Nuuk

Introduction

kids on the block

© Pleym

Nuuk (Danish: Godthåb) is the capital of Greenland and with just over 15,000 people it is the largest settlement in the country as well. It is located on the west coast of Greenland about 250 kilometres south from the Arctic Circle and many people visiting this isolated piece of land fly into the airport just outside the capital. Although the town itself being small, the municipality is about three times the size of Belgium, mostly uninhabited of course. A combination of Danish and Inuit people inhabited the city itself and apart from a few churches and museums it is not of much interest to travellers, but serves as a stepping point to Greenland's vast natural features.

Sights and Activities

Greenland National Museum (Greenlandic: Nunatta katersugaasivia allagaateqarfialu), ☏ +299 32 26 11.
Nuuk Art Museum (Danish: Nuuk Kunstmuseum).

The old colonial town is on the east coast side of the town centre. Here you will also find the statue of Hans Egede, Hans Egede's House and church.

Statue of Hans Egede.
Hans Egede's House. Built in 1728 and reputably the oldest house in the country. The former residence of Hans Egede and later used for the country's prime minister. It is now used for government receptions.
Hans Egede Church. A wooden Evangelical Lutheran church.

Events and Festivals

• The National Day of Greenland is held on the 21st of June each year - the lightest day of the year - as a celebration of Greenland's traditions and cultural heritage. People often dress in national costumes to mark the occasion.
• The Nuuk Snow Festival allows sculptors four days to create fantastic constructions from snow. Teams from Greenland and the around the world take part in this festival held in February, when snow is plentiful.
• Return of the Sun - January’s return of the sun after several weeks or months of constant darkness is a major cause for celebration in Greenland. Although the exact day varies throughout the country, each local community celebrates the occasion with plenty of coffee, sweets, music, and special family togetherness.

Weather

Apart from the southern tip of Greenland, Nuuk has one of the 'warmest' climates in Greenland, especially compared to the harsh climate in the interior. Temperatures are averaging 11 °C during the day in July and August, but the alltime high is 24 °C! Nights are slightly above zero on average and can drop a few degrees below during this time of year. In winter, maximum temperatures are around -7 °C during the day, and -13 °C at night, though it can be as cold as -29 °C and as warm as plus 15 °C! Precipitation is quite evenly distributed throughout the year, with 10 to 13 days a month. Winters are slightly drier compared to late summer and autumn, and snowfall is possible during this time, sometimes (rare though) in summer!

Getting There

There are no roads or railways connecting cities within Greenland. The only practical means to travel is by boat or air. On foot is less practical and far more strenuous.

By Plane

The capital has its own airport, but due to length constraints of its runway, it only accommodates small aircraft and domestic flights. Flying to Nuuk from abroad requires changing from a large airliner to a smaller aircraft on neighbouring airports like Kangerlussuaq.

Nuuk Airport (GOH IATA) is about 4 km northeast of town. Air Greenland offers connections to various destinations in Greenland, including Kangerlussuaq which has flights to Copenhagen, a major airport. During the summer months they fly to Keflavík Airport, Iceland, where there are flights to Canada, Europe and the United States. Air Iceland flies year-round to Reykjavík (domestic airport), three times a week during the summer and twice a week during the winter months.

By Boat

Arctic Umiaq Line has a passenger terminal to Maniitsoq-Sisimiut-Aasiaat-Uummannaq and Paamiut-Qaqortoq-Narsaq-Narsarsuaq.
Royal Arctic Line and Blue Water are cargo-boat companies operating out of Nuuk.

Getting Around

Nuuk has a small bus company (Nuup Bussii A/S), or you can rent a car.

Nuup Bussii A/S, ☏ +299 342 300, fax: +299 342 301, ✉ [email protected]. Six bus routes. Ticket costs 15 kr for adults and is good for 90 min.
Sixt Car Rental, Industrivej 18 and at the airport.

