Air Greenland welcomes you to Qaqortoq (JJU)

Qaqortoq is situated right in the middle of South Greenland with good traffic connections by helicopter and boat to Narsarsuaq, Narsaq and Nanortalik. The town is the largest in South Greenland with about 3,000 inhabitants. About 3-400 people live in the surrounding settlements and on sheep farms making a living out of farming and fishing. The town’s name Qaqortoq means “the white”, but perhaps it should have been Qorsuk, “the green”, because the area is so lush and fertile; if you can’t imagine gardens in the Arctic, just take a look here. 

What happened to the Norse settlers?
About 1,000 years ago, some Icelandic farmers came to Greenland and settled by the fjords of South Greenland and lived there until about the year 1500. They built farms, abbeys and churches and the best preserved ruin from that time is Hvalsø Church, just a 1-hour boat trip away from Qaqortoq. Only the stone walls remain, but they are evidence of superb building skills, stone on stone bound by lime from seashells. Enjoy the bevels of the windows – this is workmanship that lasts. The last written account from the time of the Norse settlers in Greenland mentions a wedding here in this church in 1408 – nothing more was ever heard from the Norse settlers.

Culture and nature by yourself
Wherever you go in Qaqortoq, you’ll come across sculptures, either free-standing or carved into the bedrock. The project is called Stone and Man and it is the result of the joint efforts of many Nordic artists in the 1990’s. You must also visit the old wooden church and the museum situated in the middle of the old part of town, surrounded by buildings from around 1700. If you move away from the town there are many good and easy walks to choose from and a good view is guaranteed from every mountain top.

Qaqortoq (JJU)

Serviced by helicopter
Arrivals & departures > >

Air Greenland
Phone +299 642188
Fax +299 642587

Hotel Qaqortoq
Phone +299 642282
Fax +299 641234
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Seaman's Mission
Phone +299 642239
Fax +299 642678
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Qaqortoq Tourist Office
Phone +299 642444
Fax +299 642495
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Taxi
Phone +299 641111
Phone +299 642888
Phone +299 642233