Greenland’s contrasts

Lush valleys and turquoise glaciers
South Greenland is a region full of contrasts, known for its flowering plains and fertile valleys, ice-filled fjords, numerous glaciers and mineral-rich mountain landscapes. The region has a well-developed farming industry with extensive grazing pastures for sheep and horses and some of the best-preserved Norse ruins. Whether you are interested in Inuit or Norse history, ice or minerals of all types, hunting and fishing or just magnificent scenery, then South Greenland has it all.

Plenty of choice in South Greenland
The towns of Narsaq, Qaqortoq, Nanortalik and the gateway of Narsarsuaq are particularly good starting points from which to experience the culture and nature of the region. However, the small sheep-holding stations and settlements such as Qassiarsuk, Igaliku and Alluitsup Paa are also popular tourist attractions. Excursions and attractions in South Greenland offer something for everyone: Hiking, fishing, farm holidays, visits to the ruins of Norse churches and farms, or more challenging experiences such as kayaking or climbing, to name but a few possibilities.

From Norse farms to sheep-holding stations
One of the first people to realise the great potential offered by South Greenland was the temperamental Viking Erik the Red, who, inspired by the green landscapes, christened the country Greenland. The climate at the time - around 1000 AD - was relatively mild and conditions were favourable for farming, and this is still true of the climate in South Greenland today. During the summer, temperatures often reach 18 degrees Celsius (64 degrees Fahrenheit), thus providing good conditions for modern sheep farming and other types of farming that are not seen in other parts of the country.

South Greenland’s fjords and the ice sheet
South Greenland’s fjords are ideal for sailing, and at the base of the fjords you will often find many dramatic glaciers, which in some places can be experienced on foot. Several of the glaciers are particularly productive, and therefore a lot of ice floes can be seen in South Greenland. With a shorter distance to East Greenland than the other regions, South Greenland is also the place for travellers looking for the ultimate challenge: Crossing the ice sheet on foot with Narsarsuaq as the starting point.

Approach routes to Greenland
Narsarsuaq Airport has flight connections to Denmark, the other regions of Greenland, and in the summer also to Iceland. The distances between towns and settlements in South Greenland are generally short. For instance, the trip from Narsaq to Qaqortoq takes just three hours by ship and less than fifteen minutes by helicopter. From Qaqortoq to Nanortalik in the southernmost part of the region the helicopter flight lasts about twenty minutes. During certain periods of the spring and summer a number of towns and settlements can be cut off from shipping connections due to the field ice.

Find more detailed information about the region at Destination South Greenland's home page