Ilulissat is the third largest city in Greenland and is considered the tourism capital of Greenland. Located approximately 300 km north of the Arctic Circle,in the western coast of Greenland, this town sits right next to the famous Ilulissat icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The enormous icebergs just south of the city offer an stark contrast to the colorful houses.
The Ilulissat Icefjord is one of Greenland’s most breathtaking natural wonders. It is fed by the Ilulissat glacier, also known as Sermeq Kujalleq, which in English is translated as the “glacier that calves”. This glacier is the most productive in the Northern Hemisphere, and for this reason Ilulissat is often referred to as the “iceberg capital of the world”. Icebergs calve directly into the fjord, and the area is rich in sealife and during summer months, it is possible to see humpback whales feasting and frolicking in the area, creating a place that draws visitors from around the world. This area in the south of Ilulissat was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 and includes parts of the fjord and the inland ice, making Ilulissat a hotspot for glaciology and Arctic tourism.
With Albatros Expeditions voyages, the way you will reach Ilulissat is by our ship Ocean Albatros, which will dock near the pier to disembark the guests. Another way to arrive in Ilulissat is by flight. The Ilulissat Airport can be reached by domestic flights from Nuuk or international routes from Iceland or Denmark. Flights to Ilulissat are usually operated with smaller planes due to airport limitations, so baggage weight restrictions may be in place.
Jakobshavn, the Danish name for Ilulissat, was established as a trading post in 1741 by Jacob Severin to trade with the Inuit communities living in Sermermiut, 2 km south of the post, which was inhabited until 1850. The main source of income for the local population of Ilulissat is fishing, primarily in the harbour, but tourism is a close second, and more locals are exploring these opportunities. Additionally, the town has deep roots in exploration and science, being the birthplace of notable explorers such as Knud Rasmussen and Jørgen Brønlund.
Ilulissat is in WGST (Western Greenland Summer Time), GMT-3. This can vary between seasons, as Ilulissat during winter can have a sunrise around 9am and the latest sunset around 13 h. In contrast, during summer months, the sun hardly sets, and the midnight sun is very common.
Two popular destinations in Greenland are Nuuk and Ilulissat, and you might wonder how to travel between them. Albatros Expeditions offers the Complete West Greenland voyage, allowing guests to see Ilulissat's icebergs and the skyscrapers of Nuuk with our ship Ocean Albatros, which will also pass through sites like Eqip Sermia Glacier, Uummannaq, Itilleq, and many more!
Ilulissat in Greenland has a population of approximately 4,900 residents. Despite its small size, it is the largest town in the municipality of Avannaata and plays a major role in the tourism of the area.
Founded in 1741 by the Danish merchant Jacob Severin, the town was originally called Jakobshavn, named after Jacob’s trading post established for exchanging goods with the Inuit population. However, today it is more commonly known by the Greenlandic name, Ilulissat.
During your time in Ilulissat, you will be able to observe the stunning Ilulissat Icefjord up close, hike through magical landscapes along with friendly local hospitality, and even have the chance to spot wildlife such as minke whales, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, or polar bears!
Join on an Arctic adventure with Albatros Expeditions and witness the wonders of Greenland!
