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What makes Qassiarsuk special?
Step into the Icelandic Sagas, follow in the footsteps of the Viking, Erik the Red, and discover why he made his home at Brattahlíð, now Qassiarsuk. Modern farm machinery has replaced Viking technology, but the same river valleys and the same hillsides are still used today to graze animals. This juxtaposition of Norse and Greenlandic farming practices has resulted in Qassiarsuk being included in the UNESCO World Heritage-listed area – Kujataa Greenland: A Norse and Inuit farming landscape on the Edge of the Ice Cap.
Relax in the slow-paced life of a small village, explore the remnants of one of the first Viking settlements in Greenland, ride a horse descended from Icelandic stock through a landscape dotted with history, and enjoy the hospitality of modern sheep farmers – all with amazing views of the Tunulliarfik Fjord.
How to get to Qassiarsuk
Qassiarsuk is located directly across the Tunulliarfik Fjord (Skovfjorden) from South Greenland’s international airport at Narsarsuaq. Visitors must first arrive at Narsarsuaq and then catch a boat transfer across the fjord to the settlement.
The best times to visit are: June – September (sailing, hiking, horseback riding), with the Leif Eriksson Marathon run every August. During winter, most organised excursions in Qassiarsuk hibernate, though it is still possible to do scenic helicopter tours and enjoy the pristine snow if you have your own gear.
How to get around Qassiarsuk
Qassiarsuk is a tiny settlement where everybody walks. It has no public transportation, though the hostel and surrounding farms can provide transport upon request for an additional fee.
For excursions in the area, the most common way to get around is with a boat (all year) or on foot (summer), and with a snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes (winter).
During summer, Kujataa UNESCO World Heritage has an information centre and guide located in Itti Frederiksen’s house. At other times, there is no tourist information office, but you can ask for information at Cafe Thorhildur
Useful phone numbers
- Police(+299) 17 14 48 (The closest police station is in Narsaq)
- Nurse Station (+299) 66 45 42
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What to do in Qassiarsuk
Without a doubt, the Norse ruins of Brattahlíð are what draws most visitors to Qassiarsuk. The remains of a church, stables, hall, and other buildings are still clearly visible, and reconstructions of both a Norse longhouse and Tjodhilde’s Church (thought to be the first Christian church on North American soil) rewind the scene more than a thousand years to when the Vikings made this their home. Make sure you pay your regards to the statue of Leif Erikson (son of Erik the Red) that stands watch over his previous home in Qassiarsuk – a small settlement in South Greenland.
Fast forward to 1924 when the current settlement of Qassiarsuk was established. The founders, Otto and Tiipaaraq Frederiksen, were the first to live solely from sheep farming in Greenland. Sheep husbandry and farming still remain the key drivers to the economy of Qassiarsuk, and guests can experience this for themselves by staying on one of several sheep farms in the area. Each offers a different experience – whether it be an invitation to a traditional Kaffemik and storytelling, indulging in gourmet Greenlandic food, kayaking amongst the icebergs, or exploring South Greenland on horseback (tours range from a few hours to several days).
Hiking through the green hills around Qassiarsuk is another popular activity, and the gravel roads that link the sheep farms will ensure you don’t get lost. Don’t worry that the trail takes you right through the middle of someone’s farm – that is normal here. Just wave to the family as you pass through. There are several self-guided day hikes you can do from Qassiarsuk and you can also try fishing for your dinner – cod and trout are plentiful in the fjords. Remember to purchase a fishing license first.
If you’d like to kayak amongst icebergs, take a day trip (or overnight trip) from Qassiarsuk to Tasiusaq. Located about a 2-hour walk away along a dirt road, this idyllic farm is set on a small, sheltered bay that is crowded with icebergs. It has incredible views, great hiking options, and is one of the safest places in Greenland to try kayaking.
Finally, for those who enjoy long-distance trekking, you can undertake one of Greenland’s classic routes and hike the 60km from Qassiarsuk to the town of Narsaq. The route takes you through the UNESCO Heritage Listed area and changes between easy-to-walk gravel roads and a trail over the mountains, with many remnants of the Norsemen and indulgent overnight stays at sheep farms.
Good to know!
- There are no mosquitoes near Qassiarsuk thanks to all the sheep
- Greenland’s longest gravel road links the sheep farms in the Qassiarsuk area all the way to Narsarsuaq
- Qassiarsuk has one small Pilersuisoq supermarket that stocks basic household staples. You should aim to bring all your outdoor equipment with you or rent equipment from the Blue Ice Café in Narsarsuaq.
- To buy souvenirs, check out the range at the Cafe Thorhildur