Walking Tour Of Qaqortoq

Experience charming Qaqortoq up-close on a guided walk around the historic center, where colorful colonial homes share the scene with dozens of curious rock sculptures. This settlement, South Greenland’s largest city, is home to about 3,200. It’s also home to Greenland’s oldest fountain; the country’s only other one is younger. Qaqortoq was officially founded in 1775, but its cultural roots reach back far further – beyond 2,500 BC when the Paleo-Eskimo Saqqaq people lived here. The Norse arrived around the 10th century, and Danish traders later – rechristening this Julianehaab for their queen at the time. The city’s modern Greenlandic name means “the white,” a reference to the icy glaciers and fjords that surround it. But during the time of your visit, “the green” might be more accurate, with the landscape in full dazzle and flower and vegetable gardens flourishing town-wide. In addition to historic landmarks like Qaqortoq’s oldest church and a typical Inuit sod house, you’ll see the local fish market, where fresh-caught seafood is displayed side by side with seal and whale meat. As you stroll the town, you’ll also encounter stone sculptures of all sizes and shapes, created by local artists in celebration of South Greenland’s proud cultural history.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Walk the colorful lanes of Qaqortoq with a guide and discover South Greenland’s biggest city.
• Encounter the country’s oldest fountain, a sod house, a landmark church and a bustling seafood market where seal and whale are on the chalkboard.
• See intriguing stone sculptures scattered throughout town, part of a project called Stone and Man created by local artists to express South Greenland’s cultural history.
• Finish up with some free time to explore Qaqortoq further, returning to the pier at your leisure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear weather-appropriate clothing; include a light jacket or windbreaker.
• Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and insect repellant as needed.