South Greenland

What is South Greenland?

South Greenland is the country’s southernmost region and includes towns such as Qaqortoq. It lies south of the Arctic Circle, along a coast shaped by fjords, islands and mountainous terrain. It makes more sense to plan it as a region to travel through than as a single destination.

Qaqortoq is a practical base for a first visit. You can spend a few nights there, get your bearings and arrange onward travel within the region. If your itinerary includes several places, allow enough time to move between them. Distances on a map do not necessarily show how long a journey will take when flights, boats and weather all have to line up.

South Greenland also differs in practical ways from destinations farther north and in East Greenland. There is no dog sledding here. By law, dog sledding is restricted to West Greenland north of the Arctic Circle and to East Greenland. The whole of South Greenland lies outside those areas, so Qaqortoq and the rest of the region do not offer dog-sledding trips.

If dog sledding is the main reason for your visit, choose West Greenland north of the Arctic Circle or East Greenland instead. In South Greenland, hiking, boat tours, town stays and time around the fjords are the more relevant activities.

A regional itinerary takes more planning than staying in one town. It can, however, be adjusted to suit the season, weather and your preferred pace. We generally recommend choosing a small number of bases and giving each one enough time rather than trying to cover many places in a few days.

How to get to South Greenland

The clearest air connection to South Greenland is through Nuuk. Nuuk’s international airport opened on 28 November 2024 and has direct jet service to and from Copenhagen. There are five flights a week, six over the Christmas and New Year holidays, and eight a week during summer.

Air Greenland flies from Nuuk to Qaqortoq. One possible itinerary is therefore to fly from Copenhagen to Nuuk and continue from Nuuk to Qaqortoq. Travellers beginning elsewhere need to reach Copenhagen or arrange another suitable connection into Nuuk before continuing south.

Check the individual flights for your chosen dates and assess the full journey as one itinerary. This is particularly important if the connection in Nuuk is short or if you plan to continue by boat after reaching South Greenland. A flight that works in isolation may not leave a practical margin for the next part of the journey.

We recommend building some spare time into the schedule. Greenland has an Arctic climate, and wind, cloud and other weather conditions can affect both flights and boat transport. Booking an activity immediately after arrival, or an international departure immediately after returning from South Greenland, leaves little room for changes. An extra night in Nuuk or Qaqortoq is often more useful than adding another brief stop elsewhere.

If you intend to visit several places in the region, check the transport before reserving accommodation. Do not select all your stops first and assume that a suitable connection will operate every day. We normally start with the fixed flights, then review any required boat journeys, and only then decide where each stay fits. This keeps the itinerary tied to the transport that is actually available.

The same principle applies on the way home. If the flight from Qaqortoq to Nuuk does not connect sensibly with your onward international flight, plan a night in Nuuk. We do not regard that as wasted time. It is a practical part of travelling in a place where the weather can affect the timetable.

Things to do in South Greenland

Hiking is one of the main activities in South Greenland. The terrain varies, so choose a walk according to your fitness, experience and the conditions that day. A short walk near town requires different preparation from a longer hike across open terrain.

Ask locally about the route, ground conditions and weather before leaving, even when a walk appears straightforward on a map. Solid walking shoes or boots matter more than packing several different outfits. The ground can be uneven, and conditions can change during the day.

For a hike, take a windproof, water-resistant outer layer, a warm mid-layer and water. On longer routes, tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return. This is a simple precaution and remains relevant during summer.

Boat tours provide another way to travel through the region’s fjords and along the coast. Trips differ in duration and content, so check how long you will be on the water, whether the itinerary includes going ashore and what clothing the organiser recommends. A boat can feel considerably colder than the town, even when conditions on land are calm.

The price of a boat tour in South Greenland depends on duration, route, type of boat and local conditions; our article about prices in Greenland covers the observed price levels for boat tours with source and date. Confirm what is included before booking.

Not every day needs to be organised around an excursion. Qaqortoq works well for quieter days spent walking through town, looking out over the water and following everyday local life without a fixed programme. These days are also useful between longer outings or when the weather changes your plans. We recommend keeping at least part of the stay flexible rather than reserving every hour before arrival.

Photography fits easily into town walks, hikes and boat tours, but practical preparation is more useful than carrying a large amount of equipment. Batteries run down faster in cold conditions, and cameras need protection from water and knocks while travelling. On a boat, keep your camera and phone in a closed bag when you are not using them. Ask before photographing people at close range, just as you would elsewhere.

