The Official Tourism and Business Site of Greenland
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Uummannaq
The heart-shaped mountain
Uummannaq is situated on an island at the foot of the heart-shaped mountain which gave the town its name. The name itself literally means “the heart-shaped”. Great kindness and hospitality characterise the local inhabitants, who live 600 km (375 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. In Uummannaq the midnight sun can be experienced from the middle of May to the middle of August and this means many hours of daylight during the summer in which to experience the unique scenery and culture in one of Greenland’s most northerly and perhaps most beautiful municipalities.
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Activities in Uummannaq’s natural surroundings
You can, for instance, see lots of enormous icebergs that originate from one of the seven glaciers near Uummannaq or perhaps explore Uummannaq’s local museum and visit Santa’s workshop. The winter months also offer dogsled trips, whilst in the remaining ice-free periods there are plenty of opportunities to take an excursion to a settlement by boat or helicopter, or even go on a whale safari where the focus is on fin whales.
The mummies from Qilakitsoq
At Uummannaq there are numerous prehistoric finds and ruins that provide tangible evidence that hunters and sealers have lived in the area for thousands of years. At the former winter settlement of Qilakitsoq one of Greenland’s most remarkable archaeological finds was made in 1972. A group of particularly well-preserved mummies was found. These mummies were subsequently dated to around 1475 and are now on display at Greenland’s National Museum.
Uummannaq’s industry and infrastructure
The sea continues to make up the basis of existence for Uummannaq’s 1300 citizens and for the town’s seven settlements which are home to a similar number of inhabitants. Today fishing for Greenland halibut has taken over as the primary industry. Uummannaq can be reached by flights several times a week from Kangerlussuaq via Ilulissat to Qaarsut. From here there is a 10-minute trip by helicopter to the heart-shaped town. Cruise ships also regularly call at Uummannaq.
How do I get to Uummannaq?
Via the international airport in Kangerlussuaq you can take an Air Greenland flight to Qaarsut (via Aasiaat or Ilulissat), from where there is only a 10-minute helicopter flight (Air Greenland) to Uummannaq.
Qaarsut weather (20 km west of Uummannaq):
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