Nuuk
Nuuk (Greenlandic meaning "The Headland"), also known by its Danish name of Godthåb (Good Hope), is the capital and administrative centre of Greenland, with a population of around 15,000 (about a quarter of the entire population of the country). The city is sometimes accused of being rather soulless, with many high-rise blocks.
Understand
Climate
Nuuk, along with most of the population centres of Greenland, has a tundra climate. Being on the coast helps moderate temperatures somewhat, and winter temperatures are not unlike those of northern Europe or central Canada. However, unlike in those regions, summers remain quite cool. For example, in July, the warmest month of the year on average, the daily mean temperature is only 7 °C (45 °F), with highs rarely above 15 °C (59 °F).
Autumn has the highest rainfall and snowfall, although it is fairly steady all year round.
| Nuuk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Get in
There are no roads or railways connecting cities within Greenland. The only practical means to travel is by boat or air. On foot is less practical and far more strenuous.
By plane
The capital's airport, because of length constraints of its runway, only accommodates small aircraft and domestic flights. Flying to Nuuk from abroad requires changing from a large airliner to a smaller aircraft at a neighbouring airport like Kangerlussuaq. The Nuuk airport is, as of May 2022, being considerably expanded and supposed to cater to larger aircraft once the expansion is done. This is expected to happen in late 2023, after which Nuuk should be considerably more accessible.
- 1 Nuuk Airport (GOH IATA) (about 4 km northeast of town).
- Air Greenland offers connections to various destinations in Greenland, including Kangerlussuaq which has flights to Copenhagen, a major airport. During the summer months they fly to Keflavík Airport, Iceland.
- Icelandair flies year-round to Reykjavík (domestic airport), three times a week during the summer and twice a week during the winter months.
By boat/ferry
- 2 Port of Nuuk (GLGOH).
Arctic Umiaq Line has a passenger terminal to Maniitsoq-Sisimiut-Aasiaat-Uummannaq and Paamiut-Qaqortoq-Narsaq-Narsarsuaq.
Royal Arctic Line and Blue Water are cargo-boat companies operating out of Nuuk.
Get around
Nuuk has a small bus company (Nuup Bussii A/S).
- Nuup Bussii A/S, ☏ +299 342 300, fax: +299 342 301, post@bus.gl. Six bus routes. Ticket costs 21 kr for adults and is good for 60 min. Every part of town is easily accessible by bus.
- Nuuk Biludlejning, Iggiaanut 3a, ☏ +299 31 25 58, biludlejning@nuuk-biludlejning.com. Rental cars and SUVs 400-775 kr/day.
See
- 1 Greenland National Museum (Greenlandic: Nunatta katersugaasivia allagaateqarfialu), Hans Egedesvej 8, ☏ +299 32 26 11, NKA@natmus.gl. 16 Sep-31 May: Tu-Su 13:00-16:00; 1 Jun-15 Sep: 10:00-16:00 daily. The crown pieces of the museum are 500-year-old mummies discovered in 1978 and remarkably well preserved, with some of their facial tattoos still recognisable. Free entry in winter and on Sundays, DKK 30 in summer.
- 2 Nuuk Art Museum (Danish: Nuuk Kunstmuseum), Kissarneqqortuunnguaq 5, ☏ +299 32 77 33, kunstmuseum@sermersooq.gl.
- 3 Nuuk Cathedral (Greenlandic: Annaassisitta Oqaluffia). Also known as the "Cathedral of Our Saviour", the red wooden church building was established in 1849. During National Day celebrations, large crowds usually gather around the church.
The old colonial town is on the east coast side of the town centre.
Here you will also find the statue of Hans Egede, Hans Egede's House and church.
- 4 Statue of Hans Egede.
- 5 Hans Egede's House. Built in 1728 and reputably the oldest house in the country. The former residence of Hans Egede and later used for the country's prime minister. It is now used for government receptions.
- 6 Hans Egede Church. A wooden Evangelical Lutheran church.
Do
- 1 Katuaq (Danish: Grønlands Kulturhus), ☏ +299 36 37 70, reception@katuaq.gl.
- 2 Nuuk Golf Club, ☏ +299 48 44 73.
Excursions
- Whale watching by boat.
- Helicopter ride to the inland ice, Norse ruins and kaffemik at a nearby village.
Several hiking routes start from Nuuk:
- An easy hike from the Circuslake around the mountain Little Marlene follows a marked trail.
