Nanortalik, with its population of just under 1,100 residents, was our first stop in Greenland. Nanortalik is a charming coastal town with a rugged beauty. Its name means 'Sun Town' or 'Place with Many Polar Ptarmigans' in the local language. The surroundings offer fjords, icebergs, and craggy rocks silhouetted against the sea. The residents appreciate the laconic rhythm of life, which is supported by traditions of hunting, fishing, and crafts. Nanortalik has a close-knit community where the school, church, and youth culture play central roles.

Tendering

Nanortalik is a tender port, which is something you should definitely consider if you've booked independent excursions.

We were fortunate and got on the tender boat after only a 45-minute wait. However, the line grew substantially right after we got through, which surely led to much longer waiting times.

The pier at Nanortalik is surprisingly modern and well-built, but since the streets in the town don't meet standard expectations, sturdy shoes are essential.

Supermarket

Nanortalik has two grocery stores.

The Pilersuisoq chain is usually found in small towns and is well-stocked with basic groceries and daily essentials. Brugsen belongs to a larger retail group and is typically located in bigger settlements.

Feel free to buy what you need, but keep in mind that fresh produce (fruit and vegetables) is not available in the same abundance in Greenland as it is in our home countries. We strongly recommend that you avoid buying these items out of courtesy to the local population of Nanortalik.

Gifts

We found what we were looking for right in the first store (see the picture above), as they offered small, hand-carved figures in addition to mass-produced magnets. We bought a small figure; it wasn't cheap, but we felt the price was fair, and we were directly supporting the locals.

Today, the little "Eskimo" figure, along with other homemade souvenirs from Greenland and a model of the Luna, adorns our shelf and brings us a lot of joy.

Open air museum

Nanortalik features an open-air museum dedicated to teaching visitors about the Inuit way of life. The main house displays an exhibition of traditional clothing, boats, and hunting equipment. The surrounding structures illustrate how the Inuit lived, worked, and hunted. This museum is definitely worth visiting, and the €10 entrance fee is quite fair.

The Church

The Nanortalik Church is a historical and cultural center of the town in Southern Greenland. It was erected as a Danish Lutheran wooden church in 1916 and remains the sole church for the local congregation today.

The building is located in the picturesque, old colonial quarter and is noted for its characteristic construction style. Due to its cultural and historical significance, the church has been a protected landmark since 2004.

Inside the modest Lutheran house of worship, you can find the oldest organ in Greenland, which dates back to 1861 and has been restored. However, due to Nanortalik's growing population, there are ongoing discussions about building an additional church, as the historic wooden structure is becoming too small for larger festivities. Despite this, it remains an unmistakable symbol of the town.

Knud Assmusssen stone

Knud Johan Victor Rasmussen (1879–1933) was born in Ilulissat, Greenland, the son of a Danish missionary and a mother of Norwegian-Greenlandic descent. He was fluent in Kalaallisut (Inuktitut) and mastered Inuit survival techniques from childhood. This dual heritage earned him the trust and respect of the indigenous peoples, a unique advantage over other European explorers.

Rasmussen's main objective was the in-depth study of the culture, language, and mythology of the Inuit across the entire Arctic. He collected an immense amount of ethnographic material, leading him to be known as the "Father of Eskimology" (now often called Inuit Studies). His extensive work significantly contributed to the understanding of Arctic cultures. He died in 1933 from an illness contracted during his final expedition.

In Nanortalik, Rasmussen's memory and accomplishments are honored by the nearby Knud Rasmussen Stone. This famous boulder is said to naturally resemble the profile of the explorer's head, serving as a distinctive, geological monument to his pioneering work in the Arctic.