The Southern side of Greenland blends the snow-capped mountains with the lush green pastures of its countryside, it is no wonder is it known as the ‘Garden of Greenland’
Luxury Holidays in South Greenland
@ André Schoenherr - Visit Greenland
@ André Schoenherr - Visit Greenland
© Aningaaq R. Carlsen
South Greenland, Designed Around You
There is plenty to discover and do in South Greenland – those that enjoy their activities can head out on some magnificent hikes such as walking to the Kiattut Glacier or Munkebugt valley in Qaqortoq.
Those less keen on the active side of things might want to discover the fascinating Viking history that includes seeing the remains of Hvalsey church, once a Norse church, or how about the Qajaq Brewery in Narsaq.
From a photographer’s perspective, you will be blessed with blue skies or dark moody clouds making it hard for you to put your camera down, or maybe you just want to feel like you are somewhere far far away from home and let yourself just be immersed in your surroundings.
Where to Stay: Handpicked for You
From fjord-facing eco-lodges to colourful inns in historic settlements, our South Greenland options bring you close to culture, nature, and quiet luxury.
Hotel Icefjord
Sea views, firsthand vistas of the Disko Bay, sit and watch the icebergs
Hotel Hans Egede, Nuuk
Magnificent views of Greenland from the Skyline Bar on the 5th Floor
Glacier Lodge Eqi
You can see, hear and feel the effect of a calving glacier up close
Hotel Ilulissat, Best Western
The restaurant is at top of the hotel, views of icebergs and the city
Hotel Arctic, Ilulissat
Icefjord is home to one of the largest, most active glaciers in the world
Ilimanaq Lodge
Located on the edge of the mountain, connect with nature at your doorstepThe Guidebook
Explore South Greenland
Here there are farms growing fresh vegetables and the sheep roam the hills which also have historical Viking settlements to discover and hot springs to relax in after some hiking.
Summer is the time to visit this stunning location so can you witness the colours come to life all around you making it ideal for hikers, photographers, and those fascinated by Viking history.
Getting There
South Greenland’s main airport is Narsarsuaq and flights operate here from either Copenhagen or Reykjavik which makes a visit perfect as twin centre with the cities before flying over.
When you arrive the main mode of transport between location is boat which allows for you to get to witness the icebergs and all the incredible scenery from the water.
It is always essential to make sure you have a couple of nights safety net on each side of your visit just in case the elements prevent you from landing there.
Climate
We suggest trips here during the summer where the weather can truly be a mix and, much like Iceland, you need to really be prepared for anything. Waterproofs and jumpers will certainly come in use but don’t forget to bring some suncream and sunglasses.
Spending time on the boats out there means that the sun can reflect off both the sea AND the ice!
Geography
Where 80% of Greenland is known to be covered with its ice sheets the southern part is where most of the greenery is. Here there are many farms with both sheep and fresh produce being cultivated. It makes its location a stunning mix of mountains, hills, and fjords with icebergs floating amongst them.
We have loved it so much here that we have extended our stay and will come back to Bjornfjell and stay in one of their cabins until Jan 3 then we are staying in the igloo hotel the night of the 3rd. 😊We added a few excursions this week – we did the whale trip on the RIB boat (wow!), toured the igloo hotel (which is why we decided to book the last night!) and did the reindeer sleigh at Sorrisniva. You were so right, the bonfire excursion was incredible!!It has been an absolutely amazing trip!
Kristen
Arctic Retreat was simply magical. Graham and his team were superb. Their entire focus was on ensuring we had an outstanding experience. The accommodation, setting and food were all excellent. The team, experienced professionals, each brought their own personal touch and local nuance. It was faultless. The dog sledging trip directly from Arctic Retreat was also superb. We would return to Arctic Retreat in a heartbeat.
George
We – the whole family – loved the whole journey!!
The accommodations, the activities and especially the great people – thank you very much for this fantastic organisation !!!
Barbara
I would thoroughly recommend this company. Their planning and advice was spot on. Alex responded to my calls and emails very promptly. I will definitely use them again for future trips.
Rosie
We really enjoyed our Norwegian adventure despite the -22 days! Unfortunately no real experience of viewing the Lights but we did capture a couple of images on our last night – too much cloud otherwise so lots of snow. We really enjoyed the husky lodge – not at all what we had tentatively imagined. Thanks for your assistance, maybe next time we will see the Lights in all their glory.
Andrew
Well-organized trip to Norway and Svalbard with great accommodations and activities. Gwen was communicative and responsive to requests. Highly recommend!
Russell Snook
Amy was a great help with planning this trip. Our trip turned out amazing. I also was very grateful for Off the Map’s Front Desk service, which promptly handled an on the spot issue we had.
Karen
Exceptional service throughout the entire planning and booking process – travel agencies don’t get any better than this. A brilliant, seamless experience matched by the holiday experience itself. Would recommend ‘Off the Map Travel’ to anyone considering booking for a Nordic experience ‘par excellence’.
Chris
We did! Everything was truly wonderful! I think the Holman Husky Lodge was our favourite place. Beautiful accommodations, but best of all, wonderful people! Everyone was so friendly and accommodating, excellent food, we really enjoyed our time there. We also greatly enjoyed Bergen! Opus XVI was beautiful and we loved being able to walk to restaurants and bars and take in the sights. All of our drivers were punctual and friendly. The itinerary was full but not overfull.
Thank you so much! It was an epic trip, we are taking home wonderful memories!
Shelly
The ease of everything stood out to me. All we had to do was be there at the right time. The dog sledding was the highlight for my daughter and sister. We had the best time! For me, Manshausen was the highlight. We were very lucky and the only guests there for the majority of our stay. The staff was amazing and the food was so delicious. We had moose steak and it was the best meal I’ve ever had.
The cabins were comfortable and we were so lucky to have 2 clear nights where we just sat and watched the northern lights. We were able to get some awesome pictures too.
I appreciate all your time and care with planning our trip! I won’t hesitate to use Off the Map travel for our next adventure.
Kelly
Fantastic trip to Svalbard which delivered the true Arctic experience we were hoping for. The hotels were excellent and the activities – dog sledding and snowmobile expedition were lead by first class guides.
Top tip! The champagne tasting in the world’s most northerly wine cellar in the exceptional Funken Lodge is not to be missed!
Faith
My family and I traveled to Sweden to see The Northern Lights in March of 2023. From the planning process to every detail of the trip, I could not have been more pleased with our experience. Alex was exceptional to work with. His guidance on the time of year, where to stay, activities to do and how to get to and from everything was spot on. I have never used a tour company before but thought a trip of this kind would be easier with some help. I am so glad that I did. The entire week was seamless and completely stress-free, allowing us to truly enjoy Sweden and our time together as a family. I will be recommending Off The Map travel to friends and family and will certainly be using them myself again in the future.
Emily