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 looks like a really small city in measurement (with about twenty thousand residents calling it house).
Regardless of the case, it’s an ideal 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 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 doubtless 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 doubtless need to cram in as a lot as potential earlier than you permit. Fortunately, because of Nuuk’s compact and small measurement, it’s a metropolis that’s very easy to stroll round, even over a number of hours.
Have a look, under, at our best issues to do in Nuuk that we liked – and we’re positive you’ll too! Have one of the 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 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 may appear small, particularly for those who’re used to colossal museums just like the Smithsonian or British Museum. Nonetheless, don’t assume that measurement is the whole lot! This place is wonderful 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 liked it.
Learn extra: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
2.) Nuuk Artwork Museum
Visiting the Nuuk Artwork Museum is definitely probably the greatest 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 properly 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 in a position to purchase a number of 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 simple to finish in 10 minutes and really simple to search out as you wander from the Greenland Nationwide Museum and Archives.
Alongside the best way, you’ll get to soak up 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 could get chilly with these arctic currents.
Learn extra: Tips on how 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 industrial 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 number of the vibrant streets and even take a stroll all the way 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 illustration, you possibly can simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, ensure 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 can be carved out of native stone.
Alternatively, you should purchase a Tupilaq (ᑐᐱᓚᒃ in Inuktitut syllabics) that’s comprised of animal bone and carved by Inuit individuals. The latter has an extended historical past with Inuit individuals, they usually have been used to chase away 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 brilliant crimson 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) 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 numerous 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, 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 surroundings that surrounds town itself. Now, bear in mind, there aren’t any actual roads that join settlements to cities in Greenland. Subsequently, the simplest approach to get round is by air or boat, with boats being an ideal choice to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You’ll be able to 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 for those who’re visiting within the latter elements 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 may dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Nuuk for those who’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s properly price staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
Should you’re in search of an ideal 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 frequently come throughout, and with good purpose! 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 mentioned earlier than, Nuuk could be 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 a number 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 larger 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 gorgeous – however bear in mind, these might 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 a number 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 possibly can 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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