Hvalsey Archaeological Site
Norse church ruins and important Viking settlement site
Hvalsey at a Glance#
Address: Hvalsey (Qaqortoq area), Kujalleq Municipality, Greenland
Website: https://visitgreenland.com/
Hours: Open access (seasonal landing only)
Admission: Free (archaeological site)
About Hvalsey#
Hvalsey is a medieval Norse settlement site on the southern coast of Greenland in Kujalleq municipality, notable for having some of the best-preserved Norse stone ruins on the island. It is associated with the final written record of the Norse in Greenland.
The principal feature is the intact stone church ruin and the cluster of surrounding farm foundation walls. Visitors also see surviving burial markers and lengths of dressed stone walls that illustrate Norse masonry techniques.
The settlement was established and used by Norse Greenlanders during the medieval Norse period (part of the Norse settlements in Greenland between the 10th and 15th centuries). The site appears in written records when a marriage was documented there in 1408; the Norse settlements were later abandoned during the 15th century.
Hvalsey sits on the southern Greenland coast in Kujalleq municipality, near the town of Qaqortoq. It occupies a coastal setting of fjords and rocky shoreline characteristic of southern Greenland.
- Last recorded Norse event: The site is linked to the last known written record from Norse Greenland - a marriage recorded in 1408.
What to See#
- Hvalsey Church and farm remains: The stone church ruin is the most complete Norse church remain in Greenland and is the site’s principal feature; surrounding foundation walls mark houses and farm plots from the medieval Norse settlement.
How to Get to Hvalsey#
Hvalsey is best reached by boat from Qaqortoq (seasonal tourist boats and local charters) or by arranging a guided excursion from southern Greenland ports. Sea conditions and weather determine landing opportunities; flights to Qaqortoq operate from Nuuk and Iceland seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Hvalsey#
- Visit with a boat tour from Qaqortoq or as part of a guided Norse-Greenland historical tour-landing is weather-dependent.
- Bring windproof outerwear; the site is exposed and the weather can change without warning.
- Read the 1408 marriage record (copies and translations are often carried by guides) before arriving to give context to the ruined church.
Best Time to Visit Hvalsey#
Summer (June-August) is the practical season for visiting Hvalsey; boat landings depend on sea conditions and tour schedules.
Weather & Climate near Hvalsey#
Hvalsey's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 12°C. Moderate rainfall (835 mm/year).
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -10° - -4° | -15° | 55 mm | overcast | 77% | 6.4 m/s | 0.0 low | 6.4h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -3° | -14° | 54 mm | overcast | 78% | 6.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| March | Poor | -9° - -2° | -12° | 62 mm | overcast | 77% | 5.3 m/s | 0.2 low | 11.6h |
| April | Poor | -3° - 3° | -5° | 64 mm | overcast | 77% | 4.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 14.4h |
| May | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 51 mm | overcast | 77% | 4.4 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 17.0h |
| June | Acceptable | 3° - 11° | 4° | 71 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.1 m/s | 1.2 high | 18.5h |
| July | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 6° | 75 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.6 m/s | 1.1 high | 17.8h |
| August | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 5° | 91 mm | overcast | 79% | 3.8 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 15.4h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 8° | 2° | 88 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 12.7h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 4° | -3° | 84 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.9h |
| November | Poor | -5° - 1° | -8° | 77 mm | overcast | 77% | 5.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.2h |
| December | Poor | -9° - -2° | -12° | 63 mm | overcast | 77% | 6.0 m/s | 0.0 low | 5.5h |
