Stand on the only authenticated Norse settlement in the Americas — where Leif Eriksson's crew camped 1,000 years before Columbus. Reconstructed longhouses, original excavation pits, and a world-class interpretive centre make this one of the great historical pilgrimages on earth.
What to expect
The site sits at the tip of the Great Northern Peninsula, a windswept headland that looks much as it did when Norse explorers dragged their knarr ashore circa 1000 CE. Costumed interpreters in the reconstructed sod longhouses demonstrate iron-smelting and boat repair while archaeologists' original excavation trenches remain visible nearby. The Parks Canada interpretive centre displays genuine Norse artefacts and explains how the site was discovered by Helge and Anne Ingstad in 1960. On clear days the views across the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador are breathtaking.
Good to know
L'Anse aux Meadows is approximately 45 km from St. Anthony — allow at least 4 hours return including time on site. Confirm your ship's all-aboard time carefully and build in a buffer; arrange a private driver rather than relying on shared shuttles to protect your schedule. The site is open late May to mid-October; peak season guides are on-site daily.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at St. Anthony — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.