Ilulissat, Greenland
Hotel SØMA
📍 2, Nuussuataap Aqqutaa, Ilulissat
Your stay — Hotel SØMA
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Ilulissat.
The Property — Hotel SØMA
Hotel SØMA is a clean, no-fuss base in the centre of Ilulissat, three storeys of grey clapboard and large windows that face the Disko Bay icefjord. The lobby is bright and minimal, with a small seating area, a noticeboard advertising glacier tours, and a coffee machine that runs all day. It suits independent travellers who want a reliable, affordable room with a view, not boutique charm or a spa. The real USP is location: you step out the door and onto the path to the Sermermiut boardwalk within two minutes.
Chronicles of Ilulissat
Ilulissat grew from a missionary station and trading post founded by the Danish-Norwegian merchant Jakob S.J. Severin in 1741, originally called Jakobshavn. The city’s modern identity is tied to the adjacent Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2004, and to the nearby settlement of Sermermiut, a Dorset and Thule archaeological site that had been occupied for millennia before the colonial era. Traditional wooden houses on stilts still line the waterfront, painted in red, yellow and green, but the skyline is now punctuated by modern hotels and a heliport that serves the growing tourist economy. Contemporary Ilulissat feels like a frontier town in transition: still a working fishing harbour for halibut and shrimp, but increasingly shaped by expedition cruise ships and global visitors drawn to the ice.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ilulissat guide →Best months
June and July: midnight sun, daytime highs of 8-12°C, stable ice for boat tours, lower chance of snow. August also works if you want slightly warmer sea temperatures for kayaking.
Peak / festival surge
July is the peak month, driven by the midnight sun and school holidays in Denmark and North America. Hotel prices double from June levels and the three-star hotels like SØMA often sell out by March. No major festival, but the constant daylight pushes all operators to capacity.
Budget shoulder season
May and September: May still has snow patches but far fewer visitors and hotel rates 30-40% lower than July; September brings the first chance of Northern Lights (late evening), lower prices, and empty boardwalks.
Weather & packing
The climate is Arctic maritime, meaning fog and rain can arrive in any season regardless of the forecast. Pack a waterproof shell with a hood and a mid-layer fleece as an absolute rule, plus sturdy, waterproof hiking boots for the mud and gravel paths around the icefjord.
Live City Briefing — Ilulissat
- The Ilulissat boardwalk to the Sermermiut viewpoint was fully renovated in 2025 with new wooden steps and drainage, so the southern section is now open again after two years of repairs.
- The ferry to Ilimanaq (a small settlement across the fjord) restarted daily departures from Ilulissat harbour in June 2025 after a two-year gap due to ice damage; book a day ahead at the tourist office.
- A new supermarket opened on the main street (Kaaleeraq) in March 2026, offering better fruit and vegetable selection than the existing Brugseni, which helps if you are self-catering.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel SØMA, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the harbour side (away from Nuussuataap Aqqutaa). These offer quieter conditions and a view over the water rather than the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor and those directly facing Nuussuataap Aqqutaa — expect traffic and foot noise, especially during summer daylight hours. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor if you are a light sleeper.
Best views
Harbour-facing rooms on floors 3–4 offer the best view: the water, icebergs in Disko Bay, and maybe the midnight sun. Street-facing rooms give you the road and other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely the quietest due to distance from street-level noise and absence of a roof terrace or bar above.
🔊 Noise notes
Nuussuataap Aqqutaa is a main road — expect delivery trucks, taxis, and tour buses in the morning and evening. In summer, 24-hour daylight means more outside activity at all hours.
Insider tips
1. Request a harbour-side room at booking — it's not guaranteed but they often honour requests made a week ahead. 2. If you arrive by car, check ahead for parking: street parking is limited and the hotel has a small lot that fills early.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hotel SØMA
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 20 Mbps down; no login required—connects automatically.
Single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Free digital access to Sermitsiaq.AG online edition via lobby tablet.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00 with no charge. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 300 DKK, subject to availability.
Free storage in locked luggage room next to reception.
Step-free entry from street level; lift to all floors. Wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor. No grab bars in standard bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for 20 cars, first-come-first-served. Nearest public car park at Ilulissat Airport is 75 DKK per 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 500 DKK incidental hold placed on card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Zionip oqaluffia (1.4 km · ~17 min walk)
- Church: Ilulissani Baptistit Oqaluffiat (1.4 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: Inuunerup Nutaap Oqaluffia Ilulissat (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Pisuffissaq Park — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Aqqutarfik — 983 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
GrønlandsBANKEN — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Arctic Umiaq Line — 761 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Danish Krone, DKK
Use ATMs in Ilulissat; avoid exchanging at the airport or tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and hotels; contactless and mobile pay common.
