With its ethereal landscapes, magical colours, powerful nature and rich culture, Greenland is like no other place on earth. Head down to its brilliant colourful capital Nuuk and you'll find plenty to see and do. If you’re looking to explore, completely switch off and reconnect with nature, there’s nowhere better…
So, where exactly is Nuuk and how do I get there?
Greenland weighs in as the world’s largest island (with the sparsest population) and the capital Nuuk sits on its south west coast. Given that around 80 percent of Greenland is made up of an ice cap, the way to get around is hopping on one of Air Greenland’s new fleet of smart red planes, which run regular flights around the country with an excellent service. The views over glaciers, mountains and fjords from the flights are so spectacular they’re like a sightseeing tour in themselves. To actually get to Greenland you’ll have to get yourself to Copenhagen or Reykjavik first and from there year-round flights operate with Air Greenland to the country’s main hub Kangalussuaq. From here it’s a short, pretty 50-minute flight to Nuuk. Alternatively, if you want to arrive in Nuuk via the coast, the Arctic Umiaq Line coastal ferry docks twice a week (once heading north and once south), and is another complete adventure in itself.
What kind of nature can I look out for?
Despite being the capital city, there’s spectacular nature sitting right on the doorstep in Nuuk. In fact, there’s rarely a view you won’t be able to see the jagged peaks of mountains or the icebergs on the deep fjord from. Of course, you’ll be able to go out on a sightseeing tour to see whales, seals and the northern lights, but the nature is so close, you’re almost as likely to see them right from the water’s edge. In Nuuk the air is so clear you can see for miles and the contrast of the snow white mountains against the slow dawning of a pale pink and fiery orange sunrise is pretty moving - Greenland is a photographer's dream destination. Take every opportunity to get out hiking, as the stillness is incredible; sometimes an eagle will fly so close, you can hear the powerful flap of its wings.
Where to Stay:
In a word, Inuk Hostels, the scenery there is absolutely spectacular. It’s less a hostel, but more four incredibly cosy wooden cabins on the very edge of the Nuuk Fjord, with the majestic Sermitsiaq Mountain in the background. Each cabin is named after a traditional Greenlandic animal, polar bear, seal, musk ox and reindeer and they range from two to four bedrooms, with a fully equipped kitchen, bathroom and lounge area. There is nothing quite as relaxing after a long day’s hiking to come back and sit in the huge window of your wooden cabin and watch the nature unfold before you (or even spotting the northern lights dancing in the darkness in the comfort of your pyjamas… it's magical). Don’t miss a chat with Inuk Hostel’s wonderful owner Liisi, she’ll tell you everything you need to know about Greenland, as well as some lively stories. Another brilliant place to stay is the smart Hotel Hans Egede, which is located right in the town centre. There’s a mix of well-kitted out rooms and apartments with speedy WiFi and they make a great base for exploring Nuuk by foot.
So, where can I try out local delicacies?
You won’t have to go far to taste incredible food, the rooftop restaurant Safalik at Hotel Hans Egede, really is the best in town (not to mention a local favourite). Think Michelin quality food with great views (if you’re lucky you’ll get a chance to spot the northern lights while you’re dining). Up on head chef Bjørn Johansson’s menu are the likes of musk ox, red and green cabbage and liquorice for starters, and ingredients for mains including melt in your mouth Greenlandic halibut, snow crab, black crowberry, reindeer and pumpkin. In town, try local favourite Pascucci, which is great for coffees in the day and equally good for hearty dinners like burgers and big pasta dishes come evening. If you’re looking for a wonderfully cosy atmosphere then the wooden clad restaurant at the Inuk Hostels is just the ticket, think soul restoring Greenlandic fish soup and reindeer stew. Another delicacy to try out for more adventurous eaters is the local seal soup. The café at the Katuaq Cultural Centre is the perfect lunch spot for musk ox hotdogs or a beautiful Greenlandic tapas.
Can I spot the northern lights here?
Yes, you certainly can. Given its geography, with most of the country sitting above the Arctic Circle, Greenland is one of the best places on earth to spot the northern lights. It’s got very little light pollution, long spells of darkness from August to April and hundreds of superbly clear sky days. You’re incredibly likely to just spot the northern lights on an evening pottering about Nuuk. Another great place to see them is Kangerlussuaq (this is the main airport hub to change flights coming in from Denmark or Iceland) and you can factor in a few days heading out with The Aurora Zone, before heading to Nuuk. A note to remember if you are travelling in the colder months is that temperatures can drop to over minus twenty in Greenland and normal ski gear just won’t cut it. Make sure you layer up really well and invest in proper footwear and gloves before you head out into the cold.
What else is there to do?
Aside from seeing the northern lights and generally having your mind blown at every moment by Greenland’s sheer beauty, there’s plenty of other things going on. Greenland has a rich and varied culture and history and Nuuk has a vibrant cultural scene to explore. Start with the architecturally beautiful larch wood clad Katuaq Cultural Centre. Keep a close eye on its regularly changing roster of musical events and film screenings. To really delve into Greenland’s rich Inuit history, the brilliantly curated National Greenland Museum and Archives packs in so much history. You can walk back in time through Greenland’s chronological history looking at everything from traditional costumes to hunting and fishing methods. Nuuk Cathedral is a lovely place to look out to sea from and a short walk away is the Nuuk Art Museum, which is full of beautiful black and white photography and a rich collection of paintings.
Don’t leave Greenland without booking a trip with the brilliant Marc Carreras; the skilled adventurer runs well-prepared tours for his company Nuuk Adventures. Any level of skill is welcome, from expert ice climbers to gentle snowshoeing and a full range of brilliant summer hikes. On all of the trips you’ll get to take in the most incredible views and stop for regular soup breaks. The walks are exhilarating and you'll have a real sense of achievement at the end.
Get out on a boat trip on the Nuuk Fjord to see humpback whales and seals pop their heads out of the water. On the Fjord you can try a spot of fishing or be in with a chance of spotting the magical icebergs from the Narsap Sermia glacier. Another way to get out on the water is to hop on a kayaking trip. The word kayak actually originated in Greenland; try Mr Charter for a company who really know their stuff.
