Qeqertarsuatsiaat
Jump to chapter
Published: 18/07/2023
Reading time: 4 minutes
If you come by boat to the settlement of Qeqertarsuatsiaat on a summer day, you will be captivated by all the beautiful green islands that can be seen as you enter the small harbor. By Greenlandic conditions, the settlement is easy to get to, as it is only 130 km (81 miles) south of the capital Nuuk.
The settlement was officially established at the beginning of the 18th century and was called “Fiskenæsset” in Danish (fiskeri nés in English), as it was the focal point for a large fishery according to the conditions of the time. Today, the Greenlandic name “Qeqertarsuatsiaat” is used, which means “The Fairly Big Island”.
Facts and history about Qeqertarsuatsiaat
- Qeqertarsuatsiaat has been inhabited by the Inuit for over 400 years.
- In the 17th century, there was the first contact with Europeans, and a small trading post was built on the site.
- In the middle of the 18th century, the place was named “Fiskenæsset” by the Danes and it became a major official trading station when missionaries came to the area in the same century.
- In the 19th century, the last egret in Greenland was shot near the settlement. Although similar to penguins, it was more closely related to the much smaller Alk still seen in the Arctic.
- In the 1950s and 1960s, a policy known as G60 was implemented, which was to concentrate Greenland’s people in fewer towns and settlements. Therefore, the inhabitants of the smaller settlements Kangillermiut, Akunnaat, Uugarsiorfik, and Kangerluarsussuaq (Grædefjorden) were moved to Qeqertarsuatsiaat.
- When Qeqertarsuatsiaat was largest, around 500 people lived in the settlement. It had fallen to approx. 235 in 2010, and with the current urbanization has fallen to around 170 people in 2020.
- Close to Qeqertarsuatsiaat is a ruby mine.
- The settlement of Qeqertarsuatsiaat is located geographically between the two cities of Nuuk and Paamiut with approx. 130 km to each city.
Everyday life in Qeqertarsuatsiaat
The settlement is a good example of the mix of traditional occupations and new modern times that large parts of Greenland live through. Here, small boats are still seen sailing out daily, to fish or hunt. At the same time, most modern smartphones use streaming services on the Internet like everywhere else in the world, as the primary entertainment in the evening.
With only one store, the options for shopping are limited. You can buy the most necessary daily goods, but the selection is limited. It is an experience in itself, in a world where we are all used to having more choices regardless of what we want.
If you have allergies that require special food, or things you cannot live without, it is a good idea to bring your own items if you are going to be in the settlement for a few days.
How to get around in the settlement and what to expect
From the harbor, a tiled path leads up through the settlement. The path is a good starting point for a walk around between the colorful houses.
Some residents have privately owned snowmobiles or ATVs for their own use, but there are no cars and therefore no taxis or other public transportation.
The historic Church, built in the middle of the 19th century, is very cozy inside and beautiful outside. If you take a walk around the settlement’s small lake, you can try to go a little higher. Here you are rewarded with a fantastic view of the fjord, the many islands, and the beautiful mountains that surround Qeqertarsuatsiaat.
Tourism in Qeqertarsuatsiaat
Despite Qeqertarsuatsiaat being close to Nuuk, it is very limited how many tourists come to the settlement. If you sail with a passenger ship, there is only approx. 7.5 hours sailing from the capital.
There are rental houses if you want an authentic experience of life in a Greenlandic settlement. By visiting the settlement and shopping locally, you can help ensure that Qeqertarsuatsiaat continues to survive.
Do you want to visit?
Contact Guide to Greenland for planning a stay.
We also advise you to read about the best clothing to pack for a trip to Arctic Greenland.
Read more articles from Guide to Greenland
-
5.00(1)
UTV Glacier Expedition | Ilulissat – Ilimanaq | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration8 hoursFrom 3495 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 passengers included!
Private Midnight Sun Tour | Uummannaq | North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration3 hoursFrom 7200 DKKSee more -
Snowshoe to the top of Lille Malene | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration5 hoursFrom 3190 DKKSee more -
Accommodation and tours included!
Arctic Capital to Wilderness Escape | 4 Days in Nuuk & 2 Nights at Camp Kangiusaq
Tour startsNuukDuration6 daysFrom 15400 DKKSee more -
Guided Buggy Tour from Qassiarsuk | South Greenland
Tour startsQassiarsukDuration3.5 hoursFrom 1050 DKKSee more -
5.00(3)Driver included!
Snowmobile tour to UNESCO viewpoint | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration2 hoursFrom 1750 DKKSee more -
4.67(6)
Russell Glacier | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration4 hoursFrom 850 DKKSee more -
Dog Sled Expedition | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration5 hoursFrom 1700 DKKSee more -
Flights from Denmark included!
5 Days full of Icebergs, Northern Lights & Arctic Culture | Ilulissat
Tour startsIlulissatDuration5 daysFrom 15700 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Morning Icefjord Snowshoe Hike | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration4 hoursFrom 850 DKKSee more -
5.00(6)
Camp on the Greenland ice sheet | Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2 daysFrom 3595 DKKSee more -
1 to 6 passengers
Ilimanaq Settlement Visit | Private tour | Ilulissat | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 6600 DKKSee more -
4.50(2)
Sightseeing In Kangerlussuaq | West Greenland
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration2 hoursFrom 550 DKKSee more -
5.00(1)
Afternoon Snowshoe Hike To Ilulissat Icefjord | Disko Bay
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 hoursFrom 450 DKKSee more -
5.00(8)Few departure times!
Point 660 Greenland Ice sheet tour | Kangerlussuaq
Tour startsKangerlussuaqDuration5 hoursFrom 850 DKKSee more -
Boat tour Uummannaq 360°| North Greenland
Tour startsUummannaqDuration2 hoursFrom 1600 DKKSee more -
4.78(9)
Qoornoq Island Adventure | Nuuk
Tour startsNuukDuration4 hoursFrom 1745 DKKSee more -
Best of winter in Greenland | 5 Days in Sisimiut, West Greenland
Tour startsSisimiutDuration5 daysFrom 9300 DKKSee more -
Settlement Tour By Dogsled | Tasiilaq | East Greenland
Tour startsTasiilaqDuration2 daysFrom 2700 DKKSee more -
3-Day Winter Journey into Ilulissat’s Backcountry | West Greenland
Tour startsIlulissatDuration3 daysFrom 8995 DKKSee more