- A unmarked trek goes up Big Marlene and offers a view over Nuuk from above. Parts of this trail is on mountain sides with large boulders or steep climbs up loose rocks.
Events
- Nuuk Snow Fest: , Imaneq 23B, ☏ +299 36 75 35, snow@sermersooq.gl. From end of February to beginning of March. A snow festival held since 1994. Free. (date needs fixing)
Buy
Handmade seal skin gloves cost around 500 kr. Ask in shops near Colonial town.
- 1 Nuuk Center. First shopping mall in Greenland.
- 2 Atuagkat Bookstore (Danish: Atuagkat Boghandel), ☏ +299 32 17 37.
Eat
- 1 Cafe Esmeralda, Aqqusinersuaq 6, 1. sal, ☏ +299 48 22 03, kontakt@cafeesmeralda.gl. 10:00-21:00, bar closes 01:00 on weekends. Pasta, wrap, burgers, omelettes and sandwiches. 100 kr.
- 2 Godthaab Bryghus, Imaneq 30, ☏ +299 34 80 80, info@nuukcafe.gl. This brewpub has good beer and good food. Burgers and steaks, often serves muskox, reindeer and lamb. 200 kr.
- 3 Sarfalik, Aqqusinersuaq (In Hotel Hans Egede), ☏ +299 34 80 00, restaurant@hhe.gl. M-Sa 18:00-22:00. Gourmet food at reasonable prices. They have both a global menu and a local menu with muskox, caribou, seal, whale, etc. the course menu: 550 kr.
- 4 Charoen Porn, Aqqusinersuaq 5, ☏ +299 325759, info@charoenporn.gl. Good Thai food with a Greenlandic touch: mattag, halibut, whale and musk ox 100 kr for mains, 300 kr for the big menu.
Drink
Central Nuuk offers a variety of locations for the enjoyment of alcoholic beverages, all within quick walking distance of each other. Nearly all pubs offer the same selection of beer (Classic on tap and Tuborg and Carlsberg in bottles) at the same (expensive) price (60 kr for 40 cl of draught), but beer from Godthaab Bryghus is also available.
Greenlandic coffee is prepared with coffee, whisky, Kahlua, whipped cream and Grand Marnier. It is prepared at the table in a little show and if you ask, you also get the story.
Cafés
- Barista, Spindlers Bakke 10C, ☏ +299 321114. 11:00-00:00. The place to get good coffee, slushies, and sandwiches 25 kr for coffee.
- 1 Kaffivik, Nuukullak 35, ☏ +299 55 96 72. Su-Th 11:00-21:00, F-Sa 11:00-23:00.
Bars
- 2 Kristinemut, Aqqusinersuaq 7, ☏ +299 348094. M-Th 13:00-00:00, F 13:00-03:00, Sa 12:00-03:00, Su 12:00-00:00. The oldest bar in Nuuk. Very lively
- 3 Daddy's, Imaneq 30 (Next to Godthåb Bryghus). Irish-inspired pub.
Sleep
- 1 Hotel Hans Egede, Aqqusinersuaq 1-5, ☏ +299 324222, fax: +299 324487, booking@hhe.gl. Nuuk's largest hotel.
- 2 HHE Express, Aqqusinersuaq 14B, ☏ +299 34 80 10, booking@hhex.gl.
- 3 Hotel Seamen's Home, Marinevej 3 (At the harbour), ☏ +299 32 10 29, fax: +299 32 21 04, nuuk@soemandshjem.gl. Check-in: 10ː00, check-out: 14ː00.
- 4 Hotel Nordbo, Vandsøvej 13, ☏ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, info@nordbo.gl. From 895 kr.
- Hotel Centerbo & Nordbo Apartments, Samuel Kleinschmidtsvej 11, ☏ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, info@nordbo.gl. 795-1,685 kr.
- 5 Hotel Aurora, Paassaasivik 8, ☏ +299 38 40 45.
Connect
- 1 Public and National Library of Greenland, Imaneq 26, ☏ +299 32 11 56.
Stay safe
- 2 Queen Ingrid's Hospital (Dronning Ingridip Napparsimmavissua), ☏ +299 34 40 00. The university hospital of Greenland, founded in 1953.
Nuuk is only a small town, with a population of about 15,000. Crime rates are very low, there are no slums and no places you should avoid.
Go next
You can choose among the destinations served by the boats and planes leaving Nuuk. The very adventurous can travel inland by foot or dog sled.