Sisimiut

A coastal pearl on the Arctic Circle
Greenland’s second-largest town, Sisimiut, lies just north of the Arctic Circle and is the northernmost town in Greenland in which the port remains free of ice in the winter, at the same time as which it is the southernmost town in Greenland where it is possible to drive on a dogsled in winter and spring.



	Sisimiut in winter time

The town offers an exciting cocktail of historical culture and modern Greenlandic urban life, and in the old quarter you can still see buildings from the first 100 years of the colonial period, including the museum area with a gate built of enormous whale jawbones and the blue church, which is Greenland’s second-oldest church, dating back to 1775.

Activities in natural surroundings
At the foot of Sisimiut’s landmark, the 784-metre (2,572 feet) high mountain, “Kællingehætten” (literally “old woman’s cowl”), there are fine opportunities for both alpine and cross-country skiing, whilst the hinterland is perfect for both short dogsled trips and long expeditions all the way to Kangerlussuaq.

In summer you can walk to the top of “Kællingehætten” and be rewarded with a fantastic view of the town, the sea, the mountains and the abandoned settlement of Assaqutaq. The ice-free sea around Sisimiut and some of Greenland’s deepest fjords also attract visitors wishing to sail in waters that are home to many whales and seals, in addition to which diving in the clear Arctic waters and fishing for char bring you close to Mother Nature.

Sisimiut today
Sisimiut means “the inhabitants at the foxholes” and the town was founded in 1756 as a mission and trading station under the name Holsteinsborg. 5,500 inhabitants live in Sisimiut and the town is home to more than 1000 sled dogs, a high-tech factory, where prawns and crabs are processed, and an active cultural centre, which all provide evidence of the diversity of life in a modern Greenlandic town.

How do I get to Sisimiut?
Air Greenland flies to Sisimiut via the international airport in Kangerlussuaq. From here there are regular flights to the other towns on Greenland’s west coast. Arctic Umiaq Line's passenger ship, which has a scheduled service between Qaqortoq in South Greenland and Ilulissat in the north, also calls at Sisimiut twice a week.

Adventurers who are physically fit and have plenty of time on their hands can also try the very popular hiking route, Arctic Circle Trail, which runs between Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut, and which takes 8-10 days. During the winter, travellers can cover the same route on a dogsled, snowmobile or on skis, and take the opportunity to visit the settlement of Sarfannguaq and its 100 inhabitants en route.

See a map of Sisimiut

Sisimiut weather: