Sisimiut

A coastal pearl on the Arctic Circle
Sisimiut lies just north of the Arctic Circle and is the northernmost town in Greenland where the port remains free of ice in the winter and at the same time the southernmost town in Greenland where it is possible to drive on a dogsled in winter and spring. In Sisimiut’s old quarter you can still see buildings from the first 100 years of the colonial period, for instance in the museum area with the portal built of enormous whale jawbones and the blue church, which is Greenland’s second-oldest church dating back to 1775.

Sisimiut in winter time

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 alpine skiing in winter and spring and the town is also a prime place to go dogsledding. 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.

Sisimiut today
Sisimiut means “the inhabitants at the foxholes”. The town was founded in 1756 as a mission and trading station under the name Holsteinsborg. 6,000 inhabitants live in the town of Sisimiut and the settlements of Kangerlussuaq, Sarfannguaq and Itilleq. A high-tech factory, where prawns and crabs are processed, is evidence of the fact that fishing continues to be the main industry in Sisimiut.

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.

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

See a map of Sisimiut

Sisimiut weather:

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