Popular towns in Greenland
You cannot ignore the fact that some towns in Greenland are more popular than others. Greenland’s towns have different things to offer, especially when it comes to their surroundings. We don’t have mass tourism in Greenland, but there are places where accommodation sells out fast in the summer. You should pay particular attention to this if you want to go to Ilulissat in the summer.
However, you will experience the real Greenland everywhere you go, and the great experiences in nature and the meeting with the locals are always right outside your door.
Popular settlements in Greenland
There are 54 settlements in Greenland. A settlement is a village, smaller than a town. It is often harder for you to get to a settlement compared to getting to a town, and this makes the adventure even bigger.
On some of our trips, visits to one or more settlements are included in the itineraries. Especially in South Greenland and in the Disko Bay it is relatively easy to find a boat that goes to a settlement. From Ilulissat you can visit Ilimanaq and Oqaatsut, while visiting Nuuk you can also visit Kapisillit, and, in South Greenland, the settlements Igaliku and Qassiarsuk are not far from Narsarsuaq or Qaqortoq. Finally, there are three settlements with larger airports, Kangerlussuaq, Narsarsuaq, and Kulusuk. This is where the flights from Denmark and Iceland land.
Greenlandic towns and their Danish names
In the older days, many towns in Greenland also had a Danish name. It is usually the Greenlandic names that are the original, but not always. You will often find the Danish names in historical writings, as it was typically the Danes who wrote down stories.
Today, it is the Greenlandic names that are the official town names in Greenland. Below is a list of some of the former Danish names. The list is good to have at hand, as older maps often only have the Danish names. But, gradually, the Greenlandic names are taking over.
Qaanaaq = Thule
Pituffik = Thule Air Base
Upernavik = Upernavik
Uummannaq = Umanak
Qeqertarsuaq = Godhavn
Ilulissat = Jakobshavn
Qasigiannguit = Christianshåb
Aasiaat = Egedesminde
Kangaatsiaq = Kangatsiak
Kangerlussuaq = Søndre Strømfjord/Sondre Stromfjord
Sisimiut = Holsteinsborg
Maniitsoq = Sukkertoppen
Nuuk = Godthåb
Paamiut = Frederikshåb
Narsaq = Narssaq
Qaqortoq = Julianehåb
Tasiilaq = Ammassalik/Angmagssalik
Illoqqortoormiut = Scoresbysund (In local dialect it is Ittoqqortoormiit)
The most popular town among tourists
Ilulissat
There are many beautiful towns in Greenland, each with their distinctive character, which makes them unique. Ilulissat in Disco Bay is the most popular and the most sought-after among tourists. The town is Greenland’s third largest and has a lot of exciting things to offer in the form of beautiful hotels, restaurants of high international class, and atmosphere. However, it is the town’s location in particular that makes it something very special: the Ilulissat Ice Fjord, just south of the town.
Other places are also becoming attractive to visitors. If you are interested in traveling to a specific destination, you are welcome to ask us. We have experts at hand who can put together unique tours for you.
Ilulissat also offers sailing to the Ice Fjord, which is a fantastic experience. You can read more about boat trips in the Disco Bay and icebergs in Greenland.
