Sermersooq · Greenland

Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

The capital of Greenland, between the colonial harbor and modern buildings, with the National Museum, the wooden cathedral and boats on the large Nuuk fjord.

Nuuk and East Greenland

In the photo: Rocks and tundra on the shores of Nuup Kangerlua, the Nuuk fjord.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Nuuk is the capital and largest city of Greenland, with about 20,000 residents, on the southwest coast. Across the water from the city, the mountain Sermitsiaq, 1,210 meters high, is visible from almost every neighborhood.

The city was founded in 1728, when the missionary Hans Egede established the colony of Godthåb in the colonial harbor. There are the old houses, the red wooden cathedral and the National Museum, which houses the Qilakitsoq mummies. Higher up, the center has modern buildings, the Katuaq cultural center, the parliament, the university and shops.

Inland, the fjord divides into long branches that end in glacier fronts. Boats reach settlements, valleys with summer huts and Norse ruins, and in summer tours depart to see humpback whales.

The city also concentrates the country’s main airport, the departure point for flights to other regions and to the east coast.

This destination brings together 1 city: Nuuk.

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The cities on this trip

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Where Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord is

Dados cartográficos: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); contorno terrestre: Natural Earth (public domain). Adapted by Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

✈ Nuuk Mittarfia (GOH) · 5 km to Nuuk

The capital is the main gateway to the country, with flights from Denmark and Iceland and, in the summer season, from the United States. Internal flights depart from here. Confirm routes before booking.

Sermersooq · Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord Capital

Nuuk

The country’s capital occupies a rocky peninsula at the mouth of the large fjord, with Sermitsiaq on the other side of the water. It mixes the colonial harbor, with Hans Egede’s house, the cathedral and the National Museum, with modern buildings such as the Katuaq cultural center. It is the base for boat trips on the fjord and for flights to the rest of the country.

The local experience

Things to do in Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Museum

Greenland National Museum and Archives

The country’s main museum, in old buildings of Nuuk’s colonial harbor. It covers more than four thousand years of history, from the first peoples to the colonial era, and houses the Qilakitsoq mummies.

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Church

Church of Our Saviour

A mid-19th-century red wooden Lutheran church near the colonial harbour. It is Greenland’s cathedral and one of the most familiar images of the capital.

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Cultural centre

Katuaq Cultural Centre

Greenland’s cultural centre, opened in 1997 in central Nuuk, with a waved wooden façade. It hosts concerts, cinema, theatre and exhibitions.

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Museum

Nuuk Art Museum

An art museum with paintings, drawings, watercolours and sculptures in bone, wood and soapstone that depict Greenland over time, by local artists and travellers.

See 2 more places in Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Fiord

Nuuk Fjord

The large fjord that opens north and east of the capital, divided into arms that cut into the mainland to glacier fronts. Boat trips go to settlements, summer huts and glacier fronts.

Nuuk · Sermersooq · Historic neighborhood

Colonial Harbour

The old town core, on the fjord shore, with colorful colonial-era houses, Hans Egede’s house, the museum and the Mother of the Sea sculpture, which appears at low tide.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

Summer is the season for boats on the fjord and for open hiking trails. In winter, daylight is short in December and January, but there is skiing and, on clear nights, a chance of auroras.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Two days cover the city at an unhurried pace. If you want to explore the fjord and the mountains, add another one or two days.

Which city to stay in

The center, near the main street and Katuaq, puts shops, restaurants and the route to the colonial harbor within walking distance. The colonial harbor area is quieter and sits on the fjord. Nuussuaq and Qinngorput, more remote residential neighborhoods, have water views and are connected to the center by bus.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

What is the best time to visit Nuuk?

Summer, from June to August, is the time for boats on the fjord and for hiking. In winter there is skiing and auroras on clear nights, but the days are short.

Is Nuuk worth visiting or just a stopover?

Worth at least two days: it has the country’s main museum, the old part of town, the cultural life at Katuaq and the fjord, one of the largest on the west coast.

Do you need a car in Nuuk?

No. The city has urban buses and taxis, and the center is walkable. There are no roads to other towns.

From Nuuk can you go to other towns in Greenland?

Yes, by plane: Nuuk is the hub for internal flights, with connections to Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, Qaqortoq, Kulusuk and other towns. For part of the year, passenger ships sail the west coast.

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Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

The cities on this trip

How to get there: Nuuk and the Nuuk Fjord

Nuuk