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 Harbour 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 Centre where the city's main arts and music events are held. Head next door and browse boutiques at the Nuuk Centre, the country's first shopping mall.

At Colonial Harbour, 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 neighbourhood of at Myggedalen, photograph quaint, colourful 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 metres), 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 Katuaq Cultural Centre.

Nuussuaq
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Old Nuuk

While visiting Old Nuuk, you might make a stop by sights like Mother of the Sea and Hans Egede Statue.

Old Nuuk
HHE Express Hotel

HHE Express Hotel

3 out of 5
Aqqusinersuaq 14B, Nuuk
The price is £178 per night from 29 Aug to 30 Aug
£178
per night
29 Aug - 30 Aug
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Nuuk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and Nuuk Harbour ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (87 reviews)
"Nice property. Good breakfast. Walkable to all sights in Nuuk. Bed comfortable but only one very thin pillow included and no black out blinds - not great in summer when the sun never sets in Greenland."

Reviewed on 3 Aug 2025

HHE Express Hotel
Hotel Hans Egede

Hotel Hans Egede

4 out of 5
Aqqusinersuaq 1-3, Nuuk
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £258 per night from 15 Aug to 16 Aug
£258
per night
15 Aug - 16 Aug
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Nuuk. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and Nuuk Art ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (100 reviews)
"Nice hotel great location. The restaurant/bar staff are fantastic the front desk staff is rude and very unfriendly."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2025

Hotel Hans Egede
Tuukkaq Apartments

Tuukkaq Apartments

1 out of 5
Tuukkaq, Nuuk, Sermersooq
The price is £92 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
£92
per night
1 Sept - 2 Sept
Stay at this hostel in Nuuk. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Nuuk Golf Club and Nuuk Harbour are located nearby.
8.8/10 Excellent! (25 reviews)
"Stayed at Tuukka"

Reviewed on 20 Jul 2025

Tuukkaq Apartments
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 Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nuuk Art Museum and Nuuk Stadium are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (40 reviews)
Great hotel!
"Hotel Nordbo was such a lifesaver! So much of our trip was derailed because of weather issues. The hotel went the extra mile to help us along the way. They emailed the airline on our behalf when we hadn't gotten updated information, they helped make travel arrangements around town, and they made ..."

Reviewed on 10 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Katuaq Cultural Centre and National Greenland ...
8/10 Very Good! (55 reviews)
"Room was big. Staff was very helpful. Our flight was canceled and they did so much to help us stay an extra day helped us a lot with this. Also the cleaning lady was super nice and helped me a lot during the day. Great place for a family to stay in Nuuk."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 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 Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and balconies or patios. Popular attractions Nuuk’s Boardwalk and Katuaq Cultural ...
9/10 Wonderful! (11 reviews)
"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.

Popular places to visit

Things to do