Ilulissat

Where is Ilulissat, Greenland located?

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.

What is the Ilulissat Icefjord?

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.

How to get to Ilulissat, Greenland?

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. 

What is the history of Ilulissat?

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.