Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, is a small city situated along the country's southwest coast. Its extensive fjord system is renowned for waterfalls, humpback whales, and icebergs. The waterfront features brightly coloured houses set against the dramatic backdrop of Sermitsiaq Mountain. It is the world’s northernmost capital, located at the end of Nuup Kangerlua fjord, on the eastern shore of the Labrador Sea.
Nuuk's population is approximately 19,783 people (as of 2023). With this relatively small number of residents, Nuuk is regarded as one of the smallest capital cities in the world.
Nuuk is situated on Greenland's southwest coast at 64°11′ N, near the Labrador Sea and within the Sermersooq municipality.
Nuuk is in WGST (Western Greenland Summer Time), GMT-3. What is remarkable about Nuuk's weather is that during summer, the sun can rise as early as 4am and set at midnight, a phenomenon known as the midnight sun. These events occur regularly in the summer months in the northern parts of the Arctic and the southern parts of Antarctica. There are even days when the sun remains visible for 24 hours a day!
There are plenty of things to do in Nuuk. You can explore Old Nuuk, which is a historic centre, where you will find places such as the Greenland National Museum, which displays mummies and Inuit skin boats, while the Nuuk Art Museum exhibits local artworks. If you are also a fan of cultural performances and events, the Katuaq Cultural Centre hosts films, concerts, and exhibitions, making it a focal point of Greenlandic culture. As for the nightlife in Nuuk, since it's a small city, it doesn't offer the best options, but you can still find nice bars and local beers.
If you're planning your next trip to Nuuk, Greenland, getting there is now easier than before! While there are no direct flights from outside Greenland (yet), you can fly to Nuuk International Airport via connections from Iceland (Reykjavik) or other Greenlandic towns. Nuuk airport serves as a key hub for domestic and international travellers venturing into the Arctic. So, if you are travelling with us on any of our Arctic trips, you might pass through this airport.
Nuuk was officially founded in 1728 by a Dano-Norwegian missionary named Hans Egede. The new colony was established at the original Inuit settlement of Nûk and named Godthaab (“Good Hope”). The name “Nuuk,” meaning “cape” in Greenlandic, is commonly used in place names because of its coastal geography. Nuuk’s history of habitation dates back much further. It was first occupied by the Saqqaq culture as early as 2200 BC, followed by the Dorset culture, who disappeared before AD 1000. In the 10th century, Viking explorers arrived, and soon after, Inuit peoples also settled the area. From around 1000 until the 15th century, Inuit and Norsemen lived in close proximity but with limited interaction, until the Norse mysteriously vanished.
Nuuk’s electric power is supplied by the Buksefjord hydroelectric power plant, which runs on renewable energy. A 132 kV powerline crosses the Ameralik fjord over a record-breaking distance of 5,376 meters, making it the world’s longest free span of its kind.
Join on an Arctic adventure with Albatros Expeditions and witness the wonders of Greenland!
