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Greenland🇬🇱 | landmarksCape FarewellGranite headland, Atlantic swell, fog-bound cliffs, boat access only | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Cape Farewell
👌 Worth visitingunique site ranked #3
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Cape Farewell is the granite tip of Uummannarsuaq, an island of bare rock, gullies and lichen at the southern end of Greenland, where the North Atlantic and the Labrador Sea collide in gray, heaving swells. It lies south of Nanortalik, and no road, trail or village touches it. The wow-factor is raw: sheer wet cliffs, fog banks that swallow the horizon in minutes, wind with a salt edge and the hollow boom of surf in the coves. Getting close takes a boat, usually an expedition cruise or a chartered trip, and that is the expensive, weather-dependent part. Sea state decides everything, so a landing is never promised, and the photos you get from deck are the realistic prize. Skip it if you want souvenirs, cafés or a signposted viewpoint. Go if you like wild, unfinished places. First-timers on a tight budget will find it hard to justify.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #3 unique site in GreenlandWhy Cape Farewell should be on your travel list

Cape Farewell is worth the effort when you treat it as the finale of a southern Greenland trip rather than a single dot to tick off. The cliffs, fog and swell make up the point, and standing at a place with no settlement, no track and no fence is rare even by Greenland’s standards. The route around it is the real draw: Prince Christian Sound, a narrow channel with glaciers dropping from walls of rock, runs close to the cape and gives you the closest thing to a scenic approach. Add Nanortalik, the southern hub with its granite shoreline, and the Norse ruins and Moravian settlements around it, and the cape becomes the outer edge of a loop that is full of variety. Backpackers who prefer self-propelled travel should note that sea conditions here are serious and plans change at short notice. Build … read more 👉
Cape Farewell is worth the effort when you treat it as the finale of a southern Greenland trip rather than a single dot to tick off. The cliffs, fog and swell make up the point, and standing at a place with no settlement, no track and no fence is rare even by Greenland’s standards. The route around it is the real draw: Prince Christian Sound, a narrow channel with glaciers dropping from walls of rock, runs close to the cape and gives you the closest thing to a scenic approach. Add Nanortalik, the southern hub with its granite shoreline, and the Norse ruins and Moravian settlements around it, and the cape becomes the outer edge of a loop that is full of variety. Backpackers who prefer self-propelled travel should note that sea conditions here are serious and plans change at short notice. Build slack into your schedule and you will be rewarded with a place that most travelers on the island never see.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. The Cape Farewell headland: the southern tip of Uummannarsuaq, a steep wall of dark rock that meets open ocean with nothing between you and the Atlantic swell. It is best seen from the water, with fog sliding off the summits and seabirds working the cliffs.
  2. Prince Christian Sound (Prins Christian Sund): a long, narrow channel that cuts through the southern mountains, with sheer walls, hanging glaciers and icebergs drifting in the stillness. It is the most dramatic approach to the cape region.
  3. Tasermiut Fjord: granite spires rise above the water near Nanortalik, including Ulamertorsuaq, a big wall that climbers know well. Boats run in summer and the scale of the rock is hard to take in from the water.
  4. Nanortalik: the main town of the south, with colorful wooden houses on a rocky shoreline, a small
… read more 👉
  1. The Cape Farewell headland: the southern tip of Uummannarsuaq, a steep wall of dark rock that meets open ocean with nothing between you and the Atlantic swell. It is best seen from the water, with fog sliding off the summits and seabirds working the cliffs.
  2. Prince Christian Sound (Prins Christian Sund): a long, narrow channel that cuts through the southern mountains, with sheer walls, hanging glaciers and icebergs drifting in the stillness. It is the most dramatic approach to the cape region.
  3. Tasermiut Fjord: granite spires rise above the water near Nanortalik, including Ulamertorsuaq, a big wall that climbers know well. Boats run in summer and the scale of the rock is hard to take in from the water.
  4. Nanortalik: the main town of the south, with colorful wooden houses on a rocky shoreline, a small museum in old colonial buildings and a harbor full of fishing boats. It is the realistic base for arranging boat trips toward the cape.
  5. Herjolfsnes (Ikigaat) Norse ruins: the remains of a medieval Norse farm and church, famous for the clothing found in its graveyard during excavations in the 1920s. Walking among the low stone outlines gives a sense of how far Norse settlement stretched south.
  6. Narsarmijit (Frederiksdal): a small Moravian mission village founded in the early 1820s, set among green slopes unusually lush for Greenland. A walk around the white church and the wooden houses shows how southern communities lived.
  7. Aappilattoq: a tiny fishing settlement on the edge of Prince Christian Sound, a quiet place to stretch your legs between boat legs and see everyday life at the water’s edge.
Start with Prince Christian Sound, because it is the part of the journey you can see most reliably while the weather decides whether the cape itself will show its face. Cape Farewell is the finale, so build everything else around the sea window.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?When to go for the best experience

