Nuuk is Greenland’s capital and its largest town, home to 20,298 people on 1 January 2026, about a third of the country’s population. It sits on a rocky peninsula at the mouth of Nuuk Fjord on the southwest coast, with the pointed peak of Sermitsiaq across the water and the town mountains Ukkusissaq and Quassussuaq rising behind the apartment blocks. Founded in 1728, Nuuk mixes old and new: wooden colonial houses around the harbor, where the Greenland National Museum and Archives tells the story of thousands of years of Arctic life, alongside modern landmarks such as the Katuaq Cultural Centre, cafés, restaurants and a busy cultural calendar. From the harbor, boats head into one of the world’s largest fjord systems to see whales, icebergs and abandoned settlements. Since November 2024, Nuuk’s new runway has brought direct jet flights from Copenhagen and, in summer, from Newark. Come from June to September for whales, hiking and long days, or from October to March for northern lights, and allow two to four days.
Right now in Nuuk
- Wed3–5°C37–40°F1 mm rain
- Thu2–5°C36–40°FCloudy
- Fri1–3°C33–37°FPartly cloudy
Top tours in Nuuk
See all tours for Nuuk →
From local operators, with prices and reviews; you check availability and book on Viator, our partner. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money
Nuuk at a glance
- Best for: Greenlandic culture and history, fjord boat trips and whale watching, short mountain hikes, northern lights and the country’s best restaurants.
- How long: one day for the Colonial Harbour, the museum and Katuaq; two to four days with a fjord trip and a hike.
- Best time: June to October for whale watching, boat trips and hiking; October to March for northern lights; February to April for skiing and snowshoeing.
- Getting there: direct flights from Copenhagen year-round, from Aalborg and Keflavík, and from Newark in summer; bus route 3 and taxis link the airport with the center.
- Getting around: on foot in the center; Nuup Bussii buses and taxis for the rest of town.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, flights and the climate are in our Greenland travel guide.
Nuuk’s areas and who each one suits
- The center: the main street with shops, cafés, the cultural center Katuaq, hotels and the cathedral nearby. For first-timers who want everything within walking distance.
- The Colonial Harbour: the oldest part of town on the shore, with the National Museum, Hans Egede’s House, said to be the oldest house in Greenland, the local museum and the wooden church. Quiet, historic and close to the water.
- Nuussuaq and Qinngorput: newer residential districts with apartment blocks, schools and supermarkets, toward the airport and the eastern shore. For self-catering stays and longer visits.
- Myggedalen and the shore: the much-photographed colorful houses on the rocks above the sea, a short walk from the Colonial Harbour.
Top things to see in Nuuk
Greenland National Museum and Archives
Housed in historic warehouses at the Colonial Harbour, at Hans Egedesvej 8, the national museum covers Greenland’s archaeology, Inuit cultures, kayaks and skin boats, tools, clothing and art. According to the museum, it opens daily from 10:00 to 17:00 from 15 April to 15 September and from 12:00 to 16:00 from 16 September to 14 April, and closes on 24–26 and 31 December. Adult entry costs DKK 100; children and students go free.
The Colonial Harbour
Nuuk began here in 1728. Today the waterfront is a calm walk among the town’s oldest buildings, including Hans Egede’s House, the Nuuk Local Museum (Nuutoqaq) and the Kittat Economusée, where you can see the Greenlandic national costume being made by hand. On the shore stands the “Mother of the Sea” sculpture, which disappears under the water at high tide, a figure from Inuit legend.
Katuaq Cultural Centre
Nuuk’s cultural center is a landmark in the middle of town, with a wavy, golden wooden facade inspired by the ripples of the northern lights. It hosts concerts, theater, films and exhibitions and has a café, so it is worth checking the program during your stay.
Nuuk Art Museum and the National Theatre
The Nuuk Art Museum shows Greenlandic and Nordic art, from paintings and sculpture to small carvings, in a building on the edge of the center. The National Theatre of Greenland stages plays and performances, often in Greenlandic.
Sermitsiaq and the town mountains
The peak of Sermitsiaq, across the fjord, is Nuuk’s emblem and is seen from all over town. Closer in, Quassussuaq (Little Malene) and Ukkusissaq (Store Malene) can be hiked from town in summer, with views over the city, the islands and the fjord; Quassussuaq is also Nuuk’s ski hill in winter. Ask locally about trail conditions and take warm layers even on sunny days.
