Greenland's second-largest town perches just above the Arctic Circle, where sled dogs roam, colorful colonial buildings line the hillside, and pristine fjords stretch to the horizon — a living portrait of the Arctic's past and present.
Most cruise ships anchor in the harbor and tender passengers to the town pier, just steps from the historic old town.
💡 Pro move: There are no taxis. Everything in the historic center is walkable. Bring DKK cash for artisan crafts purchased directly from carvers.
Sisimiut has an active fishing harbor; cruise passengers tender or walk a short distance to the colorful old town.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Large cruise ships | Anchor in harbor — tender to town quay📍 | Tendered |
| Expedition & small ships | Industrial wharf (10 min walk uphill)📍 | Docked |
From Arctic hikes to abandoned ghost-town boat trips, Sisimiut punches well above its size for shore-day options.
A challenging guided climb to the 784 m summit of Mount Nasaasaaq delivers panoramic views of the fjord, town, and open Davis Strait. Clear days stretch for miles.
Find Sisimiut hiking tours →A 30-minute boat ride takes you to a ghost settlement abandoned in the 1970s. Walk among deserted houses and learn how Greenlandic communities were relocated as life changed.
Find Sisimiut boat tours →Explore 18th-century colonial buildings housing exhibits on 4,500 years of Saqqaq Inuit history, traditional hunting, and Danish colonial life. The outdoor historic quarter is free to wander.
Find Sisimiut guided tours →Cruise by RIB or zodiac into the stunning Amerloq Fjord, scanning for humpback whales, minke whales, seals, and seabirds against a backdrop of dramatic Arctic cliffs.
Find Sisimiut wildlife tours →Paddle the sheltered bay around Sisimiut's colorful waterfront for a unique low-level view of the brightly painted houses and working fishing harbor.
Find Sisimiut kayak tours →Sample muskox, fresh-caught halibut, and traditional suaasat (Inuit soup) at Hotel Sisimiut's restaurant or on guided culinary tastings that explain Arctic ingredients.
Find Sisimiut food tours →Sisimiut's compact old town is very walkable; Tele-Hill gives a quick panoramic reward for minimal effort.
From the tender pier, walk up into the historic colonial quarter. Pass the whalebone-arched Blue Church (1775), explore the Sisimiut Museum's outdoor buildings, and continue past the sled dog fields at the edge of town.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →A short rocky climb up the hill near the harbor yields 360° views of the colorful town, surrounding mountains, and your ship at anchor. Perfect for photos.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 12°F / -11°C | 2°F / -17°C | 11 | 11:43 AM | 3:45 PM |
| Feb | 6°F / -14°C | -4°F / -20°C | 6 | 9:44 AM | 5:54 PM |
| Mar | 13°F / -11°C | 4°F / -16°C | 7 | 7:53 AM | 7:34 PM |
| Apr | 25°F / -4°C | 16°F / -9°C | 8 | 6:48 AM | 10:22 PM |
| May | 35°F / 2°C | 27°F / -3°C | 7 | – | – |
| Jun | 46°F / 8°C | 37°F / 3°C | 9 | – | – |
| Jul | 52°F / 11°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 | – | – |
| Aug | 51°F / 11°C | 42°F / 6°C | 10 | 6:06 AM | 11:09 PM |
| Sep | 42°F / 6°C | 34°F / 1°C | 10 | 7:54 AM | 9:02 PM |
| Oct | 31°F / -1°C | 22°F / -6°C | 11 | 9:35 AM | 7:03 PM |
| Nov | 22°F / -6°C | 12°F / -11°C | 12 | 10:35 AM | 4:02 PM |
| Dec | 17°F / -8°C | 7°F / -14°C | 10 | 12:36 PM | 2:23 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Tender drops passengers directly at the town waterfront. Most attractions, the colorful old town, museum, and church are within a 5-15 minute walk.
Sisimiut has a small local taxi fleet with metered fares starting around 30 DKK plus ~20 DKK/km. Sisimiut Taxi has its own app. Cash (DKK) preferred.
A local bus loops through most of town roughly every 20 minutes. Not tourist-oriented but usable for reaching neighborhoods farther from the waterfront.
HX Expeditions and Backcountry Greenland offer guided 90-minute bus excursions covering key viewpoints, local markets, and the Sled Dog Town.
Upcoming cruises that call at Sisimiut, Qeqqata, Greenland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.