×

Greenland🇬🇱 | landmarksIlulissat IcefjordSermermiut boardwalk, glacier front, iceberg boat trips, marked trails | things to do and best time to go

Explore Cape FarewellExplore Uunartoq Hot Springs

Backpacking in Ilulissat Icefjord
🏆 Top pickunique site ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The ice groans before you see it, a low crack like a door slamming in a distant building, then a hiss as a berg the size of an apartment block rolls and sheds a skin of meltwater. You stand on the boardwalk with cold working through your boots, and the air smells faintly of clean, wet stone. Ilulissat Icefjord lies in the north of Greenland, on the west coast just south of the town of Ilulissat, which sits above the Arctic Circle. The wow-factor is real and the crowds are small, though cruise days thin your solitude on the main trails. Getting here costs money and depends on weather, and the town itself is plain. The photo potential is enormous, from midnight light on the bergs to the white wall of the glacier front. The boardwalk to the Sermermiut valley ends at a ledge where blue-white towers drift out toward Disko Bay, and the only thing between you and them is lichen and rock.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Greenland Travel Guide.


example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
Loading the map 🌍
CLICK TO FILTER
towns
villages
landmarks
national parks
hikes
attractions
festivals
regions
SHOW COUNTRY’S BESTSHOW ALL

✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 unique site in GreenlandWhy Ilulissat Icefjord should be on your travel list

Ilulissat Icefjord is worth the effort because nothing else in the Arctic lets you walk out of a town and stand beside ice this large. The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier is among the fastest-moving in the world, and the bergs it calves, some taller than the cathedral-sized ones you may have seen in photos, jam the fjord mouth and then slip into Disko Bay. You see the machinery of climate and geology at work, not a recreation of it, and a UNESCO listing since 2004 backs that up.

The second reason is how easy it is to hike straight from town on marked trails, with no guide required for the main Sermermiut valley boardwalk. A Zodiac or boat trip adds a close-up view without needing a day of expedition planning.

It also anchors a wider route: you can combine it with Disko Bay whale watching, a stop … read more 👉
Ilulissat Icefjord is worth the effort because nothing else in the Arctic lets you walk out of a town and stand beside ice this large. The Sermeq Kujalleq glacier is among the fastest-moving in the world, and the bergs it calves, some taller than the cathedral-sized ones you may have seen in photos, jam the fjord mouth and then slip into Disko Bay. You see the machinery of climate and geology at work, not a recreation of it, and a UNESCO listing since 2004 backs that up.

The second reason is how easy it is to hike straight from town on marked trails, with no guide required for the main Sermermiut valley boardwalk. A Zodiac or boat trip adds a close-up view without needing a day of expedition planning.

It also anchors a wider route: you can combine it with Disko Bay whale watching, a stop in Aasiaat or Qeqertarsuaq, and onward flights south toward Kangerlussuaq. Ilulissat is where many backpackers realize they can actually afford an Arctic trip.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Sermermiut Valley and the Icefjord Viewpoint: The best-known view is at the end of the boardwalk beyond town, where the fjord opens and icebergs stack against the horizon. The valley was a settlement site for thousands of years, and you walk past old dwelling ruins in the heather. Entry is free and the walk takes a few hours return.
  2. Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier Front: This is the source of the ice, a glacier that moves at several meters per hour in summer. You see it from hiking routes and boat trips, and the scale of the crumbling wall is hard to take in until you spot a tiny boat beneath it.
  3. Icefjord Boat Trip: Small boats weave among bergs at the fjord mouth. The silence between engine bursts, and the blue interior of freshly split ice, is the main draw. Trips run a few hours and the midnight-sun
… read more 👉
  1. Sermermiut Valley and the Icefjord Viewpoint: The best-known view is at the end of the boardwalk beyond town, where the fjord opens and icebergs stack against the horizon. The valley was a settlement site for thousands of years, and you walk past old dwelling ruins in the heather. Entry is free and the walk takes a few hours return.
  2. Sermeq Kujalleq Glacier Front: This is the source of the ice, a glacier that moves at several meters per hour in summer. You see it from hiking routes and boat trips, and the scale of the crumbling wall is hard to take in until you spot a tiny boat beneath it.
  3. Icefjord Boat Trip: Small boats weave among bergs at the fjord mouth. The silence between engine bursts, and the blue interior of freshly split ice, is the main draw. Trips run a few hours and the midnight-sun departures are the favorite for photographers.
  4. Ilulissat Icefjord Centre (Icefjord Centre Kangia): A modern building at the fjord edge with exhibits on glaciology, climate research, and local history. A rooftop-style viewing perspective and a short walk to the water make it a good first stop if weather is poor.
  5. Blue and Yellow Trails to Sermermiut: Marked routes lead from the town edge across rock and tundra, each with different views. The Yellow Trail climbs toward overlooks, while others hug the water. You get birdsong, mosquitoes in summer, and long open sightlines.
  6. Midnight Sun and Aurora Viewing: In summer the light stays on the bergs through the night, turning ice pink and gold. In winter the same horizon makes a dark, clear place to look for northern lights.
If you have a full day, pair the Sermermiut Valley walk in the morning with a late-evening Icefjord Boat Trip, since the low light on the bergs looks best after the hike.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • June to August: Ilulissat Icefjord is at its most open from June to August, with boat tours running daily and trails fully clear. Daytime highs reach 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F), the sun barely sets, and mosquitoes peak in early July. Beds and boat seats cost the most and sell out early.
  • Late August to September: Mosquitoes fade, tundra turns red and gold, and the first dark nights return. Temperatures run 0 to 8°C (32 to 46°F). Boat trips continue and crowds thin out.
  • October to March: Snow covers the boardwalk, daylight is short (and absent around midwinter), and temperatures sit between -20 and -5°C (-4 to 23°F). Dog sledding and northern lights are possible, but boat tours stop and some guesthouses close. Prices drop.
  • April to May: Sea ice breaks up slowly, daylight stretches fast, and temperatures
… read more 👉
  • June to August: Ilulissat Icefjord is at its most open from June to August, with boat tours running daily and trails fully clear. Daytime highs reach 5 to 15°C (41 to 59°F), the sun barely sets, and mosquitoes peak in early July. Beds and boat seats cost the most and sell out early.
  • Late August to September: Mosquitoes fade, tundra turns red and gold, and the first dark nights return. Temperatures run 0 to 8°C (32 to 46°F). Boat trips continue and crowds thin out.
  • October to March: Snow covers the boardwalk, daylight is short (and absent around midwinter), and temperatures sit between -20 and -5°C (-4 to 23°F). Dog sledding and northern lights are possible, but boat tours stop and some guesthouses close. Prices drop.
  • April to May: Sea ice breaks up slowly, daylight stretches fast, and temperatures are -10 to 2°C (14 to 36°F). Snowshoeing and sledding remain possible, and it is quiet.
Book flights and a midnight-sun boat trip by February if you want July dates.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
greenland-unique-site-ilulissat-icefjord
© Google | Richard Heidemann

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutGreenland Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
example page 0 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 1 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 2 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 3 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 4 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 5 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 6 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
example page 7 from our offline Travel Guide for Greenland
The digital guide (154 pages) contains:
✅ 33 highlights, ranked by travel appeal
✅ Optimized 7, 14 & 21-day travel routes
✅ Cities, national parks, landmarks, beaches
✅ How to get around
✅ Offline-friendly for travel without Wi-Fi
👉 Click to see all 30+ guide features

📅 Plan smarter in minutes, not weeks
✅ Month by month travel advice
✅ Festivals & national holidays
✅ Budget expectations

🗺️ Go to the right places, skip the overrated ones
✅ Honest pros & cons of destinations
✅ Top hikes, parks & viewpoints
✅ Lesser-known places most travelers miss
✅ Clear “worth it vs skip it” guidance

🛏️ Travel smoothly without rookie mistakes
✅ Best areas to stay
✅ Transport systems explained simply
✅ Common scams & safety advice
✅ SIM cards, money & practical tips

🌍 Understand the country, not just visit it
✅ Culture & traditions
✅ 52 Essential phrases & customs
✅ Festivals worth planning around
✅ Traveler-friendly historical context
✅ Insights that make places more meaningful

📱 Built for real travel conditions
✅ Fully downloadable PDF
✅ Works completely offline
✅ Optimized for phone use
✅ Useful in remote areas & buses
✅ Everything in one place
Stop searching, start planning
Get instant access to your full guide. 30‑day money-back guarantee.
+ Add another guide for just

By proceeding you agree to our terms.
Sent to your inbox immediately after payment • 100% Secure Checkout
Best Backpacking Travel Advisor 2025 tourism awardBest Backpacking
Travel Advisor
2025
What others say about Take Your Backpack Guides:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Fantastic, amazing amount of information!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My goodness this is amazing, it's what I've been looking for hats off too you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think this is absolutely BRILLIANT
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Very complete and informative. It's still missing places, but I gotta to commend you
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is truly amazing, thank you, can't wait to explore it with my kids!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Awesome resource, thank you!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is amazing! Can't wait to explore the ones I haven't seen
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I love this! Well done, great idea.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks for taking the time to make this gem!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be the best website I've ever seen.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Congratulations, and thank you so much for your work; it's incredibly valuable.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In all seriousness I think you did a great job pointing out the important spots
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
10/10 very good
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
As someone who's only just starting to visit regularly this is awesome, thank you.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you very much! I'm going to visit my dad, it's going to be very useful!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is really cool! We'll be travelling for the first time and this definitely come in handy.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
You are now our minister of culture, congratulations 👨‍💼
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Just wanted to tell you that this is a pearl! Going to follow your recommendations.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is so cool. I'll definitely be using the resource for my travels soon.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is very impressive! Good work.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This is an amazing and informative site. Very well done!

🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Greenland

Ilulissat town is the only practical place to stay, and the best area is the compact center around the harbor and the main street. Walking from here to the trailhead at the edge of town takes about 30 to 45 minutes, so you need no transport to reach the icefjord boardwalk and viewpoints.
The harbor area is where budget travelers cluster. Boat tour offices, the supermarket, bakeries and the museum are all within a ten-minute walk, and shared kitchens in the budget places let you cook your own meals, which saves a lot in a pricey country. Hostel-style dorms and basic guesthouse rooms are found here, … read more 👉
Ilulissat town is the only practical place to stay, and the best area is the compact center around the harbor and the main street. Walking from here to the trailhead at the edge of town takes about 30 to 45 minutes, so you need no transport to reach the icefjord boardwalk and viewpoints.
The harbor area is where budget travelers cluster. Boat tour offices, the supermarket, bakeries and the museum are all within a ten-minute walk, and shared kitchens in the budget places let you cook your own meals, which saves a lot in a pricey country. Hostel-style dorms and basic guesthouse rooms are found here, and common rooms are where solo travelers swap trail and boat plans.
The quieter streets toward the airport side and the hillside neighborhoods give more space and views over the bay, though you walk 15 to 25 minutes to the harbor. They suit people carrying camping gear or wanting calmer nights.
The Sermermiut valley edge near the trailhead is close to the ice, but only the official camping area nearby is sensible for a tent, and it is basic. Expect to carry water and supplies in.
The town is very safe, with little crime. In summer, bring an eye mask because the sun stays up through the night.
Best hostels in Greenland


Best quality hotels in Greenland

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Ilulissat Icefjord costs a backpacker roughly US$175 to 310 per day in high season, with a bed and a boat tour eating most of it. Entry to the icefjord trails and the viewing boardwalk is free, so the spending sits in lodging, food and tours. Prices are paid in Danish kroner.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$70 to 110Dorm beds and basic guesthouse rooms with shared kitchens. Off-season rates drop to about US$50 to 85.
FoodUS$25 to 45Self-catering from the supermarket keeps costs low. A cafe or restaurant main is typically US$20 to 40.
Icefjord accessUS$0The boardwalk and trails are free to walk.
Boat tourUS$75 to 130A 2 to 3 hour icefjord cruise. A midnight-sun trip costs a bit more. Budget this once.
Local transportUS$0 to 10Town and trailheads are walkable. A taxi
… read more 👉
Ilulissat Icefjord costs a backpacker roughly US$175 to 310 per day in high season, with a bed and a boat tour eating most of it. Entry to the icefjord trails and the viewing boardwalk is free, so the spending sits in lodging, food and tours. Prices are paid in Danish kroner.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$70 to 110Dorm beds and basic guesthouse rooms with shared kitchens. Off-season rates drop to about US$50 to 85.
FoodUS$25 to 45Self-catering from the supermarket keeps costs low. A cafe or restaurant main is typically US$20 to 40.
Icefjord accessUS$0The boardwalk and trails are free to walk.
Boat tourUS$75 to 130A 2 to 3 hour icefjord cruise. A midnight-sun trip costs a bit more. Budget this once.
Local transportUS$0 to 10Town and trailheads are walkable. A taxi is a short, inexpensive hop.
ExtrasUS$5 to 15Museum entry, bug spray, snacks and a coffee or two.
Total Daily BudgetUS$175 to 310Around US$190 to 260 for most travelers, with one boat tour included. Flights to Ilulissat are extra and are the largest cost of the trip.


source: visitgreenland.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Ilulissat Icefjord

Ilulissat Icefjord is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier calves huge icebergs into a fjord running about 40 to 50 km to the sea. The glacier is among the fastest-moving and most productive in the Northern Hemisphere. You see it from a free boardwalk trail by Ilulissat town or from a boat among the bergs.
Plan 2 to 3 days at Ilulissat Icefjord to cover the trails and a boat tour. The boardwalk to the viewpoint takes about 2 to 4 hours round trip, and a boat cruise runs 2 to 3 hours. A third day allows the Sermermiut valley walk or a settlement visit, and winter visitors add time for sledding.
Ilulissat Icefjord is reached by flying to Ilulissat Airport, with year-round Air Greenland flights from Nuuk, seasonal flights from Kangerlussuaq and seasonal Icelandair flights from Reykjavik; direct Copenhagen flights are planned from late October 2026. The town is a 10 to 15 minute drive from the airport, and the icefjord trailhead is a 30 to 45 minute walk from the center. Ferry service in summer along the west coast is slow, taking days from the south.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Greenlandic landmarks near Ilulissat Icefjord

Explore more nearby:

  • Eqi Glacier—Calving ice front, lodge terrace, berg-filled bay, midnight light| 75 km away
  • Uunartoq Hot Springs—Stone-lined pool, iceberg fjord, boat-only island, basic changing hut| 993 km away
  • Cape Farewell—Granite headland, Atlantic swell, fog-bound cliffs, boat access only| 1090 km away

💡 Not sure where to go next?
Create a personalized itinerary for Greenland including Ilulissat Icefjord and the places that fit your trip.

Generate my itinerary

👉 Discover all landmarks

Or checkout all Greenland has to offer (think cities, towns, villages, national parks, hikes, beaches, festivals)
Explore Greenland
Country photo of Greenland
© Google Images

We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Ilulissat Icefjord suits walkers who like silence, photographers chasing low light, and anyone who wants big Arctic scenery without an expedition. I would hike the boardwalk at the quietest hour you can manage, bring a windproof layer and a head net in summer, and skip the cruise-day midday rush entirely.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Greenland. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



🙋‍♂️ Give feedback

👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

Read the full story