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Greenland🇬🇱 | landmarksUunartoq Hot SpringsStone-lined pool, iceberg fjord, boat-only island, basic changing hut | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Uunartoq Hot Springs
🌟 Highlightunique site ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

The water in the main pool at Uunartoq Hot Springs runs around body temperature, yet the island has no village, no shop and no staff, so you share it with nobody but the people off your boat. The springs sit on Uunartoq Island in southern Greenland, in Kujalleq municipality, reached by water from the Qaqortoq area. Expect a stone-lined pool of about 34 to 38°C, rust-colored rock, a faint mineral smell, and icebergs drifting past in the fjord while cold wind needles your shoulders. The wow-factor is real, and photo potential is high, but it is not a polished spa. Changing happens behind rocks or in a basic hut, and the walk from the landing is short but slippery. Crowds stay small, though boat seats are limited, and the tour is pricey for what is essentially a pool. Book a boat before you arrive, because there is no way to reach the island without one.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 unique site in GreenlandWhat sets this place apart

Uunartoq Hot Springs is one of very few places in Greenland where you can soak in naturally heated water while surrounded by floating ice. That single image justifies the detour, and it is the only spot of its kind in the country.

The boat ride matters as much as the soak. Crossing the fjord from the Qaqortoq side, you pass icebergs calved from the ice sheet, and in summer you may see seals and the odd whale spout. The island itself is empty of settlement, so the quiet is complete apart from dripping water and gulls.

It also fits a southern Greenland loop well. The springs pair with Norse ruins around Qassiarsuk and Hvalsey, and with the sheep-farming country of the fjords, so one trip covers hot water, Viking history and Inuit settlement. Plan for summer, when boats run regularly. Bring … read more 👉
Uunartoq Hot Springs is one of very few places in Greenland where you can soak in naturally heated water while surrounded by floating ice. That single image justifies the detour, and it is the only spot of its kind in the country.

The boat ride matters as much as the soak. Crossing the fjord from the Qaqortoq side, you pass icebergs calved from the ice sheet, and in summer you may see seals and the odd whale spout. The island itself is empty of settlement, so the quiet is complete apart from dripping water and gulls.

It also fits a southern Greenland loop well. The springs pair with Norse ruins around Qassiarsuk and Hvalsey, and with the sheep-farming country of the fjords, so one trip covers hot water, Viking history and Inuit settlement. Plan for summer, when boats run regularly. Bring a towel, a swimsuit, and a dry bag, because the walk back to the landing in wet hair gets cold fast. Splitting a boat with other travelers brings the cost down noticeably.

💡 HighlightsTop highlights of Uunartoq Hot Springs

  1. The main hot spring pool: a rock-lined basin fed by a spring at roughly 34 to 38°C. Soaking here with icebergs in view is the reason everyone comes, and the water is clear with a slight mineral taste.
  2. Iceberg views from the water: the fjord carries ice of every size, from fridge-sized chunks to tall blue towers. They shift and crack through the day, so the view never stays the same.
  3. The boat crossing: the trip from the Qaqortoq side takes you through narrow channels and past steep, bare headlands. Seals often surface near the boat, and the air smells of cold salt.
  4. The Uunartoq island shoreline walk: a short stroll over low heather, moss and wet rock gives a different angle on the pool and the ice beyond. Boots with grip help on the slick stones.
  5. The changing hut: a plain shelter near the pool
… read more 👉
  1. The main hot spring pool: a rock-lined basin fed by a spring at roughly 34 to 38°C. Soaking here with icebergs in view is the reason everyone comes, and the water is clear with a slight mineral taste.
  2. Iceberg views from the water: the fjord carries ice of every size, from fridge-sized chunks to tall blue towers. They shift and crack through the day, so the view never stays the same.
  3. The boat crossing: the trip from the Qaqortoq side takes you through narrow channels and past steep, bare headlands. Seals often surface near the boat, and the air smells of cold salt.
  4. The Uunartoq island shoreline walk: a short stroll over low heather, moss and wet rock gives a different angle on the pool and the ice beyond. Boots with grip help on the slick stones.
  5. The changing hut: a plain shelter near the pool where you can change out of the wind. It is basic, and that is part of the appeal, since nothing here feels commercial.
  6. Warm-and-cold contrast: the hot trickle where spring water meets the cold sea gives a brisk dip option for anyone willing to cool off between soaks. Expect a gasp.
  7. Evening light over the fjord: on longer summer trips, low sun turns the ice pink and gold while steam rises off the pool. It is the best moment for photos.
Start with the main pool as soon as you land, because the water is warmest and the site quietest before other boats arrive.
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Things to do near Uunartoq Hot Springs

