Qaqortoq, with its 3000 or so inhabitants is South
Greenland's largest town and known as one of the most charming and beautiful towns in all of Greenland. It has a pleasant town centre with a small square and Greenland's oldest fountain. There are also strikingly beautiful colonial buildings, dating from the establishment of the town in 1775.
The primary industries in the town are fishing, service and administration and as the training centre for
South Greenland, Qaqortoq's street life is characterised by lots of students.
Culture in focus:
The culture project 'Stone and Man' invites you to explore the town to find the 30 different motifs that are chiselled into the cliffs by local and Scandinavian artists. Our Saviour's Church from 1832 and the town's two museums are also worth visiting. One of the town's important workplaces - Great Greenland Furhouse - is often open to visitors.
Facts about Qaqortoq:
Population: 3230 in the town and 200 inhabitants spread over the three settlements. In a few natural water holes, the 38 degree water bobbles up and you can lie in the warm water and admire the huge drifting icebergs.
How to get there:
Via the international airport in Kangerlussuaq you firstly fly to
Narsarsuaq and thereafter to Qaqortoq by helicopter (Air Greenland). During the summertime you have the option to reach Qaqortoq via a direct international flight to the international airport in Narsarsuaq, where both Air Greenland and Air
Iceland operate. You also have the option to sail on Arctic Umiaq Line's passenger ship. The towns in South Greenland lie close to each other and there is a good helicopter service network, as well as regular boat and ship connections (contact the local tourist office for more details), which can, however, be subject to minor disruptions from fjord ice during the winter and drifting field ice during the summer.
How to get around:
The area is ideal for walking and the sea - both long and short hikes and boat trips. You can go on fishing trips and excursions by boat. In winter, cars are supplemented with skis and snowmobiles. Transportation between towns and settlements in South Greenland is made by ship or Air Greenland's helicopters.
Where to sleep:
You can stay overnight at a hotel, hostel or privately. In South Greenland you can choose to stay with a family on a sheep farm. One possibility is to put up a tent in the mountains, where the countryside and view pleases you most.
