Nanortalik cruise port guide

Nanortalik — Greenland.

Nanortalik — 'the place of polar bears' — is the southernmost town in Greenland, home to about 1,200 people on an island surrounded by jagged granite peaks and iceberg-dotted waters. It's a small, colourful settlement with an open-air museum and superb scenery, and a genuine glimpse of life in Greenland.

Getting ashore

Where do cruise ships dock in Nanortalik?

Ships anchor outside Nanortalik's inner harbour and tender passengers on a short ride to a tiny dock in town. From the landing everything is on foot: the main street, the Lutheran church and the Nanortalik Open Air Museum, whose historic buildings are spread along the old colonial harbour front, are all close by. The town is only a few hundred metres across and easy to explore on foot, and a couple of hours is enough for a relaxed look around. Holland America's walking tour includes museum tickets; independent visitors have reported paying a small entry fee, so check whether your line has prepaid entry.

Getting around

The town is small and walkable. There are no roads connecting to other towns; everything is on foot or by boat.

Don't miss

• Open-air museum — historic colonial and Inuit buildings.
• Colourful houses and the church — classic Greenlandic townscape.
• Iceberg-filled waters and mountain views.

Planning your day

Walk through town to the open-air museum and church, then find a vantage point to admire the icebergs and mountains.

Food & drink

Food options are very limited; traditional Greenlandic ingredients include fish, seal, whale and musk ox.

Where to eat

• Local store — The local store sells snacks and local products.

Must try

• Greenlandic seafood — Shrimp, halibut and cod.

Know before you go

• 🗣️Language — Greenlandic and Danish; English is spoken by some.
• 📋Documents — Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but outside the Schengen Area. Carry your passport.
• 🛍️Shopping & hours — Currency is the Danish krone (DKK); cards are generally accepted.
• 🌤️Weather — Cool even in summer (often 5–12°C/41–54°F); weather changes quickly. Bring warm layers.
• 📶Connectivity — Limited mobile coverage; roaming can be expensive.
• ♿Accessibility — Tendering and rocky, uneven terrain make this challenging for limited mobility.
• ⏱️Getting back — Tender operations depend on weather and ice; follow ship announcements.

Sources: visitgreenland.com; wikivoyage.org/wiki/Nanortalik