Top 16 things to do and attractions in Ilulissat

Once in a lifetime opportunity to see & get close to the ice fjord in Greenland Ilulissat. Nothing can describe the breath taking views.

The hiking area with the best views of the icebergs that you can see on the blue trail. I actually liked contrast of colors of solid ground with rocks and grass contrasting with the icebergs the most.

It was a breathtakingly beautiful place, like a dream. Since I visited in summer, I was able to enjoy hiking with long daylight hours. Without a doubt, it is one of the most stunning natural landscapes I have ever traveled to. Additionally, the trails are not too steep, making it an easy and accessible route for families. If you ever have the chance to go, I highly recommend it.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful walk. Take plenty of time to enjoy the surroundings. (Original) Prachtige wandeling. Neem voldoende tijd om te genieten van de omgeving.

(Translated by Google) This blue line allows you to enjoy the magnificent scenery of icebergs along the seaside. (Original) 這條藍線可以沿著海邊欣賞冰山的壯闊場景。

Greenland is a different world altogether. Nature in its pristine splendour. Extremely nice people. World class facilities, though small in number.

Fantastic Whale watching trip, on a Targa boat , it had a very fast engine . It looked small but ladies it had a good toilet hidden in the front of the boat. We saw at least 5 Humpback whales, we could hear them calling. The icebergs were incredible. The crew were local and very kind, quietly spoken & pleasant. I would highly recommend this trip. Wrap up warm as the wind chill factor at speed is really chilling.

Took a tour to Eqip Sermia glacier and had a blast. There was hot coffee and tea on the boat as well as comfortable bathrooms. Sweet polite guides. We were served a delicious lunch. I have really enjoying my travel to the glacier.

Everything was perfect and well and safely organised. The view from the lodges amazing. The adventure is a must and very refreshing.

I took the day tour to Eqi Glacier. We met at the headquarters in town. Do to a mix up of your start times we spent far too long waiting. Once on the ship the I formation was informative a and the scenery was stunning. We had unlimited tea and coffee, a rest room, access on the vessel outdoors and blankets. Another perk was that the steering house was not off limits. The lunch was superb and the 2 hours afforded at the base of the glacier gave us plenty of time to snap photos and witness some calving. The only negative experience was crew members throwing cigarettes from the bridge to the ice sheets in the glacier bay. This is totally unacceptable. Otherwise I feel the outing was a worthwhile tour.

World of Greenland is one of the main tour operators in Ilulissat, offering a wide range of activities that showcase the beauty of the Arctic. They organize boat trips among the massive icebergs in Disko Bay, helicopter tours over the Ilulissat Icefjord and Sermeq Kujalleq glacier, as well as hiking tours to Sermermiut Valley and guided cultural experiences with local Greenlandic traditions. Their trips are well-organized with professional guides who share interesting facts about the landscape, wildlife, and culture. Many travelers praise their safety standards and ability to create unforgettable experiences, whether it’s seeing whales up close, flying above icefields, or watching the midnight sun over the fjord. For anyone visiting Ilulissat, World of Greenland is highly recommended for exploring the region’s natural wonders and Arctic adventures in a safe and professional way.

Take their whale watching tour, it was amazing. And you get to cruise the icebergs. We saw 2 Humpback whales really up close. A fantastic day.

Zion church is situated in a very nice place overlooking the many . icebergs in late May early June when we visited . Great place to just chill and touch the broken pieces of ices that gets wash up to the rocks . Also attended the service on a Sunday . They provides tea and buns after service . Noted that the church exist as a community more than a gathering of saints who truly understands the meaning of God’s love and His salvation to mankind , a must just place in Illulisatt !

Historic and beautiful. We attended a little concert with a sweet and talented local lady played the pipe organ for us. Then she entertained us further on her harp. A few other local played the organ too. Very pleasant evening!

Unfortunately both times that I visited the church was closed but still a very photogenic building. Watched people on kayak departure in front of the church. Cool place to seat and chill!

More than the church itself, visit this place for one of the best views over the icefjord that you can get in Ilulissat. The church was closed when I was in the area, so I didn't see how it looks inside. But again, I would visit it again just for the views.

