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 appears like a really small city in measurement (with about twenty thousand residents calling it house).
Regardless of the case, it’s a terrific 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 can assist you get probably the most out of your go to to Nuuk, I needed to share the perfect issues to do in Nuuk that I’m positive you’ll love.
Now, you’ll possible 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 possible wish to cram in as a lot as doable earlier than you allow. Fortunately, resulting from Nuuk’s compact and small measurement, it’s a metropolis that’s very easy to stroll round, even over a couple of hours.
Have a look, beneath, at our perfect issues to do in Nuuk that we liked – and we’re positive 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 the most effective 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 in the event you’re used to colossal museums just like the Smithsonian or British Museum. Nevertheless, don’t assume that measurement is all the pieces! This place is wonderful and it’s the most effective websites in all of Greenland to be taught extra concerning the heritage of the nation, its tradition and the Inuit individuals. We liked it.
Learn extra: Finest locations to go to round Greenland
2.) Nuuk Artwork Museum
Visiting the Nuuk Artwork Museum is definitely the most effective issues to do in Nuuk if you wish to discover a few 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 nicely 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 had been additionally capable of purchase a couple of small items of artwork by Greenlandic artists inside 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 seek out as you wander from the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives.
Alongside the best way, you’ll get to absorb the views round Nuuk Harbour, which is beautiful round sundown. Simply make sure that to wrap in heat (in layers), the wind can choose up right here, and it might probably get chilly with these arctic currents.
Learn extra: 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 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 business harbour these days. Should 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 a few of the vibrant streets and even take a stroll right down to the seaside. While right here, and truly all throughout Nuuk, you’ll discover public artwork that’s positioned in key areas across the metropolis.
For example, you may simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, make sure that to go 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 are carved out of native stone.
Alternatively, you should buy a Tupilaq (ᑐᐱᓚᒃ in Inuktitut syllabics) that’s produced 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 keep off 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 purple 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 overlook 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 lot of controversies round cultural erasure right here, however the statue represents a key historic interval for Greenland and its cultural connections to Europe (though it’s thought-about 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 gorgeous pure setting that surrounds the town itself. Now, keep in mind, there aren’t 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 a terrific choice to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You’ll be able to e book these on their web site, and we’d suggest doing this earlier than arriving in Nuuk, simply in case locations replenish. Additionally, at all times be ready for cancellations resulting from 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! Truthfully, 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 peak of summer season (when most individuals go to Nuuk), there are nearly 24 hours of daylight. The midnight solar is robust, and this could dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is among the greatest issues to do in Nuuk in the event you’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s nicely price staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
Should you’re in search of a terrific 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 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 could be a excellent place to base your self to undertake wider excursions of Greenland and discover a few of 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 may simply head out into the bays and fjords that encompass the town itself. Alternatively, you may cowl a lot larger distances when flying, the place you may 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 gorgeous – however keep in mind, these may be nice distances from Nuuk, so contemplate 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 impartial eating places to go to in Nuuk. You definitely gained’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 received Restaurant Unicorn; one other gem in Nuuk. Right here, you may 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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