sun 10:00-16:00.
Beaches
- Disko Bay
- Sea filled with icebergs where visitors can watch massive icebergs drift from the fjord on boat tours.
Where to eat
- Restaurant Ulo
- Restaurant at Hotel Arctic serving local food including muskox, reindeer, Greenland halibut, arctic hare, and foraged herbs, with views of Disko Bay icebergs.
- Restaurant Hvide Falk
- Offers Greenlandic style seafood buffet with an unexpected Thai cuisine room and takeaway food starting at 85 kr.
Bars and nightlife
- Cafe Ferdinand
- Cafe at Hotel Arctic serving coffee, tea and cakes during the day, turning into a bar after 22:00 with views of Disko Bay icebergs.
Forecast for Ilulissat
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Weather in Ilulissat by month
Averages from 2015 to 2024, not a forecast. Within about two weeks of a date, the live forecast above is the one to trust.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rainfall | Wet days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F | -1°F | 0.8 in | 6 |
| February | 7°F | -5°F | 0.5 in | 4 |
| March | 14°F | 1°F | 0.6 in | 5 |
| April | 27°F | 15°F | 1.0 in | 6 |
| May | 37°F | 26°F | 1.1 in | 6 |
| June | 48°F | 37°F | 1.1 in | 5 |
| July | 54°F | 42°F | 1.9 in | 7 |
| August | 51°F | 40°F | 1.8 in | 8 |
| September | 40°F | 31°F | 1.8 in | 8 |
| October | 29°F | 20°F | 1.7 in | 7 |
| November | 20°F | 10°F | 1.2 in | 8 |
| December | 16°F | 6°F | 1.0 in | 7 |
Getting around
Walk around town or take a taxi; most hotels offer airport pickup and dropoff, and Hotel Arctic provides regular van service to the city centre.
What to eat
Local restaurants like Restaurant Ulo serve traditional Greenlandic foods including musk-ox, reindeer, Greenland halibut, and arctic hare, while Restaurant Hvide Falk offers a Greenlandic-style seafood buffet.
Tips
Watch for dogsled yield signs as dogs have right-of-way on streets; book accommodations well in advance due to increased tourism.
Best for
Icebergs, Arctic wildlife, dog sledding, hiking