It is a very beautiful church.It is a magnificent view！

Zion’s Church, a small Church ⛪️ located at Oqaluffiup Aqq., Ilulissat 3952, Greenland, is a charming wooden Lutheran church and one of Greenland’s oldest and most atmospheric landmarks . Built in 1779, it was Greenland’s largest man-made structure at the time and remains historically and culturally significant today . The church is perched on a rocky slope just above Disko Bay, offering enchanting views of the endless sea of icebergs drifting from Ilulissat Icefjord into the bay and beyond . Constructed of driftwood and local timber, the dark-red wooden exterior reflects traditional Nordic aesthetics. Its interior remains modest and inviting—with blue-painted benches, a white wooden ceiling, and a small organ near the entrance—creating a warm, intimate atmosphere during Sunday services . Restored and relocated slightly (about 50 meters) during 1929–31, Zion’s Church houses a replica of Thorvaldsen’s crystal Christus sculpture and two ornate candlesticks gifted in 1789 . Though still an active parish church with regular worship, its doors remain locked outside mass times, making it accessible only when services are held . Despite the limited access, Zion’s Church is worth visiting even just for its picture-postcard setting—traditional Scandinavian houses clustered around its base and the dramatic icy seascape beyond make this corner of Ilulissat especially photogenic and serene . As Ilulissat sits just north of the Arctic Circle, the climate around the church varies dramatically—cool summers with long daylight hours and crisp, long winters that often bring -10 °C or lower temperatures and icy winds from the bay . Visitors in mid-May (and other months) frequently witness stunning mornings when newly calved icebergs float past the church in Disko Bay—a visual well worth the cold . In summary, Zion’s Church is more than just a place of worship—it is a symbol of Greenland’s colonial history, faith, and resilience. Set dramatically against a frozen seascape and built with humble materials in a remote Arctic town, it offers a soulful glimpse into human and cultural endurance in one of Earth’s most rugged environments.

Beautiful you must come to visit and sit around here for view

Small airport with no options for entertainment. There are no stores or much to do. There is a small place to buy some snacks, fast food and souvenirs (when it is open). Otherwise it is mostly just a gate with seats. While the airport itself is nothing special, there is no security check and nearly no wait time for checking in luggage so there is no need to be here two hours before departure. Another plus to the small size is that it is fairly quiet. This airport has the most spectacular view of the icebergs when arriving in/departing from the airport by plane.

Nice small airport. Very old, but clean Perfect helpful staff. Our flight was cancelled and we get into new one 4h later. We received coupons for food and listening od restaurants when you can use it and both ways taxi voucher, all free of charge. There is free WiFi all around Greenland. Small dhop with food and souvenirs, vending machine. You can be 40min before departure, it's enough.

This airport has probably the shortest baggage belt that I have ever seen. Like to the point that I ask myself if it's really needed to have it. Nevertheless, the airport is simple, yet it has everything that you might need for an hour or two of waiting. Everything is in one entrance hall, including waiting for your flight departure.

Small airport with friendly staff. All immigration is handled in Iceland or Denmark. They did not load my bag on the plane but that’s IcelandAir (I do not recommend them however your choices are limited when it comes to Greenland travel) Small souvenir shop is in the airport with very limited choices. Some snacks are available for purchase . Airport has two gates - arrivals and departures. You will walk to / fro your aircraft. Cute little place , I just don’t feel so “cute” now since my bag is still in Greenland and I am in the US.

Small airport, but it's right next to a small trail that has incredible views of the ice bergs. If you have a lot of time to kill like we did, head out to the trail west of the airport entrance. There's a path that goes up to a small hill with a bench overlooking the ice bergs.

A small lovely airport, fit for purpose, this was our staging area for flying over the glaciers, with AirZafari. (who were amazing).

Great little airport and the best I encountered in Greenland. It is small but has some souvenirs and a delicious snack bar. I had the homemade egg and bacon muffin. After arrival luggage delivery takes a little time. Check in on the other hand is very quick. I walked from the airport to town because the weather was stunning. I took a taxi to the airport and it only took a few minutes. There is free parking but no free Wi-Fi.

