
Paamiut, Greenland
Description
For a vacation truly off the beaten path, you can't go wrong with Paamiut. Cradled on the Labrador Sea coast under the watchful gaze of volcanic mountains, it may be Greenland's best-kept secret. Formerly named Frederikshab in honor of the Crown Prince Frederick after the Danes arrived in 1742, it was renamed Paamiut, which means "those who reside by the mouth" of the Kvanefjord. As you tour the village, you'll notice few paved roads, a lack of stoplights and quaint structures painted in primary colors of red, green and blue. In the village's center you'll find the 115-year-old Friedenskirche, a simple but elegant Lutheran church. If you live for adventure, embrace mountain hikes and leisurely coastal walks, and keep your eyes open for the white-tailed eagle, believed to bring luck to anyone who sees it. Sssh, this magical village may be a secret worth keeping to yourself.
Points of Interest
- Paamiut Museum
- Friedenskirche
- Hiking
- Birdwatching
- Marine Life
- Peat House
- Fjords
- Greenland Maritime Center
More about Paamiut, Greenland Points of Interest
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Paamiut Museum -
Formally the home of a 19th century Colonial Administrator, the 250-square-meter (2690-square- feet) museum boasts a collection that includes whaling exhibits, art exhibits of local paintings, soapstone sculptures, postcards and indigenous traditional clothing.
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Friedenskirche -
Considered one of the finest churches in Greenland, the iconic wooden Stave Church was built in 1909 in the Norwegian style. Adorned with a green and red facade, its storybook good looks add to the village's charm.
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Hiking -
Outdoor types will love to explore the many hiking trails, especially the beautiful area towards the Blue Mountains. To see a view of the entire town spread out below, hike toward Bellavista, the designated lookout spot. More adventurous types can hike to the Sermilik Fjord, where glaciers flow from the Greenland Ice Sheet.
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Birdwatching -
Paamiut boasts 40 species of sea birds and is home to the country's largest population of sea eagles. Here, you'll find an abundance of falcons, harlequin ducks, king eiders, and rock ptarmigans.
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Marine Life -
Animal lovers will delight in Paamiut's wildlife, especially the marine varieties. With both seals and at least 20 species of whales (such as minke, fin, humpback, and orca), taking a whale safari is understandably popular.
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Peat House -
For a look at how the Inuit survived Greenland's harsh winters, take a look at the peat house, a common form of Inuit dwelling whose thick outer walls were made of large stones and a roof supported by beams of driftwood.
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Fjords -
Set at the mouth of the picturesque 48-meter-long (30-mile-long) Kvanefjord, Paamiut is an ideal gateway to the coastline that's filled with inlets and fjords all of which attract large sheets of ice.
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Greenland Maritime Center -
The center consists of four departments that provides basic training and courses in the field of maritime and fishing trades.