Qaqortoq Cultural Treasures Smartphone Guided GPS Walking Tour

Qaqortoq Cultural Treasures Smartphone Guided GPS Walking Tour

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🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Uunartoq Hot Springs

  • Summer (June to August): Boat tours to Uunartoq Hot Springs run most reliably now. Days are long, and highs are 7 to 14°C (45 to 57°F) in the Qaqortoq area. Mosquitoes peak in July, so bring a head net. Prices are highest and tour seats fill early.
  • Early Autumn (September): Fewer visitors and no biting insects. Highs are 3 to 8°C (37 to 46°F), nights get dark enough for northern lights, and tours still run when the sea allows.
  • Spring (April to May): Snow lingers and boat departures are patchy, with sea ice and wind setting the schedule. Temperatures sit around -3 to 5°C (27 to 41°F). Fewer tour operators are running.
  • Winter (November to March): Daylight is short, temperatures run -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), and sea conditions make regular trips unlikely. Soaking in snow is spectacular, but only
… read more 👉
  • Summer (June to August): Boat tours to Uunartoq Hot Springs run most reliably now. Days are long, and highs are 7 to 14°C (45 to 57°F) in the Qaqortoq area. Mosquitoes peak in July, so bring a head net. Prices are highest and tour seats fill early.
  • Early Autumn (September): Fewer visitors and no biting insects. Highs are 3 to 8°C (37 to 46°F), nights get dark enough for northern lights, and tours still run when the sea allows.
  • Spring (April to May): Snow lingers and boat departures are patchy, with sea ice and wind setting the schedule. Temperatures sit around -3 to 5°C (27 to 41°F). Fewer tour operators are running.
  • Winter (November to March): Daylight is short, temperatures run -10 to 0°C (14 to 32°F), and sea conditions make regular trips unlikely. Soaking in snow is spectacular, but only by special charter.
Book your boat in Qaqortoq a few days ahead for late June to August, and keep one spare day for weather.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: below average for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: good for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: highly recommended for travelingAUGAugust: highly recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: good for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: below average for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

Qaqortoq is the place to sleep, because it is the only town in the area with a real choice of beds and the departure point for boats to Uunartoq Hot Springs. It is the biggest settlement in South Greenland, with around 3,000 people, a compact harbor, a supermarket and a couple of cafes, and you can walk everywhere in 15 minutes. The streets near the harbor and the old town square are the best spot: you meet other travelers, you are close to the tour operators, and the walk back at night is short and safe. Solo travelers will find it easy to team up with others to split a boat charter. Hillside … read more 👉
Qaqortoq is the place to sleep, because it is the only town in the area with a real choice of beds and the departure point for boats to Uunartoq Hot Springs. It is the biggest settlement in South Greenland, with around 3,000 people, a compact harbor, a supermarket and a couple of cafes, and you can walk everywhere in 15 minutes. The streets near the harbor and the old town square are the best spot: you meet other travelers, you are close to the tour operators, and the walk back at night is short and safe. Solo travelers will find it easy to team up with others to split a boat charter. Hillside areas above the center give quieter nights and fjord views, with only a modest uphill walk to town. Budget-minded travelers can look at shared dorm rooms and self-catering guesthouse rooms near the center, which let you cook your own food from the supermarket. Narsaq, a smaller town about a half-day away by boat, is a more peaceful alternative with fewer social options and fewer boats heading to the springs. Alluitsup Paa is closer to the island but has very limited beds. Book ahead from July to August.
Best hostels in Greenland