Malik swimming hall and town life
For a different side of Nuuk, swim at Malik, the town’s award-winning swimming hall with views of the mountains, browse the craft and design shops, or have coffee and cake in one of the cafés on the main street.
Nuuk Fjord: whales, icebergs and boat trips
Nuuk Fjord reaches far inland toward the ice sheet, with branches lined by steep mountains, glaciers and the remains of old settlements. Boat tours leave from the harbor all year, and according to Visit Greenland, whale watching runs from June to October, when humpback whales feed near the mouth of the fjord. Longer trips sail deep into the fjord to see icebergs and calving glaciers or to the small settlement of Kapisillit, and some tours stop at abandoned settlements or for fishing. See our boat trips guide.
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are offered in calm weather, and helicopter scenic flights show the fjord and the ice from above. Anglers can fish for cod, redfish and Arctic char with a license, which costs DKK 75 for 24 hours.
Hiking, snow and the northern lights
In summer, walking trails start right from town: the climb up Quassussuaq is the classic short hike, Ukkusissaq is longer and steeper, and boats can drop experienced hikers further up the fjord. See our hiking guide. From February to April, the snow brings downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and from October to March, northern lights tours head out of town to darker places on clear nights; on good nights the lights are visible from Nuuk itself.
Food, shopping and nightlife
Nuuk has Greenland’s widest choice of restaurants, from hotel restaurants serving Greenlandic tasting menus with musk ox, reindeer, halibut, snow crab and shrimp to Thai, pizza and burger places and cozy cafés. Prices are high and alcohol especially so; supermarkets sell it only from Monday to Saturday, 10:00–20:00. For souvenirs, look for crafts made of bone, soapstone and sealskin by local artists, and for design shops and bookstores in the center. Nightlife is small but friendly, with a few bars and live music, and concerts at Katuaq.
Trips from Nuuk
- Nuuk Fjord: a half-day or full-day boat trip for whales, icebergs and glaciers.
- Kapisillit: a small settlement deep in the fjord, by boat; Visit Greenland describes a hiking route of about 140 km between Nuuk and Kapisillit for experienced, self-sufficient hikers.
- Ilulissat: fly north to the Icefjord; see our Ilulissat guide.
- Kangerlussuaq and Sisimiut: by domestic flight, for the ice sheet and the Arctic Circle Trail.
- Iceland: direct flights to Keflavík for a stopover in Reykjavík.
Getting there and getting around
Arriving by air
Nuuk Airport’s 2,200 m runway opened on 28 November 2024, and the airport now takes jets from abroad. According to Visit Greenland, Air Greenland flies year-round from Copenhagen and in summer from Aalborg, Icelandair and Air Greenland fly from Keflavík in Iceland, and United Airlines flies twice a week from Newark from June to September. Domestic flights connect Nuuk with Ilulissat, Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut, Aasiaat, Maniitsoq, Qaqortoq and other towns. Our Greenland guide has more on flights.
From the airport, Nuup Bussii’s route 3 runs to town daily; Greenland Airports lists the last bus from the airport at 17:11. Taxis wait outside: Nuuk Taxi (+299 36 36 36) and Taxagut (+299 32 13 21).
Arriving by sea
Arctic Umiaq Line’s coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk calls at Nuuk on its route between Qaqortoq and Ilulissat from April to December, and expedition cruise ships stop at Nuuk in summer.
Getting around town
The center and the Colonial Harbour are walkable, though the town is hilly and icy in winter. Nuup Bussii runs four bus lines across town, taxis are easy to call, and rental cars are available, but the roads only go as far as the edge of town.
When to go and how long to stay
According to the Danish Meteorological Institute’s 1991–2020 climate normals for Nuuk, the mean daily temperature is 4.7–7.0 °C (40–45 °F) from June to August, with July afternoons averaging 10.5 °C (51 °F), and −5.3 to −8.3 °C (22–17 °F) from December to February. Nuuk gets 874 mm of precipitation a year, most of it from August to November, when September is the wettest month at 106 mm. The year’s mean temperature is −1.0 °C (30 °F).
Summer brings long, light evenings, whales and the best hiking. National Day on 21 June, the longest day of the year, is celebrated with festivities around town. In winter, days are short, but the snow and northern lights make Nuuk a good city break.
