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, the Nuussuaq district features heated swimming pools, a shooting club, a golf course and an artist workshop. Visit Ilisimatusarfik, 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.