A combined ticket for 60DKK or €10, kids go free, gets you into both museums in Ilulisaat. Closed Mondays. No toilets for visitors. Shoes off at the entrance. They sell books, postcards, souvenirs. Top floor until 31 August is a small exhibition "Kayak and harpoon", the floor below has information on the history of the town/settlement and Knud Rasmussen. There are some items outside the museum, including a recreation of a Thule winter house which you can go into.

Ilulissat, Greenland's third-largest town (~4,500 residents), embodies a unique Arctic way of life shaped by its dramatic environment, ancient Inuit heritage, and modern challenges. For over 4,000 years, the Ilulissat area has been inhabited by Indigenous cultures like the Saqqaq, Dorset, and Thule peoples, who thrived on hunting seals, whales, and fishing in the nutrient-rich Disko Bay. Today, Greenlandic Inuit traditions persist through dog sledding (though declining due to climate change), kaffemik gatherings (community coffee rituals), and vibrant artisan crafts like tupilak carvings. Fishing remains the economic backbone, with halibut and cod processing central to the local industry. Climate change has paradoxically boosted catches by extending boat-fishing seasons year-round, yet threatens traditional ice-based hunting. Tourism thrives around the UNESCO-listed Icefjord, offering iceberg cruises, dog sledding, and Northern Lights tours, supporting many livelihoods. Rapid warming is reshaping daily life.  Declining sea ice has reduced sled dog numbers from 5,000 to 1,800 in two decades, limiting winter mobility.  The Jakobshavn Glacier’s retreat (calving 20 billion tons of ice annually) fuels both economic opportunities and existential concerns, symbolizing global sea-level rise.  Locals report unpredictable weather, with increased rain altering hunting/fishing patterns. Ilulissat blends colorful wooden houses, bustling fish markets ("brættet"), and sites like the Icefjord Centre, which merges climate science with Inuit history. Despite globalization, communal values endure, emphasizing resilience amid environmental flux.  In essence, Ilulissat’s way of life balances deep cultural continuity with adaptive innovation in one of Earth’s most dynamic landscapes.

A smaller museum with a lot of information about local culture and the history of the place. Besides anything else, you will also learn a lot about Knud Rasmussen, an explorer that helped to unite the country. This part was especially interesting for me. As other places in Ilulissat, you need to leave your outside shoes in the dressing room.

This rather small house is packed with exhibits that give you a deep insight into Greenlandic life over the centuries. It actually was that much - it felt a bit exhausting. Nevertheless there is great effort and dedication in it. And there is a turf hut outside - see photo.

I visited this museum with high hopes, especially given the very affordable entrance fee. The second floor was a highlight — it features a genuinely fascinating and well-told story about the building of a traditional kayak. It was immersive, respectful, and insightful. Unfortunately, the experience was heavily overshadowed by the first floor. The exhibitions there are shockingly colonialist in tone, with narratives that are outdated, offensive, and demeaning. The displays present Indigenous peoples as inferior or “backward,” perpetuating the disturbing and discredited idea that the West “saved” or “civilized” them. It’s disappointing and frankly disturbing to see such a mindset still being displayed without critical reflection or historical context. Overall, while the second floor is worth seeing, I left with a sense of frustration and disappointment. This museum urgently needs to rethink and revise its presentation of history — especially in how it portrays Indigenous cultures.

Fantastic informative museum ticket price 60 Dutch krona includes art museum in Illulisat which again is fantastic This Knud Rasmussen museum he was born at this house in Illulisat his father was a minister it's fantastic reading on his explorations in Greenland and arctic regions.

This small museum is worth a visit if you’re in town. The ticket is 100 DKK and entrance to the art museum is also included.

Our guide Juile was fantastic! The boat ride was smooth, safe, it was a rubber boat so we were close to the water, which enable for me to take some amazing photos ! She took us to stunning spots to see the icebergs , she was very professional and patient,answered all our questions, making the trip both fun and unforgettable. Highly recommend!

We did the evening/sunset icefjord boat tour and also the icefjord kayaking tour through Ilulissat Adventure, and enjored both activities greatly! I was worried they might be redundant, but each offers a unique experience and perspective being amongst the massive icebergs. Would highly recommend!

