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Nuuk
Greenland’s small capital, with a colonial harbour, fine museums and a vast fjord system on the doorstep
Greenland’s small capital, with a colonial harbour, fine museums and a vast fjord system on the doorstep
The colonial harbour area, with the red Church of Our Saviour, the Hans Egede statue and Hans Egede’s House.
Walk along the shore to see the ‘Mother of the Sea’ sculpture at low tide.
Photo: Medullaoblongata Projekt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Brightly painted houses climb the rocky slopes, framed by the sea and mountains.
Photo: Aurore Martignoni, CC BY 4.0
Boat trips sail into the fjord system for whales, icebergs and abandoned Norse and Inuit settlements, with Sermitsiaq mountain looming over the town.
Whale-watching is best from July to September.
Photo: Aurore Martignoni, CC BY 4.0
Nuuk has Greenland’s widest choice of restaurants. Try musk ox, reindeer, halibut, snow crab and Greenlandic lamb; adventurous eaters can try suaasat, a traditional soup.
The Brættet fish and meat market sells local catches; cafés and supermarkets are the budget option.
Nuuk International Airport has direct flights from Copenhagen with Air Greenland and seasonal flights from North America and Iceland. City buses run around town; taxis are easy to find. There are no roads between towns in Greenland. Travel is by Air Greenland plane or helicopter, by boat, or by the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry on the west coast.
Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but is not in the EU or the Schengen area, and a Schengen visa is not valid there. Nordic citizens can enter freely; citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, most EU countries and many others are visa-free. Those who need a visa must apply specifically for Greenland. The currency is the Danish krone. Check current rules before you travel.
Nuuk is expensive, though less so than remote settlements.
Culture, coast and fjords.
Visit the Greenland National Museum, the colonial harbour, the church and Hans Egede’s House, then Katuaq cultural centre.
Take a boat trip into the fjord for whales and icebergs.
Hike up Quassussuaq (Lille Malene) for views of the town and fjord, or visit the Nuuk Art Museum.
Check conditions and tell someone your route before hiking.
Weather changes fast even in summer; bring windproof and waterproof layers, a hat and gloves.
Flights, rooms and boat trips are limited; book well in advance, especially for June to August.
Fog and wind often delay flights and boats; leave a spare day before international connections.
The National Museum displays the Qilakitsoq mummies, around 500 years old.
Quick answers for planning time in Nuuk.
Greenland is outside the Schengen area. Citizens of the UK, US, Canada, Australia, most EU countries and many others are visa-free; those who need a visa must apply specifically for Greenland.
Air Greenland flies directly from Copenhagen to Nuuk International Airport, which opened in November 2024; there are seasonal flights from North America and Iceland.
Yes, for its museums, culture and fjord trips, and as a gateway to the rest of Greenland.
Yes, humpback whales are often seen on fjord trips from about July to September.
The Danish krone; cards are widely accepted.
Google Maps covers the towns; outside them there are no roads, so use guided trips and official trail maps.
Free
Greenlandic and Danish are the main languages; English is spoken in tourism.
Free
Used by some guides and guesthouses; mobile data can be limited outside towns.
Free
Some boat trips and tours are bookable; many are booked directly with local operators.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Greenland travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.