Eat

• Cafe Esmeralda, Aqqusinersuaq 6, 1. sal, ☎ +299 48 22 03, e-mail: [email protected]. 10:00am-9:00pm, bar closes 1:00am on weekends. Pasta, wrap, burgers, omelets and sandwiches. DKK 100.
• Godthaab Bryghus, Imaneq 30, ☎ +299 348060, e-mail: [email protected]. This brewpub has good beer and good food. Burgers and steaks, often serves muskox, reindeer and lamb DKK 200.
• Sarfalik (In Hotel Hans Egede). Gourmet food at reasonable prices. They have both a global menu and a local menu with muskox, carabou, seal, whale, etc. the course menu: DKK550.
• Nipisa, Hans Egedevej 29 (Next to the huge Santa Claus mailbox), ☎ +299 321210, fax: +299 311001. We-Sa 6:00pm-10:30pm, brunch Sa-Su 11:00am-2:00pm. Excellent gourmet food in the old Nuuk shipyard DKK 1000 for 5 course dinner with wine menu. edit
• Charoen Porn, Aqqusinersuaq 5, ☎ +299 325759, e-mail: [email protected]. Great thai food with a Greenlandic touch - mattag, halibut, whale, and musk ox DKK 100 for mains, DKK 300 for the big menu

Red Dragon (努克), Imaneq 30, ☏ +299 34 80 80, ✉ [email protected]. A self-described Chinese-Greenlandic fusion restaurant, with a wide range of dishes. Main meals from around 80 kr.

Drink

Central Nuuk offers a variety of locations for the enjoyment of alcoholic beverages, all within quick walking distance of each other. Nearly all pubs offer the same selection of beer (Classic on tap and Tuborg and Carlsberg in bottles) at the same (expensive) price (DKK60 for 40cl of draught), but beer from Godthaab Bryghus is also available.

Greenlandic coffee is prepared with coffee, whisky, kahlua, whipped cream and grand marnier. It is prepared at the table in a little show and if you ask, you also get the story.

Barista, Spindlers Bakke 10C, ☏ +299 321114. 11:00-00:00. The place to get good coffee, slushies, and sandwiches 25 kr for coffee.
Kristinemut, Aqqusinersuaq 7, ☏ +299 348094. M-Th 13:00-midnight, F 13:00-03:00, Sa noon-03:00, Su noon-midnight. The oldest bar in Nuuk. Very lively.
Daddy's, Imaneq 30 (Next to Godthåb Bryghus). Irish-inspired pub.

Sleep

• Hotel Hans Egede, Aqqusinersuaq 1-5, ☎ +299 324222, fax: +299 324487, e-mail: [email protected]. Nuuk's largest hotel.
• Hotel Seamen's Home, Marinevej 3 (At the harbour), ☎ +299 32 10 29, fax: +299 32 21 04, e-mail: [email protected].
• Hotel Nordbo, Vandsøvej 13, ☎ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, e-mail: [email protected]. From DKK 895.
• Hotel Centerbo & Nordbo Apartments, Samuel Kleinschmidtsvej 11, ☎ +299 32 66 44, fax: +299 32 66 00, e-mail: [email protected]. DKK 795 to 1 685

Keep Connected

Internet

Thanks to undersea fiber optic cable links to Europe and broadband satellite, Greenland is well connected with 93% of the population having internet access. Your hotel or hosts (if staying in a guesthouse or private home) will likely have wifi or an internet connected PC, and all settlements have an internet cafe or some location with public wifi. Ask around if you need help finding it.

Phone

See also: International Telephone Calls

The international telephone code for Greenland is 299.

Tele Greenland is the only telephone and internet provider. Mobile phones have coverage in all larger villages, including 3G internet access. The mobile phone system in Greenland is GSM 900/1800, and with the exception of one or two settlements the system covers all the inhabited areas of Greenland. Note that roaming charges are international (as Greenland is outside the EU), and much higher than someone from EU would pay inside EU.

Post

Post Greenland is the company responsible for postal service in Greenland. It has reliable services, but as you might imagine, it takes a while for your letter or postcard to arrive. Post offices can be found in all major communities in Greenland. Business hours are typically Monday-Friday 9:00am-3:00pm. Mail from Greenland takes about four to five days to reach Europe.

External Links