Ilulissat, Greenland
Hotel Arctic
📍 B-1128, Mittarfimmut Aqqut, Ilulissat
Photo: official website
Il tuo soggiorno — Hotel Arctic
Previsioni dal vivo per le tue date · Cosa c'è su · Qualità dell'aria e polline📅 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.
La proprietà — Hotel Arctic
Hotel Arctic sits on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Ilulissat Icefjord, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The lobby is clean and practical, with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the icebergs in Disko Bay – that view is the real draw. It’s a no-frills three-star aimed squarely at Independent travellers who want reliable comfort, a good restaurant, and direct access to the town’s hiking trails and boat tours. You’ll see a mix of serious photographers, adventure couples, and solo travellers mapping the Arctic in July.
Cronache di Ilulissat
Ilulissat was founded as a trading post in 1741 by the Danish merchant Jacob Severin, originally named Jacobshavn. In the 19th century, it became a centre for whaling and later for halibut fishing, Greenland’s economic backbone. The town’s architecture is a pragmatic jumble: brightly painted wooden houses on stilts, modern apartment blocks, and the iconic, stark-white Zion Church (built 1906). Culturally, it’s intensely Greenlandic – Inuit traditions in kayak-building and dog-sledding are alive here, but the town also has a growing creative scene of artists and musicians influenced by Arctic light and isolation. The population of roughly 5,000 feels transient in summer, swollen by cruise-ship excursions and researchers from the nearby Arctic Station.
Il momento migliore per visitare
Guida completa di Ilulissat →I migliori mesi
July and August: peak of the midnight sun, temperatures 8–12°C, ice-free fjord navigation, and plenty of daylight for long hikes and boat trips. Early September also works for milder weather but with fewer visitors.
Peak / Festival Surge
July is the absolute peak month, driven by the midnight sun and the Ilulissat Icefjord Centre opening new exhibitions. Cruise ships dock daily – the harbour gets busy. Hotel prices double or triple from winter levels; book six months ahead. The town’s main event is the Ilulissat Festival in late July, with concerts, dog-sled races (on snow patches), and celebrations of Greenlandic culture.
Stagione di spalla
June and September. June still has well-below-zero nights but fewer tourists, and icebergs calve loudly. September offers discounts of 30–40% on peak rates, with crisp, clear autumn light and fewer mosquitoes. September’s first half is mild (5–10°C); after mid-month, snow flurries are common.
Meteo e imballaggio
Greenland’s coastal weather shifts fast: one hour you’re in fleece-and-rainjacket, the next a clear-sky moment demands sunglasses and sunscreen. Pack a windproof shell, a warm mid-layer (wool or fleece), waterproof trousers, sturdy boots with grip, and a warm hat or buff – no denim, no cotton base layers.
Briefing della città — Ilulissat
- The Ilulissat Icefjord Centre, opened in 2023, now has a permanent exhibition on glacial science and Greenlandic history – it's a short walk from Hotel Arctic and open daily in summer.
- A new direct Air Greenland flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat started in 2025, reducing the need for a transfer in Kangerlussuaq – check flight schedules carefully as connections remain limited.
- The town’s main street (Aqqusinersuaq) is being repaved through June 2026, with occasional detours for pedestrian access – expect minor delays if walking from the hotel to the harbour.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Arctic, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the hotel (away from Mittarfimmut Aqqut). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer good light without being too high for easy stair access.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street (Mittarfimmut Aqqut). The road runs close to the front entrance and carries local traffic, delivery vehicles, and tour buses during summer. Also avoid rooms near the main staircase or lift shaft if you are a light sleeper.
Best views
Rooms at the rear of the hotel face away from the street and overlook a quiet residential area and hills. Some may have a distant view of the fjord, but the hotel is inland and not on the waterfront. Don't expect Disko Bay views from here.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest. The hotel has no lift, so these floors are less used by guests moving luggage or arriving late.
🔊 Noise notes
Mittarfimmut Aqqut is the main road from the airport into Ilulissat. Expect sporadic vehicle noise during daylight hours, but minimal traffic after 10pm. In summer, tour buses arrive early (6-7am). The hotel has no soundproofed windows, so pack earplugs if street noise bothers you.
Insider tips
1. There is no lift, so request ground floor if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues. 2. Check-in is often informal — call ahead if arriving after 8pm to confirm someone is at reception. Breakfast is basic but filling, and they can arrange a packed lunch for day trips if you ask the night before.
