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 examine it to New York or London – it seems like a really small city in dimension (with about twenty thousand residents calling it house).
Regardless of the case, it’s a fantastic 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 probably 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 seemingly solely spend a day or two in Nuuk, earlier than visiting a few of Greenland’s iconic spots you possibly can’t miss. This implies you’ll seemingly need to cram in as a lot as potential earlier than you permit. Fortunately, as a result of Nuuk’s compact and small dimension, it’s a metropolis that’s very easy to stroll round, even over a couple of hours.
Have a look, under, at our best possible issues to do in Nuuk that we liked – 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 need to head into the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives. It’s among the finest museums in all of Greenland and proper on the harbour entrance space of historic Nuuk. Better of all, it’s actually accessible, with quick 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. Nonetheless, don’t suppose that dimension is the whole lot! This place is wonderful and it’s among the finest websites in all of Greenland to study extra in regards to the heritage of the nation, its tradition and the Inuit folks. We liked it.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
2.) Nuuk Artwork Museum
Visiting the Nuuk Artwork Museum is well among the finest 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 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 few 15-minute stroll from the waterfront at Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives. We have been additionally capable of purchase a couple of small items of artwork by Greenlandic artists inside the gallery. They have 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 soak up the views round Nuuk Harbour, which is beautiful round sundown. Simply be certain to wrap in heat (in layers), the wind can choose up right here, and it may possibly get chilly with these arctic currents.
Learn extra: Easy methods to spend a day in Nuuk when visiting on an expedition cruise
4.) Nuuk’s Historic Harbour
Nuuk’s Historic Harbour is nearly too arduous 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. 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 right down to the seashore. While right here, and truly all throughout Nuuk, you’ll discover public artwork that’s positioned in key areas across the metropolis.
As an example, you possibly can simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, be certain to go to Anori Artwork, a present retailer that has heaps of handmade goodies – all from Greenland. Right here, you’ll be capable to buy Inuit Soapstone Figures which are carved out of native stone.
Alternatively, you should buy a Tupilaq (ᑐᐱᓚᒃ in Inuktitut syllabics) that’s made out of animal bone and carved by Inuit folks. The latter has a protracted historical past with Inuit folks, they usually have been used to keep at bay enemies and have been usually 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 shiny 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 plenty of controversies round cultural erasure right here, however the statue represents a key historic interval for Greenland and its cultural connections to Europe (despite the fact that it’s thought of to be a part of North America, by way of 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 beautiful pure atmosphere that surrounds town itself. Now, bear in mind, there aren’t any actual roads that join settlements to cities in Greenland. Subsequently, the best technique to get round is by air or boat, with boats being a fantastic choice to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You possibly can ebook 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 as a result 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: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
7.) Northern Lights
This one is nice! Actually, seeing the Northern Lights in Nuuk isn’t arduous 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 peak of summer time (when most individuals go to Nuuk), there are nearly 24 hours of daylight. The midnight solar is robust, and this may dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is likely one of the finest issues to do in Nuuk for those who’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s effectively price staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
In case you’re on the lookout for a fantastic view of Nuuk, then head to the Myggedalen Panoramic View (Google Maps pin). It’s in all probability probably the most iconic picture of Nuuk that you just usually come throughout, and with good motive! The views down the bay, previous the colorful homes, are beautiful.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
9.) Nuuk Boat tour
As I mentioned earlier than, Nuuk could be a excellent spot to base your self to undertake wider excursions of Greenland and discover among the iconic locations across the nation. Now, there are a couple of 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 possibly can simply head out into the bays and fjords that encompass town itself. Alternatively, you possibly can cowl a lot higher distances when flying, the place you possibly can see the Greenlandic Ice Cap from the air. It’s breathtaking.
We liked seeing Qeqertarsuatsiaat, Kapisillit, Atammik, and Ameralik Fiord. The entire area right here is beautiful – 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 a couple of unbiased eating places to go to in Nuuk. You definitely received’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 obtained Restaurant Unicorn; one other gem in Nuuk. Right here, you possibly can seize some Greenlandic dishes and take a look at 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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