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Tiilerilaaq

Tiilerilaaq

Photo: Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen – Visit Greenland

Quick facts about Tiilerilaaq

Names:
Diilerilaar (East Greenlandic), Tiilerilaaq (new West Greenland), Tiniteqilaq (old West Greenlandic)
Category:
Settlement
GPS coordinates:
65°53′20″N 37°46′45″W
Location:
Sermilik Fjord
Population:
94
Airport/Heliport:
[TQI] Helistop
Timezone:
WGST / UTC-2 / GMT-2
Postal code:
3913

Tiilerilaaq’s unique location offers residents and visitors an unobstructed view of the expansive Sermilik Icefjord and the Greenland ice sheet. Here, one can marvel at the spectacle of millions of icebergs, each unique in shape and size, floating away slowly in the fjord, bathed in beautiful sunlight. The spectacle, a blend of tranquility and grandeur, is a sight to behold and cherished by all who witness it.

Facilities in Tiilerilaaq

  • Small supermarket, with post office, local bank office and petrol station
  • Service house with running water. shower and accommodation
  • Communal spots for drinking water collection
  • Nursing station
  • Municipality office
  • Community house
  • Church
  • School
  • Kindergarten
  • Free-time facility for the youth
  • Small multipurpose football field

A Settlement of Hunters and Fishermen

Perched on the edge of the Sermilik Icefjord, Tiilerilaaq is a small settlement that’s home to a community of hunters and fishermen. Residents navigate the cold waters of the fjord, rich with marine life, and traverse the icy landscapes in search of sustenance. This way of life, shaped by the sea and the land, is at the heart of Tiilerilaaq’s culture.

Mesmerizing Views of the Sermilik Icefjord

Tiilerilaaq’s unique location offers residents and visitors an unobstructed view of the expansive Sermilik Icefjord and the Greenland ice sheet. Here, one can marvel at the spectacle of millions of icebergs, each unique in shape and size, floating away slowly in the fjord, bathed in beautiful sunlight. The spectacle, a blend of tranquility and grandeur, is a sight to behold and cherished by all who witness it.

Amenities in Tiilerilaaq

Though the settlement is home to just 94 residents, it’s equipped with essential facilities to meet their needs. The local Pilersuisoq, a small shop, serves multiple purposes as it also houses a bank, post office, and fuel depot. Educational needs are catered to by a school, which uniquely also hosts the local church. In addition, the settlement has a kindergarten, a nursing station, a municipality office, and a service house.

The Service House

The service house, offering showers, accommodation, and laundry services, stands out as the only place in the settlement with running water. The remainder of the settlement follows a system where water is collected from a communal spot, a testament to the resilient lifestyle that has evolved in these remote parts of the world.

Handy Tips for Travelers

Travelers should note that all the local bank offices cater only to their own Greenlandic bank accounts. Visitors are advised to carry cash as certain services, such as the service houses, require cash payment. There are three ATM machines in the big and small supermarket in Tasiilaq for cash withdrawal that accept all common international credit cards. All supermarkets of Pilersuisoq and most of the other facilities accept card payments, also with international cards.

Community Life

Tiilerilaaq also boasts a community house and a free-time club for the youth, ensuring that there are spaces for social interaction and community-building. These places are a testament to the strength of community spirit in Tiilerilaaq, providing a glimpse into the harmonious co-existence of residents amidst the vastness of the surrounding landscapes.

Final Thoughts

Tiilerilaaq is a testament to the harmonious relationship between humans and nature. A visit here offers the chance to appreciate the rugged beauty of the Sermilik Icefjord, understand the resilient lifestyle of the hunting and fishing community, and witness the serene spectacle of floating icebergs under the golden sunlight. Tiilerilaaq is more than just a settlement – it’s a community living at the intersection of survival, tradition, and nature’s grandeur.

Activities in Tiilerilaaq

Camping

Dogsledding

Drum dance

Fishing tours

Hiking

Iceberg safari

Kayaking

Meeting locals

Northern lights

Sailing

Skiing

Snowmobile tours

Snowshoe hike