  • July to August: Cape Farewell is most reachable now, with sea ice mostly cleared and boat trips running from Nanortalik. Days run 5 to 11 °C (41 to 52 °F) and light lasts about 17 to 19 hours, but fog and wind can still cancel a crossing. Bookings and prices peak.
  • June and September: Expect 2 to 8 °C (36 to 46 °F), fewer travelers and some lower rates. June has long light and lingering ice. September brings shorter days, colored tundra and the first chance of aurora.
  • October to April: Temperatures sit around -10 to 2 °C (14 to 36 °F). Storms are frequent, daylight shrinks to 5 to 8 hours in midwinter, and boat access is unreliable or shut.
  • May: Fjord ice breaks up unpredictably, so trips are patchy, though prices are low.
Book your boat for the middle of July and keep two spare days for weather delays.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
greenland-unique-site-cape-farewell
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Greenland

Nanortalik is the place to stay, because it is the closest town to Cape Farewell and the departure point for boats heading to the southern tip. Its compact center sits around the harbor, so you can walk to the boat landing, the small supermarket and the museum in a few minutes. Budget travelers get a social mix of hikers, kayakers and sailors, and it is easy to find others to split a boat charter with. It is also safe for solo travelers, with a quiet, low-crime feel even at night.

Sleeping options here are simple: hostel dorms, private rooms in guesthouses and a basic campsite for those with … read more 👉
Nanortalik is the place to stay, because it is the closest town to Cape Farewell and the departure point for boats heading to the southern tip. Its compact center sits around the harbor, so you can walk to the boat landing, the small supermarket and the museum in a few minutes. Budget travelers get a social mix of hikers, kayakers and sailors, and it is easy to find others to split a boat charter with. It is also safe for solo travelers, with a quiet, low-crime feel even at night.

Sleeping options here are simple: hostel dorms, private rooms in guesthouses and a basic campsite for those with their own gear. Summer fills quickly, so reserve ahead. Kitchens are common, which saves money since restaurant meals are pricey.

Qaqortoq is the larger alternative, with more shops, cafes and beds, and you can reach Nanortalik from there by helicopter or boat. It suits the start or end of a longer South Greenland route. Qaqortoq also has the region’s airport since April 2026. Nobody lives at the cape itself, so there is nowhere to sleep there.
Best hostels in Greenland


Best quality hotels in Greenland

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell costs roughly US$295 to 685 per person per day, mostly because reaching the uninhabited southern tip requires a boat. The table below counts one day with high-season (July and August) accommodation, and travelers pay in Danish kroner.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$60 to 110Hostel bed or guesthouse room in Nanortalik. Rates drop 10 to 25 percent in shoulder months.
Boat trip to the capeUS$200 to 500Charter cost split among a group. Solo travelers pay far more. Weather can delay it.
FoodUS$25 to 45Self-catering from the supermarket. Restaurant mains often cost US$25 to 40.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Short harbor transfers or taxis. Helicopter or boat fares from Qaqortoq to Nanortalik are extra.
Entry feesUS$0The cape has no ticket or gate.
Total Daily
… read more 👉
Cape Farewell costs roughly US$295 to 685 per person per day, mostly because reaching the uninhabited southern tip requires a boat. The table below counts one day with high-season (July and August) accommodation, and travelers pay in Danish kroner.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$60 to 110Hostel bed or guesthouse room in Nanortalik. Rates drop 10 to 25 percent in shoulder months.
Boat trip to the capeUS$200 to 500Charter cost split among a group. Solo travelers pay far more. Weather can delay it.
FoodUS$25 to 45Self-catering from the supermarket. Restaurant mains often cost US$25 to 40.
Local transportUS$10 to 30Short harbor transfers or taxis. Helicopter or boat fares from Qaqortoq to Nanortalik are extra.
Entry feesUS$0The cape has no ticket or gate.
Total Daily BudgetUS$295 to 685Per person, per day, in high season.


source: visitgreenland.com
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQFrequently asked questions about Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell is the southern tip of Greenland, on uninhabited Egger Island, known in Greenlandic as Uummannarsuaq. It is a wild headland of steep rock, wind and heavy swell, with no town, road or facilities. The nearest town, Nanortalik, lies roughly 90 km to the northwest, and the cape is also passed by ships using Prins Christian Sund.
Cape Farewell needs at least 2 to 3 days from Nanortalik, because the boat trip is long and weather often forces delays. The crossing itself can take most of a day each way, depending on the vessel and sea conditions. Expedition cruises that pass the cape usually run 10 to 20 days in total, while a private charter works best with a spare day built in.
Cape Farewell is reached by boat, as there are no roads. Most independent travelers fly into Qaqortoq, take a helicopter or boat to Nanortalik, then charter a boat for the long run south, which can cost US$800 to 2,000 for the day. Expedition cruises that sail around South Greenland are the other main option.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Greenlandic landmarks near Cape Farewell

Explore more nearby:

  • Uunartoq Hot Springs—Stone-lined pool, iceberg fjord, boat-only island, basic changing hut| 113 km away
  • Ilulissat Icefjord—Sermermiut boardwalk, glacier front, iceberg boat trips, marked trails| 1090 km away
  • Eqi Glacier—Calving ice front, lodge terrace, berg-filled bay, midnight light| 1152 km away

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We 💚 feedbackFinal thoughts on visiting Cape Farewell

Cape Farewell is at its best in the long, bright days of midsummer, when fog lifts more often and the water is least angry. I would pick a calm early morning, since swells and wind usually build through the day, and I would bring a waterproof shell, warm gloves and seasickness tablets even if the forecast looks kind.

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The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Greenland. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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