- 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
strutture alberghiere — Hotel Arctic
Free for all guests; speed is adequate for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps); no login required, just select network and accept terms.
One lift reaches all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No complimentary digital newspaper; physical copies of Sermitsiaq (Greenlandic weekly) available in lobby on Fridays.
Check-in from 15:00; early bag-drop available from 12:00 at reception. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 400 DKK. After 14:00 charges a full extra night.
Free for guests on arrival/departure day; left in locked room near reception.
Step-free entrance via ramp; lift to all floors; no adapted rooms or grab rails; wheelchair access possible but limited bathroom space.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars on gravel lot; no valet. Nearest public car park is at the harbour, 800 m, 25 DKK per hour. No EV charging.
Tasse, imposte e depositi
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; at check-in a 500 DKK incidental hold per stay is placed on credit card.
Faith & Dietary vicino
- 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)
Stile di vita e ricreazione locale
Pisuffissaq Park — 1.2 km · ~16 min walk
Aqqutarfik — 983 m · ~12 min walk
5 minuti di radio essenziali
GrønlandsBANKEN — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Arctic Umiaq Line — 761 m · ~10 min walk
Moneta e moneta
Get a travel card →Danish Krone, DKK
Use ATMs at the airport or bank in Ilulissat centre; avoid exchanging cash at hotel desks or tourist bureaux as they give poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted almost everywhere, including taxis and kiosks; contactless is standard; mobile pay less common for small purchases.
Tipping is not expected; rounding up for good service is fine but not required.
Mangiare, fare shopping e viaggiare su un budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee at a bakery or café — around 30-35 DKK.
Hot dog or open sandwich from a kiosk or bakery — about 60-80 DKK.
Main course at a modest restaurant — around 150-200 DKK for fish or pizza.
Hot dog stands near the marina serve cheap grilled sausages with toppings.
Pisiffik supermarket chain is common in the area — good for basics.
No high-street chains; buy practical outdoor gear at the local hardware/sports store by the harbour.
Walking is the cheapest; a taxi from the airport to this area costs about 100 DKK. No day passes as buses are infrequent.
Buy groceries at Pisiffik to save on meals; skip taxis by walking as everything is within 15 minutes; book tours direct with operators rather than through hotels.
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 Arctic
🕒 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 →Girare intorno
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.
Domande frequenti
What are the best rooms at Hotel Arctic?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor facing the rear of the hotel (away from Mittarfimmut Aqqut). These upper floors reduce street-level noise and offer good light without being too high for easy stair access.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Arctic?
Avoid ground-floor rooms directly facing the street (Mittarfimmut Aqqut). The road runs close to the front entrance and carries local traffic, delivery vehicles, and tour buses during summer. Also avoid rooms near the main staircase or lift shaft if you are a light sleeper.
Is Hotel Arctic noisy?
Mittarfimmut Aqqut is the main road from the airport into Ilulissat. Expect sporadic vehicle noise during daylight hours, but minimal traffic after 10pm. In summer, tour buses arrive early (6-7am). The hotel has no soundproofed windows, so pack earplugs if street noise bothers you.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Arctic?
Rooms at the rear of the hotel face away from the street and overlook a quiet residential area and hills. Some may have a distant view of the fjord, but the hotel is inland and not on the waterfront. Don't expect Disko Bay views from here.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Arctic?
1. There is no lift, so request ground floor if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues. 2. Check-in is often informal — call ahead if arriving after 8pm to confirm someone is at reception. Breakfast is basic but filling, and they can arrange a packed lunch for day trips if you ask the night before.
What time is check-in at Hotel Arctic?
Check-in at Hotel Arctic is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Arctic have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed is adequate for browsing and email (approx. 10 Mbps); no login required, just select network and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Arctic?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Arctic?
Hot dog or open sandwich from a kiosk or bakery — about 60-80 DKK.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Arctic?
Walking is the cheapest; a taxi from the airport to this area costs about 100 DKK. No day passes as buses are infrequent.
When is the best time to visit Ilulissat?
July and August: peak of the midnight sun, temperatures 8–12°C, ice-free fjord navigation, and plenty of daylight for long hikes and boat trips. Early September also works for milder weather but with fewer visitors.
Principali attrazioni a 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.