Weekend: Dealing With a Very Flaky Friend 😤

Repeat After Us: This Is the Year to Cross Greenland Off Your Bucket List

theSkimm

New year, new adventures, right? If there’s one big trip to take in the year ahead, it’s to Greenland — at least, according to Condé Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and Travel + Leisure, all of which listed the Danish territory as a top destination for 2025. That’s because, starting in June, it’ll be easier than ever to reach the remote island, thanks to the first direct flights between the US and Greenland’s capital, Nuuk. (Spend a few days there, experiencing its indigenous Inuit culture, booming art scene, and local delicacies.) But, of course, the real reason to travel to this icy corner of the world is stunning in-your-face nature — which is precisely what makes Ilulissat exceptional. Expect a rugged Arctic landscape littered with awe-inspiring icebergs, bucket list-worthy helicopter tours, quaint candy-colored homes, all sorts of wildlife, and nearly 24 hours of daylight if you’re traveling during the summer months.

🛏 Located on the shores of the Ilulissat Icefjord, Hotel Arctic’s contemporary accommodations (ranging from standard rooms to two-bedroom apartments) offer dramatic views. But none compare to the property’s Aurora Cabins — greenhouse-like structures with floor-to-ceiling heated glass windows. That’s a particularly important detail if you’re visiting between mid-September and April, when you’ll have the best chance of gazing at the northern lights from the comfort of your warm, very inviting bed.

🧊 The 34-mile-long UNESCO-listed Icefjord — filled with towering, sometimes skyscraper-size icebergs — is the reason to visit Ilulissat. Take your pick for how to explore it: on foot, via four hiking trails that start or end at the state-of-the-art Ilulissat Icefjord Center (stop in to learn about the formation of icebergs and a nearby ancient Inuit settlement); from overhead, with a helicopter tour to the edge of Greenland’s ice sheet; or by kayak, during which you can weave around icebergs and marvel at the crystal-clear water. But if that’s too intense, you can also sign up for one of the many scenic boat rides, including midnight cruises, fishing excursions, and whale safaris.

🖼️ Ilulissat is tiny (population: less than 5,000), so it’s easy to see most of the town’s main attractions in a day — either by joining a walking tour or doing your own thing. Make sure to stop at: the Ilulissat Art Museum (home to dozens of stunning Greenlandic paintings); the extremely picturesque Zion Church (dating back to 1783); the local fish and meat market (aka the “brættet”); and the Ilulissat Cultural History Museum. Once the birthplace of polar explorer Knud Rasmussen, the museum now features exhibitions on Ilulissat’s development, traditional Inuit culture, and the design of the kayak.

🍴 Don’t be surprised if most of your meals are at hotels — since that’s where many of the best restaurants are. Each puts its own spin on Greenlandic cuisine (think: lamb, musk ox, halibut, and arctic char), like Nordic- and French-inspired Restaurant Icefiord, offering seasonal menus with crowberries, lumpfish roe, and other local ingredients. At Hotel Arctic, you’ll find two dining options: Brasserie Ulo (don’t miss the shellfish platter) and Restaurant Ulo, known for its upscale tasting menu, with modern takes on traditional dishes. But for something more casual, try Inuit Café, a local favorite serving up a mix of Sri Lankan and Asian dishes.