Getting to Ilimanaq Lodge – A boat ride through UNESCO
There are no roads to Ilimanaq from the surrounding towns. You arrive by boat, and your holiday starts the moment you leave Ilulissat.
The journey through Ilulissat Icefiord is in a league of its own. We zig zag through some of the world’s largest icebergs, and with a bit of luck we will encounter a whale or two before we arrive at the small quay of Ilimanaq. It is no coincidence that the area is part of UNESCOs world heritage list.
- We have arranged a boat shuttle that you can easily purchase when booking a stay.
- Turen varer ca. 40 minutter alt efter vejr- og isforhold.
- Afgang fra Ilulissat kl. 08:00, 10:00 eller 16:00.
- Afgang fra Ilimanaq kl. 09:00, 11:00 eller 17:00.
- We sail in smaller, fast boats with room for 12 passengers. It is possible to sit both outdoors and indoors.
Open from mid-June - mid-September
The historical houses
Few minutes’ walk from the bungalows, you encounter two of the oldest houses in Greenland. Today they make the setting of our reception and the two restaurants - Restaurant Egede and KOKS.
The buildings have a special history - they once belonged to the well-known missionary Paul Egede. Paul was the sun of Hans Egede who founded the colony Greenland back in the 1700s. Paul build the house, that today houses the restaurant. He also operated his business as a tradesman and a missionary from the old shop, that today function as a reception and holds our conference room.
The buildings are protected and worthy of preservation, and up until the opening of Ilimanaq Lodge they were carefully restored by Realdania By & Byg. The renovation lasted a full 3 years, during which they were completely taken apart, repaired as gently as possible, and then assembled again. The project has won the prestigious Europa Nostra Award - and for good reason.
The buildings have been restored to their original identity, and many of the original materials and colors have been preserved. For example, you will experience the original shop interior in the reception and original sails from a whaling ship in the restaurant's ceiling.
Besides the restoration of the historical houses in Ilimanaq, Realdania is also behind the creation of Ilulissat Icefiord Center.
If you are interested in history, architecture, or decoration, you should definitely not miss out on a visit in Ilimanaq Lodge.
A pioneering project
Ilimanaq Lodge was built as a pioneering project in Greenlandic tourism.
The project is a collaboration between the municipality, Realdania and World of Greenland. The municipality has been responsible for improving infrastructural conditions, such as sewerage, harbor conditions, waste station and footpaths in the settlement. Realdania has been responsible for the renovation of the Historic Houses. And World of Greenland has built 15 bungalows, and is responsible for the operation of the lodge.
The purpose of the project is a desire to contribute to the sustainable development of the settlement. Through tourism, where the foundation is the values of this specific place, we want to create fertile ground for sustainable jobs and development in Ilimanaq.
Good reasons to stay at Ilimanaq Lodge
Ilimanaq is peace and quiet. Here we are tucked away from the buzz in Ilulissat, and we dare to promise that your shoulders will drop as soon as you check in with us.
In Ilimanaq we live together with the local residents. You meet them in the shop, on the walking paths in the settlement, or in the reception for a cup of coffee.
The boat tour from Ilulissat to Ilimanaq is an experience in itself. Here we pass the world-famous icebergs from Ilulissat Icefjord, setting the mood for a magical stay.
Since its opening, Ilimanaq Lodge has been among the leading restaurants in Greenland. The standard is high, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the focus is on "local sourcing" and creative communication of the food culture here in Ilimanaq.
The lodge's restaurant and reception are housed in some of the country's oldest buildings, which are now part of Greenlandic cultural heritage. The renovation of these historic buildings has been awarded the Europa Nostra Prize.
A good journey not only creates lifelong memories and peace of mind. It also fosters reflections on the way others live and offers new perspectives on the world.
Your stay at Ilimanaq Lodge includes
All bungalows in Ilimanaq Lodge have large windows overlooking the Disko Bay and private terraces.
Many hotels offer free wifi, in Ilimanaq Lodge we offer a wifi-free vacation.
All bungalows at Ilimanaq Lodge have private bathroom with modern facilities.
All bungalows run on solar energy, and all surplus power is passed on to the settlement, so that we can all save on the use of the generator.
We transport your luggage from reception to the lodge area.
Breakfast is included in the overnight stay.