Activities in Nuuk

Greenland’s capital Nuuk has a range of historical and cultural attractions, as well as plenty of fantastic scenery on its doorstep. The town is an Arctic metropolis with a completely different daily rhythm to other towns in Greenland.

Examples of activities:

By helicopter to the Ice Sheet and Norse ruins
Through fjords and over mountaintops to the base of the fjord, where you will make your first landing to look at the ruins from the Norse settlement in the area established some 1000 years ago. You then go on to the edge of the Ice Sheet, which offers both the chance to walk on the Ice Sheet itself and perhaps to have a drink mixed with ice that is many thousands of years old – fortunately there is no sell-by date on Greenland’s ice cap. The last stop is at the Kapisillit settlement, where you will be offered a cup of coffee. There are also a number of other excursions available by helicopter.

Greenland’s history and cultural sites
Whatever time of the year you visit Nuuk, there is a chance to get an exciting insight into Greenland’s history and culture. Greenland’s National Museum, attractively situated in the town’s old quarter down towards the fjord, contains a large collection of relics from Greenland’s past, kayaks, umiaks and a large array of costumes, as well as regular special exhibitions. You can easily spend a couple of hours here. More modern culture in the form of theatre, music and art can be experienced at the Katuaq culture centre and handicrafts can be seen at the art museum.

By boat on a wildlife safari
From the town you will often be able to see whales cavorting close to the coast, but it is a completely different experience actually being out amongst the whales in a comfortable boat. The most common types of whale are minke whales and humpback whales, but killer whales can also be seen from time to time. It is also not uncommon to see a seal, or indeed a whole herd of seals during such a sailing trip.