Viking Ruins of Eric the Red in Greenland

Eric the Red (Eiríkr Þorvaldsson) was a Norse explorer famous for founding the first Norse settlement in Greenland around 985 AD. Born in Norway, he moved to Iceland with his family after his father was exiled for murder. Eric later followed in his father’s footsteps—literally and legally—when he was banished from Iceland for killing several men in a feud.

During his exile, he sailed west and discovered Greenland, giving it a deceptively inviting name to attract settlers. He established a colony in the region, which lasted for several centuries before eventually fading due to climate change, resource depletion, and conflicts with the Inuit. Eric never made it to North America, but his son, Leif Erikson, did—reaching Vinland, which many believe to be part of modern-day Newfoundland, Canada.

Viking Ruins

Viking ruins can be found across the North Atlantic, marking the far reaches of Norse exploration. Some notable sites include:

• L’Anse aux Meadows (Canada): This is the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America, dating back to around 1000 AD. The site includes remnants of Norse-style buildings and artifacts like iron nails, suggesting ship repair activities.
• Brattahlid (Greenland): This was. Ruins of a church and Norse-style buildings can still be seen, along with reconstructions of what the settlement may have looked like.
• Jelling (Denmark): While not a “ruin” in the traditional sense, Jelling is home to massive rune stones and burial mounds from the Viking Age, marking an important cultural and political center.
• Birka (Sweden): One of the earliest known Viking trading hubs, Birka was a thriving settlement with a strong fortification system and burial sites filled with valuable goods from as far as the Middle East.
• Orkney and Shetland (Scotland): These islands have many Norse ruins, including stone homes and Viking longhouses, showcasing how the Vikings settled and mixed with local populations.

Brattahlíð, Eric the Red’s farmstead in Greenland, is in the country's south, across the fjord from Narsarsuaq. It was Eric the Red’s settlement and is now home to reconstructed Norse buildings, including a turf church and longhouse.

How to Reach Brattahlid (Qassiarsuk):

Fly to Greenland,  the closest airport is Narsarsuaq Airport (UAK) in southern Greenland. You can reach Narsarsuaq via flights from:

• Copenhagen, Denmark (via Air Greenland)
• Reykjavik, Iceland (via Icelandair or Norlandair)

Boat from Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk

• Small boat ferries (approx. 15 minutes) cross the fjord from Narsarsuaq to Qassiarsuk.
• Some tour operators offer guided trips, including transportation.

Hiking or Exploring Brattahlid

• Qassiarsuk is a small village, and the Viking ruins are easily walkable from the boat landing.
• You can explore the reconstructed Norse buildings and learn about Eric the Red’s settlement.