Where to stay in Sisimiut — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Sisimiut is Greenland's second-largest town and the largest settlement north of the Arctic Circle, home to roughly 5,500 people. It sits on the west coast along the Davis Strait, about 320 km north of the capital Nuuk. Locals call it Greenland's adventure capital — it's the finishing point of the legendary 165 km Arctic Circle Trail from Kangerlussuaq, and the southernmost town where keeping Greenland sled dogs is still legal. The charm here is real and unpolished: rows of brightly painted wooden houses around the old colonial harbour, a blue church that's stood for over 250 years, and a living Inuit hunting culture. If you want raw, crowd-free Arctic nature, this is the place.
Why stay in Sisimiut
End of the Arctic Circle Trail
Greenland's most iconic long-distance hike runs 165 km from Kangerlussuaq to Sisimiut, taking 7-10 days across roadless tundra, lakes and mountains with simple trail huts along the way.
Southernmost sled-dog town
Sisimiut is the southernmost town in Greenland where keeping Greenland sled dogs is permitted, so winter dog-sledding trips into the backcountry are the real, working thing — not a show.
Winter-sports playground
Host of the Arctic Circle Race, a three-day, 160 km cross-country ski event, plus a small ski area, snowmobiling and snowshoeing across the snowy interior.
A living old town
Colourful wooden houses around the colonial harbour, the blue Bethel Church from 1775, the oldest house dating to 1756, and a museum tracing thousands of years of Saqqaq Inuit culture.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Sisimiut
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
Town Centre & Old Colonial HarbourColourful waterfront houses, the museum, blue church, restaurants and cafés all clustered together — the easiest base for walking around.
Coming soonHotel District (Hotel Sisimiut / SØMA)The town's main hotels sit here, with the Nasaasaaq restaurant and cafeterias on site and an easy walk into the centre.
Coming soonLakeside Nalunnguarfik (Taseralik)Home to the Taseralik culture centre overlooking the in-town lake — ideal for art, cinema and café time with a water view.
Coming soonGuesthouses & ApartmentsBudget guesthouses and self-catering apartments scattered across the hillsides — handy for backpackers fresh off the trail.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Sisimiut
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Sisimiut stay reviews — meanwhile search Sisimiut hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Sisimiut
- 1🍲
Suaasat
Greenland's national soup, made by simmering seal, reindeer or seabird with potatoes, onions and rice or barley, seasoned simply with salt, pepper and bay leaf — hearty and warming.
📍 National dish - 2🐋
Mattak
Strips of raw whale skin and blubber, chewy with a nutty, oceanic flavour and rich in vitamin C. In Greenlandic communities it's shared as a gesture of friendship and hospitality.
📍 Traditional bite - 3🦌
Reindeer
Freshly hunted off the tundra, mildly sweet and gently gamey, usually served as a steak or in soup. It's one of the backbone meats of Greenlandic cooking in this region.
📍 Local meat - 4🐟
Greenland Halibut
A rich white fish pulled from the icy waters, central to both the local table and Sisimiut's fishing industry — about as fresh as Arctic seafood gets.
📍 Seafood - 5🦀
Snow Crab
Sweet, firm snow crab from the cold waters around town, one of West Greenland's key seafood exports and a treat to order fresh at local restaurants.
📍 Local seafood - 6🫐
Arctic Berries
Wild blueberries and crowberries gathered on the surrounding tundra in late summer — tart, fresh and folded into desserts or made into jam.
📍 Natural sweet
- 1🥾
Arctic Circle Trail
Greenland's legendary 165 km trek from Kangerlussuaq finishing in Sisimiut, crossing Arctic tundra, lakes and basic huts over roughly 7-10 days. Completely roadless the whole way.
📍 Long-distance hike - 2🏔️
Mount Nasaasaaq
The town's pyramid-shaped icon at 784 m, its name meaning 'little hat'. The summit rewards you with 360-degree views of the town, ocean and backcountry; the final push is slightly technical with fixed ropes.
📍 Mountain hike - 3⛪
Bethel Blue Church
A blue wooden church from 1775, one of the oldest in Greenland, shipped from Denmark as a flat-pack kit with its own carpenter. It stands out as the town's postcard image by the old harbour.
📍 History - 4🏛️
Sisimiut Museum
A cluster of 18th-century wooden buildings including the oldest house (1756), the colonial manager's house and the old shop, displaying Saqqaq-culture artefacts, dog sleds, umiaqs and hunting tools.
📍 Museum - 5🎭
Taseralik Culture Centre
A modern venue beside Nalunnguarfik lake with art exhibitions, performances, a cinema showing new releases, and a café widely rated for the best coffee in town with a lake view.
📍 Arts & culture - 6🛷
Dog Sledding Tours
As the southernmost sled-dog town, Sisimiut lets you ride a sled pulled by genuine Greenland dogs out into the tundra and mountains in winter — a true Arctic experience.
📍 Winter activity - 7🐋
Fjord & Whale Boat Tours
Boats leave the old harbour to explore the fjord system, visit the abandoned settlement of Assaqutaq, and spot whales in summer — or paddle a traditional Greenlandic qajaq.
📍 Boat trip - 8🌌
Northern Lights & Midnight Sun
Sitting above the Arctic Circle, Sisimiut offers aurora on clear winter nights and the midnight sun in summer, when the sky stays bright around the clock.
📍 Natural phenomenon
Things to do in Sisimiut
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Sisimiut — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
3 Sisimiut hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 8.7Upper-mid
★ 8.7Value
★ 8.7Valueโรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในSisimiut
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
Haven't found the one? Search all 3 sites yourself
Compare real-time room availability for your Sisimiut dates
🚆 Getting around Sisimiut
Sisimiut Airport (JHS)
Fly Air Greenland from Kangerlussuaq (SFJ), the international hub, in about 35 minutes. There's no airport bus, so take a taxi into town.
Sarfaq Ittuk Ferry
Arctic Umiaq Line's coastal ferry links the west-coast towns, with Sisimiut as a northern terminus. The fjord scenery is stunning; it sails roughly March to January.
Taxis in Town
The town is small and walkable, but taxis are easy to hail for airport transfers or longer trips, and nearly all of them accept credit cards.
No Roads Between Towns
Like everywhere in Greenland, no roads connect Sisimiut to other towns. Travel beyond the town limits is by boat, helicopter, or dog sled and snowmobile in winter.
Money & Payment
Greenland uses the Danish krone (DKK). Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere — hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and taxis — and there are ATMs in town.
Where to go next near Sisimiut
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 →
IlulissatUNESCO icefjord town and gateway to giant icebergs, whale watching and sled dogs on Disko Bay.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Sisimiut
How do I get to Sisimiut?+
Most travellers fly internationally into Kangerlussuaq, then connect on Air Greenland to Sisimiut (airport JHS) in about 35 minutes. You can also arrive by the Sarfaq Ittuk coastal ferry. There are no roads linking the towns.
When is the best time to visit?+
Summer (Jun-Aug) is mild at around 7-10°C and best for the Arctic Circle Trail, boat tours and the midnight sun. Winter (Feb-Apr) is the season for dog sledding, skiing and the northern lights.
Where should I stay in Sisimiut?+
The main options are Hotel Sisimiut and Hotel SØMA, both near the centre within walking distance of the old harbour, museum and restaurants. Budget travellers will find guesthouses and apartments around town.
Ready to book your Sisimiut stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking