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Greenland🇬🇱 | townsTasiilaqAmmassalik Island, Blomsterdalen, East Greenland museum, quay catch | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Tasiilaq
🏆 Top picktown ranked #1
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Sled dogs howl from the hillside behind the harbor, and the whole bay answers with the crack of ice shifting against the shore. Tasiilaq sits on Ammassalik Island on Greenland’s east coast, the main town of a region with roughly 2,000 residents in town and a few small settlements beyond. Colorful wooden houses climb rocky slopes above a bay that fills with icebergs and pack ice. Getting here takes a helicopter or boat, so this is a destination, not a stopover. The setting is the draw: hiking to Blomsterdalen, kayaking among icebergs, winter dog sledding. Food is expensive, and the weather can scrub flights for days. Evenings are quiet, with early nights, a few cafés and a hostel kitchen where you will meet the handful of other travelers in town. Fishermen haul seal and halibut onto the quay, and the Kalaallisut spoken in the shop queue is the east coast dialect.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #1 town in GreenlandWhat sets this place apart

Tasiilaq is where you go when the Greenland you imagined, the one with Inuit hunters and real wilderness, matters more than comfort. Unlike the west coast, tourism here is small, so you share the trails with a handful of people. The town gives you a Ammassalik Island hiking network that starts at the last street, with the Flower Valley walk to a sheltered green hollow being the easy favorite. Beyond that lie fjords, glaciers and settlements reached only by boat or helicopter, so you can easily fill a week. Most people stay four to seven days because flights are infrequent and weather often reshuffles plans, which quietly rewards the unhurried. It is social in a small-town way: the hostel kitchen and the one or two cafes are where hikers swap notes. Solo travelers, photographers and hikers … read more 👉
Tasiilaq is where you go when the Greenland you imagined, the one with Inuit hunters and real wilderness, matters more than comfort. Unlike the west coast, tourism here is small, so you share the trails with a handful of people. The town gives you a Ammassalik Island hiking network that starts at the last street, with the Flower Valley walk to a sheltered green hollow being the easy favorite. Beyond that lie fjords, glaciers and settlements reached only by boat or helicopter, so you can easily fill a week. Most people stay four to seven days because flights are infrequent and weather often reshuffles plans, which quietly rewards the unhurried. It is social in a small-town way: the hostel kitchen and the one or two cafes are where hikers swap notes. Solo travelers, photographers and hikers with a flexible schedule will love it. Anyone who needs nightlife, quick connections or a tight itinerary will find it frustrating, and a day trip from a bigger place simply does not exist.

💡 HighlightsWhat this place is best known for

  1. Tasiilaq Museum: Set in a cluster of old buildings by the harbor, including the former blue church, it holds kayaks, hunting gear, drums, and photos that explain how East Greenlanders lived before Danish contact in 1884. Entry is about US$7 to 10, and an hour is enough. Go on a rainy or windy day when hiking is off, and check that it is open since hours are short outside summer.
  2. Flower Valley (Blomsterdalen): A gentle walk from town up through low rock and heather to a sheltered valley with a stream and, in July and August, arctic willowherb, cotton grass and tiny blooms. It is free, takes 3 to 4 hours round trip, and the best light and mildest conditions come on summer mornings. Bring mosquito repellent, because the insects are fierce in warm still weather.
  3. Tasiilaq Church and Harbor: The red-roofed
… read more 👉
  1. Tasiilaq Museum: Set in a cluster of old buildings by the harbor, including the former blue church, it holds kayaks, hunting gear, drums, and photos that explain how East Greenlanders lived before Danish contact in 1884. Entry is about US$7 to 10, and an hour is enough. Go on a rainy or windy day when hiking is off, and check that it is open since hours are short outside summer.
  2. Flower Valley (Blomsterdalen): A gentle walk from town up through low rock and heather to a sheltered valley with a stream and, in July and August, arctic willowherb, cotton grass and tiny blooms. It is free, takes 3 to 4 hours round trip, and the best light and mildest conditions come on summer mornings. Bring mosquito repellent, because the insects are fierce in warm still weather.
  3. Tasiilaq Church and Harbor: The red-roofed church on the hill looks over the harbor where hunters unload and boats thread past ice. Visiting is free, takes about 30 to 60 minutes, and is best in the long summer evening when the light is soft or when you wander down at the harbor in the morning to see the day’s catch and fishing activity.
Beyond town, you can reach nearby settlements such as Kulusuk, Tiniteqilaaq and Sermiligaaq by boat or helicopter, plus the Knud Rasmussen Glacier for a long ice-filled day, and these are all best arranged from Tasiilaq. Start with the Flower Valley walk, because it costs nothing, gets you out among the mountains and shows you why people come.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🏘️ NeighborhoodsKey areas and districts to know

Tasiilaq is small enough to cover on foot in a morning, but each corner has a different feel, so spend your time with intent.
  • Harbor and waterfront: Start here. Fishing boats and dinghies knock against the quay, the air carries diesel and drying seal skin, and icebergs drift past in the bay. Hunters sometimes cut up a catch on the shore. It is raw and fascinating, and the best place to watch town life at its most honest.
  • Town center: Around the Brugseni supermarket and the post office, you get the practical side: groceries, the bank, a bakery counter, and the tourist office. Gravel crunches underfoot, sled dogs bark, and children cut across on bikes. Quick to see, but you will pass through daily.
  • Old Town and Museum area: Climb the slope toward the little museum, housed in old wooden buildings
… read more 👉
Tasiilaq is small enough to cover on foot in a morning, but each corner has a different feel, so spend your time with intent.
  • Harbor and waterfront: Start here. Fishing boats and dinghies knock against the quay, the air carries diesel and drying seal skin, and icebergs drift past in the bay. Hunters sometimes cut up a catch on the shore. It is raw and fascinating, and the best place to watch town life at its most honest.
  • Town center: Around the Brugseni supermarket and the post office, you get the practical side: groceries, the bank, a bakery counter, and the tourist office. Gravel crunches underfoot, sled dogs bark, and children cut across on bikes. Quick to see, but you will pass through daily.
  • Old Town and Museum area: Climb the slope toward the little museum, housed in old wooden buildings including a turf-roofed hut and a church once used by the early settlers. The collection of kayaks, drums and masks is small, yet it explains the place better than anything else. Worth an hour, and the view over the bay is excellent.
  • Hillside residential streets: Colored houses stack up the rock, linked by steep boardwalks and dirt tracks. Dogs are chained at the edges, so keep your distance. Nice for wandering at low evening light, but there is little to buy or eat. Skip it in bad weather, when the paths turn muddy.
  • Flower Valley trailhead: A short walk inland leads to a river valley with mossy ground, dwarf willow and mosquitoes in summer. It is quiet and easy underfoot, and the best escape from the settlement noise.

⌛️ 1 dayA smart one-day plan

8:30 AM, Tasiilaq Harbor
Start where the town's day starts, on the quay, when hunters unload seal and fish from small boats and icebergs drift past in the Ammassalik Fjord. Nobody minds you watching from a respectful distance. Walk uphill along the gravel road toward the center when the boats go quiet.

10:00 AM, Tasiilaq Museum
The museum sits in a cluster of old buildings, including a former church, and covers Ammassalik Inuit life with kayaks, drum dance items, and tupilak carvings. Allow an hour. It is small, and the entry fee is modest. The collection explains what you are about to see in the streets, from drying racks to sled dogs.

11:30 AM, Tasiilaq Church
The Lutheran church is a short walk away. Its interior holds a striking altar piece and a hanging model ship in the traditional manner. … read more 👉
8:30 AM, Tasiilaq Harbor
Start where the town's day starts, on the quay, when hunters unload seal and fish from small boats and icebergs drift past in the Ammassalik Fjord. Nobody minds you watching from a respectful distance. Walk uphill along the gravel road toward the center when the boats go quiet.

10:00 AM, Tasiilaq Museum
The museum sits in a cluster of old buildings, including a former church, and covers Ammassalik Inuit life with kayaks, drum dance items, and tupilak carvings. Allow an hour. It is small, and the entry fee is modest. The collection explains what you are about to see in the streets, from drying racks to sled dogs.

11:30 AM, Tasiilaq Church
The Lutheran church is a short walk away. Its interior holds a striking altar piece and a hanging model ship in the traditional manner. Step in if the door is open, then wander the lanes past colorful houses toward the coop supermarket for picnic supplies.

1:00 PM, Lunch by Tasiilaq Bay
Eat a simple lunch at the supermarket café or on the rocks above the water. Hot soup and bread suit the cool air better than anything cold. Watch sled dogs lounging on the slopes, and keep your distance, since they are working animals and not pets.

2:30 PM, Flower Valley Trail
Walk out of town to the valley behind the settlement, an easy route of a few hours return where Arctic willow, mosses, and summer wildflowers fill a sheltered fold in the mountains. Few visitors venture past the first viewpoint, so you will likely have the upper stretch to yourself. The trail ends with a big view over the fjord and the ice.

