Nuuk is the coolest capital metropolis, it’s official (sure, there’s a tacky pun there). And being the capital metropolis of Greenland, it’s one of many largest city centres within the nation. That being stated, don’t evaluate it to New York or London – it appears like a really small city in dimension (with about twenty thousand residents calling it dwelling).
Regardless of the case, it’s an amazing metropolis in Greenland to go to and possibly (together with Kangerlussuaq) one of many first locations you’ll go to in your journey to Greenland. So, that can assist you get essentially the most out of your go to to Nuuk, I wished to share the perfect issues to do in Nuuk that I’m certain you’ll love.
Now, you’ll probably solely spend a day or two in Nuuk, earlier than visiting a few of Greenland’s iconic spots you’ll be able to’t miss. This implies you’ll probably wish to cram in as a lot as attainable earlier than you permit. Fortunately, because of Nuuk’s compact and small dimension, it’s a metropolis that’s very easy to stroll round, even over just a few hours.
Have a look, under, at our perfect issues to do in Nuuk that we cherished – and we’re certain you’ll too! Have the perfect time visiting Greenland.
1.) Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives
While wandering round Nuuk, you’ll wish to head into the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives. It’s among the best museums in all of Greenland and proper on the harbour entrance space of historic Nuuk. Better of all, it’s actually accessible, with brief walks and visits taking round 30-40 minutes.
Now, size-wise, the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives may appear small, particularly in the event you’re used to colossal museums just like the Smithsonian or British Museum. Nonetheless, don’t assume that dimension is all the pieces! This place is wonderful and it’s among the best websites in all of Greenland to study extra in regards to the heritage of the nation, its tradition and the Inuit folks. We cherished it.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
2.) Nuuk Artwork Museum
Visiting the Nuuk Artwork Museum is definitely among the best issues to do in Nuuk if you wish to discover a number of the nation’s artwork and installations. You see, the Nuuk Artwork Museum homes heaps of works by native and nationwide artists from throughout Greenland. There’s a small value for entry (it wasn’t a lot in any respect) and effectively price taking a gander inside.
Visits will take round 20 minutes and a couple of 15-minute stroll from the waterfront at Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives. We have been additionally capable of purchase just a few small items of artwork by Greenlandic artists inside the gallery. They have been solely small watercolours, however we treasure them!
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
3.) Nuuk’s Boardwalk
Simply across the historic harbour space of Nuuk is the boardwalk (Google Maps pin) that follows the shoreline right here. The stroll is beautiful and round 300 metres or so in size. This implies it’s straightforward to finish in 10 minutes and really straightforward to seek out as you wander from the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll get to soak up the views round Nuuk Harbour, which is beautiful round sundown. Simply ensure that to wrap in heat (in layers), the wind can choose up right here, and it could get chilly with these arctic currents.
Learn extra: How you can spend a day in Nuuk when visiting on an expedition cruise
4.) Nuuk’s Historic Harbour
Nuuk’s Historic Harbour is nearly too laborious to overlook! It’s proper within the coronary heart of the motion round Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives and the Hans Egede Statue. Now, don’t get this confused with the industrial harbour these days. If you happen to’re arriving in Nuuk by boat, that is the place you’ll dock… however that’s not the historic harbour. The one I’m speaking about his the pure harbour and waterfront (Google Maps pin).
Take a wander round, discover a number of the vibrant streets and even take a stroll all the way down to the seaside. While right here, and really all throughout Nuuk, you’ll discover public artwork that’s positioned in key areas across the metropolis.
As an example, you’ll be able to simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, ensure that to go to Anori Artwork, a present retailer that has heaps of handmade goodies – all from Greenland. Right here, you’ll be capable of buy Inuit Soapstone Figures which might be carved out of native stone.
Alternatively, you should purchase a Tupilaq (ᑐᐱᓚᒃ in Inuktitut syllabics) that’s created from animal bone and carved by Inuit folks. The latter has an extended historical past with Inuit folks, and so they have been used to keep off enemies and have been frequently made in secret, away from sight.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
5.) Nuuk Church and monument
Simply shy of the historic harbour is the Church of our Saviour (Google Maps pin), which is difficult to overlook within the metropolis. Though comparatively small, its vibrant pink colors are so lovely. It’s a small stroll uphill from the Mom of the Sea artwork set up and solely takes round 2-3 minutes to get there.
Oh, and don’t overlook to see the Hans Egede Statue (Google Maps pin) when you’re there. He was a missionary priest who got here to Greenland to unfold European faith to the Inuit folks. Now, there are clearly a number of controversies round cultural erasure right here, however the statue represents a key historic interval for Greenland and its cultural connections to Europe (although it’s thought-about to be a part of North America, when it comes to geographic continents).
6.) Whale watching
There are a heap of excursions you are able to do from Nuuk, particularly if you wish to discover extra of the gorgeous pure surroundings that surrounds the town itself. Now, bear in mind, there are not any actual roads that join settlements to cities in Greenland. Due to this fact, the best technique to get round is by air or boat, with boats being an amazing choice to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You possibly can guide these on their web site, and we’d advocate doing this earlier than arriving in Nuuk, simply in case locations replenish. Additionally, at all times be ready for cancellations because of climate. The Arctic climate is unpredictable, and security is at all times paramount.
Excursions take round 3 hours and function between the months of June to September.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
7.) Northern Lights
This one is nice! Actually, seeing the Northern Lights in Nuuk isn’t laborious in the event you’re visiting within the latter components of spring or late summer season when darkness begins to return to Nuuk. You see, within the top of summer season (when most individuals go to Nuuk), there are nearly 24 hours of daylight. The midnight solar is powerful, and this will dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is likely one of the finest issues to do in Nuuk in the event you’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s effectively price staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
If you happen to’re searching for an amazing view of Nuuk, then head to the Myggedalen Panoramic View (Google Maps pin). It’s most likely essentially the most iconic picture of Nuuk that you simply frequently come throughout, and with good cause! The views down the bay, previous the colorful homes, are gorgeous.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
9.) Nuuk Boat tour
As I stated earlier than, Nuuk is usually a great spot to base your self to undertake wider excursions of Greenland and discover a number of the iconic locations across the nation. Now, there are just a few tour operators that craft native excursions from Nuuk. Our favourites are Greenland Arctic Xplorers, Greenland Cruises, and AirZafari (which operates flight excursions).
From Nuuk, you’ll be able to simply head out into the bays and fjords that encompass the town itself. Alternatively, you’ll be able to cowl a lot better distances when flying, the place you’ll be able to see the Greenlandic Ice Cap from the air. It’s breathtaking.
We cherished seeing Qeqertarsuatsiaat, Kapisillit, Atammik, and Ameralik Fiord. The entire area right here is gorgeous – however bear in mind, these may be nice distances from Nuuk, so contemplate the journey time you want for a few of these excursions.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
10.) Foodie spots in Nuuk
There are fairly just a few impartial eating places to go to in Nuuk. You actually received’t go hungry within the metropolis. For a simple lunch, pop over to Kunguak Café. Right here, we had a yummy musk Ox burger and ice cream that was so tasty.
Close by, you’ve additionally bought Restaurant Unicorn; one other gem in Nuuk. Right here, you’ll be able to seize some Greenlandic dishes and check out venison (which was so good).
For a tipple, head to Daddy’s. They’ve their Godhaab Bryghus brews, that are so good.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to in Greenland
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