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  • It's snowing in Nuuk. Photo by Jessie Brinks Evans

What it’s like to visit Nuuk

Nuuk is this tiny Arctic capital where you’ll find age old tradition living amongst World-class modernity.

Nuuk is home to many historical sights. In the picturesque Old Harbour you’ll find dreamy wooden homes, nestled like pearls along the water’s edge. Nearby you’ll find the city’s oldest buildings on the grounds of the expansive National Art Museum, which houses a notable collection of artifacts from some of the first settlers, and beautiful paintings depicting Greenland in many eras. Arguably, the most iconic piece of art is a bronze sculpture depicting the Mother of the Sea. Her tale about the importance of nature is steeped in Greenlandic history, and to this day evokes strong emotion and respect throughout the country.

In the picturesque Old Harbour you’ll find dreamy wooden homes, nestled like pearls along the water's edge.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Blue Ice Explorer: Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Plan your own holiday in Greenland

Are you dreaming of going to Greenland and would you prefer to plan your own trip?

FROM €24
Greenland Travel: Spring feelings in Greenland! Roundtrip!

Greenland Travel

Spring feelings in Greenland! Roundtrip!

SPECIAL TRIP! Experience Disco Bay with Unesco World heritage, guided tour in Nuuk, walk on the Ice Cap and so much more

From €3,225
Greenland Tours – Frozen West

Greenland Tours

Frozen West

5 days exploring Disko Bay in winter incl. visit to the Greenland Ice Cap

FROM €1,335
Show More

NUUK IS A FANTASTIC WALKING CITY

Everything is just a stone’s throw away, yet there are enough shops and street art to satisfy the urban explorer’s appetite. Imaneq Street is a must go destination for traditionally made goods. You can find a handful of standard souvenir shops, but most shops cater more towards local needs, thus giving the chance to find something unique and authentic. My personal favourite was Qiviut, a shop dedicated to selling knitted musk ox items. While they don’t come cheap, each garment is beautifully made, and perfectly suited to Greenlandic life.

The beautiful wavy structure of the Culture Centre ‘Katuaq’ is home to an absorbing collection of films and exhibitions. The small cafe by the entrance is a perfect spot to sit with a coffee and watch the world go by and contemplate what you’ve seen.

THE FOOD SCENE

As a first-time visitor to Greenland, I was apprehensive about the food scene when I arrived. Those fears immediately vanished during my first meal at the Hans Egede Hotel.

The musk ox steak paired with shiraz suggested by the wait staff was a perfect combination, and a meal that I revisited again during my stay.

Along with my other meals around Nuuk, I found myself thinking about how the produce in Greenland tastes like nothing I’ve ever tasted. Fresh, full of flavour and truly of the Earth.

THE SURREAL SURROUNDING NATURE

For those wanting to venture out in the fjords or mountains after you’ve settled into the city, there are many options. Adrenaline inducing off-piste skiing is available in the winter, midnight sun boat tours in the warmer months, and water based tours offer everything from whale watching and exploring abandoned settlements, to seeing if you can spot the edge of the glacier all year round.

The surrounding nature is surreal and magnificent to experience. Often the scale and vastness of the landscape can be hard to comprehend, offering a glimpse of the respect and connection that Greenlanders feel toward nature.

THE CITY OF THE LOCALS

As much as this city will keep tourists happy, it’s important to remember that this is a working town with a quarter of Greenland’s population living here. It doesn’t exist for tourism, like some other cities might.

Because of this, I felt like I was seeing a culture for how it really is. It’s a city of politicians, hunters, artists, chefs, fishermen and people who live in the moment, whilst not forgetting the past. Nuuk is a superb introduction to Greenland, and the awe-inspiring beauty of its citizens and landscape. It’s a great place to base yourself and see where the journey takes you.

Local providers

Handmade figure. Visit Greenland

Tupilak Travel

Nuuk, Imaneq 18,
3900,
Phone: (+299) 313 218More information
Nuuk Art Museum covered in snow in Winter. Photo by Nuuk Art Museum

Nuuk Art Museum

Nuuk, Vandsøvej 5,
3900,
Phone: +299 32 77 33More information
Woman sewing flower patterns onto kamik - a part of the Greenlandic national costume. Photo by Kittat Economusee

Kittat Economusée

Nuuk, Hans Egedesvej 29 B-45,
3900,
Phone: +299 36 63 98More information
Inuk Hostels in Nuuk, with Sermitsiaq Mountain. Photo by Daniel Gurrola - Visit Greenland

Inuk Hostels

Nuuk, Qernertunnguit Kangerluat
3900,
Phone: +299 52 21 28More information

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By Jessie Brinkman Evans

Jessie Brinkman Evans is a Newfoundland-based travel and documentary photographer. Roots in California and Australia have given her a deep appreciation for the natural world around her, most notably when it comes to documenting stories across the Arctic. Follow her at @jebrinks.

https://visitgreenland.com

Editors' pick

Walk on path along coastline of Nuuk. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

Greenland’s modern path to independence

Many people ask if Greenland is considered a country. Others question, Why does Denmark own Greenland? Read on to get a snapshot of Greenland’s political status and the historical background of Greenland’s road to independence.

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Whale Art by Aka Høegh, Qaqortoq. Photo - Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland

The Greenlandic hunting culture and the Bowhead Whale – a portrait

The Bowhead Whale can boast not only of its appearance in Season 4 of Borgen, but also of its status as the world's most padded baleen whale, and its history of coming close to extinction.

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When ice becomes (drinking) water: Greenland’s energy heroes

Employees of Greenland's utility company, Nukissiorfiit, work every day to ensure that residents across the country have access to vital energy, water and heat.

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Muskox under the sun in Jameson Land. Photo by Bo Normander

Musk oxen and sandstone mountains in Jameson Land

A hike in the northeastern Greenlandic wilderness in Jameson Land offers incredible mountain landscapes and intimate experiences with the large musk oxen that dig into the local vegetation.

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