Bygd in Nuuk Fjord

Nuuk 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 1/4 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 Greenland, has a subarctic climate. Being on the coast helps moderate temperatures somewhat, though, so winter temperatures are not unlike what one would experience in northern Europe or central Canada. However, in July the average temperature is only 7°C, with highs rarely above 15°C, so don't plan on a warm day any time of year!

The fall is the time with the most rainfall and snowfall, but it is at a pretty steady rate all year round.

Nuuk Aurora

Get in

There is absolutely no road or rail system connecting cities within Greenland. The only practical means to travel is by boat or air. On foot is less practical and far more strenuous, but somewhat plausible.

By plane

Nuuk has one airport (GOH  ^IATA), which is located about 4 km northeast of town.

• Air Greenland offers connections to various destinations in Greenland. During the summer months they fly to Keflavík, Iceland, and to Iqaluit, NU, Canada.
• Air Iceland flies year-round to Reykjavík, three times a week during the summer and twice a week during the winter months.

By boat

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

Iceberg in Fjord, Summer

Nuuk has a small bus company (Nuup Bussii A/S), or you can rent a car.

Nuuk at Night

• Nuup Bussii A/S, ☏ +299 342 300, fax: +299 342 301, post@bus.gl. 

See

Nuuk

The old colonial town is located 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.

Hans Egede monument

Do

• Nuuk Snow Festival. 
• Nuuk Marathon. 

Nuuk Arena

Katuaq

• 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.

Learn

• The University of Greenland (Ilisimatusarfik), Address, ☏ +299 324566, fax: +299 324711, email@ilisimatusarfik.gl. 

• Nuuk Technical College. 

• The Greenlandic School of Journalism, ☏ +1-513-555-5555. 

• The College of Education (Ilinniarfissuaq), ☏ +299 321191, fax: +299 322099, ilinnia@teachnet.gl. 

Buy

Handmade seal skin gloves. They cost around 500 DKR but will serve you for a long time. Ask for a shop near Colonial town.

Eat

• 1 Cafe Esmeralda, Aqqusinersuaq 6, 1. sal, ☏ +299 48 22 03, kontakt@cafeesmeralda.gl. 10AM-9PM, bar closes 1AM on weekends. Pasta, wrap, burgers, omelets and sandwiches. DKK 100. 

• 2 Godthaab Bryghus, Imaneq 30, ☏ +299 348060, info@nuukcafe.gl. This brewpub have good beer and good food. Burgers and steaks, often serves muskox, reindeer and lamb DKK 200. 

• 3 Sarfalik (In Hotel Hans Egede). Gourmet food at reasonable prices. They have both a global menu and a local menu with muskox, carabou, seal, whale, etc. the course menu: DKK550. 

• 4 Nipisa, Hans Egedevej 29 (Next to the huge Santa Claus mailbox), ☏ +299 321210, fax: +299 311001. We-Sa 6PM-10:30PM, brunch Sa-Su 11AM-2PM. Excellent gourmet food in the old Nuuk shipyard DKK 1000 for 5 course dinner with wine menu. 

• 5 Charoen Porn, Aqqusinersuaq 5, ☏ +299 325759, info@charoenporn.gl. Great thai food with a Greenlandic touch - mattag, halibut, whale, and musk ox DKK 100 for mains, DKK 300 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 (DKK60 for 40cl 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, info@barista.gl. 11AM-midnight. The place to get good coffee, slushies, and sandwiches DKK 25 for coffee. 

Bars

• 1 Kristinemut, Aqqusinersuaq 7, ☏ (+299) 348094FORMATNOCC. Mo-Th: 1PM-midnight, Fr: 1PM-3AM, Sa: noon-3AM, Su: noon-midnight. The oldest bar in Nuuk. Very lively 

• 2 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 Hotel Seamen's Home, Marinevej 3 (At the harbour), ☏ +299 32 10 29, fax: +299 32 21 04, nuuk@soemandshjem.gl. 

• Hotel Nordbo, Vandsøvej 13, ☏ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, info@nordbo.gl. From DKK 895. 

• Hotel Centerbo & Nordbo Apartments, Samuel Kleinschmidtsvej 11, ☏ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, info@nordbo.gl. DKK 795 to 1 685. 

Stay safe

As Nuuk is only a small town, with a population of about 15,000, there is more or less no crime, there are no slums, and no places you should avoid, you can walk around everywhere at any time and stay safe if you just use your common sense.