Had a fantastic boat trip through Disko Bay, with the most amazing whale watching ever. Caroline was super knowledgeable, and found us a spot with whales every which way. Very close up whale bubble net feeding, unlike anything we’d seen before. She also drove us to the most stunning icebergs you can imagine. The lunch at Oqaatsut was hyggelige and delicious. I highly recommend this tour company and tour.

We went for whales safari and that was absolutely magical experience! The girls were very nice and helpful, and we saw so many whales and even seals! We will never forget it!

Great evening boat tour and afternoon kayak tour ! Best way to see the icebergs in the bay. Also the best spot to have some tea and cookies offered by the super friendly staff.

We booked a kayak tour and it was truly amazing. I can definitely recommend this company!

The Icefjord cruise was an incredible experience. Getting up close to the icebergs was absolutely breathtaking. They provide you with full body warm suits and the open boat makes you feel more connected with the surroundings. I highly recommend it.

A really lovely start to the hike by the icefjord. Really cosy and great food and drink. Service was lovely and accommodating. Definitely would recommend it! Not sure why it shows as temporary closed, there is a sign that says open 11-16. ☺️

What a great find after a nice hike! This place has a great view of the ice fjord. We had a couple pastries and they were so delicious too. Definitely stop by for a meal/snack break.

A wonderful spot to have a tea and cookie, overlooking the icebergs floating past, seated on a fur covered deck chair. Very nice and friendly staff, best design in town...

You already made a great decision coming to Greenland. And coming to Asimut may be the best decision you make in Greenland.

Uniquely located on the trail to the ice fjords, this is the type of place we have always dreamt of finding on a hike. Wonderful setting and delicious snacks, great host, and thoughtfully decorated.

Super cute little cafe by the yellow hiking trail!

Great place after getting over the rocks. IPA, Strong beer, and wide range of lemonades and bruun kola. Wide variety and awesome service!

Used gym during my trip to Ilulissat Only 40 kroners.

The road following to the place with a great view on ice fjord Kangia!

Ok

Wow location.

(Translated by Google) Convenient place with great staff, however a bit dated in its fixtures. Great place to hold courses and gatherings. (Original) Praktisk sted med fantastisk personale, dog en smule forældet i sine inventar. Super sted til at holde kurser og samlinger.

(Translated by Google) This is Ilulissat City Sports Center very big Local children will go there to play (Original) 此為伊盧利薩特城市運動中心 很大 在地的孩子都會到裡面遊玩

(Translated by Google) It seems they have a pretty nice movie theater and a cafe that is used by the locals in particular. You can have brunch, lunch and dinner. The food looks homemade, but we didn't taste it. (Original) Det ser ud til at de har en ret fin biografsal og en café der bliver brugt af de lokale især. Man kan både få brunch, frokost og aftensmad. Maden ser hjemmelavet ud, men vi smagte den ikke.

This was the starting point where I and my friend started our yellow hike. I preferred this direction, as I wanted to end up at the Icefjord Center for toilets and snacks. If you have it similar, I recommend you to use the same logic. The views are amazing and I liked them more than the red hike, even though the hikes have some common segments. No fees to go for this hike.

Beautiful lookout, with good accessibility. Offers an alternative entry into the glacier trekking route. Perfect to watch the sunset. Has a free binocular.

Easy trail to see the ice fjords! If it is sunny make sure to take a net as mosquitos are everywhere! You can start at the power plant or at the entrance of the blue trail.

Beautiful sculpture and views. The sculpture has many details to examine and appreciate on each side. There is also a wooden stairway here that takes you up to a viewing platform of the ice and the beginning (or end) of the yellow trail to (or from) the new visitor center.

Sculpture next to the trailhead for the Yellow Route. Either from this statue or the top of the stairway, you get great views of Disko Bay and the color houses of Ilulissat.