6:00 PM, The Old Hunters’ Lookout Above Town
Climb the rocky rise behind the houses for a wide look at the mountains of Ammassalik Island and the scattered bergs below. It is a quiet local spot, far from the shops, and ideal for letting the long Arctic evening work on you.

7:30 PM, Dinner in Town
Finish with a hot meal at one of the guesthouse restaurants, where Greenlandic fish or musk ox often appears on the menu. Linger over coffee and swap stories with other hikers before the walk home.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Midsummer (late June to August): Tasiilaq is at its easiest, with daytime highs of 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), light that lasts well past midnight, and a snow-free trail network. Mosquitoes are thick in windless valleys, and boat trips and kayaking run at full tilt. Beds and boat seats cost the most now, so book ahead.
  • September: Highs drop to about 2 to 7°C (36 to 45°F), the tundra turns red and gold, and the mosquitoes die off. Crowds thin, and dark skies return for the first aurora chances.
  • Winter (November to February): Expect -5 to -15°C (23 to 5°F) in town, colder inland, with only 4 to 6 hours of daylight in midwinter. The harbor freezes, and dog sledding, aurora watching and skiing replace boating.
  • Spring (March to May): Highs sit around -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), days grow fast, and snow cover
… read more 👉
  • Midsummer (late June to August): Tasiilaq is at its easiest, with daytime highs of 5 to 12°C (41 to 54°F), light that lasts well past midnight, and a snow-free trail network. Mosquitoes are thick in windless valleys, and boat trips and kayaking run at full tilt. Beds and boat seats cost the most now, so book ahead.
  • September: Highs drop to about 2 to 7°C (36 to 45°F), the tundra turns red and gold, and the mosquitoes die off. Crowds thin, and dark skies return for the first aurora chances.
  • Winter (November to February): Expect -5 to -15°C (23 to 5°F) in town, colder inland, with only 4 to 6 hours of daylight in midwinter. The harbor freezes, and dog sledding, aurora watching and skiing replace boating.
  • Spring (March to May): Highs sit around -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), days grow fast, and snow cover is deep and stable. This is the best window for sledding and ski touring in sunshine.
I would book for late March or August, when your chosen activity has both the right conditions and the most operators running.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
greenland-city-tasiilaq
© Google | Randolfo Santos

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Tasiilaq has only a handful of beds, so a guesthouse room is where most backpackers land. Book weeks ahead for July, August and March to April.
Hostel and guesthouse beds: The Red House, a guesthouse on a hill in town, and the Blue Guesthouse Tasiilaq offer basic rooms, with shared bathrooms and kitchens in some. Dorm beds run roughly US$60 to 100 a night, and private rooms US$130 to 200. Check what each place includes, as linen and breakfast vary.
Hotel Angmagssalik: This is the only proper hotel, with private rooms with bathrooms from about US$250 to 350. It makes sense in winter if you want a … read more 👉
Tasiilaq has only a handful of beds, so a guesthouse room is where most backpackers land. Book weeks ahead for July, August and March to April.
Hostel and guesthouse beds: The Red House, a guesthouse on a hill in town, and the Blue Guesthouse Tasiilaq offer basic rooms, with shared bathrooms and kitchens in some. Dorm beds run roughly US$60 to 100 a night, and private rooms US$130 to 200. Check what each place includes, as linen and breakfast vary.
Hotel Angmagssalik: This is the only proper hotel, with private rooms with bathrooms from about US$250 to 350. It makes sense in winter if you want a warm lobby and a restaurant on site.
Camping: Pitching a tent on the tundra around town is possible in summer, and it is the cheapest option at nothing to a few dollars. Mosquitoes and wind are the cost, so bring a net and a sturdy tent with good pegs.
Where to look: Anywhere in town is walkable in 15 minutes, so pick on price and kitchen access. Groceries at the Pilersuisoq and Brugseni shops make self-catering far cheaper than restaurant meals. Many tour operators will also arrange homestays or huts in nearby settlements.
Best hostels in Greenland


