Ilulissat Icefjord Center in Ilulissat, Greenland

Ilulissat, a village in West Greenland, is renowned for its breathtaking icefjord, where large icebergs break off from the Sermeq Kujalleq glacier after a journey of hundreds or thousands of years. The glacier is one of the fastest and most active on the planet, producing enough ice to meet the United States' yearly water consumption. Many of the icebergs get stuck near Ilulissat's shore, creating a stunning landscape for photographers. Some of these icebergs have even drifted as far as Bermuda, Ireland, and the Azores, with some believing one may have led to the sinking of the Titanic. Ilulissat is not only known for its natural beauty but also has a rich cultural history, with archaeological evidence showing that Inuit have been present in the region for over 4,000 years. The new Icefjord Center, opened in 2021, offers visitors a chance to learn about the formation of icebergs and the significance of the Sermermiut archaeological site. The center features an interactive screen that guides visitors to earthworks, ruins, and graves, adding context to a walk through the site and to the popular viewpoint overlooking the icefjord. According to legend, the viewpoint, Nakkaavik, was a site where elderly Inuit would sacrifice themselves to make way for younger generations. The Icefjord Center also offers a unique virtual reality experience, taking visitors on an underground tour of the EGRIP Polar Ice Station, where scientists study ice cores.