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Qeqqata · Greenland
The second-largest town in Greenland, with the country’s oldest standing church, a colonial neighbourhood, Mount Nasaasaaq and the end of the Arctic Circle Trail.
In the photo: Houses of Sisimiut among coves, rocky islets and mountains.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
With just over five thousand residents, Sisimiut is second in size only to Nuuk among the country’s towns. It is the seat of the Qeqqata municipality and a fishing town, with a busy harbour and colourful houses climbing the slopes.
The old neighbourhood near the harbour contains 18th‑century colonial houses, the town museum and Bethel Church, built in 1775, the oldest church still standing in Greenland. The museum holds finds from Nipisat, a Saqqaq culture site included in the Aasivissuit–Nipisat UNESCO heritage area, which stretches from the coast nearly to the ice cap.
To the east, Mount Nasaasaaq dominates the landscape and has a trail to the summit. Sisimiut is also the finish point of the Arctic Circle Trail, which comes from Kangerlussuaq across the tundra.
When the snow arrives, the town swaps boats for sleds: north of here, sled dogs remain part of everyday life, and the slopes attract skiers.
This destination brings together 1 city: Sisimiut.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); contorno terrestre: Natural Earth (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.
✈ Sisimiut Mittarfia (JHS) · 3 km to Sisimiut
The airport has short flights to Kangerlussuaq and flights to the capital and other towns; passenger ships call at the harbour in some seasons. There are no roads to other towns. Confirm routes before booking.
The local experience
A group of colonial houses by Sisimiut’s old harbour, presenting the region’s more than four thousand years of history, a reconstructed turf house and objects from ancient cultures.
A blue wooden church from 1775, the country’s oldest surviving church, in the courtyard of Sisimiut’s colonial houses. Residents paid for its construction with whale fat.
The mountain that dominates Sisimiut, east of the town, with steep walls over the Amerloq fjord. A marked trail climbs to the top, with views of the town, the sea and the inland.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
In summer, for hikes, boat trips and for the arrival of those coming along the Kangerlussuaq trail. At the end of winter, for firm snow, sled dogs and ski runs.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
A long weekend is enough: one day in the colonial neighbourhood, another at sea or on a short trail and, if there’s time, a third on the mountain.
The centre, near the harbour and old neighbourhood, leaves the museum, churches and shops within walking distance. The upper parts of town look over the bay and are closer to the trails and ski runs.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
See the colonial houses and the blue 1775 church, climb Nasaasaaq, take a boat along the coast and, in winter, go dog sledding and skiing.
Yes, about 50 km north of the Arctic Circle line.
Summer, for trails and boats, or February to April for sledding and skiing.
During part of the year passenger and cruise ships stop at the harbour. The most common way to get there is by plane.