Best quality hotels in Greenland

🚌 Getting aroundHow to get around Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq is the town where people lose the most money by assuming flights, boats and helicopters run on a normal schedule, when weather regularly cancels or delays them and a missed connection means paying for extra nights. Keep a buffer of one or two days around any departure. Within town, the center is compact and everything sits within a 15 to 20 minute walk, though the hills are steep and the gravel loose. There are no trains and no real road network connecting to other settlements, so the water and the air do the work.
  • Walking: Free, and the best way to see the town. Boardwalks and gravel paths link the harbor, shops and museum. Wear sturdy boots, because mud and meltwater collect in summer, and ice coats the slopes in winter. Keep clear of chained sled dogs.
  • Local taxi and minibus: A few
… read more 👉
Tasiilaq is the town where people lose the most money by assuming flights, boats and helicopters run on a normal schedule, when weather regularly cancels or delays them and a missed connection means paying for extra nights. Keep a buffer of one or two days around any departure. Within town, the center is compact and everything sits within a 15 to 20 minute walk, though the hills are steep and the gravel loose. There are no trains and no real road network connecting to other settlements, so the water and the air do the work.
  • Walking: Free, and the best way to see the town. Boardwalks and gravel paths link the harbor, shops and museum. Wear sturdy boots, because mud and meltwater collect in summer, and ice coats the slopes in winter. Keep clear of chained sled dogs.
  • Local taxi and minibus: A few taxis and a small bus operate around town and to the heliport area, typically costing US$3 to 8 per ride. They are not frequent, so call ahead when you have luggage or an early departure.
  • Boat transfers and fjord taxis: Small boats and the public ferry connect Tasiilaq with settlements such as Kuummiit, Tiniteqilaaq and Kulusuk, mainly from late spring through autumn, once the sea ice clears. Expect roughly US$40 to 150 one way depending on distance, and note that schedules shift with ice and weather. Sitting on the open deck in spray and cold wind is part of the experience, so bring warm layers.
  • Helicopter: Air Greenland runs scheduled helicopter flights between Tasiilaq and Kulusuk airport, as well as to some settlements, taking about 12 to 15 minutes to Kulusuk. Tickets are around US$130 to 200 one way, and seats fill quickly in summer. The views of glaciers and fjord are spectacular, so ask for a window seat.
  • Dog sled or snowmobile in winter: From roughly February to April, locals travel across the frozen fjord by sled. Rides are usually booked as organized tours, costing around US$150 to 400 for a day, and are a memorable way to move through a silent white landscape.

👛 Costs (as of 23 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq costs about US$125 to 255 a day for a backpacker, since almost everything arrives by ship or plane and prices run well above mainland Europe. The total below uses high season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$55 to 85Beds in hostel-style rooms or basic guesthouses, with sleeping bag options sometimes cheaper.
MealsUS$35 to 65Supermarket groceries and bakery items keep costs down, while a restaurant main costs US$25 to 40.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Walking is free, but taxis, boat hops and helicopter links add up quickly.
Basic activities and entry feesUS$15 to 50The museum costs a few dollars, while guided hikes or boat trips run higher.
MiscellaneousUS$10 to 25Covers cards or cash in Danish kroner, snacks, laundry and gear rental.
Total Daily BudgetUS$125 to
… read more 👉
Tasiilaq costs about US$125 to 255 a day for a backpacker, since almost everything arrives by ship or plane and prices run well above mainland Europe. The total below uses high season rates.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Dorm accommodationUS$55 to 85Beds in hostel-style rooms or basic guesthouses, with sleeping bag options sometimes cheaper.
MealsUS$35 to 65Supermarket groceries and bakery items keep costs down, while a restaurant main costs US$25 to 40.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Walking is free, but taxis, boat hops and helicopter links add up quickly.
Basic activities and entry feesUS$15 to 50The museum costs a few dollars, while guided hikes or boat trips run higher.
MiscellaneousUS$10 to 25Covers cards or cash in Danish kroner, snacks, laundry and gear rental.
Total Daily BudgetUS$125 to 255Costs jump sharply with guided trips and flights.
Buy groceries at the supermarket and cook in a guesthouse kitchen, which can halve your food spending.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🚌 Day tripsBest day trips from Tasiilaq

