Qaqortoq, Greenland - Things to See and Do

What to see and do in Qaqortoq, Greenland

Visited August 2024

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Qaqortoq, Greenland is Surrounded by Beautiful Mountains, Fjords, Icebergs, and Islands

Qaqortoq is the largest town in southern Greenland and serves as an important cultural and economic hub for the area. Its name means "The White One," referring to the surrounding landscape, which often becomes snow-covered during winter.

The town is set in a scenic area with surrounding mountains, fjords, and islands, providing striking natural beauty. Qaqortoq overlooks the Labrador Sea, and the nearby fjords offer opportunities for exploration by boat.

The town was founded in 1775 by Danish traders and remains one of the oldest European-established settlements in Greenland. Qaqortoq has a mix of Inuit and Danish heritage, which is reflected in its architecture, cuisine, and everyday life.

We visited Qaqortoq on 8/28/2024. While there, we took a bus tour of the town and it’s fresh water lake, stopping at an overlook of the town and at an overlook of the fjord.

One of Qaqortoq’s most unique cultural attractions is the Stone & Man art project. This outdoor exhibition, created by local artists, features sculptures and carvings embedded in the natural rock surfaces throughout the town.

Similar to other Greenlandic towns, fishing, especially for shrimp and cod, is a primary industry. The town has a fish processing plant that plays a central role in the local economy.

Qaqortoq is also home to Great Greenland, a major company specializing in seal skin processing. This industry is vital to both the local economy and Greenland’s traditional way of life. Visitors can tour this facility to learn about Greenland’s seal skin trade and the tanning process.

Tourism has grown significantly in recent years, driven by the town’s natural beauty, historic sites, and outdoor activities. Qaqortoq is a popular stop for Arctic cruises, and many visitors come to experience its culture and explore the fjords.

Housed in a historic building from 1804, the Qaqortoq museum showcases local history, Inuit artifacts, and Norse culture, with exhibitions on exploration, hunting, and daily life. The fjords and mountains around Qaqortoq offer opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and boating, with stunning views of glaciers, icebergs, and wildlife such as seals and whales.

Qaqortoq is connected to other parts of Greenland by helicopter service. Regular ferry services connect Qaqortoq with other towns in southern Greenland. Cruise ships also frequently stop in Qaqortoq, especially during the summer months.

Qaqortoq’s mix of European and Inuit influences, along with its striking landscape, makes it a unique and vibrant destination. It is one of the few towns in Greenland with more developed infrastructure such as schools, healthcare services, hotels, restaurants, and shops. While remote, the town offers a relatively high quality of life for its roughly 3,000 residents.

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