Qaanaq Thule

As ships are moored or anchored in this port, you will be tendered ashore.

Qaanaaq is the world's most northerly municipality, and the settlement at Siorapaluk the world's most northerly settlement. It is in the Qaanaaq area that you can get closest to what many people think of as the original, Greenlandic hunting culture. The area is also known for its arts and crafts from Ultima Thule, which are of such high quality that they can be bought all over Greenland.

When the American air base in Thule (also called Dundas) was extended in 1953, the original inhabitants were moved 100 km (60 miles) further north, where a completely new town, Qaanaaq, was built.

There have been several dramatic events at this town far to the north. It was from Qaanaaq that seven of polar explorer Knud Rasmussen's expeditions set out, and it was also from here that the American explorer Robert Peary attempted to reach the North Pole in 1909.

In Greenland there are no roads connecting the towns, so all transport takes place by plane or by ship. The Arctic climate, which at times can be extreme, places great demands on safety during transport, demands which Greenland's transport companies satisfy in full. When travelling over shorter distances outside the towns the local population use their own boats, dogsleds or snowmobiles.

Souvenirs from Greenland are unique, handmade works of art the like of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Each product is shaped and designed by a Greenlandic artist, who manages to follow tradition and custom, whilst at the same time creating unique works incorporating his or her own ideas and skills. As a visitor, you will have plenty of opportunity to find precisely what you are looking for.

Credit cards can be used at many hotels, restaurants and shops, but it is recommended that you bring a small amount of Danish kroner with you to Greenland, as some ATMs may not be in service at the weekend.

As a visitor to Greenland you will find that you understand absolutely nothing when Greenlandic is spoken – or ‘kalaallisut', as it is called, which actually means ‘the Greenlanders' language'.

Danish is more or less the second language. English less so.

Internet and e-mail – take your laptop with you Hotspots have been established in most major hotels so that you can access the Internet. There are Internet cafés in a number of the bigger towns and at several tourist offices it is also possible to check your web mail.

The mobile phone system in Greenland is GSM 900/1800

In the major towns supermarkets are typically open on weekdays from 10:00 – 17:30, on Fridays until 18:00 and Saturdays from 09:00 – 13:00. In many towns, however, there are corner shops and grocer's shops that have longer opening hours and which are also open on Sundays.