Sisimiut: Hiking, Landscapes and Culture

Sisimiut offers several reasons to plan a trip: challenging hiking trails, panoramic views of the town and its hinterland, activities on the water and cultural attractions. If you’re looking for a hotel in Sisimiut, your travel dates and planned activities can help shape your stay. Some trails are described for specific months; season and current conditions can also affect tours.

Getting Around Sisimiut

The main visitor areas of Sisimiut lie along a road that climbs quite steeply from the harbour. Ways to get around town include walking, bicycle rentals, taxis and a bus that serves most parts of Sisimiut. It passes each stop every 20 minutes; as the schedule may change, check the current service before travelling.

Hiking Trails, Route Types and Panoramic Views

The Assaqutaq Trail is a challenging 9.8-kilometre one-way hike, offered in July, August and September. The Nasaasaaq Trails are also challenging: they are out-and-back routes of about six kilometres, offered in the same months. For planning, the route direction is just as important as the distance. Check local conditions before setting out.

The Kangerluarsunnguaq Trail passes through Akia, Sisimiut’s residential area north of the bridge, and through Dog Town. A trail between Sisimiut and Assaqutaq runs between the Nasaasaaq mountains and the fjord, following the foot of the mountains to the settlement. From the upper areas of Nasaasaaq Mountain, a 360-degree panorama stretches over Sisimiut and Palasip Qaqqaa to the ocean in the west, and north and east across lakes, valleys and mountains in the hinterland.

Boat Trips and Activities on the Water

In summer, boat trips from Sisimiut visit UNESCO sites and abandoned settlements, including Assaqutaq. Specially designed whale-watching tours are also offered from Sisimiut; their availability may vary by season. Check what is available for your travel dates for both types of tour.

Kayaking is also possible in Sisimiut in winter, although availability and conditions vary. You can also try stand-up paddleboarding or paddle a traditional Greenlandic kayak; check current availability in advance. Guided city walks and e-bike tours offer ways to explore Sisimiut and its surroundings. These tours may also change.

Culture in Sisimiut and Qeqqata Kommunia

Taseralik Cultural House offers art exhibitions, films and various events. The Sisimiut Museum is home to Bethelkirken, also known as the Blue Church, the oldest church in Greenland. Check the current visitor arrangements before visiting the museum.

In the wider destination of Qeqqata Kommunia, the Sisimiut Museum in Sisimiut is a cultural history museum focusing on trade, shipping and industry. It features a large archaeological exhibition with rich finds from Saqqaq culture settlements. A reconstructed turf house illustrates how people in Sisimiut lived about 100 years ago. The museum is housed in former colonial buildings, several of which date from the 18th century.

Hiking in the Wider Destination of Qeqqata Kommunia

The wider destination of Qeqqata Kommunia has several well-marked hiking trails, ranging from routes lasting a few hours to the multi-day Arctic Circle Trail. This marked trail is 160 kilometres long and runs between Sisimiut and the end of the 170-kilometre-long Kangerlussuaq Fjord. Hikers usually need eight to nine days to complete the route. Check current trail conditions before planning.

Arctic Sounds is a music event held in Sisimiut in April, celebrating music from Greenland and other countries. If you’re considering it as a reason for your trip, check the dates for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Aasiaat, Uummannaq, Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Kangerlussuaq.

View the overview of the wider destination: Qeqqata Kommunia.