• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Disko Bay
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search

Leif Eriksson

Leif Eriksson made ​​amazing discoveries and was the first European to reach North America - nearly 500 years before Columbus.

In Brattahlid, which today is known by the Greenlandic name of Qassiarsuk, a bronze statue of Leif Eriksson has been erected as a memorial to his fantastic discoveries in the year 1000 AD.

The statue has been erected at the site in Southern Greenland from where the legendary son of Erik the Red set course towards the uncharted west from his childhood home.

ALL ABOUT GREENLAND’S VIKINGS

What was life like when Leif Eriksson and Freydís Eiríksdóttir lived in South Greenland?

Find out here

FIRST EUROPEANS IN NORTH AMERICA

The voyage made Leif Eriksson – whose byname was ‘the Fortunate’ – the first ever European to set foot on the North American continent.

The areas that Leif Eriksson discovered and explored where christened by him Helluland, Markland and finally Vinland. The areas are thought to be Baffin Island, Labrador and Newfoundland respectively.

Kujataa World Heritage

Download App (iOS only)

Package Tours

Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in South Greenland

Are you dreaming and going to South Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €55
Blue Ice Explorer – South Greenland 4 days – easy going

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland 4 days – easy going

The famous blue icebergs of South Greenland and the charming village of Igaliku are just some of the highlights of this trip.

FROM €528
Blue Ice Explorer: South Greenland – Short and Intensive

Blue Ice Explorer

South Greenland - Short and Intensive

Experience Greenland on a getaway from Iceland. Wonderful day-hikes with easy access to South Greenland's blue icebergs and history.

FROM €659
Greenland Travel: All in one: The grand tour of Greenland

Greenland Travel

All in one: The grand tour of Greenland

15-day trip with incredible contrasts. Nature, villages and towns. Hiking, green mountains, turquoise icebergs, flower valleys, and ice-cold glaciers.

From €7,110
Show More

VIKING SETTLERS IN CANADA

It is indeed in north-western Newfoundland in Canada, more specifically at L’Anse-aux-Meadows, that the oldest known European settlement in the New World has been discovered.

More than 2400 Viking objects have been excavated from the area conclusive proof that the Viking settlers discovered North America long before Columbus.

THE STATUE OF LEIF ERIKSSON

The statue of Leif the Fortunate was erected in the year 2000 in conjunction with the celebration of the 1000th anniversary of the heroic voyage.

It is a copy of similar statues originally erected in Seattle on the American west coast and subsequently in Trondheim in the north of Norway. The museum in Narsaq houses an exciting permanent exhibition of the early Viking settlers and their way of life.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anything
  • Anytime
  • Anywhere
  • Cultural Experiences
  • History
  • Norse History
  • South Greenland
  • Summer
  • Vikings
  • Winter

By Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Immersing overwelmed by the surroundings. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

Editor’s guide: How to spend 4 days in East Greenland

An occupational hazard as an editor is that I read about and collect the most beautiful bucket list destinations, and East Greenland has long been one of mine.

  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
Paninnguaq Pikilak. Inuit tattoos. Photo by Aningaaq Rosing Carlsen - Visit Greenland

A guide to Inuit Tattoos in Greenland

Inuit tattoos have had a revival in recent years, with many young people, among others, breathing life into the traditional lines. However, it has deep roots in Inuit communities, both spiritually and culturally.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Ruined vehicle with the landscape of Ikkatteq in East Greenland, where the Americans once had a military base. Photo by Reinhard Pantke - Visit Greenland

13 Ghost Towns in Greenland

There are many abandoned places in Greenland, and there are, obviously, several reasons for the abandonment: The hunting grounds moved, The natural minerals were used up, Forced displacement for military purposes, The need for a workforce elsewhere.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Capital Region
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #History
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Narsaq
  • #Narsarsuaq
  • #North Greenland
  • #Nuuk
  • #Qaanaaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #South Greenland
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Camping under the sunset. Photo by Mark Hutchison

Camping and exploration logistics in Greenland

For packing a tent, booking a flight and heading into nature, the considerations for exploration logistics are where, when, how, and most importantly what are the risks and how to manage them?

  • #Accommodation
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Camping
  • #Camping
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Outfitter
  • #Providers
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.
The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.
The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Tjodhildes Church Tjodhilde's church - a reconstruction of church from the norse presence in Greenland 1,000 years ago. By Mads Pihl Hvalsey Church Ruin
Scroll to top