Nuuk Greenland Travel Guide
The Nuuk Fjord system has access to several unique locations within easy reach of the capital by boat. Places you can get to in a day-trip distance (by boat) include Qoornoq, an abandoned settlement now used as a summer cabin area, and Kapisillit, a small, active settlement known for its salmon river and serving as a gateway to the Nuuk Ice Fjord. Boat tours often venture into the fjord to view the Sermitsiaq glacier itself or explore the Nuuk Ice Fjord, where icebergs calve from the glacier front. This has a chance to see impressive ice formations.
All these places are mainly reachable by organized boat tours leaving from Nuuk. These tours are offered by various local operators and are the safest and most practical method for discovering the fjord. Tours with a guide are highly suggested for fjord excursions. Tour operators share local knowledge, safety equipment, and often combine multiple sights (e.g., whale watching, a visit to Qoornoq, and icefjord viewing) into one trip. This is the most secure, most efficient, and most practical option for most travelers. Independent travel is only possible if you charter a private boat, which happens to be notably more expensive. Public transport, like the coastal ferry, is generally too slow for most day trips and does not provide the flexibility to visit specific attractions or linger at viewpoints.
The Nuuk Fjord system is itself a vast natural playground.
The Nuuk Fjord is an essential draw, featuring continuous views of towering mountains, dramatic waterfalls, and ever-present icebergs. The scale of the landscape is awe-inspiring.
Traditional sandy coastlines are limited along the coastline, that is largely rocky. There are small lakes suitable for hiking around, but not typically for swimming due to cold temperatures. The rustic areas outside Nuuk are rugged, uninhabited, and pristine wilderness.
While most cultural sites are in Nuuk, some historical insights lie further afield.
Norse Ruins in South Greenland (e.g., Igaliku, Qassiarsuk): These are significant archaeological sites of Viking settlements. They call for an internal flight to South Greenland (e.g., Narsarsuaq) and then local boat transfers, typically as part of a multi-day trip.
Kapisillit is the closest in distance in distance active settlement accessible from Nuuk. There are no agricultural areas near Nuuk. Sheep farming, Greenland's main agriculture, occurs in South Greenland.
These significant archaeological sites demonstrate a glimpse into Greenland's Norse past. They are located in South Greenland.
Greenland's main agricultural activity, sheep farming, takes place in South Greenland, distant from Nuuk.
Consider adding extra days to your Greenland trip to explore other distinct regions.
Home to the UNESCO-listed Ilulissat Icefjord, a breathtaking landscape of massive icebergs.
A 45-minute flight from Nuuk. Plan 2-3 days for exploration.
Boat tours among icebergs, coastal trail hikes, and soaking in the unique atmosphere.
Tourists commonly combine Nuuk with Ilulissat or Kangerlussuaq to experience different facets of Greenland's landscape.
All multi-day extensions within Greenland need in-country flights, mainly with Air Greenland, departing from Nuuk Airport (GOH).
A common itinerary: Copenhagen → Kangerlussuaq → Ilulissat → Nuuk → return or continue. Plan flights sequentially, as national flights are not always daily.
