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 dwelling).
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 will help you get essentially 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 seemingly 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 seemingly 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 a number of hours.
Have a look, beneath, at our absolute 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 wish 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 may appear small, particularly should you’re used to colossal museums just like the Smithsonian or British Museum. Nevertheless, don’t suppose that dimension is all the pieces! This place is superb and it’s among the finest websites in all of Greenland to be taught extra in regards to 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 among the finest 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 effectively 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 a number of small items of artwork by Greenlandic artists throughout the gallery. They had 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 straightforward to finish in 10 minutes and really straightforward 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 ensure 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: spend a day in Nuuk when visiting on an expedition cruise
4.) Nuuk’s Historic Harbour
Nuuk’s Historic Harbour is nearly 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. For those who’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.
As an illustration, you may simply spot the Mom of the Sea proper on the shores of Nuuk’s pure harbour space.
Afterwards, ensure that 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 might be carved out of native stone.
Alternatively, you should purchase a Tupilaq (ᑐᐱᓚᒃ in Inuktitut syllabics) that’s produced from animal bone and carved by Inuit individuals. The latter has a protracted historical past with Inuit individuals, and so they had been used to beat back enemies and had been often 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 shiny 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 neglect 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 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 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 gorgeous pure surroundings that surrounds the town itself. Now, keep in mind, there are not 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 a terrific possibility to identify native wildlife.
Nuuk Water Taxi function whale watching excursions in the summertime months. You possibly can e-book 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: Greatest locations to go to round Greenland
7.) Northern Lights
This one is nice! Truthfully, seeing the Northern Lights in Nuuk isn’t exhausting should you’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 virtually 24 hours of daylight. The midnight solar is powerful, and this could dampen the chance to identify the Northern Lights in Greenland.
It actually is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Nuuk should you’re visiting within the shoulder months. It’s effectively value staying up till the darkish skies seem.
8.) Myggedalen Panoramic View
For those who’re searching for a terrific 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 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 good spot 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 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 may simply head out into the bays and fjords that encompass the 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 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 take into account 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 actually 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 acquired 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: Greatest locations to go to in Greenland
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