Allow one full day for the town’s sights, two days with a fjord trip, and three or four days to add a hike and a second boat trip, or to wait out a day of bad weather.
Where to stay in Nuuk
- The center: Nuuk’s main hotels, close to restaurants, Katuaq and the shops. Best for a short stay.
- Near the Colonial Harbour: guesthouses and apartments in the quieter old part of town, close to the museum and the shore.
- Nuussuaq and Qinngorput: apartments and guest rooms in the residential districts, closer to the airport; good for longer stays with a kitchen.
Nuuk has a limited number of rooms, and conferences and summer cruises fill them, so book well ahead for June to September.
What a trip to Nuuk costs
Nuuk is expensive, with prices about 10% above Scandinavia according to Visit Greenland, but walking, hiking and the Colonial Harbour are free, and the National Museum costs DKK 100. Our estimates for one person per day, sharing a double room, as of October 2026:
| Style | Estimated cost per day | What that looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | about DKK 900–1,400 | A guest room or hostel, supermarket meals and café lunches, buses, the museum and a hike |
| Mid-range | about DKK 2,000–3,500 | A central hotel, restaurant dinners and a fjord boat trip |
| High-end | about DKK 5,000+ | The best hotel rooms, tasting menus, private boat or helicopter trips |
Practical tips for Nuuk
- Bring your passport: Greenland is outside Schengen, and EU ID cards are not accepted for entry, except Nordic ones.
- Money: cards work almost everywhere, but carry some Danish kroner; Nuuk has ATMs, including one at the airport.
- Plan for weather: boat trips and flights can be delayed by wind and fog, so keep a spare day before your flight home.
- Sled dogs: working dogs are not pets; do not touch them without the owner’s permission.
- Emergencies: dial 112; Greenland Police can be reached at any time on +299 70 14 48, and Nuuk has the country’s main hospital.
What to pack for Nuuk
Pack warm layers, including a fleece or down jacket, a windproof and waterproof shell, a hat and gloves, even in summer; sturdy, waterproof hiking boots; sunglasses and sunscreen for the bright light on snow and water; and mosquito repellent or a head net for June to August. In winter, add thermal underwear, insulated boots and ice grips for icy streets. Bring a two-pin European plug adapter if you are coming from North America or the UK.
Nuuk travel FAQ
Is Nuuk worth visiting?
Yes. It is the best place in Greenland for museums, culture and restaurants, and its fjord offers whales, icebergs and mountain scenery within a short boat ride.
How do I get from Nuuk Airport to the center?
Take Nuup Bussii’s route 3, which runs daily (the last bus leaves the airport at 17:11), or a taxi from Nuuk Taxi or Taxagut.
Can you fly directly to Nuuk?
Yes. Air Greenland flies directly from Copenhagen year-round, and there are flights from Aalborg in summer, from Keflavík in Iceland, and from Newark with United from June to September.
When can you see whales in Nuuk?
From June to October, according to Visit Greenland, on boat trips into Nuuk Fjord.
Can you see the northern lights in Nuuk?
Yes, on clear, dark nights from October to March. Tours take you away from the town lights for the best views.
How much does the Greenland National Museum cost?
DKK 100 for adults; children and students go free. It opens daily, 10:00–17:00 in summer (15 April–15 September) and 12:00–16:00 the rest of the year.
How cold is Nuuk?
According to DMI’s 1991–2020 normals, the coldest month, February, averages −8.3 °C (17 °F), and the warmest, July, 7.0 °C (45 °F), with afternoon highs around 10.5 °C (51 °F).
How many days do you need in Nuuk?
Two to four days: one for the town and museums, one for a fjord boat trip, and extra time for a hike or bad weather.
Plan your trip
Partner links: TravelerCenter may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Sources · last reviewed 6 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 6 October 2026. The population comes from Statistics Greenland (1 January 2026); climate normals from the Danish Meteorological Institute (1991–2020); museum hours and prices from the Greenland National Museum and Archives; sights, seasons, the bus network, taxis, flights and fishing licenses from Visit Greenland; the airport bus and taxis from Greenland Airports; the runway from Air Greenland; the police number from Greenland Police; and entry rules from the Danish immigration service. Descriptions of the town’s districts are general and daily costs are our estimates. Schedules, prices and rules change, so check the official sites before you travel.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB · Wikidata (CC0)