If you want to combine several activities, you might set aside one day for a local walk, one for a boat tour and one for a longer hike. Leave room to change the order rather than making the entire stay dependent on one type of weather. We usually plan the most weather-sensitive activities with a land-based alternative.

Dog sledding should not be included in a South Greenland itinerary. Although Greenland’s general dog-sledding season runs from January to April, the activity is legally restricted to West Greenland north of the Arctic Circle and to East Greenland. It does not exist in Qaqortoq or anywhere else in South Greenland.

How long to spend in the region

A short stay in Qaqortoq can provide an introduction to South Greenland, but a wider regional trip needs several days. Transport takes up part of the available time, and arrival and departure days rarely count as full activity days. You may need to collect luggage, find your accommodation and confirm the next part of the journey.

Count complete days in the region when deciding how long to stay. Four nights do not necessarily provide four days for excursions. If you arrive late on the first day and leave early on the last, you effectively have only three uninterrupted days available.

Each new base on a regional itinerary should have a clear purpose. That might be access to hiking, a planned boat trip or a few quiet days in a town. A one-night stop without a specific reason often means spending much of your time checking in, checking out and travelling. Fewer changes of accommodation also provide more room to deal with weather-related adjustments.

We advise first-time visitors not to judge the itinerary only by the number of places it includes. A shorter list with adequate time at each stop is generally easier to manage than a schedule built around frequent transfers.

Best time to visit South Greenland

June, July and August are the most practical months if your priorities are hiking, boat trips and longer days outside. Summer does not mean consistently warm weather. South Greenland still has an Arctic climate, and low temperatures, wind and rain can occur. Pack for the expected activities and conditions rather than relying on the calendar.

May and September can suit travel during the change between seasons. For these months, check which tours and transport options are operating on your exact dates. An activity available in the middle of summer should not automatically be expected to run in the same way before or after the main summer period.

The northern lights are visible in Greenland from September to April when the sky is dark and clear. South Greenland can therefore be considered for an autumn or winter visit if seeing the northern lights is one of your aims. They are a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed on a particular night. Cloud, precipitation and other local conditions may block the sky, so several nights give you more practical opportunities than a single brief stay.

From October to April, plan for winter conditions and less time for outdoor activities than during summer. Check in advance which excursions are available and how local transport connects with the flights. A winter visit works better if you accept that the programme may be simpler and more dependent on the weather.

January to April is the general dog-sledding season in Greenland, but this does not apply to South Greenland. There is no dog sledding in Qaqortoq or elsewhere in the region at any time of year because South Greenland is south of the Arctic Circle and outside the East Greenland exception.

Where to stay

In Qaqortoq and elsewhere in South Greenland, choose accommodation according to your itinerary rather than focusing only on the view or room type. A practical location is often the better option if you have an early departure, a boat trip or luggage to move. Check the distance from your arrival point and ask the accommodation how to reach it with your bags.

Depending on the place and season, options may include standard hotel rooms and smaller forms of accommodation. We recommend booking once your flights and other transport are confirmed. Read the terms for changes as well, since a delay earlier in the journey can affect your arrival date.

For a stay of several nights, simple kitchen facilities can be useful when they are available. They allow meals to be fitted around excursions and early departures. Ask whether breakfast, bed linen, towels and luggage storage are included instead of assuming that every place operates in the same way.

If you plan to continue from Qaqortoq to a smaller place, confirm both the accommodation and transport before leaving town. Flexibility is useful when deciding the order of activities, but it should not mean being uncertain about where you will sleep.

Practical advice for a first visit

Pack in layers. A base layer, warm middle layer and windproof, water-resistant outer layer can be adjusted as conditions change during the day. Bring a hat and gloves outside winter too, particularly for boat tours or extended periods outdoors. Sunglasses and sun protection are also useful when you will be outside for several hours.

Choose footwear for what you plan to do. Sturdy everyday shoes are often sufficient for time in town, while hiking calls for shoes or boots with reliable grip. Break in new boots before travelling. An extra pair of dry socks takes up little room and is useful when rain or wet ground becomes a factor.

Keep track of the latest information about flights and boat transport. Make sure your accommodation and activity organisers have the correct contact details for you. Save tickets, addresses and important messages so that you can access them without an internet connection.

Carry medication, a charger and a warm layer in your hand luggage. This small amount of preparation makes delays or changes easier to manage.

First-time visitors often underestimate the value of one flexible day. It can be used for a postponed boat trip, a hike moved because of the weather or simply a slower day in town. South Greenland is better approached as a region that needs time than as a list of points to cover as quickly as possible.