A sculpture celebrating the 275th anniversary of Ilullisat. Beautiful views of the icefjord from this vantage point. The sculpture's plaque translates to: "On the occasion of the 275th anniversary of the city of Ilulissat, on 3 August 2016, this statue is given to the 'longline fisherman', where local fishermen jointly developed this tool 'the longline glider' 100 years ago, which is still used by fishermen today . This statue is given as a gift to honor fishermen fishing in the sea and on the ice."

Very nice place to sit and watch the icebergs!

The red hike is the shortest hike form the Icefjord Center to the Icefjord itself. Holms Bakke is a hike crossroad and a point of view to see the icefjord. I liked the view a lot, but there are also slightly better ones on the blue hike. The terrain is not challenging in any way, but since there was a lot of mud on the way, I recommend to wear sturdy hiking shoes.

(Translated by Google) the end of the world (Original) 世界的盡頭

This is a great hike to do. I particularly loved the beginning of the red trail where you walk close by the sled dogs. The puppies are very cute! The trail works well in combination with the blue trail towards Sermermiut with lots more of great views of the icebergs. I do not recommend taking red trail only as most of the trail does not have much of a view compared to other trails. I recommend going during the day when the icebergs are not in shadow. It does not work very well for a midnight stroll since the icebergs will be mostly in the shadow and you miss the golden hour effect.

Ilulissat’s Red Trail is a compact, beginner-friendly path stretching around 1 km each way from the old heliport to the icefjord’s edge . The trail begins with a long wooden boardwalk—easy walking but take care if icy, and proceed slowly in boots with grip . While not the most scenic of the Ilulissat hikes, the Red Trail offers its own charm—wandering past sled dog kennels where playful pups often bound up to greet hikers. It’s an excellent shortcut link into the more dramatic Blue Trail or a quick taste of the landscape before heading further afield . Despite its brevity, the endpoint rewards you with glimpses of towering icebergs and the icefjord’s raw beauty, making it a worthwhile complement to longer routes .

The shortest hike form the Icefjord Center to the Icefjord itself. It ends at Holms Bakke, which is a hike crossroad and a point of view to see the icefjord. The terrain is not challenging in any way, but since there was a lot of mud on the way, I recommend to bring sturdy hiking shoes.

(Translated by Google) This is a short hiking trail that starts at the Visitor Center and ends at the Blue Route. (Original) 這是一條很短的健行步道，從遊客中心出發，最後會接到藍線。

A really nice and small cafe place in Ilulissat. I stayed here when I was waiting my flight for Upernavik. The owner is really kind§friendly and It was a pleasure to stay here. You can have panini, warm chocolate, cake, soda and many other stuffs. You can also have wifi as you want for only 50kr

Creative sandwiches here and good coffee. Nice outside area in the summer. Vege options in a town that doesn't have many. Gets busy but worth the wait.

Solid coffee & sandwiches, questionable scrambled eggs, unlimited wifi for 50dkk.

Very good coffee and sandwiches

(Translated by Google) If you ever find yourself in Illulisat on Greenland, this is a place to be. (Original) Falls man sich mal in Illulisat auf Grönland aufhält, das ist ein Place to be.

(Translated by Google) Good food! Superb sandwiches and banana split!! (Original) Good food! Superb sandwiches and bananasplit!!

It was such a privilege for us to visit this wonderful place of Greenland. Our hearts were filled with joy and gratitude after the trip.

The size of the calving icebergs in Ilulissat Fjord is difficult to imagine, hundreds if not thousands of meters in lateral dimensions. 100% of Greenland's ice mass flows through this glacier and fjord.

One of the most beautiful places I have visited in my life ever🩵🤍💙

Ilulissat ice fjord. If you visit Greenland need to go here. So beautiful

This is an absolute must see if you find yourself in Greenland. The view are breathtaking and the whole landscape is surreal. I felt as if I were living in a completely different world.

A town not to be missed. Huge icebergs floating as far as the eye can see. Must go on a boat trip and get close up to the icebergs.

very great trip, but 3 stars minus because of the Pinguin who shat in our boat 😞

Small two floor house museum. First floor had modern pieces while second floor had more historical pieces. Overall a cute visit! Plus if you buy a ticket, it also goes towards a visit to the Ilulissat history museum.

