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  • A lone traveller stands in Qassiarsuk and looks over Tunulliarfik Fjord toward Narsarsuaq. Photo by Stacy William Head

Greenland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are pure nature

Here is a peek at what you will find up here plus how to get the experience

Just look at the two places Greenland proudly calls UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Unlike other popular worldly destinations – that often sell themselves with gorgeous photos void of humans but deliver a completely different reality – when you visit Greenland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, you get what you saw in the images. Wide and silent landscapes that make you feel small.

KUJATAA NORSE AND INUIT FARMING (SOUTH GREENLAND)

Kujataa (pronounced koo-ya-TAH) is Greenland’s newest pride and joy, making the list in late 2017. It is one massive region of fjord and green hills, and it covers five different spots where Vikings established farms back in the 10th – 14th centuries. They have all been revived by Greenlanders as preserved ruins but also as fully-functioning settlements and farms.

Why it is perfect for outdoorswomen and men: The relatively close proximity of several of the sites (about 30 km from each other) gives great multi-day camping & hiking opportunities. Blue Ice Explorer provides start and end boat transfers for a few self-guided hiking routes, but be warned that the terrain is challenging and only for experienced trekkers. Blue Ice Explorer also offer a series of boat tours to connect the sites – an easier alternative than hiking.

A tidbit of wisdom: The Norse and Inuit each had their own names for the same sites. Here, the Greenlandic name comes first.

Qassiarsuk = Brattahlid

Qaqortukulooq (and the nearby agricultural research station Upernaviarsuk) = Hvalsey

Sissarluttoq = Eastern Settlement

Tasikuluulik = Vatnahverfi

Igaliku = Gardar

How to get there: Air Greenland offers direct international flights from Copenhagen to Narsarsuaq in summer, as well as direct domestic flights from Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk and Paamiut to Narsarsuaq year round. Icelandair offers direct international flights from Keflavik to Narsarsuaq in summer.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Greenland by Topas – Dog Sledding, Igloo Lodge and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Greenland by Topas

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights in Ilulissat

Sled dogs are in their element under the frosty sky, crackling snow and fluttering Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) of the Greenlandic winter. Overnight stay in Igloo Lodge.

FROM €2,946
Blue Ice Explorer – 6 days round trip visiting UNESCO sites

Blue Ice Explorer

6 days round trip visiting UNESCO sites

Visit Hvalsey, Igaliku and Qassiarsuk – 3 of the UNESCO sites – together with South Greenland’s colourful town Qaqortoq.

FROM €865
Topas Travel: Autumn and Northern Lights in Greenland

Topas Travel

Autumn and Northern Lights in Greenland

Discover Greenland’s magic: witness the Northern Lights, enjoy a scenic flight from Nuuk to Ilulissat, and stay at Hotel Icefiord. Explore a UNESCO site by land or sea and savor fine dining in Ilulissat.

FROM €2,009
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ILULISSAT ICEFJORD (NORTH GREENLAND)

The Ilulissat Icefjord was Greenland’s first-ever UNESCO World Heritage Site, earning the status in 2004. It is a 61-km long fjord packed full of unimaginably large icebergs that have calved from its feeder glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq. As the fastest-moving glacier in the northern hemisphere, it is absolutely a ground zero for seeing a changing environment up close and understanding that one’s actions halfway around the world do impact far-away places.

Why it is perfect for outdoorswomen and men: There are so many ways to experience the Ilulissat Icefjord by land, sea and air that you could nearly focus your entire holiday around it. Self-guided hiking routes within the UNESCO area bring you close to the coastline, where you can hear the ice popping and breathing if you sit still. Small boat tours go out late every night to weave between the icebergs and catch the gorgeous evening light. There are even flightseeing tours by small helicopter or small propeller plane where everyone gets a window-seat view to Mother Nature’s horizon.

How to get there: Air Greenland offers direct international flights from Keflavik to Ilulissat in summer, as well as direct domestic flights from Aasiaat, Kangerlussuaq, Nuuk, Qaarsut and Upernavik all year round. Air Iceland Connect offers direct international flights from Reykjavík to Ilulissat in spring, summer and autumn.

NEW UNESCO SITE – SUMMER 2018

As of summer 2018, Greenland can claim a third UNESCO site which adds to our catalogue of world class nature. Head to our main UNESCO page to learn more.

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Arctic Wildlife
  • Boat Tours
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Glaciers
  • Hiking
  • Igaliku
  • Ilulissat
  • Ilulissat Icefjord
  • Narsarsuaq
  • Natural Experiences
  • Norse History
  • North Greenland
  • Qassiarsuk
  • South Greenland
  • Summer
  • Winter

By Sarah Woodall

Sarah is a former Visit Greenland employee who now continues the adventure as Destination Manager in South Greenland.

https://2kalaallitnunaatigo.wordpress.com/

Editors' pick

Gill is winter hiking in Ilulissat. Photo by Gill and Alistair Campbell

A senior’s guide to adventure in Greenland

There are more and more active travellers who are over 60 but still looking for adventure and new places to discover.

  • #Aasiaat
  • #All destinations
  • #Anytime
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Coastal Ferry
  • #Cross Country Skiing
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Kapisillit
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Nuuk
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter
A view on Tasiilaq. Photo by Chris König

A journey into East Greenland – iceberg, glaciers, and local life

From Kulusuk we leave in the direction of Tasiilaq and almost the first things we see are the massive icebergs floating around.

  • #Anytime
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Icebergs
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Kuummiut
  • #Meeting Greenlanders
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Tiilerilaaq
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Winter

New flight schedule makes Greenland more accessible

Big changes for Greenland tourism: Nuuk’s new international airport opens Nov 28, 2024, with two more until 2026.

  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Seasons
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
Photo workshop under the glacier. Photo by Norris Niman - Visit Greenland

Discovering the ancient – East Greenland’s ultimate ice cave expedition

Equipped with crampons and a helmet, we crunched over the ice and into the mouth of the cave. Our torchlight illuminated the otherwise pitch-black surroundings, revealing a grand expanse.

  • #East Greenland
  • #Kulusuk
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Photo tours
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
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