Book your Qaqortoq flight with Icelandair from USD 1,795*

Welcome to South Greenland!

Icelandair operates direct flights from Iceland to 4 destinations in Greenland. A 3-hour direct flight from Iceland's Keflavík Airport (KEF) takes you to Qaqortoq (JJU), the gateway to South Greenland. Qaqortoq airport is scheduled to open in April 2026 and will replace the airport at Narsarsuaq (UAK), which is 37 miles (59km) northeast.

With a population of just over 3,000, Qaqortoq is the largest town in South Greenland and a great springboard for the region. The southern part of the country lives up to the name 'Greenland': it's known as the garden of Greenland, with flowering plains and fertile valleys, a milder climate, and sheep grazing in pastures. Whether you're interested in Inuit or Norse (Viking) history, hiking and fishing, or just magnificent scenery, South Greenland has plenty to offer. Planning a trip to Greenland? Read our top travel tips to this beautiful but rugged destination.

Exploring Qaqortoq

Qaqortoq is often described as one of Greenland's most picturesque towns thanks to its colorful houses and beautiful setting. It's walkable, with most attractions clustered around the harbor and main square. As you explore, check out the sculptures: Stone and Man is an outdoor art project that features the carvings of 40 artists. Many artworks are chiselled directly into rocky outcrops. You’ll come across whales, native faces, and other traditional designs that feel as if they’ve been there for centuries.

Other town highlights include Great Greenland, a tannery producing clothes from the hides of seals, reindeer, and musk ox. The Qaqortoq Museum houses a wonderful display of tupilaks (small carved figures). For excursions, take a boat tour to the 12th-century Hvalsey Church – it's the best-preserved Norse ruin in Greenland.

Excursions and activities

South Greenland is the only place in the world with widespread Arctic agriculture, built upon the ancient farm settlements established by Vikings – settlements whose ruins are still visible today.

To visit farms in South Greenland, focus on Qassiarsuk and Igaliku, settlements known for small sheep farms together with great agritourism opportunities from June to September. It's a photographer's dream to capture sheep grazing in fields backed by towering peaks and ice fjords.

Qassiarsuk hosts one of the region's main Norse sites: this is where Erik the Red settled in South Greenland. He called it Brattahlíð, meaning 'steep hill'. The ruins of his settlement are some of the most visited in Greenland, and they're enhanced by reconstructions of his longhouse and also Tjodhilde's Church.

Tours and activities in South Greenland

To best experience South Greenland, it’s useful to work with local operators. Utilize their expertise to build a memorable adventure. Popular excursions include hiking, fishing, farm holidays, and visits to the ruins of Norse churches and farms.

For something unique, take a one-hour boat ride from Qaqortoq to natural hot springs on the island of Uunartoq, and enjoy a scenic soak with views of icebergs floating by. If you're up for more of a challenge, try experiences such as fjord kayaking, or rock climbing among the vertical cliffs and steep peaks.

Icelandair offers flights to Qaqortoq (JJU) from June through September, when there are long hours of daylight and the climate is at its mildest. This is a popular time to visit as you can make the most of the range of outdoor activities on offer.

Note that your flight will connect via our hub in Keflavík, offering an excellent opportunity to add a Stopover in Iceland to your journey at no extra airfare.