It is small but so is Ilulissat. It was a sweet place and I really enjoyed it, especially a couple of the large paintings on the top floor. There was also a small exhibition on the ground floor. When you get a ticket it gets you into both the Museum and Art Gallery and for 100dkk it is great value.

Two floors of temporary installations and paintings. If you are into this kind of thing, I believe you'll enjoy it. The museum is not very big and you can spend about 1 hour of exploring. As other places in Ilulissat, you need to leave your outdoor shoes at the entrance and switch into indoor slippers that's available there.

Is this art museum 250km above the arctic circle? Yes. Is it mainly art on the 2nd floor of a house? Also yes. Okay it’s not as much Inuit art as we’d all love to see, but it does have an attempt at variety, and while some of the transition visually are non sequitur, the experience is still enriching.

60DKK or 10€ buys a combined ticket to both museums in Ilulisaat. Kids go free. Closed Mondays, otherwise 10-4pm. No toilets available for visitors. Shoes off at the entrance. A few items, postcards etc to buy. This museum mainly shows the Greenland paintings of Emanuel Petersen from the 1920s. Until 15 August being shown side by side with these are photographs from a collection called "I am Inuit". Photographer Brian Adams. Photos of Alaskan Inuits. They make an interesting comparison/contrast of older, traditional culture and modern. There are also some other items on display such as bone and soapstone carvings. Worth visiting both museums if you have time.

Definitely rude and Racist. The open sign was up and we still 15 to 29 minutes but the tall white guy ruse said we are closed and told us to go. .

Permanent collection features paintings of Ilulissat by Danish painter Emanuel A. Petersen, and first floor (upstairs) displaying art from the current temporary exhibition. The curator on site is very friendly and highly recommend chatting to him for more insight into the artwork on display. Top tip: Art museum is cash only, if you wish to pay by card then best to buy the ticket from the Knud Rasmussen museum first.

The displays were super informative and high quality. Great place to learn about Greenlandic history and geology in beautifully designed exhibition environments. The sound room and interactive ice core sections were really innovative and the cycle of water/ice video is a must see. Loved the transition from the inner space to walking the rooftop and into the ice fjords, a truly breathtaking and unique experience. They also have a great coffeeshop and well curated shop. A highlight of our trip to Greenland!

The first museum/tourist center that I have experienced where you need to leave your shoes at the entrance. There is a dressing room and you can get there slippers for inside. Just this makes the experience unique. I recommend to reserve about 2 hours for the exhibition. You can go through it much faster, but then you won't be able to listen and enjoy all those audio guide clips that you can listen to at your phone. Other than that, the exhibits are without any texts so you can just look around. You can buy the tickets on spot.

Be ready to be blown away by its dramatic design—carved into the landscape with sweeping windows framing giant icebergs floating outside. Inside, the "Story of Ice" exhibition combines interactive science, art installations, and panoramic fjord views—powerful without feeling overwhelming The café and shop are welcoming, with good coffee to sip as you watch the ice drift. Admission is reasonable (around 150 DKK), and you can book a 90-minute visit timed to fit the crowd limit Why it stands out: architecture that harmonizes with its wild surroundings, top-tier design and storytelling, and those unforgettable iceberg views—with every window feeling like a live exhibit.

Excellent exhibit, very informative, interactive. The hike to the glacier views was easy on a boardwalk

Located within Disko Bay at the mouth of the Ilulissat Ice fjord, is this wonderfully designed structures in keeping with its surrounds, which is home to an awesome exhibit, giving information, about the glacier, definitely worth a visit before walking down to the icebergs.

An interesting architecture fully integrated with the permafrost environment. The view from the rooftop is nice too. But the entrance fee is expensive and I am not quite impressed with the exhibits inside to be honest - it's such a huge and intricate space with great potentials but it doesnt seem like they know how to use of the space well. They left most of the space empty, and wrapped a small amount of historic objects with transparent plastic. That's pretty much it. (The ice core samples are cool though)

Beautiful place for a short to long hike. Some snowfall made the boardwalk slightly slippery so wear proper boots. Basic Unesco trek can be done in 30-45mins. The scenery is magnificent and truly unforgettable.