About Aasiaat
It was 1759 when Niels Egede, the son of a Norwegian missionary, founded the settlement of Egedesminde on the coast of Disko Bay. But the town of Aasiaat has a history dating back far further – in life if not in name.
It's thought that the area was inhabited by humans from as early as 5000 B.C., although the first settlements as we know them likely date back to around 1200 A.D., when the town was used as a base by hunters. These initial settlers introduced many of the innovations still used by locals today, such as the famous Greenlandic umiak boat and dog sledding as a means of transportation. They also built the bright wooden houses that surround the bay, today a defining feature of many pictures of Aasiaat.
The other early inhabitants of Aasiaat are now one of its biggest draws: whales. During the summertime, the town's central bay comes to life with sea creatures big and small that can often be spotted even from the shore. During the winter, Aasiaat serves as one of few homes to the near-mythical narwhal.
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This reputation has caused Aasiaat to be known by many as "The Town of the Whales". Others refer to it as "The Land of a Thousand Islands" because of its famous archipelago. But amongst locals, it's favored nickname is "The Town of Hidden Musicians".
Despite its small population, Aasiaat is home to a thriving creative community, with live performances taking place every weekend in the town's two popular hangouts: Nanoq and Tulugaq.
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Hotels and Restaurants in Aasiaat
