Alluitsup Paa

Alluitsup Paa is a coastal settlement in Kommune Kujalleq, southern Greenland, with 136 residents (2025). Founded in 1830 as the Danish trading post Sydprøven ("South Prøven"), the village sits on an island at the mouth of Alluitsup Kangerlua fjord. Economy and daily life revolve around fishing, with a Royal Greenland seafood processing factory and harbour forming the central anchor of the community.

The village serves as the main jump-off point for Uunartoq Island, located 12 km south, where natural geothermal pools reach 34°C to 38°C amidst icebergs floating offshore. The surrounding area includes 14th-century Norse convent ruins near the hot springs, 18th-century Inuit turf house remains at Qerrortuut, and Alluitsoq (Lichtenau), a 1774 Moravian mission station across the fjord that was once home to over 500 people.

The climate is subarctic maritime. Summer temperatures average 7°C to 12°C, while winter brings cold conditions from −5°C to −15°C with polar darkness and frozen sea ice.

By Air

Alluitsup Paa Heliport (IATA: LLU) is located 300 m north of the settlement center. Air Greenland operates scheduled helicopter flights using Eurocopter/Airbus H125 aircraft, linking LLU to Nanortalik Heliport (IATA: NNG; 15–20 minutes) and Qaqortoq Heliport (IATA: JJU; 25–30 minutes). Connecting flights run to Narsarsuaq Airport (IATA: UAK). One-way helicopter fares typically range from 600 DKK to 1,500 DKK ($85–$215 USD).

By Bus

No bus service. Greenland has no intercity bus network, and no roads link Alluitsup Paa to other settlements.

By Train

No train service. Greenland has no railway infrastructure.

By Car / Road

No car service. Alluitsup Paa has no road connection to any other town or village.

The village measures roughly 500 m across, so getting around is done on foot. There are no public buses, taxis, or ride-hailing services. All travel beyond the village to Uunartoq Island, Lichtenau, or nearby fjords requires passenger boats (such as Disko Line seasonal charters) or local motorboat transfers arranged through the hotel or harbour.

• Uunartoq Hot Springs — Natural geothermal pools on Uunartoq Island (12 km south), maintaining water temperatures of 34°C–38°C. Visitors bathe in the warm water while icebergs float by in the fjord. Reached by a 30-to-45-minute boat ride. Access to the pools is free once on the island; boat transfers cost 500 DKK–1,200 DKK ($70–$170 USD).

• Alluitsoq (Lichtenau) — Moravian mission site established in 1774 across the fjord (6 km east). Features preserved 19th-century church and wooden mission buildings. Reached by 15-minute boat ride; free to explore outdoors.

• Uunartoq Norse Convent Ruins — Stone foundation ruins of a 14th-century Benedictine convent located near the geothermal springs on Uunartoq Island. Free.

• Qerrortuut Inuit Ruins — Archaeological remains of 18th-century Inuit stone-and-turf houses and burial sites on the western end of Uunartoq Island. Free.

• Amitsoq Mine Ruins — Disused early-20th-century graphite and copper mine site on Amitsoq Island, accessible via local boat tour. Free to view from outside.

• Alluitsup Paa Harbour — Working fishing harbour where local fishermen land cod, Greenland halibut, and shrimp for the village processing plant. Free.

• Bathe at Uunartoq — Take a boat trip to Uunartoq Island to soak in 34°C–38°C geothermal springs surrounded by fjord mountains and floating ice.

• Fjord Boat Trips — Hire local boatmen at the harbour for day trips to Lichtenau mission village, the Amitsoq mine, and Alluitsup Kangerlua fjord.

• Coastal Walking — Follow unpaved tracks around the village headland to view icebergs drifting out of the fjord into the Labrador Sea.

• Northern Lights Viewing — Watch the aurora borealis from September to April, taking advantage of low artificial light pollution.

There are no standalone commercial restaurants in Alluitsup Paa.

• Seaside Whale Hotel Dining Room — Serves home-cooked meals for guests and visitors, focusing on local cod, Greenland halibut, seal, and southern Greenlandic lamb. Meals must be ordered in advance. Price tier: Mid-range (150 DKK–350 DKK / $20–$50 USD per meal).
• Pilersuisoq Supermarket — Supplies dry goods, bread, canned meat, and snacks for self-catering travelers.

There are no bars, pubs, or nightclubs in the village. Tap water is piped directly from local freshwater lakes and is clean and safe to drink. Travelers should carry water and food when taking boat trips to Uunartoq or Lichtenau, as those sites have no commercial services.

• Budget: Camping is permitted on open land around the village and on Uunartoq Island. No serviced campsites exist; campers must bring all equipment and gear (free).
• Mid-range: Seaside Whale Hotel — Waterfront hotel in yellow timber buildings with private and shared bathroom options, ocean views, and heating. The management also operates annex properties (Qaanivik and Momsehuset) for group or private rentals. Nightly rates range from 900 DKK to 1,600 DKK ($130–$230 USD).
• Upscale: No upscale hotels exist in Alluitsup Paa. The nearest full-service hotel options are in Qaqortoq.

Shopping is limited to the local Pilersuisoq supermarket (KNI chain), which stocks basic groceries, frozen foods, hardware, and household goods. Bring Danish kroner (DKK) in cash, as card machine connectivity can be inconsistent. There are no standalone souvenir shops or ATMs in the village.

• Uunartoq Island (12 km south; 30–45 minutes by boat) — Geothermal island with 34°C–38°C bathing pools, Norse convent ruins, and views of icebergs.
• Nanortalik (40 km south; 15–20 minutes by helicopter or 45 minutes by boat) — Southernmost town in Greenland, featuring an open-air historical museum and access to Tasermiut Fjord.
• Qaqortoq (60 km northwest; 25–30 minutes by helicopter or 1–1.5 hours by boat) — Largest town in South Greenland, known for colonial architecture and regional museums.
• Alluitsoq (Lichtenau) (6 km east; 15 minutes by boat) — Historic 1774 Moravian mission site with 19th-century church structures.
• Narsarsuaq (100 km north; flight/helicopter via Qaqortoq) — Regional airport settlement providing access to Norse ruins at Qassiarsuk and the Greenland Ice Sheet.