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 mentioned, 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 house).
Regardless of the case, it’s an excellent metropolis in Greenland to go to and doubtless (together with Kangerlussuaq) one of many first locations you’ll go to in your journey to Greenland. So, that will help you get essentially the most out of your go to to Nuuk, I needed to share the easiest issues to do in Nuuk that I’m positive 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 may’t miss. This implies you’ll probably wish to cram in as a lot as doable earlier than you allow. Fortunately, as a consequence 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 best issues to do in Nuuk that we cherished – and we’re positive you’ll too! Have the very best 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 probably the greatest 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 might sound small, particularly for those who’re used to colossal museums just like the Smithsonian or British Museum. Nevertheless, don’t suppose that dimension is all the things! This place is superb and it’s probably the greatest websites in all of Greenland to study extra concerning the heritage of the nation, its tradition and the Inuit individuals. We cherished it.
In search of the very best lodge in Nuuk? Make certain to ebook this actual room at HHE Categorical. You see, this Nuuk lodge is without doubt one of the newer properties within the capital of Greenland, and the rooms are beautiful – they really feel very Scandic. Not solely that, it’s very easy to stroll round Nuuk from HHE Categorical.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
2.) Nuuk Artwork Museum
Visiting the Nuuk Artwork Museum is well probably the greatest issues to do in Nuuk if you wish to discover among 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 worth for entry (it wasn’t a lot in any respect) and nicely value taking a gander inside.
Visits will take round 20 minutes and a few 15-minute stroll from the waterfront at Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives. We had been additionally in a position to purchase just a few small items of artwork by Greenlandic artists throughout the gallery. They had been solely small watercolours, however we treasure them!
Learn extra: Finest 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 simple to finish in 10 minutes and really simple to search out as you wander from the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives.
Alongside the way in which, you’ll get to absorb the views round Nuuk Harbour, which is beautiful round sundown. Simply ensure to wrap in heat (in layers), the wind can choose up right here, and it may get chilly with these arctic currents.
Learn extra: Learn how to spend a day in Nuuk when visiting on an expedition cruise
4.) Nuuk’s Historic Harbour
Nuuk’s Historic Harbour is sort of too exhausting 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 business harbour these days. In case you’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 among 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 illustration, you may simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, ensure to move to Anori Artwork, a present retailer that has heaps of handmade goodies – all from Greenland. Right here, you’ll have the ability to buy Inuit Soapstone Figures which can 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 individuals. The latter has an extended historical past with Inuit individuals, and so they had been used to push back enemies and had been often made in secret, away from sight.
Learn extra: Finest 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 stunning. 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 neglect to see the Hans Egede Statue (Google Maps pin) whilst you’re there. He was a missionary priest who got here to Greenland to unfold European faith to the Inuit individuals. 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 town itself. Now, bear in mind, there are not any actual roads that join settlements to cities in Greenland. Due to this fact, the simplest strategy to get round is by air or boat, with boats being an excellent possibility to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You may ebook these on their web site, and we’d suggest doing this earlier than arriving in Nuuk, simply in case locations replenish. Additionally, all the time be ready for cancellations as a consequence of climate. The Arctic climate is unpredictable, and security is all the time paramount.
Excursions take round 3 hours and function between the months of June to September.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
7.) Northern Lights
This one is nice! Truthfully, seeing the Northern Lights in Nuuk isn’t exhausting for those who’re visiting within the latter components of spring or late summer time when darkness begins to return to Nuuk. You see, within the top of summer time (when most individuals go to Nuuk), there are virtually 24 hours of daylight. The midnight solar is robust, and this will dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Nuuk for those who’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s nicely value staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
In case you’re on the lookout for an excellent view of Nuuk, then head to the Myggedalen Panoramic View (Google Maps pin). It’s in all probability essentially the most iconic picture of Nuuk that you simply often come throughout, and with good motive! The views down the bay, previous the colorful homes, are gorgeous.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
9.) Nuuk Boat tour
As I mentioned earlier than, Nuuk is usually a good spot to base your self to undertake wider excursions of Greenland and discover among 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 may simply head out into the bays and fjords that encompass town itself. Alternatively, you may cowl a lot better distances when flying, the place you may 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 will be nice distances from Nuuk, so think about the journey time you want for a few of these excursions.
Learn extra: Finest 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 gained’t go hungry within the metropolis. For a straightforward 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 received Restaurant Unicorn; one other gem in Nuuk. Right here, you may 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: Finest locations to go to in Greenland
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