Best quality hotels in Greenland

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Money, prices, and spending tips

A realistic budget for reaching Uunartoq Hot Springs from Qaqortoq is US$205 to 325 a day, and the boat ride is most of that. The soak itself costs nothing, since the pool sits in the open on the island. Everything is paid in Danish kroner or by card.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$55 to 80A dorm bed or basic guesthouse room in Qaqortoq. Prices drop a little outside July and August.
Boat transfer to the springsUS$130 to 200Round trip from Qaqortoq with a waiting period at the pool. Price per person drops when a group shares the boat.
Hot spring entryUS$0No ticket. Bring your own towel, swimsuit and a dry bag.
FoodUS$15 to 30Self-catering from the supermarket keeps this low. A cafe meal in town runs higher. Pack a lunch for the island, where there are no shops.
Local
… read more 👉
A realistic budget for reaching Uunartoq Hot Springs from Qaqortoq is US$205 to 325 a day, and the boat ride is most of that. The soak itself costs nothing, since the pool sits in the open on the island. Everything is paid in Danish kroner or by card.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Accommodation (high season)US$55 to 80A dorm bed or basic guesthouse room in Qaqortoq. Prices drop a little outside July and August.
Boat transfer to the springsUS$130 to 200Round trip from Qaqortoq with a waiting period at the pool. Price per person drops when a group shares the boat.
Hot spring entryUS$0No ticket. Bring your own towel, swimsuit and a dry bag.
FoodUS$15 to 30Self-catering from the supermarket keeps this low. A cafe meal in town runs higher. Pack a lunch for the island, where there are no shops.
Local transportUS$0 to 5Qaqortoq is walkable. A short taxi ride covers the occasional need.
ExtrasUS$5 to 10Insect repellent, a head net in July, or a warm drink after the soak.
Total Daily BudgetUS$205 to 325Assumes one boat day and one high-season bed.


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

FAQTraveler FAQ

Uunartoq Hot Springs is a natural hot spring on Uunartoq Island in South Greenland, where water at about 34 to 38°C (93 to 100°F) fills a stone-edged pool and a few smaller natural basins. You soak with icebergs and fjord views around you, and there is no ticket or building. The island lies south of Qaqortoq, the nearest town, and is also close to the settlement of Alluitsup Paa.
Uunartoq Hot Springs fits into one day: allow about 4 to 6 hours from Qaqortoq, including a boat ride of roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way and 1 to 2 hours in the water. Boats often wait, so you will not need to arrange your own return. In summer the long daylight makes a relaxed schedule easy, though a spare day helps if wind cancels the first departure.
Uunartoq Hot Springs can only be reached by boat, and most people go on a tour from Qaqortoq, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours each way. Round-trip excursions cost roughly US$130 to 200 per person, depending on group size. Qaqortoq has its own airport since April 2026, with flights from Nuuk and, in summer, Reykjavik.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Greenlandic landmarks near Uunartoq Hot Springs

Explore more nearby:

  • Cape Farewell—Granite headland, Atlantic swell, fog-bound cliffs, boat access only| 113 km away
  • Ilulissat Icefjord—Sermermiut boardwalk, glacier front, iceberg boat trips, marked trails| 993 km away
  • Eqi Glacier—Calving ice front, lodge terrace, berg-filled bay, midnight light| 1058 km away

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Uunartoq Hot Springs works best as the warm-water finale of a southern Greenland loop that also takes in Qaqortoq's town sculptures and the Norse ruins at Hvalsey. I would book the boat early, soak last in the day, and bring a thermos, because the wind after you climb out is sharp.

✍️ Help improve this page!
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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