Ilulissat
Bucket-list aurora chasers who want the world's most dramatic icefjord backdrop for northern lights photography
About Ilulissat
Ilulissat sits beside the Ilulissat Icefjord — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most active glaciers, calving 46 billion tonnes of ice annually from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier. The icebergs that drift past Ilulissat are among the largest on Earth, some exceeding 100m in height, and the spectacle of aurora dancing above these ice mountains is arguably the world's most dramatic northern lights backdrop. At 69.2°N inside the auroral oval, aurora viewing is world-class — intense, frequent, and brilliant against the black Arctic sky. Dog sledding is a practical transport mode here, not just a tourist activity, with genuine Greenlandic mushers maintaining working teams. Summer brings midnight sun and exceptional whale watching — humpbacks, minke, and fin whales feed in the rich Disko Bay waters. Greenland is expensive (flights, food, and accommodation all cost significantly more than Norway) and logistically complex, but the experience is genuinely unlike anywhere else on Earth. The Hotel Arctic's igloo suites offer the ultimate aurora accommodation experience.
Best Time to Visit
Monthly Weather & Aurora
| Month | Avg Temp | Dark Hours | Aurora Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan★ Best | -18°C | 20h | High |
| Feb★ Best | -18°C | 16h | High |
| Mar★ Best | -14°C | 10h | High |
| Apr | -7°C | 4h | Low |
| May | -1°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jun | +5°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Jul | +9°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Aug | +8°C | Midnight sun | — |
| Sep★ Best | +3°C | 6h | Med |
| Oct★ Best | -4°C | 13h | High |
| Nov★ Best | -11°C | 18h | High |
| Dec★ Best | -16°C | 20h | High |
Activities
Getting There
Fly from Copenhagen to Kangerlussuaq (4h, Air Greenland), then connecting flight to Ilulissat (1h). Alternatively, fly from Reykjavik to Ilulissat direct seasonally. No road connections — all travel within Greenland is by air or boat.
Cost Breakdown
Ilulissat is one of Greenland's most visited towns. UNESCO World Heritage icefjord tours command premium prices.
Accommodation Highlights
- ✓Hotel Arctic
- ✓Arctic inn guesthouses
- ✓Historic wooden cabins
Location
Budget Estimator
Based on avg $300/day in Ilulissat. Includes accommodation, food, local transport & one guided tour. Flights not included.
Quick Info
Official Channels
Packing List for Ilulissat
Interactive checklist with clothing layers, gear, and activity-specific items — based on real weather data.
View packing list →Get Aurora Alerts
Ilulissat is rated 9/10 for aurora. Get a free email alert the moment Kp hits 5+ — so you never miss the lights.
Sign up free →🏨Where to Stay(10)
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Akinnaq
Qoororsuup Aqquserna Box 500, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotel
Ilulissat Guesthouse Blue House
Qupaloraasuk 56, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotelHotel Arctic
Mittarfimmut Aqqutaa B-1128, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotelIlulissat Hostel
Sermermiut Aqq. 4, Ilulissat, Greenland
hostelBest Western Plus Hotel Ilulissat
Kaaleeraq Poulsen'ip Aqq 4, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotelHotel Hvide Falk
Napparsimaviup Aqq. 18, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotel🍽️Where to Eat(10)
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Restaurant Hotel Hvide Falk
Napparsimaviup Aqq. 18, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
seafood restaurant
Hangout Bistro
Kussangajaannguaq 25, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
restaurant
Restaurant Hotel Icefiord
Jørgen Sverdrup'ip Aqq. 10, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
restaurant
Hotel Icefiord
J. Sverdrupip Aqq. 10, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
hotelCafé Iluliaq
Fredericiap Aqqutaa 5, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
coffee shopCafe Nuka
Kussangajaannguaq 32, Ilulissat, Greenland
barRestaurant Ulo
Mittarfimmut Aqq. B-1128, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
fine dining restaurantHotel Ilulissat Rooftop
Kaaleeraq Poulsen'ip Aqq 6, Ilulissat, Greenland
restaurant🎯Things to Do(10)
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Greenland Backcountry
Mittarfimmut Aqq. 1A, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
point of interest
Disko Line Explorer
Kussangajaannguaq 7, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
tourist information center
Ilulissat Adventure
Kussangajaannguaq 3, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
tour agencyUnique Tours Ilulissat
Aron Mathiesenip, Sermermiut Aqq. 9, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
tourist information centerIlulissat Tours
Kussangajaannguaq 18, 3952, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
travel agencyDiskobay Tours
Kussangajaannguaq 44, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
tourist information centerWorld of Greenland
Fredericiap Aqq. 4, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
tourist information centerIlulissat Excursions
Kaaleeraq Poulsenip Aqq. 6, Ilulissat 3952, Greenland
point of interestHow Does Ilulissat Compare?
Side-by-side breakdowns featuring Ilulissat
Popular Activities in Ilulissat
Explore activity guides for everything you can do here
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