Nuuk Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Mads Pihl/visitgreenland.com
Photo provided by Camilla Hylleberg/visitgreenland.com
Photo provided by Mads Pihl/visitgreenland.com
Photo provided by Mads Pihl/visitgreenland.com
Photo provided by Niels Jakob Kleist/visitgreenland.com

Explore this dynamic city, affectionately called "Nuuk York" by locals, and experience Greenlandic fish recipes, vibrant artistic flair and stunning vistas of dramatic mountains.

In Greenland's capital city old traditions blend with modern culture. Take a walk around the Colonial Harbor to appreciate the city’s heritage then discover the Nuuk of today which includes a thriving urban scene, with young BMX riders, diverse cafés and cultural life. Nuuk is a small city, home to just 16,800 people, so many attractions are within easy walking distance of each other.

Begin your exploration in downtown Nuuk, where you'll find shops, restaurants and government buildings. Dine on meals made from the city’s main industry: fish. Try halibut and shrimp, commonly served with angelica, an iconic Greenlandic herb.

Take a tour of the Katuaq Culture Center where the city's main arts and music events are held. Head next door and browse boutiques at the Nuuk Center, the country's first shopping mall.

At Colonial Harbor, hear the adventures of Greenland's first colonial settlers at the Greenland National Museum and admire the compact beauty of Nuuk Cathedral, one of the smallest cathedral’s in the world. At the waterside neighborhood of at Myggedalen, photograph quaint, colorful houses and spectacular water views.

To the north, theNuussuaqdistrict features heated swimming pools, a shooting club, a golf course and an artist workshop. VisitIlisimatusarfik, one of the world's smallest universities, and see students studying in a most spectacular setting.

Further afield, visit the district of Qinngorput where there’s convenient access to Ukkusissat mountain. Hike the marked trail to its peak, at 2,591 feet (790 meters), for spectacular views of Nuuk and surrounds. Easier hikes can be found in the picturesque Paradise Valley, which sparkles in the Arctic summer. Try trout fishing or berry picking with a camping trip at Qooqqut.

Bus tours to Kapisillit offer insight into traditional Inuit life. Nearby, take a walk in the peaceful area around Seven Lakes.

Get to Nuuk via a 4-hour flight from Iceland's Reykjavik, which also connects flights from most European capitals. Visit in the winter holiday season and watch a special lighting of the Christmas Tree, one of the closest public Christmas events to Santa's home in the North Pole.

Where to stay in Nuuk

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Nuussuaq

While Nuussuaq may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Nuuk Harbour and National Greenland Museum and Archives.

Nuussuaq
HHE Express Hotel
HHE Express Hotel
3 out of 5
Aqqusinersuaq 14B, Nuuk
The price is NZ$333 per night from 12 July to 13 July
NZ$333
12 July - 13 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Nuuk. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and Nuuk Harbour ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (56 reviews)
"Friendly staff in a hotel well situated. Rooms comfortable although no tea and coffee in rooms. Beds comfy enough."

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2025

HHE Express Hotel
Hotel Hans Egede
Hotel Hans Egede
4 out of 5
Aqqusinersuaq 1-3, Nuuk
The price is NZ$529 per night from 7 July to 8 July
NZ$529
7 July - 8 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Nuuk. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and Nuuk Art ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (84 reviews)
"Great hotel but insanely small Rooms for the price. Nuuk has limited hotels and the features in the room were nothing special. Still it has two great restaurants and a good bar. It’s not a 5 Star hotel but it’s luxury for Greenland."

Reviewed on 17 May 2025

Hotel Hans Egede
Hotel Nordbo
Hotel Nordbo
3 out of 5
Vandsøvej 13, Nuuk
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Nuuk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuuk Art Museum and Nuuk Stadium are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (22 reviews)
"Good place."

Reviewed on 5 Mar. 2025

Hotel Nordbo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Nordbo
Hotel Nordbo
3 out of 5
Vandsøvej 13, Nuuk
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Nuuk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuuk Art Museum and Nuuk Stadium are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (22 reviews)
"Good place."

Reviewed on 5 Mar. 2025

Hotel Nordbo
Hotel Nordbo City
Hotel Nordbo City
3 out of 5
Samuelkleinsmidtsvej 11, Nuuk
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Nuuk. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and National Greenland ...
8/10 Very Good! (46 reviews)
"Really large and confortable. Well equipped, one blind missing in the bedroom that could have been nice to be fixed."

Reviewed on 10 Jun. 2025

Hotel Nordbo City
Nuuk Hotel Apartments by HHE
Nuuk Hotel Apartments by HHE
3.5 out of 5
Samuel Kleinschmidtip Aqqutaa, Nuuk, Sermersooq Kommune
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Nuuk. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Nuuk’s Boardwalk and Katuaq Cultural ...
"Great apartment close to everything."

Reviewed on 17 Jul. 2024

Nuuk Hotel Apartments by HHE
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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