Nuuk has a special soul – a mix of big city and wild nature where the sea, mountains and silence become part of everyday life.
If you ask those of us who have lived in Nuuk, you might hear stories about getting up in the morning and seeing icebergs floating past the window.
About hiking in the mountains and overlooking one of the cleanest and most pristine landscapes in the world. We don’t always remember to notice it, after all, everyday is everyday, like everywhere else in the world – but just as the sun rises, you remember it again.
There is also a special sense of community in Nuuk. Even though the city is growing, it’s still a place where people greet each other and where you can become part of the community. You meet the same people in the supermarket, at the café and at concerts in Katuaq.
And then there’s the Greenlandic hospitality – people are happy to invite you for coffee and Greenlandic cake (e.g. “kaffemik”) and the stories flow freely.
For many people who move away from Nuuk, they miss the silence, the air, the light and the simple life close to nature. And maybe that’s what makes Nuuk so special: it sticks in the soul.
Photo; Nuuk Art Museum, Rebecca Gustafsson, Visit Greenland.
Nuuk Art Museum
For those of us who are art lovers, the Nuuk Art Museum is worth a visit. (And for others, it’s still an opportunity to gain insight into the story of Greenland through the eyes of an artist) The museum houses a large collection of Greenlandic art, from traditional tupilaks to modern paintings and sculptures.
Photo; Peter Mortensen.
Sail on the world’s second largest fjord.
In all modesty – the beauty of nature is always present in Nuuk. The fact that we live right by the fjord makes it easy and quick for visitors to take a boat trip and experience the wild nature. Seeing the mountains, spotting sea eagles and even whales in the summer is something we highly recommend.Read more about boat tours in Nuuk.
Also try: Catch your own fish and see the Northern Lights from the Nuuk Water Taxi.
Photo; Freshly caught fish, Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland.
The board – the local fish market.
Discover where fishermen and hunters sell freshly caught fish, seal meat, reindeer and musk ox. It’s a great way to experience Greenlandic food culture up close.
Photo; Viewing spot over Nuuk, Lasse Nymand.
Nuuk Centrum and Kolonihavnen
A walk through the center of Nuuk reveals a mix of modern architecture and historic buildings. One of the oldest areas in Nuuk, Kolonihavnen features charming colorful wooden houses, Hans Egedes Hus and the beautiful Church of Our Savior.
National Museum – Inuit life and Arctic culture.
The Greenland National Museum has the largest cultural history collection in Greenland. Here you can experience the impressive collection of Greenlandic artifacts that tell the story of Greenland’s cultural heritage. See the famous Qilakitsoq mummies, which date back to the 15th century.
Photo; Original bedroom, National Musset, Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland.
Katuaq Cultural Center – the cultural heart of Greenland.
Katuaq’s architecture is inspired by the undulating movements of the Northern Lights. The culture house hosts concerts, theater performances, film screenings and art exhibitions, and food from the restaurant. We recommend booking a concert, watching a drum or mask dance. Why? It goes into your soul and you have experienced something that you will not forget.
Photo; Katuaq Cultural Center, Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland.
Hikes; Quassussuaq (Little Malene) and Big Malene – for the adventurous.
Nuuk has several spectacular hiking routes. A hike up Quassussuaq (Lille Malene) or Store Malene offers stunning views of Nuuk and the surrounding fjords. It’s an experience that combines exercise and scenic surroundings. You can hike Lille Malene on your own without a guide, but we recommend bringing a guide (or someone who knows the route and terrain) for Store Malene.
Photo; The view from Lille Malene, Morten Bruhn.
