Nanortalik

Nanortalik is a town in southern Greenland, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans.

Nanortalik means "place of Polar bears" and is occasionally visited by them even during the summer.

Nanortalik has very few trees because of ice and snow, however the Qinggua Valley, the only forest in Greenland does have willow and birch trees and around 300 species of plants.

Several fjords surround the port. Ringed, hooded and harp seals can be regularly spotted and between August and October, minke whales have been seen.

Boat trips can be arranged to Uunartoq, with its healing hot springs, and to the Tasermiut Fjord with its towering glaciers.

The Prince Christian Sound separates the mainland of Greenland with the Sangmissoq (Christian IV Island) and other islands near the southernmost tip of Greenland. It offers beautiful scenery with steep mountains, some more than 1200m in height, with glaciers going straight into the water, creating icebergs.

The town centre can be explored easily on foot, attractions include the old historical quarter, colonial harbour and the Nanortalik Museum.

Kayaking is a popular pastime here, visitors can learn and try an authentic Eskimo Roll.

The national dish of Greenland is 'suaasat', a traditional soup often made from seal, whale, reindeer or sea birds.

Popular fish and seafood dishes include mussels, shrimp, Atlantic halibut, redfish, Greenland halibut and Arctic char and salmon.

Cruise ships anchor and tender passengers ashore in Nanortalik.

At the cruise terminal there is a number of souvenirs and local handicrafts including seal skin and reindeer items. However, Greenland is only one of a small number of countries that permit the hunting and sale of sealskins so its best to check such items can be brought home with you.

The Nanortalik Port Tourism office also sells unique gift items such as Tupilak carvings, soap stone carvings and oil paintings made by local Nanortalik artists.

The Tourist Service will also hand out maps on the passenger pier.