Tasiilaq works well as a base for day trips, but every excursion is by boat, foot or sled, so expect to pay for transport and plan around weather.
Kulusuk:
A short boat ride across the fjord or a helicopter hop takes you to the village next to the region’s main airport, where you can see painted houses, drying seal skins and iceberg-packed water. Boats take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and cost around US$100 to 200 per person with a group, while the helicopter is about US$150 to 200. Go from June to September. First-timers often forget that flights drive the helicopter schedule, so check it before booking.
👉 Explore Kulusuk
Tasiilaq Valley and Flower Valley:
This is the cheapest outing, since you simply walk out of town. The Flower Valley trail follows a stream past Arctic willow, cotton grass and … read more 👉
Tasiilaq works well as a base for day trips, but every excursion is by boat, foot or sled, so expect to pay for transport and plan around weather.
Kulusuk:
A short boat ride across the fjord or a helicopter hop takes you to the village next to the region’s main airport, where you can see painted houses, drying seal skins and iceberg-packed water. Boats take roughly 1.5 to 2 hours and cost around US$100 to 200 per person with a group, while the helicopter is about US$150 to 200. Go from June to September. First-timers often forget that flights drive the helicopter schedule, so check it before booking.
👉 Explore Kulusuk
Tasiilaq Valley and Flower Valley:
This is the cheapest outing, since you simply walk out of town. The Flower Valley trail follows a stream past Arctic willow, cotton grass and fireweed to a lake in about 3 to 4 hours round trip, and costs nothing. The best months are July and August. Mosquitoes are worst here, so wear a head net.

Sermilik Fjord icebergs:
Boat operators run half-day trips among icebergs calved from the Greenland ice sheet, often with a stop at a hanging glacier front. Expect 3 to 6 hours on the water and US$150 to 300 per person. Ice conditions are best July to September. Bring a windproof layer, because even a sunny harbor gets cold on open water.

Dog sledding day tour:
From late winter to spring, local mushers run full-day sled rides over the frozen fjord, with lunch on the ice. Costs run about US$250 to 450 per person. March and April give long daylight and firm snow. Wear far more than you think you need, since sitting still on a sled chills you quickly.

🛡️ SafetyScams, Hazards, and Annoyances

Tasiilaq is calm and safe for travelers, with very low rates of theft and street crime against visitors. The bigger concerns come from nature and everyday behavior. Sled dogs are working animals chained outside many homes, so never approach, pet or walk between them. In the evening, weekends can bring noisy drinking in the center, and walking back alone at night is usually fine but is best done by sticking to the main lit paths and avoiding arguments. Solo travelers, women included, report few problems, though a local guide is wise for any hike beyond town. Weather shifts quickly, polar bears are rare but possible, and fog or sudden storms can strand you, so tell your guesthouse where you are going and carry a charged phone. Ask before photographing people or hunting scenes. No notable scams … read more 👉
Tasiilaq is calm and safe for travelers, with very low rates of theft and street crime against visitors. The bigger concerns come from nature and everyday behavior. Sled dogs are working animals chained outside many homes, so never approach, pet or walk between them. In the evening, weekends can bring noisy drinking in the center, and walking back alone at night is usually fine but is best done by sticking to the main lit paths and avoiding arguments. Solo travelers, women included, report few problems, though a local guide is wise for any hike beyond town. Weather shifts quickly, polar bears are rare but possible, and fog or sudden storms can strand you, so tell your guesthouse where you are going and carry a charged phone. Ask before photographing people or hunting scenes. No notable scams exist here, only the annoyance of mosquitoes in summer and high prices.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Tasiilaq

You reach Tasiilaq by flying to Kulusuk from Reykjavik (about 2 hours, mostly on summer-focused schedules) and then taking a helicopter (about 15 minutes, roughly US$150 to 200) or a boat (about 1 hour in summer, from about US$150). No roads link Tasiilaq to anywhere else. In winter, when the sea freezes, the helicopter is the usual option.
Tasiilaq is worth it if you want mountains, icebergs and Inuit hunting culture without the crowds of western Greenland. Hiking from town is free, and a day on Sermilik Fjord costs around US$150 to 300. Plan at least 4 to 5 days to allow for weather delays, and expect high prices for beds and food.
Tasiilaq is hard to do in one day from Kulusuk, because helicopter and boat schedules are tied to flights and weather. A same-day return is possible in summer for roughly US$300 to 400 round trip, but you would see little more than the harbor. A stay of 3 nights or more lets you fit in a fjord trip and a hike.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Greenlandic towns near Tasiilaq

Explore more nearby:

  • Nuuk—Capital city, Qilakitsoq mummies, Katuaq hall, fjord ferry| 683 km away
  • Qaqortoq—Carved granite sculptures, fountain square, fish market, southern ferry stop| 687 km away
  • Ilulissat—UNESCO icefjord, boardwalk trails, sled dog yards, Rasmussen museum| 699 km away

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We 💚 feedbackSumming up the experience

Tasiilaq trips go wrong when people cram in a few days and expect the schedule to hold, then lose a boat trip or flight to fog and wind. I would book at least a week, keep a spare day at both ends, and arrange boat tours locally once you see the forecast.

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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.

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