Located at the end of the Nuup Kangerlua fjord, Nuuk serves is the largest city and capital of Greenland. It was founded in 1728 by the Dano-Norwegian missionary Hans Egede, who named it Godthåb (“Good Hope”). Over time, the name fell out of fashion in favour of the Greenlandic word for “cape”, Nuuk.
Things to do in Nuuk
One of Nuuk’s most iconic landmarks is the 1849-built Church of Our Saviour, a red wooden building that houses two large brass candelabras gifted by the Church of Norway. In 1993, it was officially designated as the Cathedral of Greenland and now hosts lively National Day celebrations. In front of the building is a bronze bust of the renowned organist Jonathan Petersen while a statue of Hans Egede dominates a hill nearby.
Established in 1965, the Greenland National Museum is a fascinating destination for delving into the history and culture of the country. It occupies a beautiful old warehouse overlooking the harbour and houses artefacts related to art, archaeology and folklore. A highlight of the collection is the Qilakitsoq mummies, which date back to the mid-15th century.
Housed within a former church is the Nuuk Art Museum, which features an impressive collection of paintings, drawings, wood and soapstone sculptures. It boasts a large number of paintings by Emanuel A. Petersen, a Danish artist who travelled to Greenland several times between the 1920s and 1940s to capture its landscapes. Hans Lynge, Christine Deichmann and Buuti Pedersen are also represented in its gallery spaces.
Getting around Nuuk
Nuuk Airport is a 10-minute drive from the city centre and has flights to destinations across Greenland and Iceland. Buses travel around the city while the centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Weekly ferries connect Nuuk with towns along Greenland’s west coast.