Green valleys, sheep farms and Norse ruins — the mild, farmed south that surprises everyone.
South Greenland is agricultural. Sheep farms run up the valleys, birch and willow grow above head height, and the summer is mild enough that Erik the Red settled here in 985. The Norse ruins at Hvalsey and Igaliku are UNESCO listed and still standing.
It is also the part of Greenland where hiking is straightforward instead of expeditionary, and where farm stays give a kind of access the north cannot. Icebergs still drift down the fjords from the east coast current, so the Arctic never quite leaves the frame.
Working sheep farms taking guests, plus simple hotels in Narsaq and Qaqortoq.
The UNESCO Norse sites, hot springs at Uunartoq, valley hiking and boat travel between settlements.
Greenlandic lamb, which is excellent, with local fish and summer garden produce.
Flights via Copenhagen or Nuuk into Narsarsuaq, then boat between the fjord settlements.
Lambing done, valleys green and the light stretching to midnight. Icebergs at their thickest in the fjords.
Warmest weather in Greenland, every boat running and the hot springs at their best.
Colour on the tundra, aurora returning and the last reliable boat schedules of the year.
June — July: Early Summer. Lambing done, valleys green and the light stretching to midnight. Icebergs at their thickest in the fjords. August: High Summer. Warmest weather in Greenland, every boat running and the hot springs at their best. September: Autumn. Colour on the tundra, aurora returning and the last reliable boat schedules of the year.
We suggest 4–5 nights. 5 nights: Farm and settlement stays with the UNESCO ruins, the hot springs and boat travel between fjords. 9 nights: The farmed south paired with Ilulissat in the north — the two extremes of Greenland, buffer days included.
Narsarsuaq (UAK) · Qaqortoq. Flights via Copenhagen or Nuuk into Narsarsuaq, then boat between the fjord settlements.
Norse history · Hiking · Farms. Green valleys, sheep farms and Norse ruins — the mild, farmed south that surprises everyone.