Tipping not expected or customary; round up for exceptional service if desired.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Coffee from a bakery or café: around 30-40 DKK.
Soup or open sandwich at a café: 80-120 DKK.
Main course at a simple restaurant: 150-200 DKK.
No street food scene; cheap eats are at supermarkets or café bakeries.
Supermarkets like Pisiffik and Brugseni are common for groceries.
No affordable high-street or market shopping; bring all clothing needed.
Walking is free; taxis are expensive (approx 30-50 DKK per km). From airport, take a taxi (fixed rate ~100-150 DKK into town).
1. Buy groceries at Pisiffik or Brugseni for self-catering. 2. Walk everywhere – the area is compact. 3. Skip tour operator mark-ups by booking directly with local guides.
Emergency Contacts
IlulissatAll emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) use the same central number in Ilulissat: +299 70 14 48. In towns across Greenland, dial 112 from a mobile phone if available, but coverage can be patchy. For the local hospital (Ilulissat Sundhedscenter), call +299 70 14 00 for non-emergency medical help.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ilulissat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hotel SØMA
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · GrønlandsBANKEN — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ilulissat town centre (Hotel Arctic area) → Hotel Lodge Nr. 15
💡 Follow the wooden boardwalk from the harbour past the museum—it’s a scenic route but watch for snow-covered ice in winter. Good boots essential.
Ilulissat Airport (JAV) → Hotel Lodge Nr. 15
💡 Book a taxi through the hotel or call +299 94 44 44; drivers often accept cards, but carry some DKK for small bills.
Airport stop (by terminal) → Hotel Lodge Nr. 15 (stop near Hotel Arctic)
💡 The bus is small and runs on a single loop; check the timetable at the tourist office. Walk from the stop to the hotel—about 5 minutes down the hill.
Ilulissat Airport → Hotel Lodge Nr. 15
💡 Cheaper than a solo taxi, but only runs when a few passengers share. Reserve 24 hours ahead if possible.
About Ilulissat
Wikipedia ↗
Ilulissat (lit. 'Icebergs'), also known as Jakobshavn or Jacobshavn, is the municipal seat and largest town of the Avannaata municipality in western Greenland, located approximately 350 km (220 mi) north of the Arctic Circle. With a population of 5,149 as of 2025, it is the third-largest city in Gr...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hotel SØMA?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the harbour side (away from Nuussuataap Aqqutaa). These offer quieter conditions and a view over the water rather than the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel SØMA?
Avoid rooms on the first floor and those directly facing Nuussuataap Aqqutaa — expect traffic and foot noise, especially during summer daylight hours. Also avoid rooms near the lift shaft on any floor if you are a light sleeper.
Is Hotel SØMA noisy?
Nuussuataap Aqqutaa is a main road — expect delivery trucks, taxis, and tour buses in the morning and evening. In summer, 24-hour daylight means more outside activity at all hours.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel SØMA?
Harbour-facing rooms on floors 3–4 offer the best view: the water, icebergs in Disko Bay, and maybe the midnight sun. Street-facing rooms give you the road and other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel SØMA?
1. Request a harbour-side room at booking — it's not guaranteed but they often honour requests made a week ahead. 2. If you arrive by car, check ahead for parking: street parking is limited and the hotel has a small lot that fills early.
What time is check-in at Hotel SØMA?
Check-in at Hotel SØMA is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel SØMA have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 20 Mbps down; no login required—connects automatically.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel SØMA?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel SØMA?
Soup or open sandwich at a café: 80-120 DKK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel SØMA?
Walking is free; taxis are expensive (approx 30-50 DKK per km). From airport, take a taxi (fixed rate ~100-150 DKK into town).
When is the best time to visit Ilulissat?
June and July: midnight sun, daytime highs of 8-12°C, stable ice for boat tours, lower chance of snow. August also works if you want slightly warmer sea temperatures for kayaking.
Top Attractions in Ilulissat
💡 Visit during the Sunday service (in Greenlandic) at 11am for a warm welcome and to see the local community. No photography during service.
💡 Bring small change. Buy a piece of dried halibut (tørrfisk) for 20-30 DKK — locals eat it as a snack. No bargaining expected.
💡 Walk the red trail to the fjord edge in calm weather for the clearest view of icebergs without paying for a boat tour.
💡 Wear waterproof boots even in summer — sections of boardwalk flood after rain. Go early to avoid cruise ship groups.
💡 Combine with a walk around the old cemetery next door. Look for the gravestone of the last polar bear killed in town.