Greenland's Fjords, Mountains & Icebergs

A delight to explore in the summer, Tórshavn promises a charming blend of history, nature, and dramatic coastal scenery. As you wander through the historical heart of the city, Tinganes, with its characteristic red wooden buildings with turfed roofs, you can admire one of the oldest parliamentary meeting places in the world. There will be opportunities to experience traditional Faroese culture at the Nordic House, and sample dishes prepared with local produce, such as fish, lamb, and seabirds, in one of the city’s restaurants or cafés. Alternatively, you may choose to explore nearby islands on a boat tour to discover hidden sea caves and witness remarkable bird cliffs, or learn about Kirkjubour, one of the most historically significant sites in the Faroe Islands, believed to be the oldest wooden house still in use today.

Reykjavik is renowned as the perfect starting point for experiencing the Golden Circle Tour, visiting three remarkable locations: Thingvellir National Park, a keystone of Icelandic geological history; the Geysir geothermal area, home to the impressive Strokkur geyser, which erupts every few minutes; and Gullfoss waterfall, one of the most picturesque and impressive in Iceland. You will also have opportunities to take a dip in the soothing waters of the geothermal pools of the nearby Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon. 

Slicing between the Greenlandic mainland and the islands of Cape Farewell, Prins Christiansund is an example of Mother Nature's work at its finest. A spectacular waterway, which only opens up in the summer when huge icy blockades melt away, unveiling astonishing landscapes punctuated by soaring snow-topped mountains, magnificent glaciers and granite cliffs. This area is also home to incredible wildlife, including bearded seals, black guillemots, and minke and blue whales.

A small settlement in southern Greenland, with a population of no more than 200 inhabitants, Narsarsuaq has an assortment of wildlife and breathtaking glaciers. Close by is the simply awesome Qooroq Ice Fjord, where icebergs glisten with an unworldly-like electric blue hue. The glacier itself is constantly creaking and calving as ice tumbles into the sea. Close by, there is a statue dedicated to Erik the Red, the first Viking to discover Greenland.

The serence Tunulliarfik Fjord is located close to Qaqortoq in Southern Greenland and is awash with huge blue-shaded glaciers and flanked by ruggedly beautiful mountain peaks. A mild climate and good farmland made Tunulliarfik Fjord an inviting destination for early Norse settlers and lies at the very centre of the UNESCO World Heritage-designated Kujataa landscape, while also being home to the tiny Inuit village of Igaliku, which you may see as your cruise ship sails into the fjord, amongst the outstanding landscapes around you.

Founded by Norwegian traders in 1775, Qaqortoq is southern Greenland’s largest town. Cradled between rolling steep hills dotted with brightly coloured houses, Qaqortoq is a melting pot of art, culture, and outdoor adventure. Featuring sculptures by some of Greenland and Scandinavia’s most famous artists, Qaqortoq’s compact colonial heart is centred around the country’s oldest fountain. The challenging landscape and harsh climate here have ensured the preservation of Greenland’s traditional cultures.

Gateway to the impressive Tasermiut Fjord and mountains, Nanortalik is Greenland’s most southerly town, and is affectionately known as the ‘Place of Polar Bears’. These bears live and hunt on the sea ice close to the town and can often be spotted from Nanotarlik’s shores, and seals and whales are also seen in the surrounding waters. Brightly coloured houses line the streets here, showing the distinct Greenlandic architecture off to its best advantage.