Where to stay in Ilulissat — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Ilulissat literally means "icebergs" in Greenlandic, and the town earns the name. It's the gateway to the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2004, where house-sized icebergs calve from Sermeq Kujalleq, one of the fastest-moving glaciers on Earth. This small town on Disko Bay sits about 350 km north of the Arctic Circle and is home to 5,149 people (and roughly as many sled dogs). Choosing where to stay here isn't only about star ratings, it's about which window frames the icebergs. We've compared live prices across Agoda, Booking and Trip.com so you can lock in the right room in three clicks.
Why stay in Ilulissat
A World Heritage icefjord
Towering icebergs break off the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier and drift past town daily. A short boardwalk gets you to the viewpoints in minutes, no hard hike required.
Whales right off town
From June to September, humpback, minke and fin whales feed in Disko Bay, sometimes visible from the shoreline before you even board a boat.
Living sled-dog culture
Ilulissat has nearly as many sled dogs as people. In winter you can ride out across the snow the way local hunters do, a genuinely Arctic experience.
Aurora and midnight sun
The sun never sets from 21 May to 24 July, while clear nights from September to March bring the northern lights dancing over the icebergs.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Ilulissat
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Town CentreWalk to restaurants, the supermarket, Zion's Church and the museum. Fewer taxi rides and the most convenient base for independent travellers.
Coming soonFjord-side (Hotel Arctic)Upscale stays on the ridge above the fjord with full Disko Bay views, about 5 minutes' drive from the centre. Home to the iconic igloo cabins.
Coming soonHarbourClose to departure points for icefjord, whale and Eqi glacier boat tours. See the working fishing harbour and head out early with ease.
Coming soonNear the Icefjord (Sermermiut)Hotel Icefiord and bay-view guesthouses sit a short walk from the Sermermiut boardwalk and the best iceberg viewpoints.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Ilulissat
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Ilulissat stay reviews — meanwhile search Ilulissat hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Ilulissat
- 1🍲
Suaasat
Greenland's signature soup, made from seal, whale or reindeer simmered with onion and potato. Hearty, warming and deeply traditional.
📍 National soup - 2🐟
Greenlandic halibut
Firm, sweet halibut from the icy fjord, served grilled or as sushi. The star of nearly every menu in town.
📍 Local catch - 3🥩
Musk ox & reindeer
Wild tundra meats with a richer flavour than beef, often served as steaks or in a Greenlandic tapas spread.
📍 Arctic game - 4🐳
Mattak
Whale skin and blubber cut into small pieces and eaten with the fingers, a traditional bite for adventurous eaters.
📍 Local delicacy - 5🍽️
Restaurant Ulo (Hotel Arctic)
A gourmet dining room with Disko Bay views, using top Greenlandic ingredients and some of the country's best chefs. Ideal for a special meal.
📍 Fine dining - 6🦐
Restaurant Mamartut
A homey, family-run spot. The summer lunch buffet features whale carpaccio, prawns, fish and Greenlandic tapas.
📍 Family-run
- 1🧊
Ilulissat Icefjord (boardwalk)
The town's centrepiece. A wooden boardwalk leads to the Sermermiut viewpoints where giant icebergs line the fjord. Open year-round and suitable for everyone.
📍 UNESCO Site - 2🏛️
Ilulissat Icefjord Centre (Kangiata Illorsua)
An award-winning building on the fjord's edge telling the story of ice, Inuit culture and climate change. Climb to the rooftop for sweeping views.
📍 Visitor centre - 3⛪
Zion's Church
A waterfront wooden church that's one of the most photographed buildings in Greenland, with icebergs floating in Disko Bay behind it.
📍 Photo landmark - 4🐕
Knud Rasmussen Museum
The birthplace of the legendary polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, now a museum on Arctic exploration and local history.
📍 History - 5🐋
Disko Bay whale watching
Boat tours in search of humpback, minke and fin whales among the icebergs, some run under the midnight sun.
📍 Jun–Sep - 6🚤
Eqi Glacier boat tour (Eqip Sermia)
A roughly 2-hour sail to stand before the actively calving Eqi Glacier, with whale and waterfall stops along the way.
📍 Full-day trip - 7🏔️
Disko Island (Qeqertarsuaq)
The volcanic island across the bay, with basalt cliffs, hot springs and otherworldly Arctic scenery, reachable by fast boat.
📍 Day trip - 8🥾
Sermermiut ancient settlement
An ancient Inuit settlement in the fjord-side valley. Hike the yellow or blue trail past Arctic wildflowers to the iceberg viewpoints.
📍 4,000 years old
Things to do in Ilulissat
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Ilulissat — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Ilulissat hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 8.8Value
★ 8.8ValueHOTEL SØMA Ilulissat
Best value - icefjord views, free transfer
★ 8.7Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในIlulissat
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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🚆 Getting around Ilulissat
Ilulissat Airport (JAV)
About 3 km from town (a 5-minute drive). Domestic flights with Air Greenland from Nuuk and Kangerlussuaq, plus seasonal Icelandair service to Reykjavik.
On foot
The compact centre puts restaurants, the supermarket, churches and the museum within easy walking distance. There's no public transport system.
Local taxis
A handful of taxis serve the town, useful for the airport or outlying stays like Hotel Arctic. Booking ahead by phone is recommended.
Arctic Umiaq Line ferry
A coastal ferry links Ilulissat with Sisimiut, Nuuk and other west-coast towns. Seasonal and scenic, best if you have time to spare.
Money & payments
The currency is the Danish krone (DKK). Cards are accepted almost everywhere and tours and stays can be booked online, but carry a little cash for small shops.
Where to go next near Ilulissat
NuukThe world's northernmost capital on the fjord — Inuit mummies, candy-coloured houses, humpback whales and northern lights right from the city centre.
See this city's guide →
SisimiutA practical guide to where to stay, what to see, and what to eat in Sisimiut — Greenland's second-largest town above the Arctic Circle and the gateway to the Arctic Circle Trail, skiing, and dog-sledding culture.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Ilulissat
How do I get to Ilulissat, and where do I connect?+
There are no direct flights from most of the world. Travellers usually route via Reykjavik (Iceland) or Copenhagen, then fly into Greenland and connect on Air Greenland from Nuuk or Kangerlussuaq to Ilulissat Airport (JAV). In summer, Icelandair also runs seasonal direct flights from Reykjavik.
When is the best time to visit for icebergs or aurora?+
For whale watching, fjord cruises, hiking and the midnight sun, visit June to September (the sun never sets from 21 May to 24 July). For the northern lights and dog sledding, come September to March, when skies are clearer and dark enough to catch the aurora over the icebergs.
Which area should I stay in?+
For walkability and lower taxi costs, stay in the town centre. For full iceberg views and an upscale feel, choose Hotel Arctic on the fjord. To be steps from the Sermermiut boardwalk, base yourself near the icefjord around Hotel Icefiord.
Ready to book your Ilulissat stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking