Destination Comparison
Ilulissat vs Svalbard
Two of the Arctic's most spectacular destinations — Greenland's icefjord city versus Norway's polar wilderness archipelago.
✦9/10
Aurora Score
✓✦10/10
$300/day
Daily Budget
✓$280/day
Expedition ⛺
Accessibility
Moderate 🛤️
Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Best Months
Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
20h
Dark Hours (Winter)
✓Polar night (24h)
Arctic
Region
Arctic
16 types
Activities
✓19 types
Our Verdict
Both are bucket-list Arctic experiences; Ilulissat wins for icebergs and aurora photography; Svalbard wins for polar bears, glaciers, and expedition feel
Choose Ilulissat if:
Photographers obsessed with icebergs, and those wanting Greenlandic dog sledding culture
Choose Svalbard if:
Wildlife-focused expedition travellers wanting polar bears, walrus, and the most authentic High Arctic wilderness
Greenland
Ilulissat
Bucket-list aurora chasers who want the world's most dramatic icefjord backdrop for northern lights photography
Norway
Svalbard
Bucket-list adventurers wanting the ultimate Arctic experience with maximum aurora intensity