Aasiaat Travel Guide

City Greenlandic coastal town near iceberg-filled Disko Bay

Aasiaat sits amid Arctic skerries where fishing, kayaking and boat trips for whale and bird watching attract visitors. Expect low timber houses, seal meat on menus, local museums about Inuit life and long summer evenings under pale light.

Main image
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Costs
Expensive, remote Arctic town
Expect high Arctic prices: $150-300 per day for lodging, food and transport.
Safety
Safe but remote, plan ahead
Generally safe and low crime; remoteness raises medical and weather risks.
Best Time
June-August
Summer (June-August) for boat tours, wildlife and mildest weather.
In This Guide
Local Time
12:28 PM
GMT-1
Weather
Partly Cloudy 23°F
Partly Cloudy
Population
3,005
Infrastructure & Convenience
Small airport and boat links; limited services, few shops, basic English in tourist spots.
Popularity
Niche Arctic visitors, cruise stops and wildlife enthusiasts constitute most tourists.
Known For
Ice fjords, boating and kayaking, seal and whale watching, colourful wooden houses, fishing culture, Arctic daylight, local museum, traditional hunting
Founded in 1759 as the Danish trading post Egedesminde, Aasiaat remains one of Greenland's oldest settlements.

Why Visit Aasiaat? #

In the heart of Disko Bay, Aasiaat attracts visitors seeking Arctic seascapes, Inuit culture and active outdoor trips. Colorful wooden houses and local handicraft workshops sit alongside kayaking and whale‑watching excursions through ice‑strewn waters; traditional drum dance and storytelling feature at community events. Midnight sun paddles and winter dog‑sled possibilities make it a handy base for seasonal Arctic experiences.

Best Things to Do in Aasiaat

All Attractions ›
Aasiaat Airport
1
Aasiaat Airport
Regional airport serving Aasiaat and surrounding settlements
Island

Aasiaat Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Aasiaat Museum - Exhibits on local Inuit history, maritime life, and regional artifacts.
  • Aasiaat Church - Distinctive wooden church hosting community services and occasional cultural events.
  • Harbourfront and Boat Tours - Watch colorful houses and book boat trips among nearby skerries.
Hidden Gems
  • Qeqertaq Island walks - Small island trails and bird colonies reachable by short boat from Aasiaat.
  • Kayak trips among skerries - Guided paddles through narrow channels and iceberg-dotted waters.
  • Local craft stalls - Handmade sealskin goods and carved bone souvenirs sold in small shops.
Day Trips
  • Disko Bay boat excursions - Whale and iceberg spotting cruises departing from nearby ports.
  • Ilulissat and icefjord (regional flights) - Traditional settlements and icefjord vistas reachable via regional flights.

Best Time to Visit Aasiaat #

Aasiaat is an Arctic destination best visited in the brief summer for wildlife, boat trips and midnight sun. Winters are extreme and icy - beautiful but challenging and very cold.

Winter
December - February · -18 to -6°C (-0.4-21°F)
Long, dark, brutally cold winters with sea ice; life is quiet, indoor-focused, and only for those who relish Arctic solitude.
Spring
March - May · -6 to 0°C (21-32°F)
Spring brings thinning ice, dramatic light and early seals; it's chilly but rewarding for wildlife seekers and local cultural encounters.
Summer
June - August · 0 to 8°C (32-46°F)
Short, cool summers are surprisingly vibrant: boat trips, bird colonies and midnight sun make for unique, brisk Arctic adventures indeed.

Best Time to Visit Aasiaat #

Climate
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
19°
Warmest Month
-34°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

Weather

0.0
UV Index
Low
1.9h daylight

February

Weather

0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

March

Weather

0.1
UV Index
Low
11.4h daylight

April

Weather

0.4
UV Index
Low
15.5h daylight

May

Weather

0.7
UV Index
Moderate
20.5h daylight

June

Weather

1.0
UV Index
High
24.0h daylight

July

Weather

0.9
UV Index
Moderate
22.5h daylight

August

Weather

0.6
UV Index
Moderate
17.2h daylight

September

Weather

0.2
UV Index
Low
13.0h daylight

October

Weather

0.0
UV Index
Low
8.9h daylight

November

Weather

0.0
UV Index
Low
3.9h daylight

December

Weather

0.0
UV Index
Low
0.0h daylight

How to Get to Aasiaat

Aasiaat is best reached by domestic flight - the town's airport (JEG) connects with Nuuk, Ilulissat and other Greenlandic settlements via Air Greenland. In summer, sea connections supplement flights for inter-settlement travel.

By Air

Aasiaat Airport (JEG): Aasiaat is served by Aasiaat Airport (IATA: JEG) with regular domestic flights operated by Air Greenland from Ilulissat and Nuuk. Flights are the most practical way to reach the town from other Greenland settlements; the airport is a short drive from the town centre and local transfers are arranged by taxi or on-call transport.

Other Greenland gateways: For international connections you usually fly via Nuuk or Ilulissat (both connected by Air Greenland) and then onward to Aasiaat; international flights into Greenland depart from Reykjavík (Iceland) or Denmark depending on season and carrier.

By Train & Bus

Train: There are no rail services in Greenland; all inter-settlement travel is by air or sea.

Boat / Ferry: During the ice-free season (summer) Diskoline and local boat services connect Aasiaat with neighbouring settlements by sea. Schedules are seasonal and subject to weather; fares and travel times vary by route and operator.

How to Get Around Aasiaat #

Aasiaat’s town centre is small and easily walkable; most services and accommodations sit close to the harbour. Connections to other Greenland settlements are by Air Greenland helicopters or boats, so plan onward travel well in advance and expect weather to affect schedules. There are limited taxis and few cars; locally people often walk or use small boats. Bring cash and essentials, as specialist shopping options are limited.

Where to Stay in Aasiaat #

Budget
Town centre - DKK300-900/night
Aasiaat has a few basic guesthouses and simple hotels; choices are limited and often seasonal. Book well ahead, especially in summer.
Mid-Range
Harbour area - DKK900-1,800/night
Mid-range stays are small, locally run hotels that offer private rooms and simple meals. Facilities are modest compared with larger Greenland towns.
Luxury
Aasiaat harbour area - DKK1,800+/night
Aasiaat has no traditional luxury hotels; premium travellers use private charters, exclusive lodges or high-end rentals arranged through specialist operators.

Where to Eat in Aasiaat #

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Aasiaat's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger
French
Seafood
American
Sandwich

Nightlife in Aasiaat #

Nightlife in Aasiaat is very limited. Evenings usually involve socialising at guesthouses, small bars or community events rather than a commercial nightlife scene. For cultural activities or more evening options, look for scheduled community gatherings or festivals during the summer months.

Shopping in Aasiaat #

Shopping in Aasiaat is functional: a main supermarket (Pilersuisoq) and a few small shops supply groceries, household goods and basic outdoor clothing. Tourist shopping is minimal, though you can buy simple local crafts on occasion. Don’t expect wide retail choice-stock up on speciality items before arrival and plan purchases around limited shop hours.

Nearby Cities #

Qasigiannguit
Qasigiannguit
68 km away