Friends, on the eastern coast of Greenland, where icebergs drift through fjords, a town of roughly 2,000 people holds its ground against one of the most extreme environments on the planet.

Tasiilaq is the largest settlement in East Greenland—a scattering of colorful wooden houses on a rocky slope, surrounded by glaciers, frozen waterways, and a silence so deep it becomes a physical presence.

Reaching this place requires genuine effort, but every traveler who makes the journey describes the same overwhelming feeling: being somewhere truly at the edge of the inhabited world.

Getting There

No roads connect Tasiilaq to anywhere else. The journey begins with a flight from Reykjavik Domestic Airport in Iceland to Kulusuk Airport—a small airstrip serving East Greenland. Flights operate through Air Iceland Connect and take approximately two hours, with round-trip fares ranging from $400 to $800 depending on season and booking advance.

From Kulusuk, a helicopter transfer to Tasiilaq takes roughly 15 minutes and operates year-round—prices are typically bundled with tour packages or cost approximately $150 to $250 one way when booked separately through Air Greenland. During summer months (June through September), boat transfers offer a scenic and more affordable alternative at approximately $145 to $150 one way, taking 30 to 45 minutes across the fjord.

Iceberg Encounters

The Sermilik Icefjord, accessible by boat from Tasiilaq, is the undeniable highlight of any visit. Massive icebergs calved from Helheim Glacier—one of Greenland's most active—drift through the fjord in formations of electric blue, brilliant white, and translucent turquoise. Boat excursions to Sermilik typically cost $200 to $400 per person for a full-day trip, including guide, safety equipment, and lunch.

Shorter half-day iceberg cruises in the waters immediately surrounding Tasiilaq run $100 to $200. Kayaking among smaller icebergs is available through local operators for approximately $80 to $150 per person for a guided half-day paddle—one of the most intimate and unforgettable Arctic experiences available anywhere.

Hiking Trails

Tasiilaq's surrounding mountains and valleys offer hiking ranging from gentle valley walks to demanding summit climbs. The Flower Valley trail—beginning near the center of town—winds through a narrow gorge past waterfalls and wildflowers, covering roughly three to four kilometers each way with modest elevation gain. The hike is free, requires no guide for the main trail, and takes two to three hours round trip.

More ambitious hikers can tackle the peaks surrounding town, where ridgeline trails deliver 360-degree views of icebergs, fjords, and the Greenland ice sheet stretching to the horizon. A local guide is strongly recommended for mountain routes and costs approximately $80 to $150 per day.

Winter Adventures

From February through April, Tasiilaq transforms into a frozen adventure base. excursions across frozen fjords and sea ice cost approximately $200 to $400 per person for a half-day trip—an experience deeply rooted in local traditions. Snowmobile tours covering similar terrain run $150 to $300.

Heliskiing—available through specialized operators—offers untracked powder descents on remote Arctic peaks for approximately $800 to $1,500 per day, attracting advanced skiers from around the world.

Where to Stay

Accommodation in tasiilaq is limited and should be booked well in advance, particularly for summer visits. Hotel Angmagssalik and The Red House are the most established options, with nightly rates ranging from approximately $130 to $250 depending on room type and season. Smaller guesthouses offer more basic but comfortable rooms from $100 to $180 per night.

Many properties include shared kitchen access—a valuable amenity given that restaurant options are extremely limited and all food in Greenland is imported. Cooking your own meals using supplies from the local Pilersuisoq supermarket significantly reduces daily costs, though grocery prices run 50 to 100 percent higher than European averages due to shipping logistics.

Practical Essentials

Currency in Greenland is the Danish Krone (DKK). Tasiilaq has only one ATM, and while the supermarket accepts credit cards, cash is essential for smaller transactions and local artisans—Greenlandic tupilak carvings and hand-sewn crafts make distinctive souvenirs priced from $20 to $200.

Mobile phone coverage exists in town but disappears entirely outside settlement boundaries. Weather dictates everything—flight delays and tour cancellations are common, and building at least one or two flexible buffer days into any itinerary is strongly advised. Travel insurance covering weather-related disruptions is non-negotiable.

Lykkers, Tasiilaq is not a destination for travelers seeking convenience, predictability, or luxury. It is a place for those drawn to landscapes so raw and immense they reshape how distance, time, and silence feel.

Standing on a rocky shore while an iceberg the height of a building rotates slowly in a fjord is the kind of experience that makes ordinary life seem very far away. What is the most remote place you have ever traveled to—and did the journey to reach it make the arrival even more meaningful?